Week In Review & Notable Performers 11/29-12/5

The earlier-than-usual start to the Gulfstream meet started off with a bang, where buzz horse Discreet Dancer set a new track record and Ancient Rome captured the Spectacular Bid Stakes by a whisker// The American Graded Stakes Committee’s latest upgrade/downgrade decisions won’t have much impact on the Derby trail.  While the Hopeful at Saratoga was downgraded to G2 status, it still remains graded, which is all that matters in the earnings chase.  All other 2-year-old and 3-year old graded events held their grade with no new additions.  There is the complex matter of 2012 graded events for 2-year-olds losing their grade if any of the entries are allowed to run on medication on race days.  Whether that will actually be enforced remains to be seen// Although it’s extremely early, Calvin Borel seems to already be in a better spot on the Derby Trail than last year.  Instead of begging for a last minute mount, he may have to choose between three strong colts.  Timely Tally, Motor City, and Brown Eyed Jozi have all been impressive in the Fall// Glad to see Algorithms returning to a steady workout routine.  Of all the promising Pletcher juveniles, he possesses one of the better pedigrees for truly stretching out// The rich CashCall Futurity (G1) is the next scheduled graded contest, where Baffert could have as many as four starters.  His headliner, Secret Circle, will have to navigate around two turns for the first time in his career// Union Rags still takes favoritism in the latest Wynn Las Vegas Future Wager at 10-1.  Some enticing prices include Il Vilano (175-1), Algorithms (150-1), Brown Eyed Jozi (300-1), and Basmati (100-1).

Notable Performer:

Discreet Dancer

12/3/11 Gulfstream Maiden Special Weight

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Chart: Equibase

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS: 100/99

Articles: TTimes / Bloodhorse

Notes and Thoughts:

-Track record time of 1:02.34 in 5.5 furlongs

-Third juvenile colt to earn triple-digit Beyer in 2011

-As exciting and flashy as his debut was, his running style and immediate pedigree don’t shout Derby contender.

-Mile was best distance for sire Discreet Cat

-Half brother to Travelin Man, a winner at 7 furlongs

-Hard to judge competition in a maiden special, but 2^nd place horse finished 6^th in a maiden claiming last out and the others don’t appear promising

Ancient Rome

12/3/11 Gulfstream Park Spectacular Bid Stakes

Jockey: Joe Rocco

Trainer: Anthony Dutrow

Chart: Equibase Chart

Video: YouTube

Beyer/BRIS: 92/97

Articles: DRF / Brisnet

News and Thoughts:

-Good stalking tactic on backstretch and nice acceleration when in engaged by For Oby in the stretch

-$35K Keeneland yearling purchase, who didn’t meet his $62,000 reserve as a 2-year-old. Catalog page can be viewed here

-Son of Roman Ruler, a grade 1 winner at 9 furlongs and sire of Belmont winner Ruler On Ice

-Out of a stakes winning mare at 6 furlongs

-For Oby lost by just a whisker, but pedigree doesn’t suggest he should stretch out.

Non-Graded Stakes:

12/3/11 Spectacular Bid S.- GP- Winner: Ancient Rome (more above)

12/4/11 Damon Runyon S.- AQU- Winner: Swag Daddy chart

12/4/11 New Mexico Eddy County S.- ZIA- Winner: E Bar Way chart

Works:

11/26/11 Vexor- GOLDMARK- 48:40- B- 1/5

12/3/11 Twelve Hundred HAW- 5F- 1.03:40- B- 8/14

12/3/11 Prospective OTC- 5F- 1.01:60- B- 3/7

12/3/11 Secret Circle HOL- 6F- 1.12:40- H- 2/12

12/3/11 Shkspeare Shaliyah BEL- 4F- 54:07- B- 33/33

12/3/11 Burning Time CRC- 5F- 1.02:60- B- 9/23

12/3/11 Jack's in the Deck LRL- 4F- 48:60- H- 8/58

12/3/11 Alpha PMM- 3F- 39:04- B- 21/21

12/3/11 Thursby PMM- 3F- 36:98- B- 4/21

12/4/11 Brother Francis SA- 5F- 1.00:80- H- 37/87

12/4/11 Empire Way HOL-5F- 1.00:40- H- 9/46

12/4/11 Hierro SA- 4F- 51:00- H- 45/50

12/4/11 Algorithms PMM- 5F- 1.00:14- B- 1/19

12/5/11 Finale PMM- 4F- 48:72- B- 8/14

12/5/11 Casual Trick PMM- 4F- 47:00- B- 1/23

12/5/11 Sabercat FG- 5F- 1.01:80- B- 4/15

12/5/11 Rousing Sermon HOL- 6F- 1.13:00- H- 3/6

12/5/11 Night Tide SA- 3F- 37:60- H- 4/7

12/5/11 Stoney Fleece SA- 4F- 48:60- H- 13/31

12/5/11 Drill SA- 4F- 47:00- H- 9/51

12/5/11 Sweet Swap SA- 4F- 46:40- H- 2/51

12/5/11 So Brilliant SA- 5F- 1.00:80- H- 21/52

12/5/11 Seeker RP- 4F- 49:47- B- 3/9

12/6/11 Speightscity BEL- 4F- 49:54- B- 2/11

Articles:

Union Rags’ handlers set agenda before Kentucky Derby (Philly.com)

Wilkes has two to watch for (Bloodhorse Blog)

Gulfstream Park making real strides (ESPN)

Gulfstream Park gambles on early opening to meet (DRF)

Inbred horses race to ruin (Global Animal)

First crop stallions to watch for 3-year-olds in 2012 (In The Money Blog)

2-year-olds to watch 12/6 (In The Money Blog)

Grading the early 2012 Kentucky Derby preps (Horse Racing Nation)

UPI racing round-up (UPI)

Sabercat adds fangs to Bluegrass Cat 2^nd crop (Bloodhorse)

Sunland Park meet opens with focus on 3-year-olds (DRF)

Field taking shape for CashCall Futurity (Brisnet)

Futures:

Wynn Las Vegas 12/5/11

Lucky’s 12/1/11

Speed Figures:

Winning 2yo BRIS: Discreet Dancer-99; Ancient Rome-97; Martini Madness-95; Atta Boy Pete-93; Politicallycorrect/Whistleblower-92

Winning 2yo Beyers last wk: Discreet Dancer-100; Ancient Rome-92; Martini Madness-78; Atta Boy Pete/Whistleblower-73; Politicallycorrect-79.

*Source: DerbyContenders Twitter