Belmont Park site of today's Met-Mile

Always the bridesmaid but never the GI bride, Tizway lived up to that almighty pedigree of his and won today’s $500,000 GI Met-Mile Hcp by 2 3/4 lengths over “Big Apple” fav Rodman.

Back another 5 1/4 was Caixa Eletronica for the 3rd spot and back 2 more, to fill out the super was Aikenite who nosed out the M/L fav Haynesfield for that spot!

Tizway and Tackleberry did early battle here today going 23.17, 45. 57 and 1:08.66 while Stormy’s Majesty and Caixa Eletronica were in close tow! By the turn for home it was clear it was Tizway’s race to lose as he found that last gear to go for home in an amazing burst of energy to be the very clear winner here at Belmont Park today in an almost event record time of 1:32.90!

Rodman came flying in from out of the clouds for a picking up the pieces, good 2nd too!

Take-Away’s,

1.  Tizway is finally a GI bride here today, in what was quite probably the Handicap Division’s best performance to date this year. He should get an off-the-charts Beyer rating off this effort too! So for our money Tizway looks to be our best bet, for now, in the B/C Dirt Mile category! Look for him next in something at Saratoga later this Summer as his connection need not rush him back after this giant performance!
2. Tackleberry‘s northern-invasion should be over now as even first time Lasix didn’t help here. He should be Calder-bound by now!
3. Rodman’s charge from 9th to 2nd would be more impressive if this were a 1 1/16 as he might have won at that distance here today but his sub 1:34 effort here spells trouble for all the NYRA middle-distance runners for the foreseeable future!
4. Haynesfield needs a longer run next time out and more sensible early factions too. He was just in the wrong race here today!
5. Aikenite was back to soon off his Derby day winning effort. The 4th was find here today but something like the Forego might be more to his liking and timetable, as well!
6. Caxia Eletronica will ride again in a GII or GIII somewhere and be an odds on to win too!

So as to our picks, well we did manage to give you the 2, 3, 4 and 5 spots and Tizway, who we didn’t offer up, should have made it into your supers anyway as he was the post-time favorite! 

So with Rodman, our long shot taking 2nd here and you only having to do a bit of short leg work to put the favorite into your supers, then $15,123.00 super payout should have been yours in our “supers-only” wagering strategy we had offered up in our pre-race posting!

So 2011 Met-Mile is now in the record books, we start our look forward to June the 11th and the 143rd “Run for the Carnations” in the Belmont Stakes!

See a race replay below!

Haynesfield inherited the title of race favorite, though a tempid one, over such competitors as Aikenite, Tizway, Tackleberry, Soaring Empire, Kensei, Yawanna Twist and Ibboyee. Tackleberry was on a roll earlier in the year, winning three straight stakes races starting with the Sunshine Millions Classic before winning the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship and Handicap. He created two dynamic rivalries in his five races 2011 races with Soaring Empire and Tizway, both of whom have traded off winning and losing to each other at least once. Tizway finished one spot ahead of Tackleberry in their last race, the Charles Town Classic Stakes, finishing third behind Duke of Mischief and Game on Dude. Soaring Empire started the year out winning the Hal’s Hope Stakes (gr.3) over Rule, Morning Line and Tackleberry and then finished second to Tackleberry in his next two starts at Gulfstream Park. The trio finished 1-2-3 in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr.2) on March 12^th with Tackleberry gaining the upper hand over Soaring Empire and Tizway, all separated by less than half a length.

Aikenite enters the Met Mile off two consecutive scores in Grade 2 races. He took the Commonwealth Stakes over a short but solid field of five on April 16^th and then followed that up with a thrilling nose victory in the Churchill Downs Stakes on May 7^th over Apriority, Ibboyee, Capt. Candyman Can, Noble’s Promise and Smiling Tiger among others. He almost ran out of stretch in the Churchill Down Stakes and should appreciate the extra furlong in the Met Mile.

Aikenite, Tackleberry, Soaring Empire and Tizway have all shown excellent form this year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see anyone of them hit the board, or even all four. Haynesfield had a poor debut last month in the Westchester Stakes, finishing fourth of five, and I think he’s a vulnerable favorite.

The Belmont Stakes (gr.1) field is slowly coming into sharper focus. Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is a definite starter and Preakness winner has arrived at Belmont and while still being on the fence for the race, he will be trained as if he will enter. A work scheduled for Saturday will determine if Shackleford will compete of sit out the Belmont. Impressive Peter Pan Stakes (gr.2) winner Alternation will skip the third jewel of the Triple Crown in favor of targeting some of the major late summer races. The son of Distored Humor would certainly have garnered a good amount of support, including from yours truly, but will definitely be a colt to watch later in the year. Nehro bypassed the Preakness Stakes (gr.1) after finishing a fast closing second in the Kentucky Derby (gr.1) and showed his race readiness Monday morning at Churchill Downs with a sharp six furlong work he completed in 1:12.20.

Animal Kingdom Wins Kentucky Derby

While it’s skipping ahead a bit with the races, let’s address the Kentucky Derby first.  Taking the race at 20-1 was longshot Animal Kingdom who came flying down the stretch in the late stages to win by two and three-quarters of a length in 2:02.04.  Animal Kingdom was off the radar of many heading into the race, having only a maiden win and a minor stake score at Turfway Park in the Spiral Stakes over Decisive Moment and Twinspired, two other contenders who were considered outsiders.  The biggest question he brought to the table was how he would handle the dirt surface for the first time in his life and he seemed to answer that one decisively on Saturday.  John Velazquez picked up the mount on Friday afternoon with the scratch of Uncle Mo and gave a great ride for owner Team Valor International and trainer Graham Motion.

Shackleford had an uncontested lead throughout most of the race, setting some very comfortable fractions of :23.74, :48.63 and 1:13.4 and a mile in 1:37.49.  Even with the easy fractions, he wasn’t able to hold on and tired to fourth down the lane.  The fast improving Nehro closed well for second and Mucho Macho Man ran a solid third.  The favorite, Dialed In, was kept too far out of the race with those fractions and didn’t quite have the pace he needed to run into.  He made a solid run to finish eighth from his trailing position in last, but it wasn’t quite enough.

Comma to the Top, who I thought was going to put in a duel with Shackleford or at least pressure him a bit in the early stages, came out of the race with a chip in his ankle.  ArchArchArch reportedly had surgery today to repair a condylar fracture in his left front leg.  He completed the race and was vanned off, though reports are that he was fine otherwise.

Animal Kingdom, Mucho Macho Man and Dialed In are already confirmed for the Preakness Stakes.  Nehro is confirmed to pass the Preakness and will instead aim for the Belmont.

Back to Friday, the main event was the Kentucky Oaks.  This race suffered a disappointing scratch when R Heat Lightning was lame one morning earlier in the week with heat in her knee.  As the field entered the stretch, Plum Pretty took command and drew away from the field.  But closing like a train was St. John’s River and Rosie Napravnik who tried valiantly to make it by Plum Pretty, but just missed by a neck.  Finishing third was Zazu.  The final time for the mile and an eighth race was 1:49.5.  Plum Pretty was ridden by Martin Garcia for trainer Bob Baffert and owner Peachtree Stable.

St. John’s River is reportedly going to receive some time off with the goal of being ready to go for the Breeders’ Cup at the end of the year.  All of the fillies have reportedly come out of the race in good order and favorite Joyful Victory, who finished fourth, will be going to the Mother Goose next at Belmont Park or the Delaware Oaks.

There were many very exciting undercard races on the Oaks and Derby cards.  There was a very thrilling finish in the La Troienne after a very disappointing start.  Blind Luck, the favorite, stumbled very badly at the start of the race and had many on the edge of their seats hoping she would at the very least recover well.  She took to the back of the pack as per usual and made a stunning charge down the stretch.  She hooked Unrivaled Belle in the final stages and battled on to take the win by half a length.

In the Edgewood Stakes, Diva Ash took the lead at the start and was able to set some very cozy fractions with :24.87, :50.92 and 1:15.6 splits.  The field tried to make a run at her as she turned for home, but she didn’t let anyone by and cruised to a length and a half victory over Sassy’s Dream.  The favorite, Smart Sting, finished third.

Click here to watch the Edgewood Stakes!

Capturing the Eight Belles Stakes with a strong closing finish was Victoria’s Wildcat.  Down the stretch, pace-setter Home Sweet Aspen was dueling with Honey Chile when the winning filly made her bid and drew by them.  Azeri’s filly, Arienza, who had been considered for the Oaks weeks ago, finished eighth after fading from fourth.

Moving to the stable of Bob Baffert and dropping to an Allowance race last time out to get him his second career win seemed to do the trick as First Dude won the Alysheba Stakes by a nose over Regal Ransom.  He settled off the lead as Wise Dan set the early tempo and then closed wide down the stretch as a wall of horses vied for the finish line.  The field came up very tough with many talented graded winners among the runners.  Equestrio finished third and Awesome Gem was fourth.

Putting in a thrilling performance in the American Turf Presented by Ram was Banned, who lived up to his expectations as favorite.  As the field turned for home, he kicked into high gear to fly by his competitors and pull off to a four and a half length victory.  Great Mills led throughout until the head of the stretch with :22.53, :47.56 and 1:12.35 splits.  Finishing second was Close Ally with Air Support closed well for third.

Winning the Twin Spires Turf Sprint was Regally Ready, who sat third as the field turned for home before putting in his bid.  On his inside, Bridgetown fought back, but in the end Regally Ready got up for a length and a quarter win.  Finishing third was favored Chamberlain Bridge.

Click here to watch the Twin Spires Turf Sprint!

There was a big upset in the Humana Distaff Stakes as 16-1 shot Sassy Image ran down the heavily favored Hilda’s Passion in the final strides.  Hilda’s Passion came into this race off of a track-record setting win at Gulfstream Park, which was also her second graded stake victory in a row.  She took the lead out of the gates and went in :22.68 and :44.68.  Down the stretch she battled gamely, but Sassy Image was closing quickly with large strides down the outside and got up for the win in 1:08.54 by three lengths.  Amen Hallelujah finished third.

In the Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile it was Aviate who came charging down the center of the track to take the race by a length and a half in just her second United States start.  Kiss Mine, at 23-1, led through the early stages in :23.75, :47.81 and 1:12.11, but had little left when entering the stretch.  Aruna finished second with Fantasia in third.

Click here to watch the Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile!

The Churchill Downs Stakes had a very thrilling photo finish as Aikenite and Apriority dueled down the stretch.  Winning the head bob was Aikenite.  Capt. Candyman Can finished third after leading in the stretch for a brief moment before Aikenite and Apriority overtook him.  Receiving a bad ride down the stretch was Smiling Tiger, who finished fifth after running out of running room a couple of times and constantly changing lanes before completely running out of momentum.

After receiving an uncontested lead and the ability to set some easy fractions, Get Stormy held on to win the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic by three-quarters of a length.  He led with splits of :24.88, :50.34 and 1:14.75.  Smart Bid, who was tracking Get Stormy, held on for second and Doubles Partner finished third.  The favorite, Prince Will I Am finished fifth.  Battle of Hastings was pulled up in the first turn and was vanned off.

That’s a lot of stake action at Churchill!  Let’s take a quick look over at the west coast before coming back up here to Ontario.

Many were looking forward to seeing Sidney’s Candy 2011 debut in the Mervyn LeRoy Handicap at Hollywood Park on Saturday.  Sidney’s Candy took the lead out of the gates and led through :24.05, :47.22 and 1:11.02 splits over Crown of Thorns who didn’t let him out of his sight.  Turning for home, Crown of Thorns dug in and made his way by Sidney’s Candy to take the win by a length and a quarter, scoring his first win since February 2008.  Spurrier finished third.

Up in Ontario on Saturday it was opening day at Fort Erie Racetrack and there was a Queen’s Plate prep on Saturday at Woodbine with the running of the Queenston Stakes.  Taking the lead out of the gates and never looking back was Bear’s Chill who led through splits of :23.51 and :45.67 before winning in 1:21.91.  The favorite, ridden by Emile Ramsammy for Reade Baker and Bear Stables Inc, was followed by Say No More in second and Woodstock Stakes winner Oh Canada in third.  Bear’s Chill has now set himself up as a solid favorite for the Queen’s Plate.

All in all it was a very thrilling weekend with plenty of exciting stake racing action.

It was a delight to watch. All three played with manners, and first prize was as large as the Masters’ — $1,165,000. Get that—over a millions bucks to win the Texas Open. They moved right along, no arguments, no lolling about, just see your ball and make your shot. They were so expeditious that they beat the clock by 15 minutes, leaving CBS with drag time. Steele won the trophy and they all departed the green cordially; I haven’t enjoyed a PGA tournament that much since Larry Nelson played the tour.

*****Homer Smith was one of the most educated football coaches whoever came down the pike. He held doctorates from Princeton, Harvard and Stanford, played fullback at Princeton, later head-coached at Army, College of the Pacific and Davidson, wrote books on offensive football, and was, in Bill Curry’s words, “the smartest football coach I ever saw.”

Remember, Bill played football for coaches such as Bobby Dodd, Vince Lombardi and Don Shula. Later, hired Homer on his staff at Alabama. In one game, Ole Miss ran up a score of 21-0 against the Crimson Tide in five minutes, when Curry called on Homer for a miracle. He produced. He designed plays that Alabama used to run up a score of 60-21 against Ole Miss. When Curry left for Kentucky, Homer chose to stay in Tuscaloosa, and he died there on April 10 after a long illness.

*****Now they tell us that Dan Uggla is a slow starter. That’s bad news for a guy you’ve invested $60 million in. Look, they start playing spring games in early March, then the regular schedule a month later. Isn’t that long enough for a “slow starter” to catch up?

*****There must be a more fitting way to celebrate Jackie Robinson’s birthday than the universal use of his number? All it does is confuse the fans who buy a scorecard and find all the players’ numbers are 42

*****Does all the activity in the Sun Trust gallery behind home plate disturb your TV watching? Some fans, I’ve noticed, get on their cell phones and wave to pals at home, or in the bar.

*****In case you’re into horses, I bring you the happy news that Cot Campbell’s “Aikenite” won the $175,000 Commonwealth race at KMeenelands the other day…..Selah.

First, we’ll take a look at Stay Thirsty, who is still shadowed by his stablemate Uncle Mo but proved he shouldn’t be taken too lightly on his way to the Derby.  In chilly New York at Acqueduct, Stay Thirsty stalked the pace before cruising to a three and a quarter length victory with ease.  He also closed into some pretty soft fractions after a half in only :49.18.  While the field was about as soft as the fractions, trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole had the colt ready for the mile and a sixteenth race, which he finished in 1:44.78, and all will be watching him as he takes on either the Arkansas Derby or the Florida Derby next.

As many know, Stay Thirsty and Uncle Mo have been on the same training schedule, often working together in preparation for their 2011 debuts.  Uncle Mo managed to get an extra half-mile in last weekend and is entered in both the Tampa Bay Derby and the Timely Writer Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park respectively.  The colt will be racing in the Timely Writer, though, which drew a small five-horse field.

Over what looks like an awful, dusty synthetic surface at Turfway Park, Positive Response led most of the way to win the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes.  Many were watching Twinspired in this race, who won the WEBN Stakes, but he finished fourth.  He finished the mile and a sixteenth race in 1:45.13 and trainer William Morey says he will be pointing Positive Response towards the Vinery Racing Spiral at the same track, next.

The final in Derby prep news is the oddly selected Allowance race that Dialed In participated in on the weekend.  The colt faced older horses for the first time, which is quite the task to throw at a three-year-old this early in the season.  He also faced some lazy fractions and lazed about in last through the early stages.  He closed okay considering, but finished second to his stablemate, Equestrio, by half a length.  That margin would have been much larger had Equestrio not bolted in the final sixteenth of the race.  Next up for the colt is the Florida Derby, which trainer Nick Zito says should have far more pace for him to run into than this race offered.

Over to the West Coast, there were a slew of Grade 1 races at Santa Anita last weekend.  In an exciting stretch run, Turbulent Descent turned the tables on Zazu to take the win in the Santa Anita Oaks.  They completed the mile and a sixteenth race on a stake record of 1:41.05.  Trained by Mike Puype, the filly will not be going to the Kentucky Oaks in May, as they have other plans for a summer campaign with the Test Stakes at Saratoga being a goal.  The grey filly Zazu will likely be heading to the Oaks, though, and the extra distance should suit her quite well.

In an even more exciting finish still, was the Frank E. Kilroe Mile on the same card as the Oaks.  In this Grade 1 race it was a real thriller as everyone came charging in down the stretch for the wire.  In the end, it was Fluke who got up for the win by a head with a brilliant ride by Rafael Bejarano, stopping the clock in 1:33.5 on the turf.  Favorite Caracortado finished second after charging from nearly last as they turned for home.  Unfortunately, Lieve, broke down on the backstretch and was euthanized.

Following that was one of the most controversial races so far in 2011 with the 74th running of the Santa Anita Handicap.  After a mishap at the top of the stretch, there was a Stewards’ inquiry for twelve minutes following the finish of the race.  As the field turned for home, favorite Twirling Candy started to make his move between horses and bumped slightly off of Setsuko on his outside before steadying.  Game On Dude, who was leading at the time, drifted in with left-handed whipping and collided with Candy, which sent him ping-ponging between horses and left him backing up and trying to catch his balance.  Game On Dude and Setsuko battled gamely down the stretch before Game On Dude got up in the nick of time to take the win.  After the inquiry, no changes were made, as the Stewards ruled that Candy caused his own problems.

Many in the industry are infuriated by the call, with the entire crowd at Santa Anita booing jockey Chantal Sutherland and trainer Bob Baffert as they entered the winner’s enclosure.  Setsuko came out of the race with a cut on his front left leg and an upset trainer with Mandella not pleased with the call.  Setsuko’s rider, Victor Espinoza, was also quite upset with the ruling saying the stewards didn’t know what they were looking at.  There has been no word on how Candy came out of the race, but trainer John Sadler said after the race that they would live to fight another day.

Back to the East Coast, I’ll give quick mention to the Challenger Stakes and winner Colizeo.  This race was on the radar with Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer making his first start since winning the final jewel of the Triple Crown last year.  Initially, the horse was being aimed towards the World Cup in Dubai, but after spiking a fever his plans have changed.  Unfortunately, he finished fourth in his 2011 debut, which drew one of the toughest fields that race has seen in 20 years.

At Gulfstream on Saturday there was an impressive Allowance sprint going six and a half furlongs.  Apriority, a four-year-old colt trained by David Fawkes, stumbled at the start, but recovered brilliantly to spring to the lead after a half in :43.98 and run away to an amazing victory in 1:14.47, almost breaking the track record.  Runners up to him were Aikenite and Tahitian Warrior.

Making headlines on Sunday while breaking her maiden in her career debut was Arienza.  This three-year-old filly is a daughter of Azeri, who was Horse of the Year in 2002.  It is the great mare’s first runner of her foals and first winner.  The six furlong race at Oaklawn Park finished in 1:10.42 and the filly pulled away to a two and a half-length victory.  By Giant’s Causeway, Arienza went for $800,000 in the Keeneland September yearling sale in 2009.

Aside from the excitement coming up this weekend with Uncle Mo making his 2011 debut in the small Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream, as well as the Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe, the hard-knocking Tackleberry will be hitting the entries once again.  You may recall I wrote about this versatile and impressive horse a short while ago after winning the Gulfstream Sprint Championship shortly after the Sunshime Millions Classic.  He’s coming back in the Gulfstream Park Handicap at one mile on Saturday.  All eyes will be on this talented horse as he faces some old rivals he has already bested this year, as well as Rule who is coming off of a third-place finish in the Donn Handicap.

This past weekend was a delicious sampling of what is in store for racing enthusiasts this summer and mind you, just a small one at that. Rachel Alexandra ran a small group of seriously over-matched rivals off their hooves in Monmouth Park’s Lady’s Secret Stakes on Saturday and now has long-overdue back-to-back victories in 2010.While the performance has been pulled every which way by analysts and fans alike, the bottom line is that no one is going to agree on exactly what the performance says about her current level of ability or if she is really as good as she was last year or not. With the heat index as high as it was at Monmouth I find it very impressive that she received a Beyer of 110. In all her previous 2010 outings Rachel Alexandra was able to post Beyers of 100 or more. In each progressive start her Beyers have improved, starting with an even 100 in the New Orleans Ladies, then a 103 in the La Troienne, a 109 in the Fluer de Lis and now a 110 in the Lady’s Secret. If those numbers mean anything then it’s a very good sign for her overall fitness and advancement this year. Each successive race this year has resulted in better figures. It appears the champion is headed next for Saratoga’s Personal Ensign which could be on the radar for Zenyatta.

Aside from Rachel Alexandra’s triumph, Devil May Care and Evening Jewel gave each of their respective fields on the East and West Coast a thorough thrashing to prove that they are the second and third best 3-year-old fillies in the nation behind only Blind Luck. On the West Coast Evening Jewel won the San Clemente Handicap (gr.2) under strong urging from jockey Victor Espinoza after sweeping into the homestretch three wide. At Saratoga Devil May Care provided the most impressive victory of the weekend with her easy Coaching Club American Oaks (gr.1) win over a respected field of sophomore fillies. It now appears Blind Luck and Devil May Care, the nation’s two leading 3-year-old fillies, may be headed for a thrilling matchup in the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on August 21.

If this past weekend’s colorful collection of races wasn’t enough to satisfy your appetite fear not, the coming weekend

promises to surge by with even more excitement and thrills. The Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr.1) has blossomed into the premier race for 3-year-old colts in early summer and this year looks to give last year’s running, when Rachel Alexandra defeated the boys, a run for its money. Both Preakness Stakes winner Lookin At Lucky and Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver headline an extremely deep and competitive field.

Aside from the Haskell there are several key races to keep an eye on that could provide a major impact to the year-end championship honors. Richard’s Kid and Delightful Kiss headline the $125,000 Cougar II Handicap but trainer Bob Baffert has also entered Richard’s Kid in the San Diego Handicap (gr.2) where he would face Battle of Hastings, Tres Borrachos and Mythical Power. Fly Down returns from an impressive second place showing in the Belmont Stakes to top the Jim Dandy (gr.2) field which includes talented 3-year-olds Winslow Homer, Afleet Express, Aikenite, A Little Warm and Miner’s Reserve. Pleasant Prince runs as a solid favorite in the Ohio Derby (gr.3) while Unrivaled Belle and Malibu Prayer face off in Saratoga’s Ruffian Stakes (gr.1).

I will post more on the weekend’s races and especially the Haskell in the next couple of days. Before ending I wanted to also note that 2009’s Champion Female Sprinter Informed Decision made her first try at two turns a successful one when she took down the July 27th $100,000 Windward Stakes. That makes the 6-year-old mare’s second consecutive victory and with those two under her belt it appears she may be ready to defend her championship title in 2010. Once this mare gets rolling in her races she has proved very hard to stop.

When the field for the 136^th Preakness Stakes broke from the gate it was Kentucky Derby champion Super Saver with

Lookin At Lucky

Calvin Borel up to take the lead but before the field entered the first turn First Dude came flying up on the outside to show the way. Lookin At Lucky had a perfect break and new jockey Martin Garcia guided him into sixth place entering the back stretch. Nick Zito trained Jackson Bend meanwhile was exactly where his giant-slaying trainer had hoped he would be. Right behind the pacesetters in third on the rail and running well within himself. Dublin had the worst start of the entire field breaking from the 12 post and darting straight for the outside rail, then veering in sharply for new jockey Garret Gomez to settle behind the field in last position. On the front end First Dude was rattling off a rapid pace of :22.91 for the opening quarter and :46.47 for the half mile with Super Saver glued to his side by about a half length. Settled comfortably behind was Jackson Bend and Caracortado to his outside with Ywanna Twist just behind those. Approaching the far turn Lookin At Lucky kicked it into high gear on the outside and moved in tandem with Caracortado to catch the frontrunners. Super Saver began to rapidly fall back as the field came on, blocking the running path of Jackson bend while Dublin came flying up from dead-last on the outside. First Dude was still leading the pack out front, running the race of his life. Entering the homestretch Lookin At Lucky swept to the lead with Caracortado fighting back gamely on the inside while Jackson Bend swung around horses behind and began to kick it into high gear. Lookin At Lucky surged to a half length lead over First Dude on the inside while Caracortado slowly dropped back. It looked like Lookin At Lucky was home free when suddenly First Dude found another gear and came on again, actually heading Lookin At Lucky mid-way down the stretch. With the crowd screaming wildly in their ears both jockeys went to work on their colts, urging them on with all their will-power. Lookin At Lucky proved the best horse in the end, surging forward yet again to win by ¾ of a length while Jackson Bend came flying late to seize third place, a head behind First Dude.

Waltzing under the wire to the roars of delight that poured from his hosts of fans Lookin At Lucky galloped into the backstretch with ears pricked, looking like a colt who had just come back home. This year post position number 7

Lookin At Lucky

really was lucky number seven. This marks the seventh lifetime victory for the very talented son of Smart Strike and it looks like many more could be in store for him this year. Not enough can be said for both the second and third place finisher’s performances in the Preakness this year. First Dude hung on all the way down the backstretch and even managed to launch another strong run in the homestretch to try and catch Lookin At Lucky after relinquishing the lead. Jackson Bend rewarded the confidence that many of us have had in him since last year by finishing third in yet another gutsy performance that proved he is one of the top 3-year-olds this year. I think the questions about his so called distance limitations have been answered beyond any doubt now.

Bob Baffert has now equaled the record of 5 Preakness Stakes wins after his star pupil captured the second jewel of the 2010 Triple Crown, this was his first win in the Preakness since his victory in 2002 with War Emblem.

Kentucky Derby champion Super Saver faded badly entering the homestretch to finish a dull 8^th. Dublin after his poor start put in a terrific run from last place to register a 5^th place finish. The Belmont looks like it might be a good fit for the chestnut colt if trainer D. Wayne Lukas elects to continue down the Triple Crown trail with his charge. Ywanna Twist finished 4^th, Dublin 5^th, Paddy O’Prado 6^th, Caracortado 7^th, Super Saver 8^th, Schoolyard Dreams 9^th, Aikenite 10^th, Pleasant Prince 11^th and Northern Giant 12^th.

So now the big question to ask is this; who will advance to the Triple Crown finals in the Belmont Stakes? Bob Baffert rarely skips the last leg of the triple if he has a good horse that runs well in the first two and with Lookin At Lucky’s impressive win in the Preakness on Saturday May 15^th I seriously doubt he will bypass the Belmont unless there is an issue found with the horse in the next couple of weeks.

The Woodland Vase - trophy of the Preakness Stakes

Preakness 135 – the day is FINALLY upon us.  After a fairly brutal afternoon at Pimlico on Friday (due to the heat, my lousy selections, and of course the spill in the Black Eyed Susan) – it’s time to make amends and “get our Preak on” with the selections.  As a much more learned man than I once opined (the great Master of Ceremonies himself – Hammer): It’s time to turn this mutha out!

We’ll focus on the major stakes races on the day, starting with the 6th (The Chick Lang Stakes).  You’re on your own for the early races – which I generally don’t do that well on anyway.  Overall, I’ll say that I though Friday was a much better day to play “beat the favorite” and that several of the favorites on Saturday’s card look more formidable – which of course means the exact opposite will probably happen, so wager accordingly!

Race 6 – Grade 3 Chick Lang Stakes – 6 Furlongs

The race named for the legendary “Mr. Preakness” himself, the late, great Chick Lang kicks off the major racing action for the day.  It’s not a very big field, so expect this to be a rather bland wagering opportunity.

• #3 Comedero (7/5) – Worthy favorite is 6 for 6 sprinting.  His only loss came trying to go 1 Mile back in December. Respect.
• #4 Quiet Invader (5/2) – Top challenger defeated Hurricane Ike last out.  If not for a freak injury earlier this week, Hurricane Ike would’ve been a popular betting interest in the Preakness.
• #5 Latigo Shore (5/1) – Son of Malibu Moon has been steadied twice in 3 lifetime races.  His only clean trip he won for fun against Maidens.  Expect improvement.

Race 7 – The James W. Murphy Stakes – 1 Mile (Turf)
The JW Murphy came up a fairly tough race to decipher. Several contenders are making their first turf start – so quite literally anything can (and likely will) happen. I focused on those with turf experience, though the “dirt” horses are bound to offer better value on the tote board.

• #11 Thunder Brew (5/1) – Exits back to back scores against softer competition.  Is also 2 for 2 at the mile distance.
• #1 Cat Park (4/1) – Part of coupled entry for trainer Graham Motion that also includes #1A Vamos a Ver.  Was dusted by Paddy O’Prado and Dean’s Kitten 2 races back.  On his best stuff he makes sense here.
• #2 Beau Choix (5/1) – No excuse for getting “caught” in last race.  Working like he wants to make amends.

Race 8 – Grade 3 William Donald Schaefer Stakes – 1 1/16 Miles
I joke that this race was almost changed to the Sheila Dixon stakes.  It’s a Baltimore thing.

• #7 Blame (8/5) – Makes first start of 2010 campaign, but could be sitting on a big race.
• #3 Understatement (2/1) – The most accomplished of the early-speed types in this race.  Seems to excel at this distance – though those wins all came at Aqueduct.
• #1 Bullsbay (10/1) – May have lost a step, but he should get a solid pace to run at.  Never count a son of Tiznow out of any fight.

Race 9 – Grade 3 Gallorette Handicap – 1 1/16 Miles (Turf)
I counted 5 runners here that I thought had a decent shot to win.  In addition to the selections listed below, #5 Quiet Meadow (10/1) and #2 Love’s Blush (20/1) warrant some attention as well in my opinion.  That being said, I’m a fairly big Rainbow View fan.  I’m fond of the filly – and hope she shows up with her best stuff.  I don’t think she’s a lock though by any stretch of the imagination.

• #4 Rainbow View (1/1) – Classy filly has run respectably against the likes of Goldikova and Sariska.  Should improve on 2nd start of most recent form cycle.
• #8 Shared Account (6/1) – Cuts back in distance where her early speed running style could set her up nicely.
• #7 Denomination (10/1) – Smart Strike filly may finally be figuring out U.S. turf racing.

Race 10 – Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Handicap – 6 Furlongs
Looks like another tough renewal of the MD Sprint.  The race seems wide open as just about the entire field is capable on their best stuff.  Beyond the listed selections,#11 Half Metal Jacket is another I’d give serious consideration despite the outside post draw.  The 11 hole seemed to do quite well on Friday.  That probably had more to do with the horses than the post, but suffice to say you might not want to automatically toss the outside runners.

• #1 Snapshot (3/1) Thought the son of Awesome Again rated the best shot in this field.  The horses who have beaten him lately (Warrior’s Reward and Custom for Carlos) are pretty tough customers.
• #3 Roaring Lion (6/1) – I don’t know that he absolutely needs the lead, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt.
• #7 Ravalo (5/1) – Should appreciate return to dirt surface after pedestrian effort on synthetics.

Race 11 – The Grade 2 Dixie – 1 1/8 Miles – Turf
Over the years, this race has been my nemesis.  I’m captured in a Cindy Pierson Dulay photo of the 2008 renewal as longshot Pays to Dream crossed the line and knocked me out of a Pick 6 wager that was singled on Big Brown in the Preakness.  Thus, it comes as no surprise that I think 6 of the 13 horses in this field (nearly 50%) are threats to win the race and will be spreading DEEP here on the exotics.  Outside of the picks listed below, I’ll also be thinking about #9 Rahystrada (6/1), #6 Picou (10/1), and #5 Forgotten Dynasty (10/1).

• #4 Just As Well (3/1) – I went “Captain Obvious” with the top selection as I thought this son of A.P. Indy might be the best horse in the field.   He hasn’t won since last July, but he’s faced the likes of Vodka, Champs Elysees, and Gio Ponti in that stretch.  He should find this field easier – with “should” being the operative term.
• #2 Grassy (5/1) – A very well regarded son of El Prado (same sire as Paddy O’Prado) that just missed last out.  Could be ready to improve in 2nd start this year.
• #13 Nicanor (8/1) – Forget those Preakness connections with Grassy I just mentioned…this here is Barbaro’s little brother!  He’s got some speed too, which he’ll likely have to flash from the 13 hole.  Even so he may need some angels on his withers when they enter deep stretch – but what a story it would be if pulled it off?

Race 12 – The 135th Preakness Stakes – 1 3/16 Miles
Here we go folks, the reason we are all here.  Will Super Saver march on to the Belmont with a pair of Triple Crown jewels in his pocket or will a rival jump up and snatch victory from Calvin Borel at the wire the way Curlin did in 2007?  We’ve already posted an initial “get to know the Preakness contenders” bit, so I’ll spare you the full field rundown.

Ultimately, I think 4 horses make logical win contenders here.  Obviously there’s Super Saver – that’s a no brainer.   Lookin at Lucky “should” get a better trip and has a chance to be right there at the wire.  Paddy O’Prado would be no surprise either – and by all accounts he’s looked well since arriving (just as he did at Churchill Downs 2 weeks ago).  Lastly, there’s Caracortado – who is becoming the “wiseguy’ horse of this Preakness.

As for the rest of the field, while conventional wisdom maintains that you focus only on horses that have run in the Kentucky Derby when searching for a Preakness winner (the only exceptions in recent memory being Rachel Alexandra in 2009, Bernardini in 2006, and Red Bullet in 2000), you might be interested to know how many times in the 13 renewals of the Preakness since 1997 in which a horse that did NOT run in the Kentucky Derby has finished 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.  Check out page 7 of Derek Simon’s Preakness Betting Guide for what I feel is a telling illustration. If you’re looking for value horses to fill out the Exacta and Trifecta – be not afraid – recent history is on your side!

Caracortado would seem to be the logical “non-Derby starter” of this bunch to hit the board – but I’ll be honest and admit that I’m also keeping an eye on the odds for Yawanna Twist as well. Just a hunch – nothing more.  If anyone’s going to play the role of Macho Again from 2008 (the longshot who lit up the tote board under obvious favorite Big Brown), my gut says Yawanna Twist might be the one.

• #8 Super Saver (5/2) – The Derby winner’s race to lose.   Has the tactical speed to prevail from either the lead or just off the early pace.
• #7 Lookin at Lucky (3/1) – The time is now if he’s ever going to have his day.
• #10 Paddy O’Prado (9/2) – Should be right next to Super Saver every step of the way. If the Derby winner gets beat, this horse will likely have a great deal to do with it.
• #9 Caracortado (10/1) – “Scarface” has plenty of buzz around him.  Apparently he figures “another furlong, they’ll love me again.”
• #5 Yawanna Twist (30/1) – My longshot bomber.  Light it up, baby.  Light up that tote board.  Evacuate the grandstand – we’re twisting on the dance floor!

Well folks – by the time this one goes official, the whole weekend will be a historical footnote.  Another memory quickly stuffed away and brought back only as a reference point for a particular story, or to illustrate a particular point.  Hopefully you’ve enjoyed yourself and spent some time living in the moment – and hopefully you’ve cashed a healthy amount of wagers along the way.

Now, readers, march away: and how thou pleasest, Preakness Gods, dispose the day!

Super Saver

The contenders for the 2010 Preakness Stakes are confirmed, post positions have been drawn and a controversial advertising campaign is generating more outside interest in the race than has been shown in years. A field of twelve talented young thoroughbreds are set to face-off in the Preakness Stakes this Saturday. Of the 20 contenders to run in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago only five are returning to contest the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Kentucky Derby champion Super Saver leads the pack this time around and enters as the deserving favorite.

On Wednesday post positions were drawn and Super Saver drew post #8 right alongside Derby favorite Lookin At Lucky in #7. Super Saver is coming into the Preakness looking fresh, full of himself and ready to run another highly competitive race. Trainer Todd Pletcher has stated that he wouldn’t want to trade places with anyone and has the utmost confidence in his Derby winning charge.

Lookin At Lucky might finally get a chance to run his race here if his #7 post position is any indication. Lucky number seven? We’ll see, but trainer Bob Baffert is certainly happy with the post his star runner has received this time around, saying that he’s just happy to see the colt get a decent post after being hung out to dry in the two biggest races of his career; the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Kentucky Derby. He will be ridden for the first time by jockey Martin Garcia who Bob Baffert says knows the horse better than former jockey Garrett Gomez.

Kentucky Derby third place finisher and the third choice in the Preakness Stakes, Paddy O’Prado, is coming into the race off an impressive performance in the Derby in which jockey Kent Desormeaux was severely criticized for a ride in which some thought he gave up on the horse before crossing the finish line. Both are coming into the race with something to prove. Desormeaux, who won the race in 2008 aboard race favorite Big Brown, will be looking to prove he can ride a good race on a horse some say would have finished better than third in the Derby and Paddy O’Prado will be looking to prove he can run just as good a race as he did in the Derby on fast track conditions.

Jackson Bend enters the Preakness Stakes off a twelfth place finish in the Kentucky Derby, his only start where he did not hit the board in 10 lifetime starts. Some people still don’t believe this tough little colt can get the distance but

Jackson Bend

nothing has altered the faith of trainer Nick Zito so far. And why should he have doubts about the colts ability after the way he’s been working after the Derby. Two days before leaving for Pimlico Jackson Bend sizzled a four furlong work in typical fashion, running the distance in :46 3/5ths, the fastest of 69 works at the same distance.

Dublin, coming off a seventh place finish in the Derby, looks to make a drastic step forward after missing out on every opportunity given him this year. He has loads of talent, that much is certain and respected trainer D. Wayne Lukas still has faith in the colt but nothing he has done this year has quite lived up to expectations. He has been consistent this year is nothing else, especially if given a dry track and a clear stretch run. He will be breaking from the #12 hole.

Schoolyard Dreams will come into the Preakness as the most well rested and fresh contender of them all after last having finished fourth in the Wood Memorial Stakes on April 3^rd, but he will not be coming in unprepared. According to trainer Derek Ryan Schoolyard Dreams will greatly benefit from the long time in-between races and only finished so poorly in the Wood Memorial because he ran back only three weeks after finishing second in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Caracortado also enters the Preakness having last raced on April 3^rd in the Santa Anita Derby, a race in which he

Caracortado

finished a troubled fourth after being compromised entering the stretch. This will be the California geldings first start on natural dirt and though recent synthetic-to-dirt form has been exceptional of late there is never any way to tell how a horse will take to the conditions. His works have been very good leading up to the Preakness and if there is any one horse in the field that can steal the spotlight in a magical Cinderella-styled way, it would be Caracortado.

Pleasant Prince missed getting in the Derby starting gate due to insufficient earnings and a poor showing in the Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial Stakes at Churchill Downs. Prior to a third place finish in the Derby Trial he finished an uninspiring seventh in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. His connections have no grand belief that he will actually win the Preakness but think the colt deserves a shot at a piece of the action.

Todd Pletcher remains true to form in the Preakness by entering not only Derby victor Super Saver but also the well traveled Aikenite. Aikenite last finished second to Hurricane Ike in the Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial Stakes. His race record for the year is somewhat confusing, but his finish in the Derby Trial looked much more promising than his previous 2010 preps.

Yawanna Twist, who last finished second in the Illinois Derby on April 3^rd, will be searching for another Preakness victory for trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr. after Big Brown’s victory in 2008.

Northern Giant gives trainer D. Wayne Lukas his second starter in the 2010 Preakness along with Dublin. Terry Thompson will be switching mounts from Dublin to Northern Giant after perennial leading jockey Garrett Gomez picked up the mount on Dublin.

First Dude will be the second starter for trainer Dale Romans in this year’s Preakness after his star pupil Paddy O’Prado. His odds of 20-1 say that he won’t be much of a threat but with jockey Ramon Dominguez riding him his chances could be better than they at first seem.

Much like the Derby this year, the Preakness Stakes seems like it could be pretty much anybody’s race. Lookin At Lucky retains my vote as the top pick here after failing to place in the Derby in a race which virtually deprived him

Lookin At Lucky

of any fighting chance. I’ve been a huge Jackson Bend advocate all year. Now though I’m not sure not that he can truly get this distance against this competition but for the sake of loyalty I’m taking him as my second pick. Super Saver looks too good right now to leave out of any top three picks and could easily, and not surprisingly win again, so I’m taking him as my third pick.  Schoolyard Dreams would be my fourth pick and Paddy O’Prado my fifth, but that’s just a shot in the dark.

Post time for the Preakness Stakes is set for 6:12 p.m. Enjoy the weekend’s extravaganza of racings finest and good luck to all. Who are your picks for the 2010 Preakness Stakes?

Having already won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. 2)by five lengths last November over the Churchill Downs strip, Super Saver obviously loves the track and had proven his worth against the best Kentucky juveniles. Prior to the Kentucky Derby this year Super Saver finished close up in both his 2010 prep races. In his 2010 debut he finished a credible third, a half length behind Odysseus and Schoolyard Dreams in a thrilling rendition of the Tampa Bay Derby (gr.3). Next he finished second behind long-shot winner Line of David in the Arkansas Derby (gr.1) after steadily gaining ground in the stretch, losing by a mere neck. The signs were all there for me to see, he improved in every single start this year, had an impressive win over the Churchill Downs track to his credit and had Derby wizard Calvin Borel in the irons. His Kentucky Derby win makes complete sense.

Now that I have amended my prior poor attitude toward this year’s Derby winner we can move on to the Preakness Stakes and the intriguing field that is beginning to take shape there.

Super Saver leads the pack of confirmed Preakness starters and other familiar names are either joined, or poised to join his on the roster. Derby 7^th place finisher Dublin continues down the Triple Crown trail for trainer D. Wayne Lukas in the Preakness and looks to prove that his continued hype and strong juvenile reputation is still warranted. He finished third in both his two previous Derby preps this year, the last coming a head behind Super Saver in the Arkansas Derby.

Aikenite is confirmed for the Preakness according to trainer Todd Pletcher which means he will most likely have at least two starters in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

Kentucky Derby 3^rd place finisher Paddy O’Prado is coming back in the Preakness with his connections riding high on confidence. His performance in the Derby was deceivingly good but with so much going on in the stretch run his move was primarily missed. With another effort like the one he produced in the Derby he could make a huge statement in the Preakness.

Caracortado, the gelding who was denied a run at the roses after finishing 4^th in the Santa Anita Derby (gr.1), is back and looks like he is ready to run to his best form next Saturday. After winning the first 5 starts of his career Caracortado quickly became the “buzz” horse on the Derby trail earlier this year but after two losing efforts he has fallen far behind the rest of the pack. If the recent winning form of synthetic-to-dirt horses is any indication his chances in the Preakness are looking very good.

Schoolyard Dreams, Hurricane Ike, Jackson Bend, Pleasant Prince, A Little Warm, Turf Melody and Make Music for me are other possible starters for the Preakness with Schoolyard Dreams, Jackson Bend and Hurricane Ike looking the best. The connections of Schoolyard Dreams couldn’t be any more confident coming into the race, stating that they are coming to win.

Lookin At Lucky is the biggest name right now not confirmed for the Preakness Stakes with trainer Bob Baffert unwilling to commit until he is certain it is the best thing for the colt. He is 52% to go according to the latest from Baffert and it seems doubtful he will bypass the race unless something drastic happens to alter his situation. After a horrible trip in the Derby in which the talented son of Smart Strike was unable to do his true running, the 2009 Champion 2-year-old Male will be looking for redemption in the Preakness and also looks to take back the mantle of best 3-year-old colt.

Eskendereya

one thing has changed the picture drastically. Derby favorite Eskendereya has been removed from race consideration because of a filling in his left front leg. The news came folowing days of speculation which started after several works for Eskendereya were cancelled. Eskendereya is the second winner of the Wood Memorial to be removed from the race after injury, following last year’s I Want Revenge.

Now jockey John Velazquez finds himself without a Derby mount but that will probably change seeing as he is the regular rider for filly Devil May Care. With trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Greathouse seriously considering entering the 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon against the boys in the Derby over the girls in the Kentucky Oaks, he could find himself riding another strong contender.

Eskendereya was coming into the Derby off three consecutive victories this year, the last two coming in the Fountain of Youth Stakes by more than 8 lengths and the Wood Memorial by an over powering 9 ¾ lengths. Those two efforts accounted for the two most impressive Kentucky Derby preps of the year and solidified his status as the horse to beat on the first Saturday in May.

With Eskendereya’s defection from the race Lookin At Lucky is once again taking on the role of race favorite for trainer Bob Baffert after losing it to Eskendereya earlier in the year.

Hurricane Ike took the Derby Trial by storm Saturday and make absolutely certain the race would have no affect on the overall picture of the Kentucky Derby field. By winning the Derby Trial Hurricane Ike and jockey Calvin Borel destroyed any hope the connections of Eightyfiveinafify and Pleasant Prince had of entering the Kentucky Derby starting gate. As the race favorite Eightfiveinafifty yet again showed greenness and immaturity while running down the stretch and drifting very wide across the track to finish a dull fourth. Pleasant Prince fared little better in the finish, coming home 6 ¾ lengths behind second place finisher Aikenite in third. Calvin Borel owned the day at Churchill Downs Saturday, finishing the day with five wins, the last coming in the Derby Trial aboard Hurricane Ike.

Though the loss of Eskendereya to trainer Todd Pletcher’s stable is immense he will still be entering the Kentucky Derby holding the most powerful hand of any one trainer this year. With colts like Super Saver, Rule, Discreetly Mine and Mission Impazible entered and Interactif also being considered for the race Pletcher still has a power-house, and if Devil May Care is entered as well his chances are about 6 in 20 of winning the Derby.

Rachel Alexandra is poised to make headlines yet again. On Saturday owner Jess Jackson announced the reigning horse of the year would make her second start of the year in Churchill Down’s La Troienne Stakes (gr.2) on April 30^th.

Rachel Alexandra

Speculation has been running rampant that the La Troienne would be Rachel Alexandra’s next start, but true to form Jackson failed to make a decision until the last minute. In the La Troienne Rachel Alexandra will be facing Zardana again after finishing second to her in her 2010 debut and also the fleet-footed filly Careless Jewel. Last year Careless Jewel was the second best 3-year-old filly in the land only to Rachel Alexandra. Their meeting will be very anticipated as well as Rachel’s second show-down with Zardana. If works are any indication then Rachel Alexandra is closer to her old self than she has been the entire year and looks ready to run back to her spectacular 2009 form. A victory here would be her launch to hopefully yet another chance for a match-up with the great Zenyatta.

I will be attending the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks for the first time ever this year, something I have wanted to do since I was 11 years old. Living in CT doesn’t make Churchill Downs the most convenient location but the drive is well worth the reward. I know using exclamation points is supposed to be like “laughing at yourself” when you’re writing but I can’t resist this one time; I am excited!

Stately Victor

The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes produced the biggest shocker of the weekend and what’s even more shocking is that it looks legitimate. Stately Victor, who entered the Blue Grass with only 1 win in 7 lifetime starts and his last five starts resulting in off the board finishes, showed a sustained drive in the stretch to win at odds of 40-1. If this race had been on dirt and not polytrack this son of Ghostzapper would probably be much higher on people’s Derby lists than he is right now. He currently ranks number 9 on the graded earnings list after his Blue Grass victory. Paddy O’Prado finished second to Stately Victor which gave him enough graded earnings to put him right at number 19 on the list. Finishing third in the Blue Grass was First Dude who stands zero chance of making the Derby with earning of only $97,500. Almost any other year that would have been sufficient but this year seems to be running under a full head of steam and there is no room for any competition error at this point, time is almost up.

The three top choices in the Blue Grass, Interactif, Pleasant Prince and Odysseus all finished off the board with Interactif securing 4^th place. Pleasant Prince finished 7^th, and Odysseus finished last of 9 after helping set a brisk pace throughout the race. It was discovered after the race that Odysseus has a bone chip in the back of his left knee which has effectively knocked him off of the Derby trail. Hopefully we’ll see this guy come back later in the year as I strongly believe we didn’t yet see the best of his talents.

The Arkansas Derby was almost as surprising as the Blue Grass Stakes, but in

Line of David

the end the results seemed to make much more sense. Front-running Line of David, making his first start on dirt led a highly-touted field of three year old colts on a merry chase around the Oaklawn Park oval to win gate-to-wire.

Entering the stretch in appeared the 17-1 shot was finished as big guns Super Saver and Dublin were breathing down his neck to the outside. Instead of folding as it appeared, Line of David fought back fiercely on the inside and maintained a neck advantage the length of the stretch over Super Saver who was neck ahead of Dublin. Those three hit the wire in exactly the same positions with Uh Oh Bango finishing fourth and race favorite, Noble’s Promise finishing 5^th after a nightmarish trip. In winning the richest Derby prep in the country Line of David increased his earnings by $600,000 vaulting him to number 6 on the graded earnings list. He has now won three consecutive races, the two previous to the Arkansas Derby coming on the turf at Santa Anita. His winning streak began when trainer John Sadler decided to add blinkers to his equipment.

Fourth place finisher Uh Oh Bango fractured his left front cannon bone in the running of the Arkansas Derby and is now off the Derby trail. Aside from Buddy’s Saint and now Odysseus and Uh Oh Bango there have been far fewer injuries this year than there were last year when it seemed high-profile contenders were dropping out each week or two with an injury.

Noble's Promise

The Derby status of Noble’s Promise, who currently stands at number 2 on the graded earnings list with $738,000, is undecided. He exited the race with several cuts on his front legs and a lung infection was discovered later. Trainer Kenny McPeek seems to think he is doing much better now but will not say he is definite for the Derby yet although he is headed for Churchill Downs.

With the Coolmoore Lexington Stakes being run this weekend, more horses could be casting their lots into the earnings picture which would reshuffle the picture yet again. As of now trainer Todd Pletcher is doubtful that Interactif will make the Derby field which will make room for Jackson Bend to enter unless someone gets an earnings boost with a win in the Lexington Stakes this weekend. If a horse like Homeboykris who is undeserving of his #20 placing were to be removed that would free things up nicely. We will just have to see how things pan out this weekend and go from there.

The Apple Blossom Invitational Handicap was setting up as the meeting point

Zenyatta

of two of the greatest females ever to grace the track in racing history earlier this year when the respective parties of Champion Zenyatta and Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra agree to enter for a purse of $5 million dollars. Unfortunately Rachel Alexandra was withdrawn from consideration when she lost the New Orleans Ladies Stakes in her season debut and her connections felt she was not yet ready to face Zenyatta. The Apple Blossom Handicap is now a one horse show and it’s all about Zenyatta. Is there anyone left who is brave enough to actually state outright that they are choosing against Zenyatta anymore and that their horse actually stands a chance? It’s almost laughable to think she might lose the race.

Undefeated in 15 lifetime starts, Zenyatta is perfection in motion and over the course of the last three years has been defying everything the history books and experts say should and shouldn’t be possible. In the Apple Blossom she will going for her 16^th straight victory, that’s the real race here. If she succeeds she will have equaled the feat of the incredible 1948 Triple Crown champion Citation and will enter the record books as the greatest mare in the history of this illustrious sport. Zenyatta will be making just her

Zenyatta

second start on natural dirt in the Apple Blossom after winning the 2008 renewal of the Apple Blossom. In the 2008 Apple Blossom she went off as the second choice, it was the first and only time in her life that she was not sent off as the favorite. This time around she will be the overwhelming favorite seeing as she has been a sure thing in this sport up to this point and there are no indications that situation is about to change anytime soon. Zenyatta just keeps climbing the ladder of prominence higher and higher with no end in sight, when she stops is anyone’s guess.

Only four brave souls were entered against Zenyatta this time around and not a one has a single grade 1 win to her credit. Leading the lagging pack is Larry

Just Jenda

and Cindy Jones’ Just Jenda, the only other graded stakes winner in the field aside from Zenyatta. She enters the Apple Blossom on a three race losing streak, her last victory coming in the Monmouth Oaks (gr.3) in the summer of 2009.

War Echo enters the race off a well-beaten 5^th place finish in the Azeri Stakes in which she finished behind 4^th place finisher Just Jenda. She has lost both her 2010 starts.

Taptam enters off a 9^th place finish in the Azeri, but previously won two consecutive starts. This will be her first time trying the 9 furlong distance.

Be Fair holds the distinction of being the only contestant to enter the Apple Blossom with a victory in her last start, aside from Zenyatta that is who has only victories to her credit. She won an allowance race at Oaklawn this year in early March.

The field entered against Zenyatta pales horribly in comparison with her powerful image and their records are so drastically different that it’s almost impossible to compare them. Suffice it to say this could be billed as the equivalent of a singing contest between Celine Dion and four preschoolers.

The Arkansas Derby boasts a very strong field of graded stakes winners and

Noble's Promise

“supporting cast” Kentucky Derby prospects just waiting to steal the spot light. From the powerhouse stable of Todd Pletcher comes one of his most prized pupils. Super Saver was installed as the slight favorite in the Arkansas Derby off his close third place finish in the Tampa Bay Derby behind a victorious Odysseus and Schoolyard Dreams. He had previously won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr.2) at Churchill Downs as a juvenile by more than 5 lengths. Calvin Borel gets the mount on the front-running favorite. The suspicion here is that they will attempt to get this colt to rate off the pace this time around. He did very well in the Tampa Bay Derby to hold onto third by half a length after setting the fractions up front.

Noble’s Promise enters this race off one of the strongest losing efforts on the Derby trail so far this year. In his last start he finished a neck behind Lookin At Lucky in the Rebel Stakes over the same course in his 3-year-old debut. This tough-luck colt has finished behind Lookin At Lucky every time the two face each other, but with the Lookin At Lucky not entered this time around it appears to be his race to lose. He shows up every time and runs his heart out so you can bet he’ll be competitive in the Arkansas Derby.

Dublin has not quite failed to live up to the billing trainer D. Wayne Lukas bestowed upon him last year, but neither has he done a whole lot to reinforce his highly-touted billing. The talented son of  Afleet Alex last won the

Dublin

Hopefull Stakes (gr.1) in September. He finished a strong second in his 3-year-old debut in the Southwest Stakes (gr.3) then followed that up with a 3^rd place finish to Lookin At Lucky and Noble’s Promise in the Rebel Stakes. He has proven himself to be very consistent this year but has yet to capture that elusive victory.

Northern Giant, Uh Oh Bango, Pulsion, New Madrid, Berberis and Line of David complete the field. Uh Oh Bango could present the biggest outside challenge after running 4^th in the Rebel and finishing second by a neck to

Super Saver

Rule in the Boyd Gaming Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. 3) in December. This will be his second start of the year and he looks like the kind of colt that is slowly but surely improving. Northern Giant last finished second to Dean’s Kitten in the Lane’s End Stakes (gr. 3). Line of David is an intriguing entry for trainer John Sadler.  He enters off a 4 ½ length allowance victory.

I think Noble’s Promise will break through with a well-deserved victory here and finally step out from the enormous shadow cast by Lookin At Lucky. Super Saver will probably be very sharp off his third place Tampa Bay Derby win but I like Dublin for second.

The $750,000 Bluegrass Stakes (gr.1) is probably the most intriguing Derby

Odysseus (middle with no blinkers)

prep this weekend and also the toughest one to handicap. A field of 9 gifted runners were entered with Florida Derby second place finisher Pleasant Prince installed as the 3-1 favorite. Pleasant Prince has finished behind Ice Box in his last three starts and looks to earn enough graded stakes money in the Bluegrass to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. While Pleasant Prince is certainly talented and has plenty of ability, I do not believe he is the best horse in the field.

Odysseus comes into the Bluegrass Stakes riding a hot three race win streak which includes one of the year’s most impressive Derby prep victories. In the Tampa Bay Derby last out Odysseus turned certain defeat at the top of the stretch into resounding victory by re-rallying after being passed in the stretch to win by a thrilling nose over Schoolyard Dreams. While Schoolyard Dreams did not flatter his form in the Wood Memorial last weekend, I still believe this is one of the best colts of the year and he will find a way to win this race. He is still very inexperienced and green but his talent shines through every time he steps onto the track. This will be his first start on polytrack.

Interactif enters the Bluegrass as the stronger half of a Todd Pletcher entered duo with Aikenite. Interactif has lost his only two races this year by a mere

Interactif

nose in his 2010 debut and a fast closing second by a half length to Sidney’s Candy in the San Felipe (gr.2). Aikenite last finished third to leading Kentucky Derby contender Eskendereya in the Fountain Of Youth Stakes (gr.2) and will be looking for a breakthrough performance here. A win, second or third place finish would assure Aikenite a starting position in the Derby with his earnings already standing at $218,000.

First Dude, Paddy O’Prado, Make Music for Me, Codoy and Stately Victor round out the field.

Odysseus seems like the kind of colt that anything could conceivably be possible with and so far he has won on sheer talent alone. If he can put all his immaturity issues behind him in the Bluegrass he should win this going away. Interactif, Aikenite and Pleasant Prince are hard to separate for me. If there is a good strong pace up front, Pleasant Prince and Aikenite will benefit the most but Interactif is more consistent and competitive in top tier races than either one. First Dude and Codoy are also intriguing entries but looked a little out-classed at this point.

Aside from the big three races this weekend there are a bunch of high-class runners competing across the nation in graded stakes races, the most obvious of these is the return of Informed Decision in the Vinery Madison (gr.1) today and the return of Forever Together in the Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr.2) on Saturday. Enjoy the races. Go Zenyatta!

He’s reporting on a New York Times article about a fellow named Jordan Yospe whose job it is to place brand-name products in movies as a source of funding for the movies.

Having been to a Seder dinner last week, I got a laugh out of this passage:

“Had Yospean perspectives only been given their due in earlier times, the historic tension between art and commerce might have diminished.  Imagine:… The Seder table in “The Last Supper” festooned with glagons of Manischewitz red.”

As often happens when I read the paper, I think of applications in my own life.  So today I was wondering what it would look like if I went through my normal life being paid to endorse the products I use.  What a responsibility!  Would the sponsors be helped or hurt by my endorsements?

• How about my MIO sports watch, if my heart rate never gets to the 75% zone I aim for when exercising?
• How about the Onitsuka Tiger shoes that get derisive comments (“Got enough color on your shoes?” “Trying out for an eighties junior high school cheerleading squad?”) every day at the gym?   The only appropriate comeback is “they have purple laces that I can switch out also.” http://www.zappos.com/onitsuka-tiger-by-asics-ultimate-tiger-black-ice-green
• How about my Mars Hill Graduate School handy-dandy commuter mug?
• Or the t-shirt I wear advertising my father’s stable’s horse, Aikenite, a potential Kentucky Derby prospect?
• Would authors I read want to be associated with me or should I remove the book jackets?
• I drive a MINI Cooper proudly, yet do I make MINIs less cool with my decidedly grey hair (I’m paranoid since someone said to me this very week, upon seeing my hair grey for the first time, “Oh, I’m so sorry.”)?

We all market things all day long.  Which I find rather appalling since I’m constantly (actually, yes, constantly) railing about “why anyone would want to give free advertising to Dolce and Gabbana or Ralph Lauren on their clothes.”

While watching movies, my husband often whispers to me, as Meryl Streep downs a Diet Coke, “product placement.”  I now hear my own internal voice, thanks to Meyerson and Yospe, reminding me that I should be getting paid for all this free advertising I’m doing and that I hope I’m doing my sponsors proud.

Eskendereya

This weekend is beyond a doubt all about the nation’s best three-year-olds with a trio of important Kentucky Derby preps laden with talented youngsters each slated to be run. One of the main attractions, and the single race that will be generating the most interest, is the Wood Memorial (gr.1). With a field of six highly touted and equally talented colts entered in the Wood, it would seem strange to say that one colt will no doubt go off a heavy favorite. When you’re talking about Eskendereya though, there’s not much strange about him. After starting the year off with a jovial gate-to-wire allowance triumph, Eskendereya set the bar excruciatingly high when taking the Fountain of Youth Stakes in an 8 ½ length romp, earning a 106 speed figure, the highest Beyer for any three-year-old so far this year. The Fountain of Youth continues to be the most dominant Derby prep display of the year, thus Eskendereya’s lofty favoritism not only for the Wood Memorial but also for the Kentucky Derby.

Impressive Gotham Stakes (gr.3) winner and European invader Awesome Act looks to have the best chance of taking down the heavy favorite by most accounts. His Gotham victory was deceptively easy and although the horses he defeated in the Gotham were not the top tier of the Derby trail, it was the way in which he won that warrants respect. His huge strides propelled him from fourth at the top of the stretch, to first in a matter of seconds and with red-hot jockey Julien Leparoux aboard once again, you know he’ll have as good a chance as any other contender at a favorable trip.

The ever persistent and ultra-consistent Jackson Bend is back for another crack at Eskendereya after finishing a distant second to him in the Fountain of Youth. Although he has never finished worse than second and the only two

Jackson Bend

losses of his entire career have come against high-class colts, people still doubt that this Nick Zito trainee can get the distance with his sprint based pedigree. If there is one thing that I have learned from observing the Triple Crown races it is this; Nick Zito is a master at taking down the giants when everyone least expects it. He always lets the public know that a win is not absolutely necessary, that a prep is just what it sounds like; a race to prepare the colt for the big dance. While no one would deny that the Wood Memorial is a big dance, it is not the Kentucky Derby, and that is the ultimate goal for Jackson Bend at this point. I wouldn’t be half surprised to see Jackson Bend pull off a shocker in the Wood and I would be shocked if he didn’t finish in the top three. Calvin Borel gets the mount on Jackson Bend in the Wood.

Schoolyard Dreams looks like the fastest improving colt in the field. After his heartbreaking loss to Odysseus in the Tampa Bay Derby by the shortest nose in the history of the race, his connections decided to give him another shot in hopes of making it into the Derby field. He is another who seems unlikely to finish out of the top three and if he does, his entry in the Kentucky Derby could be in jeopardy.

Now, for the sake of safety I am going to mention the last two entries in the field because last week when I was making all my “esteemed” proclamations about who was going to win on everyone else’s blogs, I didn’t once mention any long shots and got fried for it when the likes of Dean’s Kitten, Mission Impazzible and Endorsement ran their way to glory. Carnivore and Most Happy Fella round out the Wood Memorial field. Carnivore last won a maiden race by an impressive 7 lengths and Most Happy Fella last took down an optional claimer field. It seems doubtful either one can crack the entry of the “big four”, but anything is possible. Eskendereya seems to be the invincible one here and while Awesome Act has garnered a good amount of support, I tend to like Jackson Bend and Schoolyard Dreams behind Eskendereya for the top three finish.

Lookin At Lucky

Well, we didn’t have long to wait for the return of Champion 2 year old Male Lookin At Lucky. After his incredible Rebel Stakes victory, Bob Baffert is sending Lookin At Lucky right back into the fray when he takes on 9 other contenders in the Santa Anita Derby (gr.1) this weekend. With the dirt question behind him and unarguably answered, Lucky can rest comfortably on his laurels in the Santa Anita Derby and hopefully produce yet another scintillating victory. He will be the overwhelming favorite when post time comes around and rightly so.

Previously undefeated California sensation Caracortado is back after an uncharacteristic third place finish in the San Felipe Stakes. If the pace is a little stronger than it was in the San Felipe Caracortado should be able to launch a much stronger rally in the stretch of the Santa Anita Derby and improve his chances at Kentucky Derby glory.

San Felipe victor Sidney’s Candy is also looking to stake his claim here and a win would most assuredly vault him to the top of many Derby watch lists. His front-running style has so far worked beautifully, but I have a feeling it won’t be enough to hold off the hungry pack this time.

Surprise Sham Stakes (gr.3) winner, Alphies Bet, is also entered. His shocking upset victory in the Sham looked like the real deal and judging by the fact that he previously won his maiden on the turf in the beginning of the year he seems to love synthetics. The Santa Anita Derby is the same distance as the Sham and he drew the farthest outside post for the Derby just like he did for the Sham. It remains to be seen whether or not the scenario changes from there.

The rest of the field is, suffice it to say, a group of long-shots who are led by Cardiff Giant and Skipshot. Cardiff Giant

Caracortado

has been beating a pattern of ever decreasing production this year in his races. He finished second in the San Rafael (gr.3), third in the Southwest (gr.3) and fifth in the Rebel last out. Skipshot took a five horse allowance field by a nose last out and has since posted a fantastic bullet 5 furlong work in :58 2/5 for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.  Another horse to keep an eye on is Setsuko, the second place finisher in the Sham Stakes behind Alphie’s Bet.

The Santa Anita Derby looks like just another Lookin At Lucky party to me, but horse races are never sure things. If the word of trainer Bob Baffert is anything to go by though, we should see a much sharper, stronger and energetic Lookin At Lucky this weekend. Imagine that.

The $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr.3) heralds the return of one of my favorite horses from last year’s two year old crop. Backtalk made a victorious return to the races this year after failing to place in his last two races of 2009, the Hopeful

Backtalk

Stakes and Breeders’ Futurity. The talented son of Smarty Jones will be looking to prove that he has a legitimate shot at emulating his immortal sire’s feat of winning the Kentucky Derby, but first, he has to win the Illinois Derby which is no small feat. The 9 furlong distance of the Illinois Derby will be the farthest Backtalk has traveled to date, but with a trio of good works behind him, I believe the striking Smarty Jones colt is up to the task. His last work at six furlongs came in an astounding time of 1:09.60.

American Lion makes his return to the races here in an attempt to remove some of the considerable tarnish that has gathered on his sleek coat. After starting the year off in the top ten of most every Derby watch list, the son of Tiznow has fallen out of the top tier after posting two dull efforts in California. He switches to dirt in the Illinois Derby for the first time, and some think it could prove to be a turning point for American Lion. If he shows an affinity for dirt here, it will most likely assure him a trip to the Kentucky Derby.

Dave in Dixie also returns to action in the Illinois Derby after a very poor showing on synthetics in the San Felipe. He has showed glimpses of brilliance this year with incredible late kicks in mid-stretch during his races that could prove to be very deadly at longer distances. This race is make it, or break it for the John Sadler trainee.

Two other significant contenders are Gotham second place finisher Yawanna Twist, and Turf Melody. To cover myself yet again I’ll just say this field also has a good amount of long-shots and leave it at that. Now if they win I can come back and say that I mentioned the longshots.

Backtalk was “the horse” for the Kentucky Derby earlier last year after going undefeated through the Bashford Manor (gr.3) and Sanford Stakes (gr.2). The question now is this: Is he really back, or is it all just talk?

The Fantasy Stakes will forever be remembered as the first race in which Rachel Alexandra’s true talent was recognized by the majority of racing fans. This year the cast for the Fantasy is a little more slim, but perhaps no less

Blind Luck

filled with talented and potential-laden fillies. Blind Luck turns in her final performance here before an expected start in the Kentucky Oaks and looks to bounce back from a surprising defeat last out. This filly is as tough as they come and should take this race with ease.

All Due Respect, Tidal Pool and No Such Word are the only three fillies entered against Blind Luck and of the three No Such Word looks like the biggest threat. She was last seen winning the Honeybee Stakes (gr.3) at Oaklawn. She is trained by Cindy Jones, wife of Larry Jones.

All Due Respect placed third in the Pocahontas Stakes (gr.3) last year before breaking her maiden in her fifth attempt.

Tidal Pool looks like the wild card option here. She sports a record of 3 wins, 1 second and 1 third in 9 lifetimes starts. She blew away an allowance field by 8 lengths at Oaklawn this year and is trained by D. Wayne Lukas.

Aside from all the great 3 year old races lining up this weekend, the older horses are also preparing to put on a show. The one you won’t want to miss is the showdown between Munnings and Musket Man in the Carter Handicap. Let the races begin. In closing I want to thank everyone for being so supportive of me when I was “out of contact” last weekend, it meant a lot.

Fountain of Youth Stakes – Gulfstream Park – Eskendereya

Risen Star – Fair Grounds – Discreetly Mine

Hutcheson Stakes – Gulfstream Park – D’ Funnybone / A Little Warm / Wildcat Frankie

Breeders Cup – Tampa Bay Downs – Gio Ponti vs. Karelian

Horse and Plowman at Houghton Farm by landscape artist Winslow Homer

While it’s true that the official Kentucky Derby prep season begins well before this weekend, the racing action on Saturday at Fair Grounds and Gulfstream Park promises to treat viewers suffering with post Eclipse Awards “Derby Fever” with perhaps their first true glimpse of what the future holds.

Grade 3 Holy Bull

The 21st running of the Holy Bull (G3) in Saturday’s 9th race at Gulfstream Park (5:08 ET) will be contested by nine 3-year-old colts going 1 mile over the main track. In 2006, the legendary Barbaro used the Holy Bull as a spring board to his eventual triumph in the Kentucky Derby.  The field for this year’s Holy Bull sets up like this:

1. Thank U Philippe (E. Castro/M. Wolfson) 8/1
2. Homeboykris (E. Prado/R. Dutrow Jr.) 5/1
3. Litigation Risk (A. Garcia/R. Violette) 12/1
4. Piscitelli (K. Desormeaux/R. Sacco) 6/1
5. William’s Kitten (J. Leparoux/M. Maker) 8/1
6. Winslow Homer (R. Dominguez/A. Dutrow) 6/1)
7. Wild Lime (J. Lezcano/M. Trombetta) 20/1
8. Aikenite (J. Velazquez/T. Pletcher) 4/1
9. Jackson Bend (J. Rose/N. Zito) 5/2*

The field is headlined by Nick Zito’s star trainee, JACKSON BEND, who has won 5 consecutive races including 4 consecutive stakes.  If he can stalk and pounce from his outside post position and get a decent trip, he makes for a dangerous chalk to play against.

It’s early in the year though.  Who comes here to play chalk in the first big race of the year?  Several other horses in this race look very playable if their morning line odds hold.

I’ll start with WILLIAM’S KITTEN, a son of Kitten’s Joy that my good friend Tencentcielo was eager to see on Breeders’ Cup weekend.  We raced to the paddock for the Juvenile to get a glimpse of him prior to the race.  Sent off at stratospheric odds, he both made a stronger visual impression in the paddock and ran a better race than his running line suggests.  I think this guy’s a player in here, although I think his better days are further down the road.

HOMEBOYKRIS is an interesting Maryland Bred for infamous trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.  He looked like a legitimate Derby contender in the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont late last fall, but then pressed the pace and gave way stretching out to 9 furlongs in the Remsen (G2) in November.  The cut back to 1 mile and the bullet workouts in December and January suggest he’s ready to move forward.

Ultimately, I’m going to think a bit outside the box for my first prep play of the year.  I like the looks of WINSLOW HOMER quite a bit in this spot.  He’s only raced 3 times, but if not for a neck defeat in his début, the son of Unbridled’s Song would be a perfect 3 for 3.  He’s still got room for improvement and ran big off a  2 month layoff back in November at Philly Park.  Ramon Dominguez has to be excited to get another shot aboard this guy.  If the odds of 6/1 hold, I think he makes a lot of sense.

Oh yeah, about that random painting at the top of this post – that’s “”Horse and Ploughman at Houghton Farm by landscape artist Winslow Homer.  Seemed fitting, given this selection.

Selections for the G3 Holy Bull:

• #6 Winslow Homer (6/1)
• #9 Jackson Bend (5/2*)
• #2 Homeboykris (5/1)

I’d add Aikenite and William’s Kitten into the exotic plays, and you may want to take a look at the Moss family entry, Piscitelli as well.

Dime Superfecta: 6/2,5,8,9/2,4,5,8,9/ALL = $9.60

Grade 3 Lecomte

The 66th running of the Lecomte in Saturday’s 10th race at Fair Grounds (4:43 CT) features 11 3-year-olds in a two-turn event covering 1 mile & 40 yards over the main track.  The most notable Lecomte winner of recent history was eventual runner up in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, Hard Spun.  Ironically, Friesan Fire, winner of last year’s Lecomte, is racing in the Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

The field for the 2010 LecComte sets up as follows:

1. Maximus Ruler (F. Torres/H. Clark) 4/1
2. Turf Melody (J. Valdivia/G. Motion) 7/2
3. Worldly (R. Albarado/P. McGee) 5/1
4. Depaul (S. Sellers/S. Asmussen) 20/1
5. Citrus Kid (M. Mena/J. Terranova) 8/1
6. Callide Valley (C. Lanerie/E. Kenneally) 10/1
7. B’wanagoldmine (E. Martin Jr./D. Pish) 15/1
8. Letsgetitonmon (S. Bridgmohan/S. Asmussen) 10/1
9. Coll Bullet (B. Hernandez Jr./S. Margolis) 5/1
10. Rock Hard (H. Theriot/B. Barnett) 30/1
11. Ron the Greek (J. Graham/T. Amoss) 8/1

MAXIMUS RULER is the horse that I think will ultimately go off as the post time favorite in this one, and for good reason.  While the son of Roman Ruler has never been two turns before, he is accomplished at the one mile distance last out racing close to the pace.  He’ll likely need to be involved early on breaking from the rail, but would seem to have the tools to turn in a solid performance if he can settle down in 2nd or 3rd.  I think he’s the obvious choice, even if I suspect he’ll be bet down a bit.

TURF MELODY heads out for my main man Graham Motion.  The son of Maria’s Mon has pulled off back-to-back victories at the mile distance in his last two starts – a sign that bodes very well for his chances here.  The only thing that worries me slightly is that Valdivia must get used to him right away. Russel and Rose certainly have this guy figured out, so hopefully Jose Jr. can be a quick study.  This runner has a nice old-school foundation laid in his running lines.  Graham just might have him ready to move forward here in start #1 for 2010.

WORLDLY is an interesting runner in this field, having been defeated by Stay Put last out in the same track/distance conditions.  The son of A.P. Indy would seem to need an improved performance to find the winner’s circle today, but it’s certainly not out of the question as there does seem to be some talent under the hood.

I’d look for CITRUS KID a little later in the year as the Lemon Drops can take a little while to get rolling, although this one did win back to back starts at Delaware Park last fall.  The water is a bit deeper here today, so he’d need his best stuff.  I’m going to consider him more of an underneath play in the exotics.

COOL BULLET is a horse stretching out for the first time who should be a factor in the pace scenario.  DEPAUL and CITRUS KID could challenge for the lead early on, which could open things up for the off-the-pace types coming in from behind.

Lastly, RON THE GREEK looks a little interesting from the outside post.  The son of Full Mandate started off his career with back to back victories before being defeated by TURF MELODY last out.  He’s another that warrants strong consideration for an underneath spot on the exotic plays.

Selections for the G3 Lecomte:

• #1 Maximus Ruler (4/1)
• #2 Turf Melody (7/2*)
• #3 Worldly (5/1)

I’ll give CITRUS KID, COOL BULLET, and RON THE GREEK strong consideration for the bottom positions of my Superfecta play.  CALLIDE VALLEY is a horse I haven’t mentioned yet that could be a player as well.  I don’t want to totally sleep on the Asmussen runners DEPAUL and LETSGETITONMON or B’WANAGOLDMINE, but you know the drill; can’t chose ‘em all.

Dime Superfecta:  1/2,3,5,9/2,3,5,9,11/2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11 =$11.20

So that’s where I stand headed into the first big weekend of the 2010 Kentucky Derby prep season.  I’m all in on WINSLOW HOMER and MAXIMUS RULER.  My only question for all of you is “who you got?”

Homeboykris

cherry on top of a very appealing line-up of high quality races.  Homeboykris surprisingly is the high-weight in the Holy Bull. The winner of the Champagne Stakes (gr.1) at Belmont back in October, Homeboykris last finished 5^th to Buddy’s Saint in the Remsen Stakes (gr.2). Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. insists his horse is ready to go. He defeated highly-touted Dublin in the Champagne Stakes before his surprisingly dull effort in the Remsen, so it is very likely that he could bounce back here with another impressive display.

Jackson Bend

Regardless of who the high-weight is, Jackson Bend will almost certainly be the favorite by post time. He is currently riding a five race win streak and makes a strong case to grab the Holy Bull as his 6^th. He completed a clean sweep of the Florida Stallion Stakes when overcoming a troubled start in the In Reality Stakes on October 17, posting a 2 ¾ length victory. The way he turned back Thank U Phillipe at the top of the stretch after going to his knees at the start, and drew off to win was very impressive. He won 5 of 6 starts in 2009 as a juvenile, losing his first start by a mere head. He has been training phenomenally at Palm Meadows over the winter and posted a bullet five furlong work last out of :59.30.

Todd Pletcher trainee Aikenite doesn’t win that often, but he always runs competitively against consistently top tier fields. His 5^th place finish last out in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile after a troubled trip showed he has enough determination to take whatever is thrown at him and keep running. Previous to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Aikenite finished 3^rd in the Hopeful (gr.1) and then finished 2^nd in the Futurity (gr.1) in October. He posted a bullet for his last 5 furlong work on January 17^th in a time of :59.80.

Piscitelli produced a solid effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile during his last race at odds of 50-1. In 2009 he finished

Piscitelli

5^th in the Breeders’ Futurity and 3^rd in the Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr.2) prior to his 4^th place finish in the Juvenile. His last three starts have all come on synthetics but he did break his maiden on dirt at Monmouth Park last summer.

One of the more intriguing contenders in the Holy Bull is Winslow Homer. In November he destroyed a field of winners in muddy going, seizing first place by a widening 12 ½ lengths. It was his 2^nd win in 3 starts and reeked of “Curlin-like” talent. This guy could be the wild card here if he can produce an effort like that again.

The rest of the field is comprised of Thank U Phillipe (last out he finished second to Todd Pletcher trainee Eskendereya) Litigation Risk, William’s Kitten and Wild Lime.

In my estimation Jackson Bend is the one to beat here, but Winslow Homer, Aikenite, Homeboykris and Piscitelli have been steadily garnering more support for themselves and each has a justifiable case to be made.

Zenyatta

Rachel Alexandra

Monday night the most hotly contested Horse of the Year vote in racing history will finally be decided. One contestant will walk away with a trophy, the ultimate champion in title, but both will walk away champions where it counts; in the hearts of legions of adoring fans who, if their horse win or lose, will further strengthen their allegiance to these great athletes by sheer love of the horse. Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta have been plowing a tremendous furrow in the field of historical achievement since their 2009 racing campaigns have ended. Not only did they achieve incredible things on the track, they shattered equally marvelous boundaries in the hearts and minds of thousands of fans the world over. True, the Horse of the Year debate rages most strongly in America, but the extreme star power of these two giants in the sport has transcended national boundaries and carried across oceans to touch the lives of fans all over the world. I’m rooting for Rachel Alexandra to win for reasons already stated, but win or lose, I’ll cheer either way and gripe later.

I think Gio Ponti is poised to pull off a miraculous championship double if the

Gio Ponti

voters vote according to true championship form. Not only is he a cinch to win the Grass Male title, but he is also the frontrunner for Older Champion Male, an honor usually bestowed upon dirt or synthetic runners. Gio Ponti raced solely on grass last year with the exception of his 2nd place finish to Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Summer Bird

Summer Bird will run off with the Three Year Old Male award, or at least should. Becoming the first horse since the great Easy Goer in 1989 to win the Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup in the same season is no small feat. Mine that Bird will garner some votes here for his historic Derby victory, but the Derby winner always gets consideration no matter how bad a year he’s had.

Rachel Alexandra should rightfully steal every single vote in the Three Year Old Filly division as should Zenyatta in the Older Mare voting. If someone votes against them here in either category, then something is seriously wrong with that voter.

Informed Decision is the clear choice for Female Sprinter although Ventura will probably steal some votes for her consistent run of races, including her victory over males last year.

Kodiak Kowboy wins the Male Sprint award most likely, having beaten Fabulous Strike on two separate occasions. Zensational could take a good amount of the voting too, but his poor finish in the Breeder’s Cup Sprint will hurt his chances a great deal.

Now, on to my very first Derby dozen list which I have decided to call my Baker’s Dozen. Baker’s Dozen, the Webster’s definition is: A group of 13; from the former custom of bakers to add an extra roll as a safeguard against the possibility of 12 weighing light. So here it is, my first Bakers Dozen:

1. Lookin At Lucky-Lucky looks like the perfect racing machine, and if not for his courageous Breeders’ Cup defeat, he would sport a perfect record. Bob Baffert has decided to add blinkers to Lookin At Lucky for his next race and see how it goes. Jockey Garrett Gomez felt the colt ran stronger through the stretch of his last work (with the blinkers on) and kept the pressure on instead of idling when he hit the top of the stretch. The San Felipe Stakes (gr. 2) on March 13 is his next probable start.

2. Buddy’s Saint-This horse looks like the “real-deal”. He wins his races with

Buddy's Saint

apparent ease each time out and is proven over a dirt track. He is headed for the Fountain Of Youth Stakes in February and a possible showdown with Todd Pletcher trainee Eskendereya. His Remsen victory was thrilling.

3. Jackson Bend-His sweep of the Florida Stallion Stakes was impressive and showed good progression each time out. He overcame a troubled start to win the In Reality Division of the series. He is targeting the Holy Bull for his 3 year old debut on January 23. His latest breeze at the 5 furlongs distance went in 1:oo flat, the fastest time at the distance. Looks like he’s fit and ready.

4. American Lion-This Winstar colt looks the part of a true Derby candidate. His Hollywood Prevue victory proved he has enough talent to win, even if he doesn’t have as much experience as some other competitors.

5. Eightyfiveinafifty-Trainer Gary Contessa is coming out very strong in his support of this young and relatively unproven colt. His 17 ¼ length maiden

Eightyfiveinafifty

victory last out was one of the most spectacular ever witnessed and if he can strut the same “stuff” next out against higher class runners then he could be a real Derby threat. He earned a 105 Beyer speed figure for his freakish maiden victory.

6. Noble’s Promise-This poor guy has had a thing for finishing behind Lookin at Lucky lately, but not that far behind. In the CashCall Futurity (gr.1) last out, he finished less than a length behind a victorious Lookin at Lucky. The Bridesmaids eventually get their turn to shine, his may come sooner than we expect.

7. Dublin-Even though he got creamed in the Champagne Stakes (gr.1) by Homeboykris while finishing 5th, Dublin’s victory in the Hopeful (gr.1) over good horses like Backtalk, Aspire and Aikenite was impressive enough to convince me that this guy can run well again. Also, Lukas knows what he’s doing when it comes to young horses.

8. D’Funnybone-His 10 1/2 length Saratoga Special, and 4 ¾ length Futurity

D’Funnybone

(gr.1) victories were just too good to be flukes in my mind. He may have finished dead last in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but I’m willing to chalk it up to the synthetics and give him another shot.

9. Super Saver-Another WinStar colt, Super Saver won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in November at Churchill downs last year. Any experience over the Derby track is favorable, especially when it comes in the form of an easy 5 length victory. This one looks like he wants to run.

10. Eskendereya-I am partial to this colt, not only is he visually stunning, he runs great when shown the dirt and not he synthetics. His Pilgrim victory was a surprise to most but after his 9th place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile many began to question whether or not he was for keeps. His recent victory at Gulfstream Park in front-running style proves he’s more than a “one time wonder”.

11. Rule-He has won 3 of his 5 races to date and has earned well over $500,000. He showed guts when winning the Delta Jackpot at Delta Downs in early December and should improve off this well deserved win.

12. Aikenite-This colt has proved to be pretty consistent on the dirt and against good competition too. He finished third to Dublin in the Hopeful (gr.1) in September, second to Noble’s Promise in the Breeders’ Futurity (gr.1) in October, then finished 5th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He may be a slow mover, but has the potential to move up the ranks if he gets a good win under his belt.

13. Backtalk-He seems to be almost forgotten at this point. Back in July he

Backtalk

was “the” horse after stringing his first three races together in victorious professionalism. He finished 4th to Dublin in the Hopeful, lacking his usual kick in the stretch but hopefully he can come back with some more gusto in his 3 year old debut. Any horse that goes undefeated in his first three races against classy competition deserves a second glance.

That’s it for my Baker’s Dozen, but as always when you’re making a list, there’s more you want to add. Interactif could easily vault himself into the Derby picture with a win on dirt or synthetics. His grass form is simply splendid, but trainer Todd Pletcher has dropped hints that he may want to try his star on a different surface in the near future. Spectacular Bid winner, A Little Warm, now has two very impressive wins to his record. One more will certainly earn him a slot on many a list. Others who have proven themselves capable are: Discreetly Mine, Champagne victor Homeboykris, regally bred Take Control, Bob Baffert trainee Tiz Chrome, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Vale of York and undefeated Connemara who puts his perfect record on the line this weekend in the California Derby.