Last week we talked about the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" and theTriple Crown trail of 2014.This week we'll look at the older handicap division and a few runners who made a big impact early on this year's route to the Breeder's Cup Classic. If the first three months of 2014 is any indication, the handicap division of older colts and geldings is loaded!
The two-time Horse of the Year; Wise Dan has yet to race this year, but his trainer; Charlie Lopresti has indicated that he'll try "natural" dirt this year and stretch out to the classic mile and a quarter distance. This is a wise decision because he has already accomplished everytime he's wanted on the grass and in races up to a mile and an eighth.
Trainer Bill Mott has resurrected another older runner under his care much like he did with Ron the Greek a few year's ago and this time the horse is called; Lea. Recent winner of the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park, he raced primarily on the grass until switched to Mott. He has exploded in his two starts under Mott's tutelage and is the newest face in the older horse ranks.
Last year's three year old contender; Palace Malice returned to the races last weekend and won the one mile Gulfstream Park Handicap and a few week's ago, Normandy Invasion coming off his Kentucky Derby layoff, return with a victory in allowance company and also set a track record. It's a good sign that these talented horses from last year's Triple Crown trail have returned as runners in the older handicap ranks and become winners.
But the big older horse showdown, took place last Saturday evening at Santa Anita Park in the rich tradition race called the "Big Cap" or also known as the Santa Anita Handicap. Here we had the one/ two finishers of last year's Breeder's Cup Classic; Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge. Along with these two, the race also included the favorite from that race last Fall, Game on Dude. Going into last weeks mile and a quarter event, Mucho Macho Man won the Sunshine Millions Classic versus Florida breds at Gulfstream by 14 lengths. His arch rival, Will Take Charge was second as the favorite behind Lea in the Donn Handicap, also as the favorite. But, golden California runner from the Bob Baffert barn; Game on Dude was coming off a very dull effort versus grade II weaker competition. The one thing Game on Dude had going for him in his favor was that he was the lone speed. And lone speed is dangerous!
Well, the race unfolded exactly the way that Game on Dude wanted and led nearly wire to wire at 7-2 odds. His odds were the biggest surprise here. Many people thought his form was tailing off and I was one of them. But, with his front end speed in a pace less race, you were well rewarded. Will Take Charge was second again in a good effort and Mucho Macho Man faded to 4th as the lukewarm favorite. So in this week's NTRA Top thoroughbred poll, the Dude is once again ranked first! Followed by, Will Take Charge #2, Lea #3, Wise Dan #4 , Mucho Macho Man #5 and Palace Malice #6. The older horse division for 2014 is loaded and if everyone stays healthy through this long year, the Breeder's Cup Classic will be a "classic" for the ages!
We have one prep race for the Kentucky Derby this weekend and it's at Oaklawn Park. The second leg of their prep's, the mile and a sixteenth; Rebel Stakes. A field of eight is assembled with the return of the top three finishers of the one mile Southwest Stakes and two new interesting contenders. My selections for the race are; Tapiture #3 - Hoppertunity #5 - Ride On Curlin #2 - Strong Mandate #4.
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