Madman scared off by Uncle//Loads of cash placed on Runflatout in Future Wager// Odds set for wide-open San Felipe// Vinery Spiral Stakes takes shape// Rescind The Trade still headed to stakes// Gomez in a “situation” for Louisiana Derby

Summary:

Madman Diaries may scratch from the Timely Writer due to Mo presence// There is a video interview below with Todd Pletcher. The subject is choosing Johnny Velazquez as the rider for Uncle Mo.  Am I missing something? How is this news? He’s Pletcher’s first call jock, ridden Mo in all three starts, and regularly rides at Gulfstream// Odds set for San Felipe. With the favorite Jaycito at just 7-2 the payouts should be excellent// Apparently a sizable wager was placed today on Runflatout for the Future wager.  He’s now the favorite, but that’s not expected to be the case when the pool closes Sunday// Rescind the Trade, who was injured in the Whirlaway may go in the Sunland or Illinois Derby// Preachintothedevil also sustained an injury just before the Gotham, but may try the Spiral Stakes.  Decisive Moment may also head to Turfway for the race// Garret Gomez will be riding in Louisiana Derby, but on which horse is unknown.

 

Entries:

3/12 San Felipe (G2), Tampa Bay Derby (G2), and Timely Writer Stakes entries, past performance videos, articles, handicapper picks, and a link to free PPs on the upcoming page here

Articles:

·       Madman Diaries may scratch from Timely Writer (Bloodhorse)

·       Vinery Stable cast adds Decisive Moment (DRF)

·       Preachintothedevil may try Spiral at Turfway (DRF)

·       Good news for Gomez fans (Downey Profile)

·       KY Derby Future Wager: Runflatout the surprise early favorite (DRF)

·       Illinois Derby, Sunland Derby among options for Rescind the Trade (DRF)

·       Road to the Derby- Preview of weekend action (Courier Journal)

·       Uncle Mo prompts Derby fever (USA Today)

·       Kentucky Derby Update 3/11 (Churchill Downs)

·       Jeremy Plonk’s countdown to the crown- 3/11 (ESPN)

·       Saturday is Uncle Mo time (includes picks for all upcoming 3 preps) (The Sports Network)

·       Mo, Brethren, and the California question (Bloodhorse blog)

·       Rebel field to include strong group of Oaklawn-based runners (DRF)

·       Steve Haskin: New stars could shine this weekend (Bloodhorse)

·       Uncle Mo big favorite in 3 year-old debut (AP)

Videos:

·       Todd Pletcher on Uncle Mo and John Velazquez (Thoroughbred Times)

Picks

·       Tampa Bay Derby analysis (DRF video)

·       San Felipe analysis (DRF video)

Works:

·       Sour: FG- 4F- 48:40- B- 6/69

·       Left: FG- 4F- 48:40- B- 6/69

Rankings:

·       Brad Frees Santa Anita Derby rankings (DRF)

Notes:

JeffLowe Twitter:

“According to our main Ragozin man, Bob Ehalt, Stay Thirsty got a 7 in the Gotham. His previous top was 7 1/4. Not bad, not great”

Santa Anita Stable Notes:

‘PEGASUS’ AND QUINONEZ OUT TO RESUME WINNING WAYS IN SAN FELIPE

Premier Pegasus had his three-race winning streak ended Feb. 20 when he finished third behind The Factor and Sway Away in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes. Alonso Quinonez, who has ridden the son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus in each of his four starts, hopes to start another winning streak in Saturday’s Grade II, $250,000 San Felipe Stakes. The mile and one-sixteenth race is a major steppingstone to the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 9.

“He’s got a good style and he’s been working well, but as far as strategy, we’ll see what happens after the gates open,” Quinonez said of the Kentucky-bred colt owned, bred and trained by Myung Kwon Cho. “It looks like there’s a lot of speed in there, so we’ll have to play it by ear.

“My horse’s last race was a good one. It’s no disgrace finishing behind The Factor and Sway Away. I’m pretty sure my horse will run good. His last race helped him a lot. I think he really needed it. But he should have no excuse on Saturday.”

The San Vicente was the first race for Premier Pegasus since Nov. 20, a span of three months, when he won the Grade III Hollywood Prevue.

As for his personal dry spell, it is approaching Cauthenesque proportions. Quinonez is winless since Feb. 13 when he won aboard Harborton for trainer Gary Stute, a span of 65 races. But the 27-year-old native of Mexico was philosophical. “Thirteen has been an unlucky number for me,” he said with a chuckle. “But we’ll get over it. It’s all going to change. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t. What are you going to do?”

The field for the San Felipe at 1 1/16 miles: Albergatti, Garrett Gomez, 6-1; Runflatout, Joel Rosario, 4-1; Surrey Star, Joe Talamo, 15-1; Awesome Patriot, Rafael Bejarano, 12-1; Comma to the Top, Corey Nakatani, 4-1; Premier Pegasus, Alonso Quinonez, 4-1; Bench Points, David Flores, 8-1; Jakesam, Patrick Valenzuela, 20-1; Jaycito, Martin Garcia, 7-2; and Quail Hill, Martin Pedroza, 20-1.

Jim Cassidy feels he has a live longshot in the San Felipe in Surrey Star, fourth behind The Factor in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs. “The extra distance should help him,” the trainer said.