Notable Performer & Week In Review: 9/19 - 9/25

Hansen, an overly impressive winner of the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes at Turfway, dominated juvenile headlines this past week.  I’m not completely on the bandwagon just yet// Three graded 2-year-old races this weekend. Check the upcoming section for pps and race videos// The connections of Majestic City pulled an audible by announcing he will run in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland October 8th instead of Saturday’s Norfolk (G1) at Santa Anita, which would have been an intriguing rematch with Drill and Creative Cause// Updated links for future odds and prop bets// more…

Upcoming

10/1/11 Norfolk S. (G1)- Santa Anita

10/2/11 Nashua S. (G2)- Belmont

10/2/11 Pilgrim (G3)- Belmont

More info here

Notable Performer

Hansen

9/24/11 Kentucky Cup Juvenile S.- Turfway Park

Trainer: Michael Maker

Jockey: Victor Lebron

Chart: Equibase

Beyer/BRIS: 80/94

Video: YouTube

Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Courier-Journal / And Down The Stretch They Come

Thoroughbred racing fans have always been fascinated with the dominating performance.  Top-of-the-list for most is Secretariat’s 1973 Belmont Stakes romp with the classic snapshot of jockey Ron Turcotte looking over his shoulder in the stretch. The space, separation, power, and dominance of runaway victories can easily induce goose bumps and in certain instances solidify a horse’s place in racing legend.

When a 2-year-old puts on a commanding display early in his career, dreams of buyouts, roses, and legend run wild. Case-in-point is Hansen, a juvenile colt who has won his first two races by a combined 25 1/2 lengths on polytrack, including Turfway Park’s Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes last Saturday.  Praise and platitudes from the connections, fans, and turf writers soon followed.

Jockey Victor Lebron said Hansen is the best horse he’s ever ridden and could be his Kentucky Derby mount.  Wynn Las Vegas quickly made him the co-favorite of the Breeders Cup Juvenile at 6-1 (from 40-1).  Owner Kendall Hansen said Hansen is the “horse of a lifetime” and claimed the phone lines are open for anyone interested in owning a percentage.

Despite the accolades and visual performance, there are reasons to temper enthusiasm.  Hansen’s competition has been less than average.  Of the 14 horses he has faced in two races, 8 are non-winners, 5 have only graduated the maiden special ranks, and 1 has a maiden claiming win.

Matt Gardner at Down The Stretch They Come points out Hansen ran a slow final 3/16th due to his torrid opening quarter and half mile splits and may find trouble down the road.  I also agree the going could get a lot tougher if he continues to use a front-running style against better competition and on Churchill’s dirt surface.  The final piece of ammunition for all of the doubters will be Hansen’s Beyer speed figure of 80, which is merely average.

A son of 9-furlong Wood Memorial winner Tapit, Hansen is a homebred out of a Sir Cat mare. Seeing as the Kentucky Cup Juvenile was not graded, Hansen could have difficulty even making the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile field, a race that is oftentimes overfilled. The new Juvenile Sprint could be a fallback option, although his breeding and buzz warrant a try in the more prestigious race.

Works

9/20/11 Fire On Ice BEL- 5F- 1.00:87- B- 1/10

9/20/11 Secret Circle SA- 5F- 1.00:60- B- 6/27

9/21/11  Canigotoo HOO- 4F-  48:80- B- 3/14

9/21/11 Power World BEL- 5F- 1.01:64- B- 3/5

9/21/11 Sum of the Parts CD- 4F- 49:80- B- 11/36

9/21/11 Creative Cause HOL- 5F- 1.01:20- H- 17/35

9/21/11 Majestic City HOL- 5F- 1.01:40- H- 19/35

9/23/11 Jake Mo LS- 5F- 1.04:80- B- 6/6

9/23/11 Stark Ravin Mad AP- 3F- 39:80- B- ½

9/23/11 Bay Park Boy BEL- 4F- 49:84- B- 33/59

9/24/11 Brown Eyed Jozi LAD- 5F- 1.01:20- B- 2/21

9/24/11 Union Rags FH- 4F- 48:20- B- 3/30

9/25/11 Currency Swap MTH- 4F- 50:00- B- 18/29 (Good)

9/25/11 Drill SA- 7F- 1.23:20- H- 1/2

9/25/11 Optimizer CD- 5F- 1.01:20- B- 3/12

9/25/11 State Of Play FH- 5F- 1.01:60- B- 2/4

9/26/11 Tarpy's Goal BEL- 5F- 1.02:43- B- 9/16

9/26/11 Twelve Hundred AP- 5F- 1.01:40- B- 2/8

9/26/11 Sweet Swap SA- 5F- 1.01:60- H- 37/57

Articles

O’Neill seeks Norfolk upset with maiden Basmati (Santa Anita)

Rising Stars: Prized Juveniles make debut (Saratogian)

Juvenile Turf Analysis 9/21 (TTimes)

Breeders’ Cup sets tentative race schedule and wagering menu (DRF)

Union Rags made the early Derby favorite at Vegas sports books (DRF)

2-year-olds to watch (In the Money Blog)

Non-Graded Stakes

9/24/11 Razorback Futurity- LAD- Winner: Tricky Suspect chart

9/24/11 Kentucky Cup Juvenile- TUP- Winner: Hansen see above

9/24/11 NATC Futurity- MTH- Winner: Hunt Crossing chart

9/24/11 Louisiana Stallion S- LAD- Winner: Validfromthegitgo chart

9/24/11 My Dandy Texas Stallion S.- RET- Winner: Sword Trick chart

9/25/11 George Maloof Futurity- ALB- Winner: Honshu City chart

9/25/11 Gottstein Futurity- EMD- Winner: Talk To My Lawyer chart

Speed Figures

Top winning 2yo BRIS figs last week: Sword Trick - 106; Luke of York - 100; Tricky Suspect - 98; Spring to the Sky - 98; Gemologist - 95.

Winning 2yo Beyers last week: Sword Trick - 95; Luke of York - 79; Tricky Suspect - 89; Spring to the Sky - 86; Gemologist - 75.

Futures

2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Wynn Las Vegas / Scores and Odds

2011 Breeders’ Cup Prop Bets: Scores and Odds

2012 Kentucky Derby: Wynn Las Vegas / GoHorseBetting

Week In Review and Notable Performers: 9/12- 9/18

A relatively quiet week with one graded turf contest for Juveniles and lackluster speed figure results from all maiden, allowance, and stakes winners// Margano, a full brother to 2006 Kentucky winner Barbaro, trailed the field most of the way in his debut at Belmont Saturday but eventually made a mild move for a 7th place finish// A half-brother to Preakness winner Shackleford made his debut at Laurel on Friday. Unlike his front-running sibling, Stephanoatsee started in the back of the pack and showed an impressive turn of foot to almost catch the winner// A majority stake in impressive maiden winner and CTD NP Fire On Ice was sold to Magna Entertainment founder Frank Stronach// No Juvenile graded contests this weekend, although things will start to heat up as the calendar to turns to October…

Graded Stakes Review

Summer Stakes (G3)

Winner: Finale NP

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS: 80/96

Wrap-Up Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Through the eyes of Trackus (And Down The Stretch They Come Blog)

In a matter of eight days, freshman sire Scat Daddy has skyrocketed up the leading sire list for 2-year-olds.  He was represented in last week’s Arlington-Wasington Futurity (G3) with Shared Property and most recently in Woodbine’s Summer Stakes (G3) with winner Finale.

Since switching to turf, Finale is undefeated with wins in a maiden, listed stakes, and now graded stakes.  He was sent off as the short-priced favorite in the Summer Stakes (G3) on Saturday and flattered his backers with a professional effort.

Sitting just off the pacesetters Excaper and Maritimer, John Velazquez guided Finale along the outside to meet them head-on in the turn for home.  With urging, Finale quickly dispatched Maritimer before engaging Excaper in a spirited stretch duel. It should be noted Excaper fought gallantly and was even bullied slightly towards the rail by the winner.

Velazquez indicated that Finale never really liked the soft turf and also hit the gate at the start which makes the win even more impressive.  The final margin was just 3/4 of a length and final time for the 1 mile was 1:35.51.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) seems to be the likely year-end target, but even considering his struggles on dirt, you can’t rule out a Derby campaign completely.  His pedigree suggests he could excel on dirt and there have been plenty of recent Derby winners that showed promise on grass-- either through performance or bloodlines.

As we stated last week, sire Scat Daddy was a successful juvenile and 3-year-old along the Derby trail with wins in the Florida Derby and Fountain Of Youth, among other graded stakes victories.  Finale is a half brother to West Virginia Derby winner Bright One (9 furlongs). He was a $175,000 purchase and his catalog page can be viewed here

Notable Performers

Burning Time

9/17/11 Foolish Pleasure Stakes- Calder Race Course

Trainer: David Fawkes

Jockey: Luis Saez

Chart: Equibase

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Beyer/BRIS: 84/91

Wrap-up articles: Calder

Burning Time took the Foolish Pleasure Stakes at Calder by surprise when he sprung to action heading into the far turn. He only had the pacesetter Personal Interest to catch, but it was initially a 6-length difference to make up.  Burning Time seemed to switch leads and swerve several times down the stretch but still extended his winning margin to 2 1/2 lengths in the end.

The favorite was CTD NP Midnight Serenade, who never fired when asked in the stretch.  Personal Interest and Bartolome completed the trifecta. According to trainer David Fawkes, Burning Time is headed to the Florida Stallion Stakes on October 15.

Burning Time’s sire Burning Roma was a multiple graded stakes winner on both dirt and turf and at distances up to 9 furlongs.  Burning Time is out of an unraced mare who is by Gilded Time who won the Breeders Cup Juvenile.

2YO Non-Graded Stakes Results:

9/14/11 C. B. Afflerbaugh S.- FPX- Winner: Runstevierun chart 

9/16/11 Buffalo S.- ASD- Winner: Jon’s Golden Run chart

9/17/11 Foolish Pleasure S.- CRC- Winner: Burning Time chart

9/17/11 Alberta Premier's Futurity- NP- Winner: Silver Baubles chart

9/17/11 Henry Mercer Memorial S.- CT- Winner: Lucy’s Bob Boy chart

9/17/11 Charles Town Juvenile S.- CT- Winner: Lemon Juice chart

9/18/11 Barretts Juvenile S.- FPX- Winner: Unhitchthetrailer chart

Works

9/12/11 She Digs Me MTH- 4F- 51:20- B- 18/22

9/12/11 Sweet Swap SA- 4F- 47:40- H- 3/40

9/13/11 Canigotoo HOO- 4F- 48:00- B- 2/7

9/14/11 Sum of the Parts CD- 5F- 1.01:40- B- 4/13

9/15/11 Power World BEL- 4F- 48:87- B- 2/17

9/17/11 Bay Park Boy BEL- 4F- 51:62- B- 63/73

9/17/11 Brown Eyed Jozi LA- 5F- 1.04:40- B- 14/23

917/11 Tarpy's Goal BEL- 4F- 50:46- B- 56/78

9/17/11 Jack's in the Deck LRL- 5F- 1.01:00- H- 1/32

9/18/11 Union Rags FH- 4F- 49:40- B- 2/2

9/19/11 Seeker SAR- 5F- 1.04:35- B- 6/8

9/19/11 She Digs Me BEL- 5F- 1.01:90- B- 3/3

9/19/11 Shared Property CD- 4F- 50:60- B- 35/47

9/19/11 Optimizer CD- 4F- 48:40- B- 2/47

9/19/11 Worthington RP- 4F- 50:76- B-15/28

9/19/11 Twelve Hundred AP- 5F- 59:20- B- 1/14

9/19/11 Drill SA- 6F- 1.12:60- H- 5/17

9/19/11 Sweet Swap SA- 5F- 59:00- H- 3/38

Articles

Rising Stars: A look at promising 2-year-olds who competed at Saratoga (Sartogian)

Stronach buys majority stake in Fire On Ice (DRF)

John Quinn eyes up American trip for Red Duke (The Press)

Caspar Netcher pointed to BC Juvenile [Midway down under Tussle] (Gulf News)

Keeneland raises purses for two turf races (Lexington Herald Leader)

No specific plan for Excaper [midway down] (DRF)

2-year-olds to watch 9/20 (In The Money Blog)

Stephanoatsee rallying 2^nd in his debut (Courier Journal Blog)

Speed Figures

Top winning 2yo BRIS figs last wk: Finale-96; Balidor Desol-94; Burning Time-91; Right to Vote-88; Shkspeare Shaliyah & Forest Souvenir-87

Winning 2yo Beyers last week: Finale-80; Balidor Desol-76; Burning Time-84; Right to Vote-80; Shkspeare Shaliyah-78; Forest Souvenir-69

Futures:

2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Wynn Las Vegas / Scores and Odds

2012 Kentucky Derby: Wynn Las Vegas / GoHorseBetting

Finale holds off Excaper to win Summer S. (G3)

Chart: Equibase

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Wrap-Up Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF

Week In Review and Notable Performers: 9/6- 9/11

Drill winning Del Mar Futurity. Photo: Del Mar

Two more juvenile graded stakes winners this past week: Drill winner of Del Mar Futurity (G1) and Shared Property winner of Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3).  With 11 winners so far in the season we don’t have a repeat winner, and two have already been put on the shelf (Overdriven out for year, Exfactor no workout in over 60 days)// Speaking of injuries, J C’s Pride, the dissapointing off-the-board favorite in the Hopeful (G1), is recovering from a scrape/bruise and should return to training soon// Breeders’ Cup Juvenile analysis and futures are continuing to grow…

Graded Stakes Review

Del Mar Futurity (G1)

Winner: Drill NP

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Martin Garcia

Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS Speed: 90/98

Articles: Brisnet / DRF / Bloodhorse

A thrilling and wild finish occurred in the final stakes race of the meet at Del Mar last week.  Not only did it appear there could be a blanket finish moments before the wire, but a bumper car-like scene added to the suspense of who would straighten out and who would be taken down. 

Creative Cause, Drill, and Majestic City, the three favorites, surged past the field on the outside in the final strides. It was Drill who would stick a neck out in front and take the prize. Replays soon showed second place finisher Majestic City severely rammed into Drill while taking a left handed whip from David Flores.  That blocked Creative Cause from coming through and would later result in Majestic City being disqualified to third. 

Martin Garcia rode Drill to the victory and decided to keep the colt just off the front group of pacesetters in the early going.  Trainer Bob Baffert, who notched his 10^th Del Mar Futurity win, seemed pleased with the trip, especially considering Drill was knocked sideways by Majestic City causing Garcia to lose his whip.

Drill is currently not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup, which is somewhat unbelievable considering his breeding and the fact he was pointed to the September Yearling Sale at Keeneland. At this stage his owners would have to put up a $100,000 nomination fee and there is no indication of whether they are planning to do so. 

Drill’s next race will come in the Norfolk S. (G1) at Santa Anita on October 1^st where he will most likely meet Creative Cause again.  Majestic City’s next race plans are still to be determined with his connections still deciding whether to continue to stretch him out or keep the colt at sprint distances.

A son of Lawyer Ron, a 2006 Kentucky Derby runner and multiple Grade 1 winner at 9 furlongs, Drill was purchased for $300,000 as a yearling.  He’s out of a Storm Cat mare who won at 8.5 furlongs and was a full sister to a Grade 2 winner at 9 furlongs. Drill’s catalog page can be viewed here

Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3)

Winner: Shared Property

Trainer: Thomas Amoss

Jockey: Leandro Goncalves

Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS: 85/92

Wrap-Up Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet / TTimes / Chicago Tribune

An almost full field at 13, including 3 stakes runners (2 wins, 1 place) entered the gate in Saturday’s Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3).  Longshots led by Ville made up the first group out of the gate setting swift fractions.  The favorite Take Charge Indy and eventual winner Shared Property stayed in the middle of the pack awaiting their opportunity to pounce.

Entering the turn for home the pacesetter and rest of the front group began to retreat quickly while the better-backed entries seemed poised to make a run.  Previous stakes winners Hogy and Twelve Hundred did not answer the call however, while Shared Property and Take Charge Indy began to separate themselves from all challengers, despite both running greenly.  Shared Property, under Leandro Goncalves, proved to relish the mile distance the most by eventually winning by a length.  Motor City completed the trifecta another 2.5 lengths back.

Trainer Tom Amoss indicated Shared Property would like even more distance and that the Breeders Futurity (G1) at Keeneland in October is the next logical step.  He will most likely meet Take Charge Indy and Motor City there as well.

Shared Property was a $90,000 purchase as a 2-year-old earlier in the year. He’s the son of freshman sire Scat Daddy, who won multiple graded stakes along the Derby Trail in 2007 including the Florida Derby and Fountain Of Youth. Shared Property’s dam was a multiple stakes winner at 8.5 furlongs.  His full catalog page can be viewed here

Notable Performers

Seeker

9/5/11 Saratoga

Trainer: Stephen Asmussen

Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Chart: Equibase

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Beyer/BRIS Speed: 95/104

Although we covered the Hopeful (G1) last week, there was a notable maiden race on the undercard that deserves some space.  In extremely sloppy condtions, Seeker was able to dominate his rivals by 6.5 lengths in his second career start. 

Hammered at even odds, Seeker sprung from the gate to take the lead and never look back.  Jockey Julien Leparoux kept him to task in the stretch but eventually geared down substantially upon hitting the wire.

The Asmussen charge is a homebred by Hard Spun who finished 2^nd in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, 3^rd in the Preakness, and 2^nd in the Breeders’ Cup Classic that same year.  Seeker’s dam was a multiple stakes winner at 6 furlongs, and her offspring are sprint stakes winners as well.

Other to keep an eye on: Here Comes Frazier, Indian Evening

2YO Non-Graded Stakes Results:

9/10/11 Hillsdale S.- HOO- Winner: Mack The Slew- chart

9/10/11 Sunday Silence S (T).- LAD- Winner: Gung Ho- chart

9/10/11 Winnipeg Futurity- ASD- Winner: Balooga Bill- chart

9/11/11 Swynford S.- WO- Winner: Indian Evening- chart

9/11/11 CTHS Sales S.- HST- Winner: Herescomelucky- chart

Works:

9/8/11 Brown Eyed Jozi LAD- 4F- 48:00- B- 1/34

9/10/11 Jack's in the Deck LRL- 4F- 48:80- H- 9/53 (Good)

9/10/11 Tarpy's Goal BEL- 4F- 53:52- B- 87/87

Articles:

Del Mar Futurity winner Drill will target Norfolk at Santa Anita (DRF)

J C’s Pride recovering from ankle injury (DRF)

Arlington-Washington Futurity’s top 3 likely to run in Breeders’ Futurity (DRF)

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Contenders (And Down The Stretch They Come)

Breeders Cup Juveniles Potential (And Down The Stretch They Come)

Juvenile Analysis 9/8 (TTimes)

Juvenile Analysis 9/12 (TTimes)

Juvenile Turf Analysis 9/7 (TTimes)

Power takes Goffs National Stakes (TTimes)

Power earns himself spot in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (Bettor.com)

Duke could be handed French Mission (The Press Association)

Pompay ponders next move with Currency Swap (DRF)

Trumpet hits right note in Champagne (Setanta Sports)

Top 25 lists, random thoughts (comments on NP Me And My Gals) (DRF)

Top 2YO Speed Figures

Top winning 2yo BRIS figs last week: Seeker-104; Drill-98; Indian Evening/Here Comes Frazier-97; Takes the Gold-95; Menlo Castle/Hansen-94

Winning 2yo Beyers last week: Seeker-95; Drill-90; Indian Evening-85; Here Comes Frazier-88; Takes the Gold-81; Menlo Castle-88

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter

Futures:

2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Wynn Las Vegas / Scores and Odds

2012 Kentucky Derby: Wynn Las Vegas / GoHorseBetting

Shared Property runs down Take Charge Indy in A-W Futurity (G3)

Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Wrap-Up Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet / TTimes / Chicago Tribune

Baffert wins 10th Del Mar Futurity with Drill

Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Articles: Brisnet / DRF

Week in Review and Notable Performers: 8/29- 9/5

Despite three graded races for juveniles this past week, including the first Grade 1 of the season, Kentucky Derby-related news was more focused on the new $50 fee charged to those applying for Derby tickets. The Louisville Courier-Journal’s Jennie Rees was the first to break the story that eventually made its way into most major newspapers and sports web sites throughout the world. 


It’s too obvious to list the reasons this new procedure is nothing short of corporate greed, however it is not unprecedented for a major sporting event.  The NCAA charges a non-refundable “application fee” for Final Four tickets and the New York Jets infamously charged a recurring “maintenance fee” to those on the season ticket waiting list.  The latter situation was reviewed by the New York Attorney General and subsequently altered, and there are reports that the Kentucky Attorney General has been notified regarding the Derby fee.

Regardless what we think, it’s hard to imagine Churchill Downs altering the policy-- that is unless they’re unable to sell the 2,000 tickets.

On to the racing: Graded stakes recaps, notable performers, works, and futures below.  Plus, go here for all the info you need on Wednesday’s Del Mar Futurity

Graded Stakes Review

Hopeful S. (G1)

Winner: Currency Swap NP

Trainer: Teresa Pompay

Jockey: Rajiv Maragh

Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS Speed: 76/85

Articles: Bloodhorse/ DRF / Brisnet / Glen Falls Post-Star / NY Times

The first Grade 1 contest for Juveniles turned out to be both triumphant and perplexing.  Trainer and Saratoga Springs native Teresa Pompay captured her first G1 in her own backyard when Currency Swap splashed home in the Three Chimneys Hopeful (G1).  It’s nice to see a trainer without the last name of Pletcher, Asmussen, or Baffert have an exciting juvenile and Pompay’s elation following the race made it that much easier to toast. 

The track was extremely sloppy and apparently 70-1 shot Trinniberg preferred it that way.  Bolting out of the gate he nearly took the field gate-to-wire.  Setting quick fractions did him in though, as Currency Swap was able to collar Trinniberg on the outside under urging from Rajiv Maragh.  The final winning margin was only 3/4 lengths and it was another 3 3/4 back to third place finisher Big Blue Nation.

Pompay and owner Seth Klarman of Klaravich Stables indicated the Champagne (G1) at Belmont would be the next logical stop before the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).

While it’s hard to find fault or move the focus off of a Grade 1 winner, certain occurrences need to be mentioned.  Currency Swap received a low 76 Beyer speed figure from the effort, which is 22 points lower than his debut.  This adds to the continuing trend of monster debut Beyer figures being followed by extreme bounces.   

Also, the morning-line favorite and track record holder J C’s Pride was pulled up before the stretch and vanned off.  Trainer Robert Barbara indicated he appears to be ok and has a scrape on a front leg.   

With Anticipation S. (G2)

Winner: State Of Play

Trainer: Graham H. Motion

Jockey: Ramon Dominguez

Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS Speed: NA/82

Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF

Kentucky Derby winning connections Graham Motion and Team Valor once again have a serious two-year-old for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.  State of Play, a son of War Front, led at every call in the With Anticipation (G2) at Saratoga, the first graded contest on grass for Juveniles.

Setting easy fractions under Ramon Dominguez, State of Play eventually was eyeball to eyeball with a rallying Optimizer, but found a second wind with encouragement from Dominguez.  

Motion said the Pilgrim Stakes (G3) at Belmont or Bourbon Stakes (G3) at Keeneland would be the next stop before heading to Churchill for the Breeders’ Cup.  State of Play could make Team Valor and Motion dual winners of the Juvenile Turf if he follows in 2010 winner Pluck’s footsteps.  Who knows even further down the road, his pedigree does show signs of liking dirt…

Sapling S. (G3)

Winner: She Digs Me

Trainer: Steven Asmussen

Jockey: Elvis Trujillo

Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS Speed: 87/96

Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet / TTimes

Sitting just off the pace in the beginning stages, 4-1 shot She Digs Me made an explosive move on the far turn to separate himself from the field in the Sapling Stakes (G3) at Monmouth.  Jockey Elvis Trujillo was given no firm instructions from trainer Steve Asmussen, but watching She Digs Me tear through the stretch to a 6 1/4-length victory, apparently he didn’t need them. 

Asmussen had another charge, Voodoo Daddy, who was also the even money favorite.  He set the pace but faded to eighth.  It was a dead heat for second with Jagati and Black Rhino, while Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird’s half-brother Dullahan finished third.  No immediate next-race plans were announced for She Digs Me, but you have to assume Asmussen will try to stretch out the son of Henny Hughes.

Notable Performers

Me And My Gals

9/1/11 Hoosier Park

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Terry J. Thompson

Chart: Equibase

Video: Bloodhorse Replay

Beyer/BRIS Speed: 95/NA

The first NP from Hoosier Park, and it’s a doozie.  Me and My Gals turned a Thursday maiden special weight contest into a laughter.  Coupled with another Romans entry Cars and Trucks, Me and My Gals was sent off as the 7-5 favorite based on his quick breezes from Churchill.

Breaking from the gate well, Me and My Gals set fractions of 22.80, 45.40, 57.60, and finished in 1:08.80 which was a little over a second off the track record for 6 furlongs.  The final margin of victory was 8 1/4 lengths and could have been more.  His winning Beyer speed figure of 95 is the highest of the week.

A son of Sky Mesa, Me and My Gals was a $180,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling sale.  The sire was a precocious juvenile himself, winning the Hopeful at Saratoga and 8.5-furlong Breeders Futurity at Keeneland.  He was injured before the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and would not comeback until July the following year, in which he would have had a good 2^nd place finish in the 9-furlong Haskell among other tries.

Me and My Gals is out of an unraced Unbridled mare, who happens to be the daughter of Kentucky Oaks winner Gal in a Ruckus.  Me and My Gals’s catalog page can be found here

2YO Non-Graded Stakes Results:

9/2/11 Gold And Roses S.- SAR- Winner: Zow- chart

9/4/11 Northern Lights Futurity- CBY- Winner: Heliskier- chart

9/5/11 Simcoe S.- WO- Winner: Menlo Castle- chart

9/5/11 Aspirant S.- FL- Winner: Bay Park Boy NP- chart

9/5/11 I'm Smokin S.- DMR- Winner: Ruler of Dubai- chart

Works:

8/29/11 Sum of the Parts CD- 5F- 1.00:60- B- 1/21

8/30/11 J C's Pride SAR- 5F- 1.02:84- B- 5/8

8/30/11 Bay Park Boy SAR- 4F- 52:98- B- 16/16

8/31/11 Power World SAR- 5F- 1.00:12- B- 2/28

8/31/11 Union Rags FH- 4F- 50:40- B- 8/8

8/31/11 Brown Eyed Jozi LAD- 3F- 40:00- B- 10/11

9/1/11 Majestic City DMR- 5F- 59:00- H- 1/21

9/2/11 Creative Cause DMR- 6F- 1.12:20- H- ¼

9/3/11 Thursby FH- 5F- 1.02:00- B- 8/22

9/3/11 Worthington REM- 5F- 52:38- B- 81/93

9/4/11 Sweet Swap DMF- 4F- 47:00- H- 1/31

9/4/11 Twelve Hundred AP- 6F- 1.13:00- B- 1/2

Articles:

Majestic City posts bullet work for Futurity (Bloodhorse)

Kentucky Derby Ticket Policy includes $50 fee even if you don’t get a ticket (Courier Journal)

Experiencing the Derby: Priceless. Not getting a ticket: $50 (Courier Journal Blog)

Saratoga pedigrees: State Of Play wins the With Anticipation (Examiner)

Top 2YO Speed Figures

Top winning 2yo BRIS figs last week: Officer Prado-103; Norm's Passion-99; Little Shane-98; She Digs Me-96; Alpha-96; Speightscity-95

Winning 2yo Beyers last week: Officer Prado-86; Norm's Passion-90; Little Shane-78; She Digs Me-87; Alpha-84; Speightscity-80

Other notable 2yo Beyer last week: Me And My Gals - 95. BRIS speed by circuit not available for HOO

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter

Futures:

2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Scores and Odds

2012 Kentucky Derby: GoHorseBetting