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Connections of Pleasant Prince once again living in a fantasy world

October 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Remember the Florida Derby runner up Pleasant Prince? Owner Ken Ramsey desperately tried to get him in the Kentucky Derby by running him in the Bluegrass Stakes, and then the Derby Trial the week before. In the end, he was unable to get enough earnings. He ended up trying the Preakness and finished up the track.

It seems Mr. Ramsey is at it again. After a win in the Oklahoma Derby over a field that can be described as mediocre at best, he is pointing his son of Indy King to the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic. Thats right, the richest race in the U.S. after a win in the Oklahoma Derby.

Why do the Ramseys insist on running this colt over his head? He is very clearly Gr.2 caliber at best. If he ever wins a Gr.1 race I would be very surprised, let alone a Breeders Cup race. I hope that a deserving contender isn’t left out because of this likely 80-1 shot. Luckily, I doubt that will happen. From 3/20 to 5/15 he ran the colt 4 times in a desperate attempt to make the Kentucky Derby. He’s doing the colt no favors by sending him out against competition that he can’t keep up with.

I cringe to think what would happen if Ramsey got a hold of a three-year-old that WAS good enough for these races. Earlier in the year he tried to justify running this colt back in a week if he were to win the Derby Trial by saying that horses like Whirlaway had successful completed the double.

Clearly, Pleasant Prince is no Whirlaway.

Filed Under: Horse Racing News, Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Pleasant Prince goes from possible star to fringe contender in the Preakness Stakes

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment


I remember as if it were yesterday. Rule appeared to be taking command at the top of the stretch in the Florida Derby only to fade to third. After he gave up the lead the first horse to go by was Pleasant Prince. Ice Box was also in hot pursuit  and he lunged forward to take the Grade 1 race by a nose. The next race for Ice Box was the Kentucky Derby where he would finish second.

Pleasant Prince, short of earnings, would race two more times before the Run for the Roses of which he was ultimately kept out. He finished off the board in the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland and third in the Derby Trial. His connections will now try and annex the second jewel of the Triple Crown; the Preakness Stakes.

Owner Ken Ramsey was dead set on making the Kentucky Derby.  He told the Blood-Horse, “The Derby is a special race. I could win three Dubai World Cups and that might mean more internationally, but not to me. I’m getting kind of long in the tooth and I’ve got Derby fever something bad.”. He also said that his research via the internet proved horses could win the Derby Trial and then the Kentucky Derby. The last one to do so was Tim Tam in 1958. The only thing that Mr. Ramsey forgets is that this is a different era and a different type of thoroughbred. They aren’t built for that type of racing anymore. After failing to make the Derby the Preakness is the next best thing.

The Was Ward trainee has raced six times this year. His best finishes were in the Florida Derby and Derby trial, but neither race should warrant serious consideration for the Preakness Stakes. He is clearly a horse who needs rest. The son of Indy King could grow into a nice older horse, but it appears that his future career will be sacrificed in favor of attempting to win a leg of the Triple Crown no matter how slim the chances.

Pleasant Prince had his final work for the Preakness today. He fired off five furlongs in :59 seconds at Keeneland. That is an encouraging move under jockey Julien Leparoux. I find myself wondering why he failed to fire in the Bluegrass, yet the connections still train him over the surface.

Pleasant Prince will board a plane headed to Baltimore, MD on Wednesday. Then on Saturday he will be an also ran once again. It’s a shame. With a little patience he could be one of the best.

Filed Under: Horse Racing News, Triple Crown Tagged With: , , ,

Challengers lining up to face Pletcher and Borel’s Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver

May 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment


For the third time in four years Calvin Borel rocketed his mount to the front of the pack in the Kentucky Derby. In 2007 it was aboard juvenile champion Street Sense. He did it on super long shot Mine That Bird in 2009. This time it was on Super Saver. The Cajun jockey held three fingers to the sky after the race to signify these three horses.

Soon after he boldly stated that the son of Maria’s Mon would win the Triple Crown. Trainer Todd Pletcher said that Super Saver’s next race would come in the Preakness (shocking, right?). Calvin may believe he has the 12th Triple Crown winner of all time, but several challengers will line up to oppose him.

The first one that leaps out to me is Grade 2 Louisiana Derby runner up A Little Warm. He was very impressive stretching out in distance for the first time in that race. He appeared to be a sprinter, but he proved his doubters wrong by digging in and holding on for second after he came under attack early in the stretch run. If he can improve on that effort he would be dangerous in the Preakness. If Bob Baffert doesn’t send Conveyance his chances will be increased. Conveyance would likely burn him to a crisp on the lead.

I also like Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis winner Caracortado. The gelded son of Cat Dreams has had excuses in his last to races. In the Grade 2 San Felipe he had no fractions to chase and Sidney’s Candy easily pulled the wire job. In the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby he had to check sharply after the Gomez-Espinoza incident where Lookin at Lucky was slammed into the rail. If he goes to the Preakness and the fractions are sharp you can bet your ass he will come flying late. The only thing working against him is that Pimlico Racecourse favors speed.

The Kentucky Derby favorite, Lookin at Lucky, would have a heck of a chance if Bob Baffert decides to send him. He has encountered plenty of trouble in his three-year-old campaign, but has handled it well. He rallied to win the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes after clipping heels. In the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby he was unable to overcome being slammed into the rail, but still finished third. He put in a nice rally in the Derby but couldn’t overcome his rail post position. If Garrett Gomez can navigate a clean trip he will be loaded for bear turning for home and could mow them all down.

Others considering the race are Kentucky Derby third place finisher Paddy O’Prado. He is the definition of the “now” horse. He continues to improve with every start. Nick Zito and Bob LaPenta are toying with idea of starting Kentucky Derby runner up Ice Box in the Preakness, but will probably save him for the Belmont Stakes. Ice Box was easily the best colt in the Derby, but didn’t win because of an awful trip. Their other horse, Jackson Bend, is likely to go.

Other Kentucky Derby also rans’ considering the Preakness are Dublin, Make Music For Me, and Conveyance. New shooters include the Grade 3 Derby Trial first three finishers Hurricane Ike, Aikenite, and Pleasant Prince. Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby runner up Schoolyard Dreams and Grade 3 Illinois Derby fourth place finisher Turf Melody wrap up the list of potential challengers. Super Saver will undoubtedly be in with a huge shot, but these horses won’t make it easy on him.

Who is your early pick for the Preakness? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

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Ice Box pulls shocker in Florida Derby

March 21, 2010 By 2 Comments

I had a good feeling it was going to be bombs away in the Florida Derby. I told those who purchased my selections that. My top pick, Pleasant Prince, narrowly missed at odds of 29-1. He nearly gave me a heart attack, because I thought I was in the clear during the late stages of the race.

It wasn’t to be. Pleasant Prince was edged out by Nick Zito trainee Ice Box. Both finished behind Eskendereya in the Fountain of Youth last out. The winner was sent off at odds of 20-1. Pleasant Prince returned $26.40 to place and $11.60, so those that played him across on the board on my advisement did very well. I still wish he had won though!

The pace of the race set up well for both horses who closed from well back. It appeared for a brief moment that the favored Rule would kick for home with ease, but he was all out despite having looked otherwise. He ended up third. The Todd Pletcher trainee put in a good race considering the pace scenario. I wouldn’t hesitate to give him a look in the Kentucky Derby. Lentenor, best known for being the full brother of Barbaro, was fourth. He ran well in his first try on dirt, but probably isn’t Kentucky Derby material.

The under card was interesting. Devil May Care validated her win in the Frizette at 2 by running huge to take the Bonnie Miss. She was quite green, but couldn’t have won any easier than she did. Christine Daae and Amen Hallelujah ran clunkers even though they both caught plenty of action. D’ Funnybone posted an easy win the Swale. The connections say he won’t target the Kentucky Derby, but are considering the Preakness.

What did you think of Saturday’s races? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

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Jackson Bend and Buddy’s Saint lead strong Fountain of Youth Stakes

February 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Fountain of Youth Stakes served as a “coming out” party of sorts for Quality Road in 2009. He would use the race as a springboard for a win in the Florida Derby. The field was very strong last year and is just as strong in 2010. Jackson Bend and Buddy’s Saint figure to get most of the money. Buddy’s Saint is making his three-year-old debut after a strong win in the Remsen at 2, and Jackson Bend was last seen running second in the Holy Bull Stakes. Let’s take a look at the field.

Eskendereya looks like the speed of the speed for trainer Todd Pletcher. The son of Giant’s Causeway is a perfect two for two on dirt tracks. He was last seen winning an allowance at Gufstream Park. He is training very well and will have John Velazquez in the irons. Stablemate Aikenite is also entered here. He ran 6th in the Holy Bull in his last start. Pletcher was quoted that the extra distance today will help his cause.

Trainer Nick Zito will send out Jackson Bend and Ice Box. The latter won an allowance in his last start. Joe Bravo will pick up the mount on the son of Pulpit. Jackson Bend turned many heads when he swept the Florida Stallion Stakes. He was so impressive that Robert LaPenta privately purchased him. He is sired by Hear No Evil. The colt was super impressive last out when he finished second to Winslow Homer in the  Holy Bull. He had a bad trip and had to endure brutal fractions. He should have a huge shot to win here.

Buddy’s Saint is a son of the ill fated Saint Liam who died shortly after  beginning his career at stud. He has showed tons of ability so far with huge wins in the Nashua Stakes and Remsen Stakes at 2. If he has improved since those efforts its going to be scary to see how good he is. Jose Lezcano will retain the mount for Bruce Levine. It would come as no shock if he won this race.

Lost Aptitude will be switching to dirt from turf for trainer Dale Romans. The son of Aptitude has never run a bad race on the turf, but its hard to know how he will do on the dirt. He won the Grand Canyon Handicap at Churchill Downs in November. He just missed winning the Grade 3 Tropical Park Derby in his last start where he ended up second. Rajiv Maragh will get the mount.

Mike Smith will be in to ride Pulsion for Patrick Biancone. He finished second in the Grade 1 Norfolk behind Lookin at Lucky, but couldnt put it together in the Breeders Cup Juvenile where he finished 11th. He is working very strongly, but will need a fast pace in order to have a chance.

Pleasant Prince, Prince Will I Am, and Positive Split round out the field. Who do you like in the Fountain of Youth Stakes?

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