While the top four
finishers of Saturday’s Risen Star will most likely continue on to the
Louisiana Derby (G2), fifth place Normandy Invasion will go next in the Wood
Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct where trainer Chad Brown says he has raced his best. Jennie
Rees reported the colt will get a new rider in the Wood, although a name has
yet to be announced. Owner Rick Porter is convinced Normandy Invasion was “so
much the best horse” in the Risen Star. You can excuse an owner’s blind faith
in his horse, but we also know breaking well from the gate and tractability
play just as much of a role in winning a race than a good closing run. The
latter trait especially is difficult to train, and it was apparent Normandy
Invasion was a handful for a good portion of the race// Rosie Napravnik may
have to make a tough decision on where to race March 30. Palace Malice will
most likely return to the Fair Grounds for the Louisiana Derby (G2) along with
other stakes horses Napravnik rode this past Saturday, however that’s the same
day Shanghai Bobby is scheduled to run in the Florida Derby (G1) at
Gulfstream// Todd Pletcher had to postpone scheduled workouts for his Florida
string Sunday due to the track having too much moisture. Conditions were better
Monday and several of his charges zipped through their breezes. Verrazano was
the quickest of 38 going five furlongs in 59:21. For complete times on Shanghai
Bobby, Revolutionary, Park City, Delhomme, and
Overanalyze see below// Apparently trainer Shug McGaughey didn’t know the 50
points earned in Saturday’s Risen Star were likely enough to make the Kentucky
Derby until Jennie Rees told him so. I know the point system is new and
McGuaghey prides himself on being old school, but I would think any trainer with a prominent 3-year-old
would do a little homework immediately following a victory in a key Derby prep.
In any case, McGaughey is still leaning towards running in the Florida Derby
next as opposed to shipping to New York for the Wood// In case you missed the
list of probable runners for this Saturday’s Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct they are
Grade 2 winners Overanalyze, Vyjack, and Honorable Dillon along with
Escapefromreality, Siete de Oros, Ore Pass, Elnaawi, Sky Captain, West Hills
Giant, Alcolite, and Champion Boy// On the West Coast trainer Bob Baffert sent
out a trio of Kentucky Derby prospects for morning works at Santa Anita.
Flashback led the charge as usual, with a bullet move going six furlongs in
1.11. Stablemate Den’s Legacy was just behind that while Power Broker continued
his steady workout routine going four furlongs in a fast 47:80// A new CTD Top 5 with
Super Ninety Nine making the cut// more…
Articles:
Bullet workouts for Verrazano, Flashback (Bloodhorse)
Kentucky Derby
Daily: Feb 25 (In The Money)
Pedigree Profile: Orb (Horseracing Nation)
Kentucky
Derby Update: Feb 26 (Courier Journal)
Rankings:
CTD Top 5 (CTD)
Haskin’s
Derby Dozen (Bloodhorse Blog)
Workouts:
Little Distorted- CRC- 4F-
49:20- B- 6/19
Malibu High- LAD- 4F-
49:00- B- 2/2
Delhomme- PMM- 5F-
1.00:09- B- 4/38
Verrazano- PMM- 5F- 59:21-
B- 1/38
Shanghai Bobby- PMM- 4F-
49:61- B- 32/60
Overanalyze- PMM- 4F-
48:75- B- 17/60
Revolutionary- PMM- 4F-
48:43- B- 13/60
Park City- PMM- 4F- 48:43-
B- 13/60
Flashback- SA- 6F-
1.11:00- H- 1/14
Den's Legacy- SA- 6F-
1.11:40- H- 2/14
Manando- SA- 5F- 1.00:00-
H- 10/62
Clawback- AQU- 3F- 35:55-
B- 1/1
Power Broker- SA- 4F-
47:80- H- 4/27
Quotes and Tweets:
"Will Take Charge
galloped a mile and a half under wraps second set after the break Monday at
#Oaklawn; pointing for Rebel, said Lukas"- Mary Rampellini via Twitter
"Frak Daddy back to
track today. Throat looks much better and we have some forward motion. We have
plenty of time to get him ready for Derby"- Kenny McPeek via Twitter
