Final Derby prep action & remembering a dear friend

It's three weeks before the big day for thoroughbred racing, on the big stage; the Kentucky Derby. The last two major prep races are this weekend, including my current favorite for this year's Run for the Roses and a big field prep which will be contested the final time on polytrack.

At Keeneland Racetrack in Kentucky, the mile and eighth Blue Grass Stakes (11th) gets a full field of 14 runners, even with one "also eligible" runner. This will be the final running of this event on a synthetic surface, since Keeneland will be going back to "real" dirt this Fall. It remains to be seen if any of this field has a legitimate shot in the Kentucky Derby on dirt. But from a wagering standpoint, this race could give you a nice bankroll for the First Saturday in May. The 3-1 morning line favorite is Bobby's Kitten (#5) trying the polytrack surface for the first time in his career. This speedy Ramsey / Brown turf runner will most likely go to the Derby with a victory today. I'll definitely go against him here at those odds with my top selection; Asserting Bear (#1) who in his last start closed in the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park going this same distance on polytrack. With several speedsters entered here, his late closing kick might just work today at his 15-1 morning line odds. For 2nd, I'll go with a recent winner here last week in the off-the-turf Transylvania Stakes; Medal Count (#13). He looked sharp and drew off to win going a sixteenth of a mile shorter in only his second synthetic track start. Coastline (#11) will round out my trifecta after just missing in the above mention Spiral Stakes.

At Oaklawn Park, they are running their marquee race of the meet - the grade I Arkansas Derby at a mile and a eighth. Here I'm going with my top Kentucky Derby prospect (at this writing) Tapiture (#3). This consistent runner trained by Steve Asmussen has been in-the-money all his six lifetime starts. He got out kicked in his last start by Hoppertunity in the Rebel Stakes, but had a sharp victory coming off a layoff in the Southwest Stakes here at Oaklawn. In the runner-up spot, I'm going with the other horse who was in that photo with the other above two mentioned horses; Ride on Curlin (#4). Another consistent three year old, he was game on the inside in said above race and should be a price again. Commissioner (#6) gets one more chance today as my third selection. He has disappointed in his last two stakes starts and races at his fifth track in six lifetime starts.

On a personal note, tomorrow is the birthday of best friend; the late Frank Colvin. Frank past away last December after a long illness and our friendship span nearly forty years. Whether it was Cub Scouts or Little League in our youth or our love of collecting baseball cards and going to concerts later in life, Frank was a good friend to me throughout the years. We spent a lot of good times together in the 80's and began a partnership as D.J's in the 90's. Also like myself, Frank enjoyed wagering on the ponies and going to the races. We took many trips to Saratoga and in 2000 made a trek to Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto and Finger Lakes on our way back to the Mohawk Valley. Frank also ran a few good handicapping tournaments which were very popular with our friends in the Fort Plain / Canajoharie area. He would be the first to "bust my chops" if my selections didn't win and would call me the "king of favorites" with some of my picks. But, he would also be the first to give me credit with a "big" score, especially the day I won the Funny Cide wager from 2003 Preakness. I wanted to mention him in my column and stress that friends last forever, even though they aren't with us in body anymore. Happy Birthday Frank, miss you!

Round #2 of the MAJOR three year old prep races for Derby '14!

You know what they say; the road (you know where) is paved with best intentions. Well, the road to the Kentucky Derby can be "hell" for both owners and trainers, but the trail to get there for the horse can be a simple one, if you race those prep and win, your in! Last year, the path to the first Saturday in May changed somewhat for a horse having a spot in the starting gate among the other twenty runners. In past years, a runner had to earn graded stakes money to guarantee a spot in the starting gate. The bigger the prep race victory, the more guaranteed that your horse would be among the twenty racing.

Last year, the Derby committee changed the criteria for the three year olds to gain entrance to the Kentucky Derby. A point system was established for the intended Derby hopefuls with prep race victories, starting as two year olds (10 points), 50 points in Derby preps up to the Florida Derby and 100 points in the final major preps. This was done to put more emphasis on horses winning the prep races, than horses that won early on the trail and skipped prep races or had sub par efforts in them. Last year, the system worked great with all the prep winning horses making it to the gate for the Derby. This year is been a little different so far.

Lightly raced three year olds like; Hoppertunity. Chitu and recent Florida Derby winner; Constitution all got 100 points in recent victories and earned a spot in the starting gate. For established horses with two year old form like; Cairo Prince and Candy Boy, the story is a little different. Top rated Cairo Prince finished a rather dull fourth coming off a layoff and stands 16th on the list of 20 who will make the starting field. With only 24 points, he's going to need some help to get a place in the gate. Today, Candy Boy races in the Santa Anita Derby and he has only 10 points putting him 28th on the list. An effort like Cairo Prince's from last weekend for him, and he'll be looking on the outside in!


We have two major prep races today in New York and California. With no solid standout last weekend in both the Florida Derby and Louisiana Derby, maybe the Wood Memorial or Santa Anita Derby will give us a early Derby favorite.


At Aqueduct, 11 runners go forward in the mile and eighth - Wood Memorial with the third rematch between Samraat and Uncle Sigh. So far, Samraat has bested Uncle Sigh both times in the grade III - Withers & Gotham Stakes. Today, we are on the main track where those two previous races were on the inner-track. New shooter shippers like; Kristo from California and Florida sensation; Social Inclusion could be the main danger to the home track runners. I'm looking for a pace melt down here with the closers taking advantage. My selections for the Wood are : Kid Cruz (#1) - only winner at this distance and has won over the track. Harpoon (#4) - had a wide late rally in the Gotham and gets Johnny V. in the irons. Samraat (#8) - has had two gutsy victories here, but the added distance could be his undoing today. Aqueduct (11th) 1-4-8-11.

The Santa Anita Derby is a little more clear cut. Eight runners are entered with two maidens, turf allowance and recent maiden winner. That leaves four runners with trips over the Santa Anita strip in graded stakes competition. My top pick here goes to recent Oaklawn Park - Rebel Stakes winner; Hopperunity (#3). This is fifth start of the year, broke his maiden here and was gutsy in his last victory, closing from the outside. California Chrome (#5) - rides a three race winning streak into this race, while making his tenth career start. Candy Boy (#6) - hasn't raced since early February and needs a 1-2-3 finish today to make the Derby field of 20 runners. Santa Anita (8th) 3-5-6-7

Non-stop thoroughbred action - morning til night!

With March Madness in full swing, today marks one of the biggest days in thoroughbred racing from the early morning hours until early evening. Racing from the desert starts at 9:10am EST with the first of eight championship races from Dubai. This year there isn't many U.S. based runners, but there are full fields and the feature race is the ten million guaranteed Dubai World Cup at a mile and a quarter on their all weather tapeta polytrack surface. The most known runner in the field of 16 runners draws the far outside post. Grade I winner - Ron the Greek who was trained by Bill Mott last year is now racing in Saudi Arabia and owned by King Abdullah. He has raced once this year going a mile and an eighth with a victory over the King's race course which is natural dirt. He raced once in his career on a synthetic surface at Keeneland and was fourth, the toughest he has going for him today is his post. Nevertheless, in this wide open field I'll pick him first on his grade I experience. My second choice is the rail horse; Prince Bishop won has won both local preps here over the Meydan course. Japanese invader, Hokko Tarumae is group winner in Japan on dirt and has a victory at this distance. My selections for the 2014 Dubai World Cup are : 16/1/11/ 15 with post time at 2:05pm EST.



Back here stateside, there are two major prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby today. First we have the grade II - Louisiana Derby at the Fairgrounds going a mile and an eighth. A field of ten are assembled here with the winners of both local prep races; Vicar's in Trouble (LeComte) and Intense Holiday (Risen Star). New shooters are; In Trouble (2nd in the Gotham at Aqueduct), King Cyrus (2nd in the Smooth Air at Calder) and longshot Louies Flower, who was dead last in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. The remaining field of five runners were also-rans in the Risen Star Stakes; Albano (2nd), Gold Hawk (5th), Commanding Curve (6th) and Flat Gone (8th). My top selection is the horse that had the worst of trips in the Risen Star, yet won - Intense Holiday (#1). This runner has been progressing well and with no other out-of-town "killers" in this race, he gets my top call. For 2nd, New York shipper; In Trouble (#9) gets the call, he pressed the pace in his seasonal debut in the Gotham and held well for third. He draws in between the two outside speeds though. My third selection is the new face, King Cyrus (#2) who closed well for second at Calder also in his seasonal debut. My selections for the Louisiana Derby are; 1/9/2/8.



At 6:48pm in race 14 at Gulfstream Park, we have the grade I - Florida Derby also at a mile and an eighth. A field of eight are here with the Holy Bull Stakes winner and number one ranked three year old on my list - Cairo Prince, and the top two finishers of the Fountain of Youth Stakes (Wildcat Cat & General A Rod). Of the new shooters, only the Todd Pletcher runner; Constitution and upset Swale winner; Spot, who is trained by Nick Zito seem contenders. Even though Cairo Prince hasn't started since January 25th, he gets my top pick here. With the speed signed on here from some of the other top contenders, Cairo Prince can sit the garden trip right behind them. For 2nd, I'm going to take a flyer that the outside horse; Spot, can he stretch out from seven panels to this route distance? General A Rod just missed in the Fountain of Youth last time out with Wildcat Red, he'll be my third pick. My selections for the Florida Derby are; 3/8/6/1.



My Kentucky Derby dozen with five weeks out before the First Saturday in May and before the final major preps the next three weeks are; 1- CAIRO PRINCE 2- WILDCAT RED 3- CANDY BOY 4- HOPPERTUNITY 5- GENERAL A ROD 6-TAPITURE 7- INTENSE HOLIDAY 8- CALIFORNIA CHROME 9- CHITU 10-VICAR'S IN TROUBLE 11- RING WEEKEND 12- SOCIAL INCLUSION

Finally, New York gets a Breeder's Cup like card back!

It's been over eight years since the last Breeder's Cup World Championship races have been in New York and at Belmont Park. I've been very fortunate to be in attendance at the previous four that were contested there (1990, 1995, 2001 & 2005). With the turmoil that the New York Racing Association (NYRA) has endured during the past decade, it's been abundantly clear that Breeder's Cup Ltd. has chosen not to bring the championship day of racing back to the Big Apple. A matter of fact, it looks like the Breeder's Cup may be staying in Southern California at Santa Anita Park forever and the days of rotating thoroughbred racing's biggest event seem over. So, NYRA has looked to a new way to boost it's stake racing with a super card and not at the end of the racing calendar.

It was announced at the beginning of February that the New York Racing Association has created a super card of racing during it's biggest day of racing at Belmont Park. On Saturday, June 7th which is Belmont Stakes Day, "Big Sandy" will host a 10 race graded stakes card worth eight million dollars that will only rival the Breeder's Cup Championship Day. The 13-race Belmont Stakes Day card serves as the centerpiece of a new three-day "Belmont Stakes Festival" which will bring a "Breeder's Cup flavor" to Belmont Park the first Saturday in June.

The five traditional Belmont Stakes Day contests of recent years; the grade I - $1.5 million Belmont Stakes; the grade I - $1 million Manhattan Stakes on the grass; the grade I - $750,000 Just a Game Stakes for filly and mares on turf; the grade II- $500,000 Woody Stephens Stakes for three year olds sprinting; and the $150,000 Easy Goer Stakes will be part of the event as well as the grade I - $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap. Known as "The Met Mile," it has been contested for years on Memorial Day and is considered one of the most prestigious races run in North America. Plus, the grade I - $1 million Ogden Phipps Handicap; the grade I -$750,000 Acorn Stakes for three year old fillies; the grade II - $500,000 Brooklyn Invitational Handicap; and the grade III - $300,000 Jaipur Invitational sprinting on the weeds. NYRA has created a wonderful day of thoroughbred racing that has never been this big!

This is something that New York Racing has lacked since the Breeder's Cup last appeared. What makes this even more appealing is that the races are being run in the middle of the racing season, before Saratoga and will have horses pointing toward the Spa and getting on the road to the Breeder's Cup early in the season. There will also be two stakes races on the Friday before Belmont Stakes day and one on the day after. Which means that Belmont Park will be open the following day after the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, unlike in recent past years. We'll see races in almost most every Breeder's Cup categories during the weekend and two of the races will be a "Win and your In" races (the Met Mile & Ogden Phipps). As well as the 10 graded races, the other three races on Belmont Stakes day will be overnight allowance events, this means the entire card will be top notch racing with no claiming or cheap races. I've already penciled in the first Saturday in June for a trip to Long Island for this super event!

We have two Kentucky Derby prep races this weekend, both grade III events that may have an impact for starters the first Saturday in May. At Turfway Park, we have the Spiral Stakes on the polytrack at a mile and a eighth. My selections here are; Tamarando #4 - Asserting Bear #2 - Solitary Ranger #8 - Coastline #5. At Sunland Park tomorrow, nine go forward in their Sunland Park Derby at the same mile and a eighth distance. My top two selections are seasoned runners from the Baffert and Pletcher barns respectably; Commissioner #3 - Midnight Hawk #7, I'll use them with Chitu #9 - Global Strike #4 - Rebranded #8.

The older handicap ranks are loaded!

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.

Back on the Derby Trail ........ 2014 style!

First off, it's great to be back and talking about one of my favorite things; thoroughbred racing here in the Recorder. Next to the Saratoga season, the Triple Crown season leading up to the three jewels for the three year olds is my favorite time of the year! It's been two years since I discussed this time here, so I'm plenty excited to get right to the prep races leading up to the first Saturday in May and the true contenders that will get that mile and a quarter, classic racing distance.


One of the keys in finding the Derby winner is monitoring the preps races that start at the end of January and go through mid April. One thing I've noticed in recent years is the different training habits that the connections use in getting a horse to the big race. While two year old form meant a lot in the past, trainers don't push their horses as much as juveniles and tend to wait until their three year old season. Nevertheless, a horse has to go a distance he never did before (and may never do again) the first Saturday in May. With the "need for speed" it seems that the talented two year old find it tough to replicate that form the following year without some sort of hitch. My top three rated two year old of 2013 are a perfect example. The Breeder's Cup Juvenile winner; New Year's Day was injured and retired before he even raced as a three year old. Shared Belief, sharp winner of the Hollywood Futurity has not even had a recorded workout since early January and is behind the eight ball in even getting to the race. Honor Code (my personal favorite) has just gotten back on the work tab with two sharp works and still may get to the race. With these three and Breeder's Cup runner-up; Havana out with a quarter crack, we see that being "big" as a two year old doesn't hold much water these days.


Horses like Cairo Prince, Candy Boy, Tapiture, Intense Holiday all had good two year old form and even more, have won going two turns as juveniles. Proven three year olds like; Wildcat Red and General A Rod have benefited from the "speed favoring" Gulfstream strip. We'll see how these two race away from Florida in the future. The same could be said for runners like; Vicar's in Trouble at the Fairgrounds and both Samraat & Uncle Sigh outside the inner-track at Aqueduct. Runners like Midnight Hawk and Strong Mandate must bounce back from their sub-par efforts last time out, although Strong Mandate may have needed that race off the layoff. There is one colt though that has caught my eye as a three year old and on paper with his breeding, should have no problem getting that mile & a quarter distance on Derby day. The question is, will he have enough seasoning, Derby points and trip set up to win?


Shug McGaughey has another brilliant colt pointed to this race. He got the job done with Orb last year, he's got the closer; Honor Code and now he has the regally bred; Top Billing. This son of multiple Horse of the Year winner; Curlin and out of the AP Indy bred mare; Parade Queen has opened some eyes with his three efforts at Gulfstream this winter. He broke his maiden at all places, Delaware Park in December sprinting in the slop. Shipped to Florida and has a victory with two other in-the-money finishes. He like his stablemate; Honor Code are both deep closers. He narrowly missed in his first try at Gulfstream going a mile & an eighth and won next time out in that connection with a wide sweeping close from the outside coming from dead last. Last time out in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, he caught another speed favoring strip and closed for 3rd gaining ground late on the two speedsters. Most likely he'll skip the Florida Derby and ship up north to Aqueduct for the Wood Memorial on April 5th. As much as I was excited about Honor Code last Fall, I'm even more excited about this colt!


We have the Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita today as preps, both two turn events at a mile and a sixteenth. My selections for the Tampa Bay Derby (11th) are; Cousin Stephen (#8) Surfing USA (#2) Vinceremos (#6) Conquest Titan (#5) For the San Felipe (#5) - California Chrome (#4) Midnight Hawk (#9) Kristo (#7) Schoolofhardrocks (#8).

10 Stakes for Saturday (2/22) - Beating the winter blues!

FAIRGROUNDS

Rachel Alexandra 9th) 5-2-4-6
Fair Grounds 10th) 9-4-5-8
Risen Star 11th) 8-9-14-2
Mineshaft 12th) 1-7-6-2

GULFSTREAM

Davona Dale 9th) 6-8-3-5
Canadian Turf 10th) 5-6-11-8
Fountain of Youth 11th) 12-1-5-8

AQUEDUCT

Kings Point 4th) 6-4-5
Stymie 9th) 4-1-6-7

LAUREL

Barbara Fritchie 9th) 3-4-5-2