Summary:
The Derby trail is
treacherous and trainer Kenny McPeek knows that all too well. The trainer
tweeted this morning that Frac Daddy has an ulcer in his throat and needs a
little time off. How much time is open to debate, as apparently two
veterinarians suggested varying degrees of rest- 4 to 10 days. Frac Daddy
already had the issue of a bad cut on his hoof from the Holy Bull// Fortify,
4th last time out in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), was entered in the U.A.E.
2,000 Guineas to be held Thursday in Dubai. His last three races were in defeat
to champion Shanghai Bobby, but at Meydan he’ll face another champion- this one
from South Africa- in Soft Falling Rain. If history is any indication, the
chances of Fortify returning in good form to the States, much less at all, are
slim// Sounds like Shug McGaughey is stuck between a rock and a hard place due
to timing with recent allowance winner Orb, who will most likely go next in the
Fountain of Youth (G2) Feb 23 at Gulfstream// The Oaklawn track must be
somewhat slow in the mornings, as Always in a Tiz worked 5-furlongs in 1.02:20,
7th fastest of 32. He’s pointing for the Southwest (G3) and should like the
added distance// Big Lute, probable for the Rebel (G2) March 16, fired the
bullet for 4-furlongs in a quick 47 flat, with the next fastest time of 43
horses at 47:80// It looks like Bob Baffert is aiming to invade the Southwest
Stakes again based on a strong hint that recent Santa Anita allowance winner
Super Ninety Nine will ship in. Last year Baffert won both sides of a double
running of the race// Quite a few new rankings released Monday, including lists
from the AP, Steve Haskin, Jerry Bossert, and the Courier Journal// more…
Articles:
Purple
Egg works swiftly (DRF)
Fortify
entered in U.A.E. 2,000 Guineas (Brisnet)
Now
trainers calling Sunland about Derby (El Paso Inc.)
Kentucky
Derby Pool 1- Final analysis (Horseracing Nation)
Deals
of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool (In The Money Blog)
Derby
Daily Feb 11 (In The Money Blog)
Rankings:
Top
10 Derby contenders (Sports Illustrated)
Courier
Journal Media Poll (Courier Journal)
Haskin’s
Derby Dozen- Feb 11 (Bloodhorse Blog)
Jerry
Bossert’s Top 15 (NY Daily News)
Workouts:
Proud Strike- FG-
6F- 1.14:00- B- 1/1
Always in a Tiz- OP-
5F- 1.02:20- B- 7/32
Big Lute- OP- 4F-
47:00- B- 1/43
Avare- SA- 4F-
49:00- H- 11/26
Demonic- SA- 6F-
1.13:00- H- 1/11
Crop Report- PMM-
5F- 1.03:06 B- 8/32 (Turf)
Quotes and Tweets:
"Frac Daddy to
miss several days of training. He has an ulcer inside his throat that needs
time to heel, minor. Also has pharangitis.Never easy"- Kenny McPeek via
Twitter
"Just got off
the phone w/ @KennyMcPeek Frac Daddy scoped bad after his recent work. One vet
said 4 days another said 10. Not off Derby trail"- Kevin Kerstein via
Twitter
"Hearing the
#Southwest field may have 99 problems coming from the west coast" - Rolly
Hoyt via Twitter
Will Take Charge out
for controlled gallop second set after the break @ #Oaklawn, wanting to do more
in advance of Southwest S. on Monday"- Mary Rampellini via Twitter
Always in a Tiz
breezed first after break @ #Oaklawn, going five-eighths by himself in 1:02.20;
out six furlongs in 1:14.80, per clockers"- Mary Rampellini via Twitter
