Louisiana Derby
The major question that will be answered by the running of this race is whether or not Pyro (Pulpit-Wild Vision, by Wild Again) is just a one trick pony. Was that eye popping last to first move at the head of the Risen Star's stretch for real? Was the plodding pace to blame for the finish? Was every other horse just caught completely off guard, or was Pyro just that good? We've seen quite a few tremendous closing drives in recent Derby preps, but those all came on the unpredictable polytrack. What does it mean for Pyro to have done the same, but on real dirt? Can the budding superstar lather, rinse, repeat his way to a win in LA? Is Elvis still alive and flipping burgers at a fast food joint, humming Love Me Tender? Some questions are never meant to be answered. Luckily, questions about Pyro will, most assuredly, be resolved this weekend. Meanwhile, he's in my stable and I'm sticking to him. It only remains to choose his followers. Z Fortune (runner up in the Risen Star) is strangely absent from this group, so I'll have to dig deep.
J Be K (Silver Deputy-Major Wager, by Valid Wager) is undefeated, a claim that's getting rarer and rarer as the 3-year old season progresses. However, he's undefeated in 2 starts, and neither longer than 6 furlongs. Sure, the wins were impressive (he's got a combined winning margin of 12.5 lengths and a track record to his name). And prior rider Shaun Bridmohan dropped him like a rock to ride Pyro. Let's take that as professional disassociation from a talented sprinter being wedged into a route race. Unbridled Vicar (Vicar-Unafordable, by Unbridled) was fourth behind Pyro in the Risen Star and, though he's been wonderfully consistent throughout his career, hasn't won anything since September 2007.
Tale of Ekati (Tale of the Cat-Silence Beauty, by Sunday Silence) was a promising 2-year old last year and finished 4th behind War Pass, Pyro and Kodiak Kowboy in the muddy Breeder's Cup Juvenile. A lot has been written about his chances, but it's hard to escape the fact that it's rather late in the season for him to be making his 3-year old debut...that is, if he wants to run in the Derby. His one time out previously around two turns, he never really had a chance in the slop, and he's been posting bullet works recently. Perhaps all he needs is some extra distance on a dry track. And perhaps he never had a chance the last time out because the other horses were just that much better. Also making his first start at 3, also in the "couldn't touch War Pass and Pyro" camp, and also played up by the media (though I'm not sure why), is Majestic Warrior (A.P. Indy-Dream Surprise, by Seeking the Gold). Nice pedigree, but races aren't won on breeding alone. Come on, even War Pass found a way to sneak in a "prep" before this coming weekend, and you're telling me that neither of these two was ready to race before now? Two months until the Derby, folks...tick...tock.
I literally have no confidence in Blackberry Road (Gone West-Strawberry Reason, by Strawberry Road). I know the commentators think he's got a good chance at the Derby, but I have yet to see a single performance from him that I thought was impressive. Nor has he looked like a horse that could improve upon a just-miss finish. Maybe I'm just prejudiced.
Stevil hasn't won anything since breaking his maiden in October. He's never faced stakes company prior to this. One assumes that Nick Zito knows his job and has a capital reason for including this horse here (it will be his first time in blinkers). Or maybe he just felt left out, seeing as how none in his giant stable of classy runners is in the race.
Now, Yankee Bravo (Yankee Gentlemen-Vickey Jane, by Royal Academy), I'm afraid of. He's unbeaten in 3 starts, succesfully transitioned from turf to dirt, has won at this distance (in this year), and has shown an ability to navigate a crowded field to victory. Rounding out the field is My Pal Charlie (Indian Charlie-Shahalo, by Halo), who is making a step up to stakes company after a comfortable allowance win over moderate company in February. What's to like about this horse? Well, there is that Indian Charlie lucky streak going on...but didn't I just say horses don't win on pedigree alone...I think I did...I really should listen to myself...sigh.
1. Pyro
2. Yankee Bravo
3. My Pal Charlie
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Gotham Stakes Finally, finally, Giant Moon (Giants' Causeway-Moonlightandbeauty, by Capote) is back in the game. And comparatively, he's got a lot bigger question mark next to his name than Pyro does. The undefeated colt (that's going to get old real soon) is coming off a nice win in the Count Fleet Stakes. Unlike many in this race, he's gone beyond two turns...and won...and in stakes company. So what's the big question? He's running in New York, and as yet, has not faced the kind of competition other young 3-year olds have been getting in Florida, Arkansas, or even California. Well, the gravy train stops here. Quality horses are shipping in from all over to try the "easier" fields of the Gotham Stakes (g.III) and, one would assume, the follow up Wood Memorial (g.I).
One of these quality shippers is my boy Visionaire (Grand Slam-Scarlet Tango, by French Deputy), who is coming up from Florida to escape the "monsters". Despite his fearsome competition in the Risen Star (he finished 3rd behind Pyro and Z Fortune), I think he did pretty darn well in his stakes debut. Plus, I have a fondness of old for his trainer, Michael Matz. Barbaro who? I'm talking about the former Olympian and rider of Heisman, who won my heart by wresting victory from the hands of Budweiser Gem Twist.
Hey, racing's not my only game.
Also in my stable (and with the most to prove) is Roman Emperor (Empire Maker-Lady Melesi, by Colonial Affair). Second to Barrier Reef in the Whirlaway. Third behind Giant Moon in the Count Fleet. He, like Thursday's child, has far to go.
The remainder of the contenders appears to be a tad confused as yet, but we're likely to see Eaton’s Gift, Holidaze, Ling Ling Qi, Saratoga Russell, Southern Terminus, and Texas Wildcatter. Saratoga Russell seems to have some followers, although he's never won beyond 6f, and seems to be partial to a damp track. Eaton's Gift was first in the Swale Stakes last out, and came in second to Into Mischief in the mile and one sixteenth Cash Call (which is perhaps not as bad an inidcator of quality as I have previously suggested), so at least he's been around two turns before and kicked it up in stakes company. And Texas Wildcatter was third in the aforementioned Whilraway. The remainder are not really a concern.
1. Giant Moon
2. Visionaire
3. Roman Emperor
4. (if I had to choose) Texas Wildcatter
Ups and Downs
The racing gods can't seem to make up their minds about how to treat the fillies recently. We have to compare the recent triumphs of Absolutely Cindy and Indian Blessing to the let down of losing Winning Colors. Perhaps its cosmic backlash against the "Ladies Classic". Today I read that champion Miss Alleged died as a result of complications while foaling. The baby is apparently on a nurse mare. One of only two female winners of the Breeder's Cup Turf (g.I), she also bested the boys in the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (g.I).Also of sad Distaffer news, it seems that Oprah Winney has been retired; thus depriving television commentators of an easy human interest story.
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