One thing I missed from yesterday’s DRF preview article of the LeComte
was that Exfactor is questionable due to kicking his stall. While I was looking forward to his stretch-out
test, it’s probably best he’ll most likely scratch// CashCall Futurity (G1)
winner Liaison worked 6 furlongs Thursday in a zippy 1:11 flat. He’s still pointing for the Robert
Lewis (G2) February 4th// With the recent successes of turf and polytrack
horses in the Kentucky Derby, 3-year-old turf stakes are getting a little more
attention. Lucky Chappy leads a cast of eight in Saturday’s Kitten’s Joy at
Gulfstream, which also features the highly touted Cozzetti// Alpha, the winner
of the Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct and highly regarded Derby prospect, had a
gate schooling session Thursday morning and apparently received an A
grade. He’s pointing for the
Withers (G3) on the same track, which could also include two-time restricted
stakes winner Swag Daddy// A little more news on Wednesday’s work from Union
Rags. Trainer Michael Matz said it
was an excellent breeze and he’ll continue to tighten the screws for a late
February start in the Fountain of Youth (G2). That could also set the stage for a juicy rematch between
Union Rags and 2-year-old champion Hansen. Both are currently 1-2 on most early rankings, including
Mike Watchmaker’s early top 10 linked below// Speaking of Hansen, his trainer
Mike Maker gets a nice feature in DRF.
The low-key trainer who is notoriously quiet and even trains his horses
in relative seclusion at Churchill’s secondary facility, may not be able to
avoid the limelight if Hansen continues to march forward//Keeneland released
their Spring Stakes schedule today.
The graded stakes for 3-year-olds all remained the same in purse money
and distance. The Derby Trail
schedule is now confirmed. You can view here and also
find a link to download a printable version.
Lecomte (G3)
Entries: Equibase
Link to pps: Click here (1/21
Dan and Sheila)
Rankings
Articles:
Kentucky Derby
hopefuls abound in loaded LeComte (Horse Racing Nation)
No
sharing expected in LeComte Stakes (Sports Nework)
Medication dispute
might affect status of Fair Grounds graded stakes races (The
Times-Picayune)
Liaison works a
bullet (DRF)
Early odds
sometimes burn books (Ft. Smith Times Record)
Gettin’ Lucky in
Kentucky (Hello Race Fans)
Works:
Brown Eyed Jozi- LAD- 5F-
1.00:00- B- 1/2
Secret Circle- SA- 5F- 59:40-
H- 2/25
Speightscity- BEL- 5F- 1.02:20-
B- 1/6
Liaison- SA- 6F-
1.11:00- H- 1/16
Notes
and bits from web and Twitter:
LeComte drew a solid field of 13. Mr.
Bowling very talented; Ted's Folly's won 6 in a row at Remington; Shared
Property classy, but bad post- Steve
Haskin via Twitter
Horse to watch from last week -- Spring
Hill Farm, Pletcher--George Bolton. Looked fantastic; pedigree to die for. Bred
by Spring Hill Farm- Steve Haskin via
Twitter
