News and Notes:

2009 Kentucky Derby Prep Races

Race recaps and news and notes by nickborg.com staff

Derby Preps News and Notes: Updated April 19, 2009

April 18, 2009

Garret Gomez chooses to ride Pioneerof the Nile so that's one mystery solved. Doesn't seem like the decision really indicates his feeling that Pioneer is the better horse. His connections to Pioneer certainly seem strong. Prado gets Dunkirk which must make him pretty happy.

Coolmore Lexington Stakes

Advice ridden by Garret Gomez and trained by Todd Pletcher won the Lexington Stakes in convincing fashion in 1:43.33 for the 1-16th. Square Eddie returning to racing for the first time since sustaining an injury a few months ago, went off as the favorite though many, including us, thought he was an extremely vulnerable favorite. But, he did show his class and talent making a sweeping move on the field at the far turn to take the lead after bobbling at the start. He just couldn't sustain the run and was caught by Advice and Conservative leaving him to finish third. Advice now has the earning to go to the Derby but prior to the race Winstar (who also own Hold Me Back and Mr Hot Stuff) said they would not take the horse to the Derby. That may have changed. Square Eddie can go to the Derby but a final decision has not been made.

April 11, 2009
The Arkansas Derby

Papa Clem won the Arkansas Derby by half a length over Old Fashioned with Summer Bird 3rd and Win Willy finishing 4th. Sadly, Old Fashioned came out of the race with a non-displaced slab fracture of his right-knee. According the Larry Jones, as reported in New York Times and DRF, the injury was not life threatening though may very well be career ending. Old Fashioned led most of the way with fractions of 22.65; 46.19; 1.11. Flat Out made a big move at the 3/4 move but Old Fashioned held him off only to be over taken by Papa Clem. Old Fashioned did not give in easily but was beaten by half a lerngth. The final time was 1:49.1. Summer Bird had a huge late run to finish 3rd.Summer Bird a son of Birdstone is definitely one to keep your eye on for the Belmont.

The Bluegrass

General Quarters under Rafael Bejarano won over Hold Me Back and Massone. Quarters after going off the favorite in the Lane's End and finishing a dsiappointing 5th, came back to the form he showed in the Sam F. Davis. Though Hold Me Back made a move around the 1/16th poll he did not really threaten the winner. However, it appears that they may have held something back for Hold Me Back. So, he still appears to be a real legitimate Derby contender. The final time was 1:49.26. Mafaaz, finished last further fueling the fire of controversy surrounding the "win and your in" UK race.

April 6, 2009

This past weekend's Derby Preps made things a little clearer. I Want Revenge winning the Wood after a much troubled trip shows he is the real deal. The Pamplemousse scratching out of the Santa Anita Derby and sidelined for 6 months takes a major contender off the trail. Musket Man appears not to be a fluke. And, a couple of horses finally did some running, Giant Oak finishing second in the Illinois Derby and West Side Bernie finishing second in the Wood.

4/4/09

Wood Memorial

I Want Revenge was left at the gate and then very calmly collected himself and made a long disciplined run through the pack and won very convincingly. West Side Bernie was there at the end coming from off the pace and ran a good race. This maybe the race he needed to get him back on track and should not be discounted.

On a side note, The New York Times reports Gato Go Win trained by Jeff Mullins, I Want Revenge's trainer, was scratched from the Bay Shore after Mullins was seen in the detention barn injecting the horse with a syringe marked "Cough Medicine". Pretty flagrant violaion of detention barn rules and you really have to wonder what was he thinking. Mullins has been suspended int he past in California for drug violations so we'll have to see how this story plays out. Once again it looks like we have a great horse with some questionable connections.

Santa Anita Derby

Pioneerof the Nile. What can you say. He wins again. Easily. But, there are still questions. The Pamplemousse scratching removed the main competition that would have shown you what this horse is made of. Chocolate Candy and Mr. Hot Stuff both ran well from off the pace to finish second and third. The big question about Pioneer is will he be able to handle the move to the dirt surface at Churchill. We'll be watching his works there after he ships from Santa Anita in another week or so. I Want Revenge stepped up after the switch to dirt, will Pioneer do the same or regress?

Illinois Derby

Musket Man proved that his win in the Tampa Bay Derby was for real. He's 5 for 6 in his career. The final time was 1:49.91. Giant Oak finished second and finally got a relatively good trip. It may be too little too late. however. His Jockey, Shaun Bridgmohan feels that he is still learning, where as Musket Man's jockey, Eibar Coa, felt his horse was strong and would have not problwem with the Derby distance.

3/30/09

Mr. Fantasy is off the Derby Trail and pointing to the Withers next.

3/29/09 - Sunland Derby: 1-1/8

Kelly Leak wins. Mayor Marv dissappoints.

3/28/09 - The Florida Derby : 1-1/8 Grade I

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Not much of a surprise in terms of the outcome of the Florida Derby. The top three favorites finished in the top three. Quality Road held off a big move by Dunkirk to win by two lengths. Theregoesjojo finished out the trifecta paying $12.00 for a $2.00 bet.

The Gulfstream track was scraped and was running very fast enabling Quality Road to set a track record of 1:47.72. Todd Pletcher, Dunkirk's trainer, complained on ESPN that if he had known they were going to prep the track the way they did, he would have run Dunkirk in the Wood Memorial next weekend at Aqueduct. Theregoesjojo waged an objection asked Quality Road who he clipped heels with, but the contact seems not to have impacted the final results and the order of finish was kept. At this point it looks like Dunkirk will not make the cut for the Derby earning cut off, but that remains to be seen. Read Nick's blog entry on the potentially inflated Beyer rating Quality Road will earn.

3/28/09 - The Swale 7 Furlongs Grade II

Big Drama and The One's for Phil battled it out with Big Drama seeming to come out the victor with a new track record of 1:20.88. Garret Gomez lodged an objection against Big Drama and Eibar Coa for bumping in the stretch. The stewards elected to take down Big Drama and put up This One's for Phil. 7 furlongs is nice but it's just too late in March for a Derby Prep. It's almost April meaning the Swale horses might not get another race under them before the derby. It's crazy but the schedule is just too tight which reflects how hard it is not only to win the Derby but the Triple Crown. Too much effort is needed by the horse in the preps and the recovery time after each effort is very tight.

3/28/09 - The San Miguel: 6 Furlongs

Triumphant Flight nosed out Charlie's Moment to take the 6 furlong race is 1:09.54. He looked strong but don't think the distance will be good for him. According to the DRF , “Triumphant Flight will be pointed for the $250,000 Snow Chief Stakes for statebred 3-year-olds over 1-1/8 miles at Hollywood Park on April 25. "I don't know if he can go a mile and an eighth, but I'd like to look at that race," his trainer said.” The $1 exacta paid $35 which Nick had covered in his selections for this race.

3/28/09 - UAE Derby approx. 1-1/8 Grade II

Regal Ransom beat favorite and stablemate Desert Party by half a length. Regal Ransom was timed in 1:50 for the 1,800 meters. Desert Party ran flat, according to Jockey Frankie Dettori. The exacta with Desert Party paid $41.20. (see Scat Cat's picks). Both horses will ship to Kentucky next month.

3/21/09 The Lane's End -1-1/8 Grade II

Hold Me Back came from off the pace at odds of 9-1 to win. The Giant's Causeway colt overcame a troubled start passing second place finisher, Wayne Lucas's Flying Private in the lane. Proceed Bee passed tiring Parade Clown for the show money. The final time was 1:49.63. Hold Me Back may prefer the synthetic surface so it's hard to judge his performance but he closed very well, had no trouble with the distance and does seem like he could be a real contender. What is clear is West Side Bernie was a big disappointment and was no factor finishing 6th. The other post-time co-favorite Bittle Road also never lifted a hoof finishing 10th. We certainly wouldn't consider this a key Derby Prep. Look for Hold Me Back to race next in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

3/21/09 Rushaway Stakes - 1-1/16

Former claimer Cliffy's Future came from way back to pass Ziegfield at the 16th pole to grab the win. Long shot Toccet Rocket held for third place. Cliffy failed to fire last time out in the Sam Davis at Tampa Bay but seemed to like the synthetic surface. Ziegfeld ran pretty much to form finsihing 2nd. Don't think any of these can compete with the top echelon of Derby contenders at this point.

3/14/09 The Rebel Stakes- 1-1/16 Grade II

Do you believe in Win Willy? The longest shot on the board came out of nowhere and blew past Old Fashioned when it seemed he had the race wrapped up. The final time was 1:44.1 on a heavy track rated good. Silver City went out first and Old Fashioned went with him. They set very fast fractions for a 1-1/16th race :22.54, :46.07 and 1:11.3. We're not quite ready to give up on Old Fashioned quite yet but this race doesn't bode too well for him liking the Derby distance though he has won at 1-1/8 before. And Win Willy? He is the son of Monarchos who has surprised before and he certainly is deep closer.

3/14/09 The Louisiana Derby- 1-1/16 Grade II

Larry Jones had his winner today, though it was Friesan Fire and not Old Fashioned. He blew away the field on a sloppy track in 1:43.46 winning by 7-1/4 lengths. Papa Clem set out as the pace setter setting soft early fractions and finished second in his first start on dirt. Giant Oak had another lackluster performance. He clearly did not like the track but it seems this horse has had one excuse after another for a bad performance. Friesan is at the top of his game right now and clearly loves Fairgrounds. We'll see if he can stay on top.

3/14/09 Tampa Bay Derby- 1-1/16 Grade III

Musket Man won over Join in the Dance and Justdontcallmejeri. We certainly don't think the next Kentucky Derby winner came out of this race. The final time was 1:43.67 on a fast dirt tack. Hello Broadway failed to impress. He made a move near the 3/4 pole but just never really got going and Musket Man found a late burst of speed to put the field away.

3/14/09 The San Felipe - 1-1/16 Grade II

As expected, Pioneerof the Nile won easily over Feisty Sauces and Jeranimo. New Bay was the early pace setter and put up a bit of a fight as Pioneer went by but gave it up. The final time was 1:43.35 with early fractions of :23.96, :48.60 and 1:12.82. Next up for Pioneer is the Santa Anita Derby on APril 4th where he'll take on the Pamplemousse. Bob Baffert, Pioneer's trainer, said after the race "He was a May foal, so he’s not even three yet. I like what I saw today. This will tighten the screws up for the Santa Anita Derby."

3/7/09 The Gotham 1-1/16 Grade III

I Want Revenge relished the dirt surface after laboring at Santa Anita and wins in 1:42 3/5 over Imperial Council and Mr. Fantasy. Impressive victory. Imperial Council seems to be the up and comer out of this race and Mr. Fantasy regressed after 2 very impressive races.

Post your comments on the Gotham on Nick's blog.

3/7/09 Santa Anita Oaks 1-1/16 Grade I

Stardom Bound barely noses out Third Dawn. IEAH had talked about running the filly Stardom Bound in the Kentucky Derby. May be rethinking that after this not so impressive victory.

2/28/09: The Fountain of Youth 1 mile Grade II

Cut back to 1 mile distance.

Take the points scratches to run in The Sham

Captain Candyman goes off as lukewarm favorite.

Quality Road with john Velazquez wins over Theregoesjojo and Beethoven in1:35 for the 1-turn mile.

Fourth choice in the 10-horse field. Quality Road was not nominated for the triple crown. Hmmmm.

Theregoesjojo seems to be the one to watch coming out of this race.

2/28/09 The Sham   Santa Anita 1-1/8 mile Grade III

The Pamplemousse with Alex Solis wins as expected in 1:47 4/5 on the synethetic surface. Looks impressive winning in front-running style. Take the Points finishes second, though no match for The Pamplemousse.

Definitely a main contender but how will he run on dirt when the time comes?

2/16/09 The Southwest Oaklawn Park 1 mile Grade III

Old Fashioned with Ramon Dominguez wins over pacesetter Silver City by 3 1/4-lengths.

Not a super impressive time though matches Smarty Jones's run. Horse has done nothing wrong so far and must be considered one of the top contenders.