Summary:
Yesterday we had a Tweet from a suspicious source
announcing much-hyped Archwarrior is off the Derby trail, and today we have a
little more clarity. Jennie Rees
at the Courier Journal stated via Twitter the maiden winner will have a break
in Kentucky and will be under a tight timeframe to qualify for the Derby. The particular injury or ailment
remains unnannounced// Rees also stated via Twitter that Fortify, a multiple
graded stakes placed runner who many believe will get better with more
experience, will winter in Dubai.
If history is any indication, this is the wrong way to get to Louisville
in May// Brad Free at the Daily Racing Form draws comparisons to last year’s
Derby winning tandem of I’ll Have Another and jockey Mario Gutierrez to this
year’s contender Goldencents and rider Kevin Krigger. Superstitious minds might see this as a jinx. O’Neill is leaning towards a pre-Derby
strategy of the San Felipe (G2) March 9 followed by the Santa Anita Derby (G1)
April 6. The backup plan is for Goldencents to race in the Southwest Stakes
(G3) at Oaklawn February 18 then the Sunland Derby (G3) March 24. The former scenario seems to make more
sense to minimize traveling and allow the best spacing between races// A nice
write-up by J.J. Hysell on the success of Lion Heart sired juveniles from last
year. It will be interesting to see how Uncaptured, Bradester, and Purple Egg
perform in their sophomore year// There
was an interesting maiden special weight at Gulfstream today that featured
horses owned by super chef Bobby Flay and University of Louisville basketball coach
Rick Pitino. Neither fared very
well in their first start, while Chad Brown’s first time starter Integrity
stole the show going gate-to-wire for a 3 1/2 length win// Brown also revealed
that Normandy Invasion, 2nd last time out to Overanalyze in the Remsen (G2),
will most likely have just two starts before the Derby. He’s opting to skip the preps at
Gulfstream and ship to the Fair Grounds for the Risen Star (G2) February
23. Brown envisions the Wood
Memorial at Aqueduct April 6 after that// Rankings
and contender lists continue to pop up with the New Year. Byron King from Daily Racing reveals
his early top 10 with Frac Dady on top// more…
Articles
A
lion’s share of Lion Hearts (In The Money Blog)
Rankings
