| The Downey Profile | |
| Kentucky Derby Horses and The Downey Profile® | |
The Road to the Kentucky Derby
Selected Major and Minor Stakes Races Leading to the Kentucky Derby
Read about The Downey Profile®
Click to go to race; click back to return
Feb. 13 1 1/16 Mile, Grade II ROBERT B. LEWIS STAKES, Santa Anita ($150,000) 1 1/6 Mile, Grade III SAM F. DAVIS STAKES, Tampa Bay Downs ($225,000) Feb. 15 1 Mile, Grade III SOUTHWEST STAKES, Oaklawn Park ($250,000) 7 Furlong, Grade II SAN VICENTE STAKES, Santa Anita ($150,000) Feb. 18 About 1 Mile (1,600 Meters), Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas, Meydan Racecourse ($250,000) PREVIOUS ROAD RACES Jan. 23 1 Mile 40 Yards, Grade III LECOMTE STAKES, Fair Grounds ($100,000) 1 Mile, Grade III HOLY BULL STAKES, Gulfstream Park ($150,000) Jan. 30 1 Mile, WEBN STAKES, Turfway Park ($50,000) Feb. 6 1 1/16 Mile, WHIRLAWAY STAKES, Aqueduct ($100,000) UPCOMING ROAD RACES Feb. 20 1 1/8 Mile, Grade II FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH STAKES, Gulfstream Park ($250,000) 7 Furlong, Grade II HUTCHESON STAKES, Gulfstream Park ($150,000) 1 1/16 Mile, Grade II RISEN STAR STAKES, Fair Grounds ($200,000) 1 1/8 Mile, Grade III EL CAMINO REAL DERBY, Golden Gate Fields ($150,000) Feb. 27 1 1/8 Mile, Grade III SHAM STAKES, Santa Anita ($150,000) 1 1/16 Mile, JOHN BATTAGLIA MEMORIAL STAKES, Turfway Park ($100,000) March 4 About 1 3/16 Mile (1,900 Meters), AL BASTAKIYA, Meydan Racecourse ($250,000) March 6 1 1/16 Mile, Grade III GOTHAM STAKES ($250,000) March 13 1 1/16 Mile, Grade III TAMPA BAY DERBY, Tampa Bay Downs ($300,000) 1 1/16 Mile, Grade II REBEL STAKES, Oaklawn Park ($300,000) 1 1/16 Mile, Grade II SAN FELIPE STAKES, Santa Anita ($150,000) March 20 7 Furlongs, Grade II SWALE STAKES, Gulfstream Park ($150,000) 1 1/8 Mile, Grade I FLORIDA DERBY, Gulfstream Park ($750,000) March 27 1 1/8 Mile, Grade II LOUISIANA DERBY, Fair Grounds ($750,000) 1 1/8 Mile, Grade II LANE’S END STAKES, Turfway Park ($500,000) About 1 3/16 Mile (1,900 Meters), Group 2 UAE DERBY, Meydan Racecourse ($2,000,000) March 28 1 1/8 Mile, Grade III SUNLAND DERBY, Sunland Park ($800,000) April 3 1 1/8 Mile, Grade I WOOD MEMORIAL, Aqueduct ($750,000) 1 1/8 Mile, Grade I SANTA ANITA DERBY, Santa Anita ($750,000) 1 1/8 Mile, Grade III ILLINOIS DERBY, Hawthorne Race Course ($500,000) April 10 1 1/8 Mile, Grade I TOYOTA BLUE GRASS STAKES, Keeneland ($750,000) 1 1/8 Mile, Grade I ARKANSAS DERBY, Oaklawn Park ($1,000,000) April 17 1 1/16 Mile, Grade II COOLMORE LEXINGTON STAKES, Keeneland ($300,000) Feb. 13: 1 1/16 Mile, Grade II ROBERT B. LEWIS STAKES Santa Anita ($150,000) http://www.santaanita.com Lewis, Las Virgenes Rescheduled Santa Anita Park announced that three graded stakes--the Grade I Las Virgenes, the Grade II Robert Lewis and Grade II Strub Stakes--which were cancelled today due to rain have been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13. All three races will be redrawn and all horses that were nominated are eligible to be entered. Lewis, Four Other Stakes Postponed Posted Feb. 6, 2010 Santa Anita closed today for racing due to recent rains in Arcadia. Track conditions were deemed too dangerous to race after continuing drainage problems on the main track left standing water on it. Five stakes races set for today, including the Grade II Robert B. Lewis and Grade I Las Virgenes, will be rescheduled for Feb. 13, 14 and 15, the latter date being President's Day, according to track officials. “We’re going to remain in consultation with the horsemen and we hope to have a decision as to when all of these important races will be rescheduled just as soon as possible,” said Santa Anita General Manager George Haines. “We know that in many cases, owners and trainers are plotting schedules with their respective horses and they need to know when these races are going to be offered back. This is a very difficult situation and we will let everyone what our plan is as quickly as possible. "This is obviously very disappointing,” said Haines. “The main track is draining better than it was a month ago, but we got very substantial rain overnight and this morning, and as a result, we had standing water in several areas. “As we’ve said all along, safety is going to be our number one priority in determining whether or not we’re able to run, and the situation this morning was not good. That said, this weather system is supposed to be completely cleared out by late this afternoon and we are optimistic about being able to run tomorrow.” The field that was entered for the Feb. 6 Robert B. Lewis:
American Lion, Tiz Chrome Square Off in Lewis Posted Feb. 3, 2010 American Lion (Looking Good) and Tiz Chrome (Worth Watching), who are at this point among the top Kentucky Derby prospects on some lists, make their 3-year-old debuts Saturday in the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes. The Lewis, formerly known as the Santa Catalina Stakes, has produced five of the last 15 winners of the Santa Anita Derby. Both American Lion and Tiz Chrome are sons of 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow. Each of them will make his first attempt around two turns in the 1 1/16-mile Lewis, so the distance capabilities of the youngsters will become better defined. With Tiznow blood, American Lion and Tiz Chrome seem well-suited for the two-turn challenge. A WinStar Farm homebred out of the Storm Cat mare, Storm Tide, American Lion has not raced since taking Hollywood Park’s Grade III Hollywood Prevue Stakes over seven furlongs on Nov. 21. While on the sidelines, the bay colt has been kept in constant training by trainer Eoin Harty. Julien Leparoux will ride American Lion, whom he has already tabbed as his Kentucky Derby horse. The colt has raced three times. Leparoux was aboard for the colt’s 6 3/4-length maiden win over seven furlongs at Keeneland following a second-pace debut at Arlington Park. He again was aboard when American Lion won the Hollywood Prevue by three-quarters of a length over Get My Fix while going off as the 7-10 favorite. Unbeaten Tiz Chrome has raced twice. First time out, he won his six-furlong debut at Churchill Downs on Nov. 1 by 3 1/4 lengths. Transferred to the barn of Bob Baffert by the partnership of the Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable and Schiappa, Tiz Chrome performed very well winning Hollywood Park’s Stuka Stakes by four lengths on Dec. 19 and covering 6 1/2 furlongs in a sizzling 1:14 2/5. Three wide in the turn, Tiz Chrome took off from the end of the turn and kicked away while being shown the whip by Garrett Gomez. Gomez returns from the Stuka on Tiz Chrome “He’s a pretty serious horse,” said Baffert, who has likened Tiz Chrome to his 1997 Kentucky Derby winner, Silver Charm. “He’s very laid back, but when he gets into the starting gate, he becomes a different horse.” --Edited from track notes with additional content by Dick Downey Caracortado Goes for Five Straight in Lewis Posted Feb. 3, 2010 Caracortado, the lone California-bred in the field, will face his stiffest test yet in Saturday’s Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes when the gelding puts his unbeaten record on the line in the 1 1/16-mile race, a major prep for the Grade I $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 3. “He has been a surprise,” trainer Mike Machowsky said of the son of Cat Dream. Caracortado (Worth Watching) began his career winning a $40,000 maiden claiming race at four furlongs at Fairplex Park. Now he's won four straight, his latest in the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes at 1 1/16 mile on Dec. 26. Paul Atkinson has ridden him each time. “When you start off running a horse a half-mile, you’re not sure what to expect down the line,” Machowsky said. “But every time I’ve asked the horse to do something, he’s done it.” Indeed, Caracortado's first three races were all sprints. So even Machowsky was a little surprised at the ease with which Caracortado, a son of Cat Dreams, won the Cal Breeders' Championship--even though he was bet at 2-1 in a field of 10--but he wasn't shocked. “To be honest, before I ever ran him, I didn’t think he’d be a two-turn horse. I ran him a half-mile at Fairplex, and I knew he was fast," Machowsky said after the race. "When I worked him three-quarters, I actually knew he had a shot at going two turns. He’s got a great turn of foot and relaxes real well. Paul was coming back off an injury, and he was breezing horses for me. I told him I had one at Pomona I can ride you on, and he’ll win. That’s how he got the mount.” In the California Breeders' Championship, Atkinson hustled Caracortado to the early lead, eased back into a tracking fourth position, then burst through an opening near the rail in the stretch to prove dominant. He was timed in 1:43.61 in the 1 1/16-mile race. Atkinson's assessment after the race? “He really exploded nice," the jockey said. --By Dick Downey, with track notes supplemented Feb. 13: 1 1/6 Mile, Grade III SAM F. DAVIS STAKES Tampa Bay Downs ($225,000) http://www.tampabaydowns.com Sam F. Davis Draws 42 Nominations Posted Feb. 1, 2010 Updated Feb. 8, 2010 The Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes, worth $225,000, has received 42 nominations pending late mail. One headliner on the list is Noble's Promise (Looking Good), winner of the Grade I Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity, third-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and runner-up in the Grade I CashCall Futurity. He has yet to put in a published workout this year for trainer Ken McPeek after that tough campaingn. Noble's Promise was recently transferred from Southern California to South Florida. From the Todd Pletcher barn, Grade III Delta Jackpot winner Rule (Looking Good), who's been training at Palm Meadows, is on the nomination list. It would be the first start of 2010 for Rule, who is a graded-earnings lock for the Kentucky Derby; the only questions to be answered are how he's progressed since last year and whether he remains healthy. Local favorite Uptowncharlybrown (Worth Watching), was an expected nominee. He's won his two races by a combined 15 lengths, including a huge victory in the seven-furlong Pasco Stakes at Tampa. The colt is conditioned by Alan Seewald. For a full list of the nominations to the Sam F. Davis Stakes, please click here. Feb. 15: 1 Mile, Grade III SOUTHWEST STAKES Oaklawn Park ($250,000) http://www.oaklawn.com/racing Shippers Might Abound for Southwest By Dick Downey Posted Feb. 8, 2010 Updated Feb. 8, 2010 DRF.com reported last week that Oaklawn Park stakes coordinator Craig Lytel said flights Tuesday and Wednesday from South Florida and Southern California will bring in Caracortado (Worth Watching) (from California) and Mission Impazible (Just In Case) and Silver Craft (Just In Case) (from Florida) for the Grade III Southwest Stakes on Feb. 15, President's Day. This was published before heavy rain canceled the Saturday card at Santa Anita, in which Caracortado was entered to run in the Grade II Robert B. Lewis, but the bad forecast was already in the books at the time. The report said "at least four" would be flown in for the Southwest from those two locations. Other possibles weren't named. Our research shows that Southern Cal resident Nextdoorneighbor (Worth Watching) was once said to be looking to the Southwest, but later the Grade III Sham on Feb. 27 was named. Track reports at Santa Anita notwithstanding, Conveyance (Looking Good) has also been mentioned for the Southwest. Cool Bullet (Worth Watching) looks to be already set to come in from New Orleans. Meanwhile, Dryfly (Worth Watching) and Dublin (Worth Watching) are at Oaklawn--with Pleasant Storm (Worth Watching) at Louisiana Downs--waiting for the invaders. According to a note from Oaklawn, Cardiff Giant (Worth Watching), second to Conveyance in the San Rafael at Santa Anita, is expected for the Southwest. Kitty's Turn, the third finisher behind Dryfly and Pleasant Storm in the Smarty Jones, would join the top two from that race. Moojab (Worth Watching), from the barn of Danny Peitz, could also be entered. The son of Smarty Jones won his only Aqueduct start last Fall, then settled for third in a six-furlong allowance at Oaklawn in January. His barn believes he was bothered by a loose horse during the running of the race. Feb. 15: 7 Furlong, Grade II SAN VICENTE STAKES Santa Anita ($150,000) http://www.santaanita.com Feb. 18: About 1 Mile (1,600 Meters), Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas Meydan Racecourse ($250,000) http://www.meydan.ae/racecourse PREVIOUS ROAD RACES Jan. 23: 1 Mile 40 Yards, Grade III LECOMTE STAKES Fair Grounds ($100,000) http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com Ron the Greek Blows by Field in Lecomte By Dick Downey The Downey Profile Posted Jan. 23, 2010 Racing down the backstretch, James Graham could have used binoculars to spot the leaders in the Grade III Lecomte Stakes, but by the time they got to the finish line at Fair Grounds, all he needed was a rear view mirror. Ron the Greek and Graham passed all but one horse in the stretch run of the 10-horse Lecomte to win going away. In the early going, Ron the Greek was 16 lengths behind pacesetter Maximus Ruler. The one mile, 40 yards was timed in 1:40.09. Maximus Ruler, the betting choice at 2-1, finished second after leading through fractions of :23.42, :46.80 and 1:12.27. Ron the Greek was sent off at 7-1 odds and paid $17.60 to win, $8.20 to place and $5.60 to show. The pair of 3-year-olds produced a $2 exacta payoff of $75.80. Letsgetitonmon, at 18-1, hit the wire third after also coming from well back in the field, and was beaten two lengths, followed another 1 1/4 length back by Cool Bullet. Worldly, Turf Melody, Citrus Kid, Depaul, B'wanagoldmine and Rock Hard completed the order of finish. Callide Valley was scratched. Citrus Kid, bet at 7-2 off an 8-1 morning line after a pair of bullet works at Palm Meadows, did not appear to enjoy the track and was never placed better than fifth as the route was run. Worldly, the second betting choice at 3-1, was in striking position from the start to the top of the stretch, but he flattened out. Tom Amoss trains Ron the Greek and may have tipped the horse when he said yesterday, “This is a very interesting horse. We’ve always known he wanted a route of ground, and in that last race at Remington, he came from last place and then had to check after beginning his run. He’s a bigger horse than most, and he makes quite a presence in the paddock.” That last race was the $200,000 Springboard Stakes at Remington Park. In the one-mile race, Ron the Greek launched his bid from 16-length deficit before finishing fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Turf Melody. Ron the Greek won his first pair of 2-year-old races, first at Hoosier Park and then at Delta Downs, where he made up over nine lengths to win. The Springboard was his third and final race of 2009, and Amoss had him taken to Fair Grounds where Ron the Greek went right to work. A son of Full Mandate, who's by A.P. Indy, Ron the Greek is out of Flambe`, by Fortunate Prospect. He was bred in Florida by his owner, Jack Hammer. Hammer told a TwinSpires.com audience after the race that it was his first trip to Fair Grounds. Equibase chart Connections Quotes “He has a big kick,” winning jockey Graham said of Ron the Greek. “He does what you tell him to do. If you want to go he’ll wait until you pull the trigger.” “We really thought he had a good chance today," winning trainer Tom Amoss said. "For the horseplayers that like to examine the horses in the paddock he really does look the part. He’s a very, very good-looking horse. He’s a one-run horse, period. Let’s hope he always has some pace up front. “I certainly think (the Risen Star would be next). It’s another seventy yards. The Risen Star would be a tremendously flattering race to win, not only for myself but for Mr. Hammer. We’ll let him tell us, but that’s certainly what we’re thinking.” Francisco Torres (Maximus Ruler, second): “He broke well. He relaxed and placed himself on a very comfortable lead. He responded to my urging and kept driving. I was pleased with his effort. When I called on him, he exploded. I don’t think he saw the winner, he was so far away from him. First time going around two turns, he has a lot of room to improve.” Trainer Clark Hanna (Maximus Ruler): “I thought it was a great effort. I thought he was hooked for most of the way around there, and obviously he was fresh being on the front end like he was. He got tested every step of the way. He took on all foes except for one. Maybe the trainer didn’t have him fit enough coming off the layoff, but he cooled out well, and if all’s well tomorrow, we’ll be looking to come back in a few weeks in the next one.” Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan (Letsgetitonmon, third): “He finished really well. He was a little bit further back early on, but when I asked him down the lane, I had to weave my way through traffic and he really finished up well. I think he’s a three-year-old that each time they lead him over here he keeps getting better and better. He’s moving in the right direction and he tries hard.” Scott Blasi, assistant trainer (Letsgetitonmon): “Letsgetitonmon is another horse who moved forward yesterday. With 3-year-olds at this time of year, if they keep performing well and showing improvement each time, you just let them keep doing that until they find their level. “For instance, take a horse like Soul Warrior last year,” said Blasi. “He kept improving and went on to win the $750,000 West Virginia Derby. There’s nothing wrong with that. The point is, at this time of year, you just have to let them show you what they can do.” Brian Hernandez Jr. (Cool Bullet, fourth): “He ran huge for first time going two turns. I think he’ll step up the next time.” Trainer Steve Margolis (Cool Bullet, fourth): “He had a great trip. Brian rode a great race, a good stalking trip. He tired a little bit at the end, but I wouldn’t call it quitting; I think it’s maybe the lack of the two-turn experience kind of caught up to him. I’m not disappointed. You want to win every time, but I think for a horse coming off a five-and-a-half and a three-quarters race, he ran a legitimate race. “I don’t know what well do next time; I’ll have to talk to the owners. He ran a hard-trying race, and if you could go buy every horse like this for $4,000 you’d be in good shape.” Robby Albarado (Worldly, fifth): “I had a beautiful trip. I sat right behind the lead horses. I was content the whole way. I had a great rail trip turning for home, just didn’t have enough horse to go on.” Jose Valdivia Jr. (Turf Melody, sixth): “Actually I had a great trip. My horse was pulling a little bit in the early stages of the race. Once he got down the backside, he settled really nicely. I was following the three (Worldly) around there and I thought I was in a great spot. When we turned for home I thought he would give me that other gear, and he just never did. He ran very even through the lane. I really thought he’d give me that other gear, but he just stayed where he was. No excuses; it’s just one of those things.” Miguel Mena (Citrus Kid, seventh): “He was a little nervous in the post parade. Other than that no excuses.” The entries were:
Jan. 23: 1 Mile, Grade III HOLY BULL STAKES Gulfstream Park ($150,000) http://www.gulfstreampark.com Winslow Homer Cuts Through Field to Take Holy Bull By Dick Downey The Downey Profile Posted Jan. 23, 2010 Winslow Homer laid off the early pace, got in the mix on the turn and found a seam in the stretch to get by the inside of Jackson Bend--through tight quarters--and win the race. He was timed in 1:35.97. Jan. 23, Grade III Holy Bull Stakes, Gulfstream Park, One Mile. Winslow Homer laid off the early pace, got in the mix on the turn and found a seam in the stretch to get by the inside of Jackson Bend and win the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes. He was timed in 1:35.97. Winslow Homer, trained by Anthony Dutrow and ridden by Ramon Dominguez, returned $9.60 to win, $4.60 to place and $3.60 to show as the 7-2 second choice in the wagering. His morning line was 6-1. Jackson Bend, the 8-5 favorite, was always prominent in the race on the outside after breaking from post 9. He stayed on for second, beaten three-quarters of a length, while William's Kitten (12-1) came on late and wide for third, another 3 1/4 lengths back. It was tight for fourth, with Thank U Philippe (15-1) edging out Homeboykris (5-1) and beaten six lengths for all of it. The order of finish was completed by Aikenite, Wild Lime, Litigation Risk and Piscitelli. After a very abbreviated runup to the timer after the break, Piscitelli, Aikenite, Homeboykris and Jackson Bend slugged it out for the lead and went the first quarter-mile in :23.86. Thank U Philippe, never far back, joined that fray with the half timed in :45.76. Meanwhile, Piscitelli dropped out of contention. Rounding the turn, Thank U Philippe, then Homeboykris, grabbed a short lead as Aikenite backed out of it with six furlongs run in 1:09.66. But Winslow Homer was about to begin making his move in earnest. By the time the field reached the furlong marker, Winslow Homer had knifed through the pack and led by a head. Dutrow, with owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm at his side after the race, said Winslow Homer would be pointed next to the Grade II Fountain of Youth at the track on Feb. 20. Bred in Kentucky by Overbrook Farm, Winslow Homer is by Unbridled's Song, out of the Summer Squall mare Summer Raven. The Holy Bull was the 3-year-old debut of Winslow Homer. In 2009, Winslow Homer won two of three races. In his last outing of the year, Winslow Homer came off a three-month layoff to race at Philadelphia Park and won the one-mile race on Nov. 20 by 12 1/2 lengths. Connections Quotes: Anthony Dutrow, trainer of Winslow Homer: “I came here today without any particular expectations, just hoping he would keep his place in line (on the Derby trail). Naturally, I have to be very pleased with the way he ran. Mr. Porter and I decided we might be in business with a good horse after we watched him work one morning at Delaware Park in about late June, and he hasn’t disappointed us yet. "We’ll look ahead now to the Fountain of Youth if all goes well. He’s actually bred for two turns. The goal is the Kentucky Derby.” Ramon Dominguez, Winslow Homer: “There is always a little concern when you are up on the inside covered up, especially with a young horse like him, but I was hoping that somewhere along the line things would open up because I felt like I had a lot of horse. And when the hole barely opened up, he squeezed through horses, and did it very professionally. "When he made the lead, he started to come back to me, so I had to encourage him a little to keep going, but he’s a professional, and he’s just improving tremendously with each race.” Jeremy Rose, aboard Jackson Bend: “My horse ran his race. I had him positioned right where I wanted him, but when the winner split horses and made his move, he had a little more left. But my horse is a good horse. He ran well.” Equibase chart The entries were:
Jan. 30: 1 Mile, WEBN STAKES Turfway Park ($50,000) http://www.turfway.com Kera's Kitten Breaks Well, Finishes the Job By Dick Downey The Downey Profile Posted Jan. 30, 2010 Kera's Kitten (Just In Case) broke well and led from start to finish under Thomas Pompell to win the WEBN Stakes at Turfway Park. Under mild pressure in the second turn but never seriously threatened, Kera's Kitten (5-1 fourth choice off a 4-1 morning line) won by 2 1/2 lengths over Slewzoom (19-1), followed by Lucky Chuck (3-1 favorite), who was the one applying moderate pressure to Kera's Kitten before giving way. Twelve ran. Behind Lucky Chuck came 31-1 Pathoki, Fish, Patti’s Kitten, In the Paint, Mickejoe, Justamatteroftime, Big Bruin, Proud of Midway, and Rockin’ Rockstar, who broke poorly. Outclass did not draw in from the also-eligible list and was scratched. In the Turfway Prevue on Jan. 2, Kera's Kitten stumbled at the start and lost all chance. He finished seventh, beaten 21 1/2 lengths. Early splits were :24.25, :48.56 and 1:13.88, with a final time of 1:41.21. Bred and owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Kera's Kitten is trained by Mike Maker. He's a son of the Ramsey stallion Kitten's Joy and is out of Mrs. K, by Dixieland Band. It was the third win in five starts for Kera's Kitten. Last year, he broke his maiden in his debut at Kentucky Downs and went on to win the El Joven Stakes at Retama Park on soft turf, clearing by five lengths. Connections quotes: Mike Maker: “Well, he runs a lot better when he breaks good." Thomas Pompell: "Mike told me I had the speed. He didn’t break real well, but I kind of got after him and got him to the lead and settled him down from there. On the final turn, they came up to me and I let mine out a little bit, seeing as how I had horse, but there was really no challenge.” Equibase chart The entries were:
Feb. 6: 1 1/16 Mile, WHIRLAWAY STAKES Aqueduct ($100,000) http://www.nyra.com/index_aqueduct.html Bedlam in Whirlaway By Dick Downey The Downey Profile Posted Feb. 6, 2009 With 1-5 favorite Eightyfiveinafifty bolting on first turn, things turned upside down in the 1 1/16-mile Whirlaway Stakes and led to a win by Peppi Knows in 1:47.10 on a track rated fast. Jorge Chavez was unseated from Eightyfiveinafifty when he crashed into the outer rail of the turn; Chavez was taken to North Shore University Hospital for evaluation. After the race, trainer Gary Contessa said Eightyfiveinafifty was OK except for a two-inch cut in his right-hind leg, and that he didn't have any idea what went wrong. After breaking from the rail, a rank Eightyfiveinafifty took the early lead with Three Day Rush pursuing him from the outside. When the pair hit the first turn, Eightyfiveinafifty started throwing his head and ran toward the outer rail. Three Day Rush and David Cohen changed course and went to the inside of Eightyfiveinafifty, leaving Papa's Nice Cat, Three Day Rush and Peppi Knows to contend for the lead. Peppi Knows and Richard Migliore had siezed the lead by the time the field was a short distance into the second turn; Papa's Nice Cat had backed off, and Three Day Rush was chasing the leader. Afleet Again had been trailing the decimated field--Turf Melody was a scratch, and the incident with Eightyfiveinafifty left only four running--but he overtook Three Day Rush in the stretch to get within a length of Peppi Knows at the finish line, with Three Day Rush a half-length back of the runner-up. Papa's Nice Cat finished fourth, beaten 23 1/4 lengths. There were bridge jumpers wagering on Eightyfiveinafifty in this race, with an inverted show payoff resulting. Peppi Knows paid $17.40 to win, $5.60 to place and $7.70 to show. Afleet Again paid $8.40 to place and $9.80 to show. Peppi Knows, a gelded son of Stephen Got Even, is trained by Tim Kreiser and is owned by Philip J. Messina. He was bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humprey. In his most recent outing, Peppi Knows was runner-up to Buddy's Saint in the Grade II Remsen Stakes on the main track at Aqueduct late in November. The Whirlaway was run on Aqueduct's inner dirt track. Timothy Kreiser, winning trainer: “Everything went well, obviously what happened with (Eightfiveinafifty), I don’t know. It helped things, I guess, maybe it didn’t. It would have been nice to see that horse run just to see what we had there. We can’t do anything about that, he ran his race, and we’re really happy. The rider did everything perfect. He didn’t rush him, he just settled him down. With that horse out --that’s what all the talk was about--so if he’s out of it, you think you have a heck of a chance. We took advantage of it.” Richard Migliore, winning jockey: “It worked out real good for us. We got to save ground when the other horse didn’t make the turn. He’s just a real nice handy little horse. He’s not a whole lot to look at, but he has a big heart. Anytime he felt the presence of the other horse, he ran on a little more. I just hope Jorge’s alright.” Gary Contessa, trainer of Eightyfiveinafifty: “The horse is okay. He has a two-inch cut on his right hind leg, and he’ll need a couple of stitches, but he was walking sound. I’m completely mystified as to what happened. I don’t know if it was the horse, the jockey, or an equipment malfunction. The bit was broken and the rein was shredded--the equipment was in shambles--but I don’t know if that happened during the race or after he bolted. He’s handled the turns fine in the mornings. I have no idea what happened.” Equibase chart The entries were:
UPCOMING ROAD RACES Feb. 20: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade II FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH STAKES Gulfstream Park ($250,000) http://www.gulfstreampark.com The Fountain of Youth, originally scheduled for Feb. 27, was reset to Feb. 20 when the Grade I Florida Derby was moved back a week. Last year, the Grade III Holy Bull was run at 1 1/8 mile, and the Fountain of Youth was run at a mile. The distance of the two races was reversed this year, making for a natural progression in distance. Fountain of Youth Probables With more than two weeks to go before the 64th running of the 1 1/8-mile, Grade II Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes, the probable/possible list currently includes: Buddy's Saint (Looking Good), owned by Kingfield Stable; Jackson Bend (Looking Good) (Robert LaPenta and Jacks or Better Farm); Eskendereya (Worth Watching) (Zayat Stable); Aikenite (Worth Watching) (Dogwood Stable); Drosselmeyer (Worth Watching) (WinStar Farm) and Pulsion (Worth Watching) (Flying Zee Stable). --Posted Feb. 3, 2010 Feb. 20: 7 Furlong, Grade II HUTCHESON STAKES Gulfstream Park ($150,000) http://www.gulfstreampark.com Feb. 20: 1 1/16 Mile, Grade II RISEN STAR STAKES Fair Grounds ($200,000) http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com For the first time, the $25,000 starter fee for the Kentucky Derby will be waived for any horse that starts in the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby and finishes among the top three in either race. Feb. 20: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade III EL CAMINO REAL DERBY Golden Gate Fields ($150,000) http://www.goldengatefields.com Feb. 27: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade III SHAM STAKES Santa Anita ($150,000) http://www.santaanita.com Feb. 27: 1 1/16 Mile, JOHN BATTAGLIA MEMORIAL STAKES Turfway Park ($100,000) http://www.turfway.com March 4: About 1 3/16 Mile (1,900 Meters), AL BASTAKIYA Meydan Racecourse ($250,000) http://www.meydan.ae/racecourse March 6: 1 1/16 Mile, Grade III GOTHAM STAKES ($250,000) http://www.nyra.com/index_aqueduct.html March 13: 1 1/16 Mile, Grade III TAMPA BAY DERBY Tampa Bay Downs ($300,000) http://www.tampabaydowns.com March 13: 1 1/16 Mile, Grade II REBEL STAKES Oaklawn Park, $300,000 http://www.oaklawn.com/racing March 13: 1 1/16 Mile, Grade II SAN FELIPE STAKES Santa Anita ($150,000) http://www.santaanita.com March 20: 7 Furlongs, Grade II SWALE STAKES Gulfstream Park ($150,000) http://www.gulfstreampark.com March 20: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade I FLORIDA DERBY Gulfstream Park ($750,000) http://www.gulfstreampark.com The Florida Derby used to be seven weeks before the Kentucky Derby until moved five weeks out in 2005. Since then, two Florida Derby winners, Barbaro and Big Brown have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby. This year, the Florida Derby is six weeks before the Kentucky Derby. Gulfstream officials said when the Florida Derby date change was announced that they didn't want to compete for handle with the Grade II Louisiana Derby on March 27. March 27: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade II LOUISIANA DERBY Fair Grounds ($750,000) http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots raised the purse of the Grade II Louisiana Derby from $600,000 to $750,000, increased the distance from 1 1/16 mile to 1 1/8 mile, and moved the race later in the schedule than in the past to March 27, five weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby. For the first time, the $25,000 starter fee for the Kentucky Derby will be waived for any horse that starts in the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby and finishes among the top three in either race.  March 27: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade II LANE’S END STAKES Turfway Park ($500,000) http://www.turfway.com The Lane's End Stakes, which has been run six weeks before the Kentucky Derby for years, was originally set for the same timetable this year. Later, it was rescheduled to be staged five weeks before the Kentucky Derby, on the same day as the Louisana Derby. March 27: About 1 3/16 Mile (1,900 Meters), Group 2 UAE DERBY Meydan Racecourse ($2,000,000) http://www.meydan.ae/racecourse Trainer Bob Baffert and co-owner Mike Pegram have nominated Lookin at Lucky (Looking Good) to the Group 2 UAE Derby in Dubai. Baffert has said he'll run Lookin at Lucky either at Santa Anita in March or "out of town," but this is the first time the UAE Derby has been publicly indicated as an option. Whether this is a serious nomination remains to be seen. The newly-opened Meydan Racecourse has a synthetic surface, and of course Lookin at Lucky has excelled on various synthetics. In 2001, Pegram and Baffert won the Group 1 Dubai World Cup with Captain Steve, earning $3,600,000 in purse money for the winner's share. The UAE Derby is worth $2,000,000 overall. It will be run at 1,900 meters, or about 1 3/16 mile, for the first time this year. Unsurprisingly, Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor has nominated Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Vale of York (Looking Good) among 18 from his stable. His group also includes Tahitian Warrior (Worth Watching), a horse bought by Godolphin earlier this year after a strong debut win going six furlongs. Vale of York was taken to Dubai after his Juvenile win. Fans of Tahitian Warrior are still waiting word on his shipping plans--or perhaps a lack thereof--following two recent stateside works. Meanwhile, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin went on the record to say, following the first of those two workouts, that he was just "babysitting" the horse pending travel plans. For a full list of the 173 nominations to the UAE Derby, please click here. The would-be runners come from 16 countries. --Posted Feb. 1, 2010 March 28, 1 1/8 Mile, Grade III SUNLAND DERBY Sunland Park ($800,000) http://www.sunland-park.com/index.php The Sunland Derby was elevated to Grade III status this year, and so for the first time, earnings from the race will count toward eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. The purse was raised from $600,000 to $800,000. Mine That Bird competed in this race in 2009 before winning the Kentucky Derby. April 3: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade I WOOD MEMORIAL Aqueduct ($750,000) http://www.nyra.com/index_aqueduct.html April 3: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade I SANTA ANITA DERBY Santa Anita ($750,000) http://www.santaanita.com April 3: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade III ILLINOIS DERBY Hawthorne Race Course ($500,000) http://www.hawthorneracecourse.com The Illinois Derby was demoted from Grade II to Grade III status this year. April 10: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade I TOYOTA BLUE GRASS STAKES Keeneland ($750,000) http://www.keeneland.com/default.aspx April 10: 1 1/8 Mile, Grade I ARKANSAS DERBY Oaklawn Park ($1,000,000) http://www.oaklawn.com/racing The Arkansas Derby was elevated to Grade I status this year. April 17: 1 1/16 Mile, Grade II COOLMORE LEXINGTON STAKES Keeneland ($300,000) http://www.keeneland.com/default.aspx |
|
Webmaster: Contact Us
© 2003-2010 The Downey Profile, LLC |