May 22, 2012

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The Daily Derby News Blitz – May 2, 2012

May 2, 2012 By 1 Comment

The field has officially been set for the 138th Kentucky Derby!  At Churchill Downs today, the post positions for the 20 Derby entrants (as well as one also-eligible runner) were drawn in front of their connections, who cringed or applauded at the various outcomes.  Post positions can be a huge factor in the success of horses in the Run For The Roses.  The full field, with morning-line odds, jockeys, and trainers follows:
1. Daddy Long Legs, 30-1, Colm O’Donoghue, Aiden O’Brien
2. Optimizer, 50-1, Jon Court, D. Wayne Lukas
3. Take Charge Indy, 15-1, Calvin Borel, Patrick Byrne
4. Union Rags, 9-2, Julien Leparoux, Michael Matz
5. Dullahan, 8-1, Kent Desormeaux, Dale Romans
6. Bodemeister, 4-1, Mike Smith, Bob Baffert
7. Rousing Sermon, 50-1, Jose Lezcano, Jerry Hollendorfer
8. Creative Cause, 12-1, Joel Rosario, Mike Harrington
9. Trinniberg, 50-1, Willie Martinez, Bisnath Parboo
10. Daddy Nose Best, 15-1, Garrett Gomez, Steve Asmussen
11. Alpha, 15-1, Rajiv Maragh, Kiaran McLaughlin
12. Prospective, 30-1, Luis Contreras, Mark Casse
13. Went The Day Well, 20-1, John Velasquez, Graham Motion
14. Hansen, 10-1, Ramon Dominguez, Mike Maker
15. Gemologist, 6-1, Javier Castellano, Todd Pletcher
16. El Padrino, 20-1, Rafael Bejarano, Todd Pletcher
17. Done Talking, 50-1, Sheldon Russell, Hamilton Smith
18. Sabercat, 30-1, Corey Nakatani, Steve Asmussen
19. I’ll Have Another, 12-1, Mario Guiterrez, Doug O’Neil
20. Liaison, 50-1, Martin Garcia, Bob Baffert
AE 21. My Adonis, Elvis Trujillo, Kelly Breen

So who drew the best and who drew the worst?  Typically, horses don’t want the 1 post or the 20 post, and this year long shots drew both of these holes.  The horse that perhaps drew the worst post personally is Alpha in post 11.  The son of Bernardini has been known to have gate issues in the past, and in the Derby, the first two horses to load are the #1 and the #11.  This means Alpha will have to stand in the gate for quite a while May 5 in front of the huge Churchill crowd as the rest of the field loads.  Despite all his schooling in the gate, the tension could shake him up a bit.

Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Bodemeister was installed as the 4-1 morning-line favorite.  He and jockey Mike Smith will have an interesting task ahead of them within seconds of breaking from the gate on Saturday.  Bodemeister is a front-runner, meaning he likes to be on or near the lead in races.  The other two speediest horses in the race, Trinniberg (post 9) and Hansen (post 14) are both to his outside, meaning Bodemeister may be expected to set the tempo from post 6.  Trainer Bob Baffert wasn’t particularly pleased with the spots his two runners drew, but knew he had to accept them.  Liaison is way out in post 20, while Bodemeister’s post 6 is somewhat disadvantageous when you realize the other frontrunners are drawn to his outside.  However, Baffert has won three Kentucky Derbies, and knows you need luck in the running of the race rather than the post position draw.  He even joked about the dreaded one hole and his recent heart attack, saying he’d prefer to get three stents in his heart than break from post 1 again (like he did in 2010 with the rather unlucky Lookin At Lucky, who had a horrible trip from the inside spot that year.)

Union Rags, the 2nd choice at 9-2, will try to put his Florida Derby (G1) loss last time out behind him as he breaks from post 4 with Julien Leparoux.  Although the big horse would have probably been better suited to a spot further out, post 4 should be just fine, particularly if he can settle in behind Bodemeister and the other speed horses.  Trainer Michael Matz was relatively upbeat and positive about his talented colt drawing the #4 spot, but did hint that he wished he had been a little farther away from the rail.

The connections of Hansen let out a yelp of excitement when Daddy Long Legs drew post 1.  This was because the final two available posts for the Derby were posts 14 and post 1.  Post 1 tends to be the most dreaded starting gate of all, so Hansen’s entourage didn’t want their Champion 2-Year-Old Male to have to break from the rail.  Post 14 is a great spot for the nearly white colt to start.  It is right where the gap is between the main gate and the auxiliary gate used for the Derby, meaning Hansen will have a little more room to maneuver around than the average Derby starter.  Plus, he drew outside the other two speed horses (Bodemeister and Trinniberg) so jockey Ramon Dominguez can place the fleet-footed colt wherever he wishes in the run into the first turn.

At 12-1, Creative Cause looks intriguing breaking from post 8, which has produced several Derby winners recently including Barbaro in 2006 and Mine That Bird in 2009.  The Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up is a little under the radar with all the other talented contenders in the field this year, but don’t forget that he finished 3rd to Hansen and Union Rags at Churchill Downs last fall in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).  The three will renew this rivalry Saturday with, unbelievably, six other runners from last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile!  Besides the top three finishers, the horses that finished 4th (Dullahan), 5th (Take Charge Indy), 8th (Optimizer), 11th (Alpha), 12th (Daddy Long Legs), and 13th (Prospective) will all return to Churchill Downs to compete in the biggest race for 3-year-olds.  It’s almost as if this year’s Kentucky Derby is a rematch of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which is the top race for 2-year-old males.  It is amazing that so many of last year’s Breeders’ Cup runners have progressed into the rich and gifted Derby field of 2012.

Wood Memorial (G1) winner Gemologist drew a nice post in #15.  He will be on the other side of the gap between the main and auxiliary gates, meaning he and Hansen will both have extra space right after the break.  The only undefeated horse in the field this year, Gemologist will attempt to be the 2nd Kentucky Derby winner for trainer Todd Pletcher, who won the race in 2010 with Super Saver.  Pletcher had commented earlier in the day that he preferred an outside post for Gemologist but an inside one for El Padrino.  He got his wish with Gemologist in post 15, but El Padrino coming from post 16 isn’t quite what he had in mind.

Take Charge Indy, who upset the Grade 1 Florida Derby in his most recent start, will break one post inside of Union Rags.  When the two met last time, Union Rags left a discouraged 3rd while Take Charge Indy posed in the winner’s circle at Gulfstream.  Post 3 isn’t particularly a great spot to start from, but keep in mind jockey Calvin Borel will be aboard the son of A.P. Indy in the Run For The Roses.  Nicknamed Calvin “Bo-Rail” due to his love of running horses up the inside of the track, it was clear Take Charge Indy would make his way to the rail at some point during the race.  He is already fairly close to Calvin’s favorite spot, and “Bo-Rail” has been the winning rider in three Kentucky Derbies recently (in 2007 with Street Sense, 2009 with Mine That Bird, and 2010 with Super Saver.)

Speaking of Mine That Bird, who wore the roses over his shoulders after the 2009 edition of the Kentucky Derby, his half-brother Dullahan is looking to make winning the Derby a family tradition.  Jockey Kent Desormeaux, who won the Derby aboard Big Brown in 2008 as well as twice before, will hope to pilot his way back into the winner’s circle as they break from post 5.

I’ll Have Another, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in his most recent start, was assigned post 19.  His trainer, Doug O’Neil commented that it wasn’t the best spot but it was certainly better than the rail.  He will attempt to settle and save ground before the first turn.

Daddy Nose Best, who has been flying somewhat under the radar despite training very impressively at Churchill recently, drew post 10.  The Steve Asmussen trainee, who was set at 15-1 on the morning-line, will try not to get shuffled too far back in the big field.  The other runner from the Asmussen barn, Sabercat, will break from post 18.

The connections of Went The Day Well are hoping post 13 will prove to be a lucky number for them.  The owner, trainer, jockey combination of Team Valor International, Graham Motion, and John Velazquez won the Kentucky Derby last year with Animal Kingdom.  The last time the same connections won the Derby two years in a row was way back in 1972 and 1973 with Riva Ridge and Secretariat.

Now that the post positions have been drawn, who do you like?  Leave us a comment and let us know!

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Bob Baffert & Todd Pletcher lead 2012 Kentucky Derby charge

May 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Bob Baffert & Todd Pletcher

Bob Baffert & Todd Pletcher

by Robert Boswell

Back on March 29th we covered the three Mikes—Matz, Maker, and Harrington—and their unlikely, simultaneous positions at the top of the 3-year-old horse racing world (see story here). But a month later, things have settled down and order has been restored. Perennial division leaders Todd Pletcher and Bob Baffert went from nowhere to be found, to having at least one very solid shot apiece at crossing the wire first on Saturday and renewing their East Coast/West Coast rivalry yet again.

At 59 years of age, Baffert hails from a different generation of trainers than Pletcher, who will be 45 shortly after the conclusion of this year’s Triple Crown. Though it seems like he brings California’s best hope to Churchill every May, the most recent of Baffert’s three Kentucky Derby (GI) victories came in 2002 with War Emblem. Each time a Baffert charge has worn the roses, he has also gone on to wear the Black-Eyed Susans. None of the three—he won consecutive runnings in ’97 and ’98 with Silver Charm and Real Quiet, respectively—was able to stay the mile-and-a-half trip of the Belmont and complete the Triple Crown. He came close enough to taste it in ’98, but Victory Gallop nabbed Real Quiet in the final stride to crush the hopes of virtually everyone involved in racing in any capacity, except for Victory Gallop’s connections.

Similarly to Baffert, Pletcher won his first Kentucky Derby at 43, but the difference is Super Saver in 2010 is his only win to date. He saddled 23 losers before he finally got a win with his 24th. It’s interesting to note that he also trained heavy favorite Eskendereya that year, but the colt was retired a week before the big race due to a leg injury. Add that to the defections of Uncle Mo last year and Algorithms this year, and that makes three straight years that Pletcher has lost his most promising 3-year-old before the first Saturday in May.

Pletcher’s best hope this year lies with undefeated Gemologist, who looked a charging Alpha in the eye late in the stretch and re-rallied to take the Wood Memorial (GI) in his last start. Many looked on with furrowed brows when Gemologist was entered in an Allowance race at a mile for his 2012 debut, after capping his 2-year-old campaign with a victory over Churchill’s main track in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII). He ended up winning in impressive fashion and with all the graded stakes earnings eggs in one basket, Gemologist took the Wood in his final prep. The only colt to enter the race undefeated, Gemologist will likely be third choice, while Union Rags and Bodemeister vie for favoritism.

Until three weeks ago, the leading horse in Bob Baffert’s stable was Secret Circle. After winning the inaugural Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Sprint, the son of Eddington won the first two legs of the Oaklawn 3-year-old series, the Southwest (GIII) and the Rebel (GII). He took a back seat in the Arkansas Derby (GI) to barn mate Bodemeister, who ran the field off their feet in front-running style. Suddenly, Baffert goes from under the radar to possible favorite with the very talented and lightly-raced Bodemeister.  The colt by Empire Maker has raced four times, all since the start of the year, which means he will attempt to be the first Kentucky Derby winner since Apollo in 1882 to not have raced at 2. At the end of March is unrecognizable chaos with abnormal names in front. A few short weeks and a few GI preps later, we can all breathe more easily, as two of the top three betting choices will belong to Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher.

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Unusual Suspects Train Top Kentucky Derby Contenders

March 29, 2012 By 1 Comment
Mike Maker trains Kentucky Derby contender Hansen.

Mike Maker trains Kentucky Derby contender Hansen.

by Robert Boswell

Matz. Maker. Harrington. All named Michael, yes, but more importantly they train this year’s top three Kentucky Derby (Gr. I) prospects. Notice anyone—or two—missing? That’s right, we’re on the verge of April and none of the first three colts in both graded stakes earnings and the NTRA poll is trained by either Todd Pletcher or Bob Baffert. This year there is no Lookin At Lucky, no Eskendereya, no Uncle Mo, and no Silver Charm.  In recent memory you would be hard pressed to find a year in which neither of these superstar trainers had a 3-year-old among the division leaders.

Matz, who trains the undisputed top 3-year-old in the country in Union Rags, will be trying to recreate the Derby Day magic he enjoyed with Barbaro in 2006. Since then he has had only one starter race for the Roses—Visionaire in 2008. Maker, trainer of Champion 2-Year-Old Hansen, is a regular in the field of 20 but is normally getting in with second-tier contenders, as he did last year when Derby Kitten snuck in at the last moment.  Harrington currently has the West Coast’s top performer in Creative Cause, who took the San Felipe (Gr. II) last out.

One of the most promising contenders, Algorithms, who was trained by Pletcher, was sidelined prior to the Fountain of Youth (Gr. II). Normally, you expect Pletcher to be right there with another talented colt ready to spearhead his stable.  However, you have to go all the way to 14th on the graded earnings list to find Pletcher’s name, next to El Padrino, winner of a thrilling edition of the Risen Star (Gr. II).  Some would argue his best chance is with the undefeated Gemologist all the way down at 29.  That’s not to say El Padrino and Gemologist are 14th and 29th in the people’s eyes as eventual winners of the Derby, as they rank 4th and 6th respectively in the most recent NTRA poll.

Baffert, on the other hand, has two in the top-10 in graded earnings, Secret Circle, losing only one of six career starts and winner of the second division of the Southwest (Gr. II) and Liaison, a star at 2 winning the CashCall futurity (Gr. I), but an underachiever thus far at 3. Baffert also trains San Felipe Stakes runner up Bodemeister. He is the only sophomore to pop two 100+ Beyer number this year.

There is still over a month left until the first Saturday in May, with the Florida Derby (Gr. I), the Wood Memorial (Gr. I), the Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I), and the Arkansas Derby (Gr. I) all left to run, so opinions and graded earnings will evolve. It certainly is conceivable that a Pletcher or a Baffert colt could be the favorite in a few weeks, but  they will have to step up to the Mikes if they want to make it that way.

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Kentucky Derby heavyweight contenders set for Fountain of Youth

February 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Algorithms

Algorithms

The Grade 2 $400k Fountain of Youth Stakes (Gulfstream Park|Race 11|Sunday) has been quite productive in recent years. Among its winners are great horses like Eskendereya, Quality Road, Scat Daddy, and Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch. 2012 has produced a group with not one, but three horses capable of joining the ranks of the heralded horses above. Let’s break down the mile and sixteenth race!

Discreet Dancer (Discreet Dancer x West Side Dancer by Gone West), from the barn of Todd Pletcher, won his first two race by a combined 15 and a quarter lengths and was ridden out in both efforts. He’s got plenty of early sizzle and should be on or near the lead in this spot. John Velazquez gets the mount from JJ Castellano who gave up this ride, along with Union Rags, to stay on Algorithms.

This type of horse is so tough to get a read on. He’s clearly very talented, but has faced next to nothing thus far in his young career. Discreet Dancer could win this thing by a few lengths or get burned up on the front and finish fourth. This will be his first time going two turns and that isn’t easy for any horse to do; especially against graded stakes winners. I’m going to lean against him while acknowledging that he stands plenty of chance to make me look like an idiot.

Algorithms (Bernardini x Avaknowsthecode by Cryptoclearance), another Todd Pletcher trainee, is a push button horse with a devastating turn of foot. That’s part of the reason why jockey JJ Castellano chose him over Union Rags. JJ is winning everything in sight right now and will give this one a great ride.

Like Discreet Dancer, this is his first time going two turns. That is countered by the fact that Algorithms is due for a peak effort racing third off the layoff. It’s tough to say how good he is, but I really love his running style and late kick. Bettors that back this colt are getting perhaps the best jockey going right now and a tremendously fast untested runner.

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I usually don’t like layoff horses in a race like this, but Union Rags (Dixie Union x Tempo by Gone West) is a special case. The hulking colt stands 17 hands tall and has already proved he can run huge in a situation like this one. Trainer Michael Matz says the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes winner is as ready as he could possible be and the works are strong.

The setup of the race could work in favor of the versatile Union Rags. He can be near the pace or come from the back. It’s going to be interesting to see what new jockey Julien Leparoux decides upon. It could make the difference in winning and losing.

It’s tough to separate Discreet Dancer, Algorithms, and Union Rags. This could all come down to the decisions made by the jockeys. I’m going to go with Union Rags as my pick. He figures to sit the best trip behind the speed. Not only that, but he is the proven commodity. You wont get a huge price, but if you’re brave enough to single him on the Pick 4 or 5 it would make a huge difference.

Much is unknown heading into the Fountain of Youth, but a new Kentucky Derby favorite could emerge when the dust settles. Win or lose, this is the type of event that horse racing fans anticipate for days in advance. I cant wait to watch!

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Algorithms will begin Kentucky Derby quest in Holy Bull Stakes

January 18, 2012 By 1 Comment


It is not yet known with any certainty how good Algorithms (Bernardini x Ava knowsthecode by Cryptoclearance) is, but we will quickly find out. After winning his debut at Belmont in June, the quick colt was given some time off. His next start, six months later, came at Gulfstream Park and it is that effort that has people talking. He posted a very good looking win over a colt named Consortium that had a recency edge and appeared every bit as good as Algorithms prior to the race. You will find footage of the race above.

The Starlight Racing owned colt will begin his quest for racing’s most coveted prize, the Kentucky Derby, with a start in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes on January 29. It is there that he will meet champion and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Hansen. Trainer Todd Pletcher is throwing him directly to the wolves. To be the best he will have to beat the best. Might as well give him a shot against the best, right? He might surprise everyone.

Algorithms has the pedigree to run for days and should love the extra ground that the Kentucky Derby and its prep races will offer. His sire, Bernardini, is noted as a winner of the Preakness Stakes, Travers Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup. His stamina is already showing in progeny like Travers Stakes victor Stay Thirsty. He’s got Cryptoclearance as his damsire. That horse won the Florida Derby and Donn Handicap. He’s known for producing stars like Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop.

Ava knowsthecode has had great success as a broodmare. Algorithms is a half brother to Hutcheson Stakes winner Keyed Entry and Woody Stephens Stakes winner Justin Phillip.

One of the most impressive things about Algorithms is his running style. In both of his races he has taken up a spot near the front in the early going before finishing up very strongly in the late stages of the race. He could be a push button horse. This will serve him well in his quest for Kentucky Derby glory.

He might be not be ready for Hansen on January 29, but Algorithms has a big future and is likely to remain a key Kentucky Derby Contender all the way to the finish.

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Awesome Feather in deep against nine Gazelle Stakes foes

November 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Awesome Feather

Awesome Feather sold for $2.3 million after completing an undefeated two-year-old campaign capped with a Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies victory. Her only race since then was an overnight stakes victory going seven furlongs on October. She’s going to face much, much tougher going nine furlongs in the Grade I Gazelle Stakes from Aqueduct.

It could be too much to ask the champion filly to face this kind of competition in only her second race back. I’m going to call for her undefeated run to end at seven races.

My top selection for the Gazelle is R Gypsy Gold from the barn of Todd Pletcher. The filly is bred top and bottom to love this distance and she rides a two race win streak after taking a minor stakes event last out at Belmont. Since her last win she fired a very nice four furlong work in :47 3/5 B. A peak effort could be in order as she tries to annex this Grade I event. John Velazquez will ride.

Love And Pride is another interesting option. Also trained by Pletcher, she was third as the favorite last out against R Gypsy Gold and before that she faded in the Cotillion after contesting the pace against Plum Pretty. Her two races before those were devastatingly easy and one of them was at today’s distance. If she can be the same filly she was in those wins, then she could find herself in the winner’s circle.

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Calibrachoa favored in Fall Highweight Handicap

November 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Todd Pletcher & Mike Repole's Calibrachoa will go favored in the Fall Heightweight Handicap.

Be sure to save some time before or after Thanksgiving dinner to watch and wager on what looks like a great field in the Grade III Fall Highweight Handicap from Aqueduct at 2:42 pm.

Calibrachoa has the honor of carrying top weight of 135 lbs after a last out romp in the Bold Ruler Handicap. He rebounded nicely there to break a three race losing streak. The former claimer will be coupled once again with stablemate Caixa Eletronica who finished third behind him last out after bobbling at the break. His impost is listed at 134 lbs. Their trainer, Todd Pletcher, has one more entry in the form of Driven By Success, but that one is likely to scratch in favor of a NY-bred race on 11/20. All three are owned by Mike Repole.

The entry will be very tough to defeat, but one horse that stands a chance is General Maximus. The John Terranova trained son of Freud was last seen taking down the NY-bred Hudson Stakes in his first race since June 24. The time off was for a surgery to remove an undescended testicle.  He’s working very well since that triumph and reunites with jockey Corey Natakani, a rider who excels in sprint races. The colt will tote 130 lbs.

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Another horse to consider is Nathan’s HQ. Trained and ridden by Clyde Martin, the son of Yonaguska chased a freak of nature last out called Poseidon’s Warrior in the Newcastle Stakes. The winner threw down some heavy fractions and won with a fair bit of ease, but Nathan’s HQ was not embarrassed just 1 3/4 lengths back in second. His burden will be 131 lbs.

Another horse to note is Frazil. He’s in tough here, but the gelding is as consistent as they come. He has won seven races in 12 starts this year and finished off the board only once. I’ve always liked the gelding and I’d love to see him do well, but he’s going to have to dig deep to do so. He’s in light at 126 lbs.

The horse to bet here is General Maximus. His running style fits well and I’ve got a feeling we havent seen anything close to his best stuff yet. Let’s hope he wins to make for an extra happy Thanksgiving.

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2011 With Anticipation Stakes

August 31, 2011 By 1 Comment

$150,000 is on the line Thursday at Saratoga in the Grade 2 With Anticipation Stakes for two-year-olds going 8 ½ furlongs on the turf at Saratoga.

The race is likely to have Breeders Cup implications and you can expect to see the winner in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf later this year at Churchill Downs.

Captain Webb (English Channel x Miss Mary Pat by Service Strip) has been tabbed the 3-1 morning line favorite after a flashy maiden win going the same distance as today’s race over the same track. The second place finisher in that race, Daddy Nose Best, returned to win next out against a strong group. He is owned by James Scatuorchio (he also owned the English Channel) and trained by Todd Pletcher. Not surprisingly, John Velazquez is listed to ride.

He was bet to favoritism in the debut for obvious reasons like wonderful turf breeding, top notch connections and a blazing :59 B turf move going five furlongs. He didn’t disappoint that time, but this will be a much tougher group. My natural tendency is to try to beat the favorite, but that may be tough to do in this spot.

State of Play (War Front x Valeta by Procida) probably rates the best chance to upset at 5-1. He races for Team Valor International and is trained by Graham Motion. His debut resulted in a strong win over a good field at the Spa going 5 ½ furlongs on the grass. Ramon Dominguez will be in the irons and it is likely he will put the colt on the lead.

Another interesting option is Optimizer (English Channel x Indy Pick by AP Indy) who races for D Wayne Lukas and owner Bluegrass Hall. His maiden win came against a good field at first asking. I love the way he finished up in the lane and he should have plenty of room to move forward. Robby Albarado will keep the mount.

Like I said before, it’s going to be hard to get away from the chalk here. The other two I mentioned are worth a look though.

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2011 Travers Stakes betting preview

August 25, 2011 By 1 Comment

The Midsummer Derby is one of the most coveted races in all of thoroughbred racing. Trainer Chad Brown was quoted yesterday saying he wants to win this race more than any other, including the Kentucky Derby. He will have a chance with the rail horse, Bowman’s Causeway. Todd Pletcher and Mike Repole will have the unlikely favorite in Stay Thirsty. Who would have guessed at the end of last year that of his two stars this would be the colt, and not Uncle Mo, in the big race? Certainly not I.

The Travers Stakes is for three-year-old colts and geldings going 10 furlongs on the main track at Saratoga. Last year’s winner Afleet Express was retired due to injury soon after and the winner before him, Summer Bird, won the Eclipse Award for Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse.

Check out our Horse Betting page for information on how and where to bet the Travers Stakes online.

#1 Bowman’s Causeway (Giant’s Causeway x Victory Encounter by Victory Speech) Martin Schwartz owned colt has done much better since moving to the barn of Chad Brown. Last out he was beat a dirty nose by Pender Harbour in the Prince of Wales and before that he was a good fourth in the Queen’s Plate. He is going to have to improve to win, but don’t think he cant do it at a big price. Ramon Dominguez gets up for the first time.

#2 Rattlesnake Bridge (Tapit x Prall Street by Cherokee Run) Got up in the last jump to win the Long Branch last out after a poor beginning. Before that he was second in a strong allowance race against older horses. Gutsy colt seems to be putting it all together and this might be his day.

#3 Moonshine Mullin (Malibu Moon x Mullen Road by Distant View) Shocked us all when he finished second in the Jim Dandy last out at nearly 40-1 under Emma Wilson in his first try over a dirt surface. Before that he won the Victoria Park at Woodbine. Trainer Reade Baker likes how the horse has been doing and believes he will move up after his strong effort last out. Should handle the distance.

#4 Ruler On Ice (Roman Ruler x Champagne Glow by Saratoga Six) Belmont Stakes winner is quite versatile and is working well after his third place effort in the Haskell. He should be fine at the distance given his last two races. Kelly Breen trains and Jose Valdivia will ride.

#5 Malibu Glow (Malibu Moon x Golden Locket by Storm Creek) Taking a stab at the Travers after being soundly defeated in the Dwyer two back. He followed that effort up with a strong win going 9 furlongs. That wasn’t much of a group though. These horse can improve over night so he’s got a shot.

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#6 Raison d’Etat (A.P. Indy x Sightseek by Distant View) Regally bred colt seems to only now be figuring things out. He broke his maiden two back by a massive 7 ¾ lengths in a very quick time. Next out in the Curlin he didn’t quite have his punch, but the lightly race Bill Mott trainee could jump right back up in this spot. Distance will be no problem and he is plenty good enough. Is he ready now though?

#7 Coil (Point Given x Eversmile by Theatrical) Won from off the pace as our top selection in the Haskell last out. Trainer Bob Baffert joked on Twitter that his latest work, a bullet four furlongs in :46 B, set off an earth quake. His sire Point Given won this race as did Point Given’s sire, Thunder Gulch. Is it something in the blood? Bob Baffert and Martin Garcia will hope so.

#8 J W Blue (Sky Mesa x Kentucky Storm by Dynaformer)  Very deep closer always seems too far back. Last out in the Barbaro he rallied from 13 off the pace and just missed. He appears a tad bit out classed here for trainer Tony Dutrow and jockey Cornelio Velasquez. The jockey upgrade should do him some good.

#9 Stay Thirsty (Bernardini x Marozia by Storm Bird) Man, has he turned it around! I never saw his last out win coming where he romped by 4 in the Jim Dandy. Before that he was beaten ¾ of a length by Ruler On Ice in the Haskell. If he runs back to that last race he will be quite formidable. Trainer Todd Pletcher says he is doing very well. JJ Castellano keeps the mount.

#10 Shackleford (Forestry x Oatsee by Unbridled) Speedy Preakness winner has finally won me over. I thought his win in the second jewel of the Triple Crown was a bit fluky, but he verified it last out with a strong effort to be second beaten only neck in the Haskell. It is likely that Jesus Castanon and trainer Dale Ramons will send from this outside post and play “catch me if you can”. They might not be able to run him down if he goes too slow up front.

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2011 Bernard Baruch Handicap Preview

August 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap is for three-year-olds and upward going 9 furlongs on the grass at Saratoga. Notable winners include 1994 victor Lure who twice won the Breeders Cup Mile, Yagli who won the United Nations and Manhattan in the year following his win in this race and 2004 Breeders Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller.

2010 Bernard Baruch winner Get Stormy is back to defend his crown against 10 other horses. Let’s take a look at the field.

#1 Interaction (Easing Along x Inter Rails by Ride The Rails): Globe trotting Argentinian bred didn’t quite have it last out in the Arlington Handicap where he tracked the leader in second, but faded to eighth at the finish. He hasn’t won since leaving his native Argentina in 2009 so it’s hard to see him doing so in this spot. Cornelio Velasquez will ride for trainer Christophe Clement.

#2 Turallure (Wando x Personal Allure by Wekiva Springs): He was compromised by a slow pace last out in the Four Star Dave where he ended up fifth. Before that he won the Opening Verse at Churchill Downs by a length over Tajaweed. The Charles Lopresti trainee could be tough at this distance if he gets some fractions to chase. Julien Leparoux is back aboard. He rode him to victory in the aforementioned Opening Verse.

#3 Paris Vegas (Maria’s Mon by Tell Seattle by AP Indy): Trainer Thomas Voss is a solid horseman, but 0 for 15 at the meet. This horse doesn’t look good enough to get him off the snide.

#4 Beau Choix (Elusive Quality x Belle Cherie by Belong To Me) Well bred colt appears to be figuring things out. Two back he won a minor stakes race at Belmont Park in a good time over Pocket Cowboys. Last out he was third in the Four Star Dave, a race that was pretty much a merry go round. He will have to move forward, but is clearly a threat for trainer Barclay Tagg and rider Jose Lezcano.

#5 Baryshnikov (Empire Maker x Ski Dancer by Baldski) Former claimer has really turned around for trainer Mike Maker. He has fallen short in his last two races at 8 and 8.5 furlongs, but figures to move up at a distance where he posted a career best BRIS figure of 105 in late May. He has ran several races which say he can win here. Corey Lanerie is set to pilot the horse.

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#6 Boots Ahead (Storm Boot x Mostbeautifulsound by Miswaki) Hard trying gelding won an optional claimer last out. Before that he was a close third behind Beau Choix and Pocket Cowboys in a minor stakes race. He runs well more often than not, but this will be a big class test for the George Weaver trained Eddie Castro ridden entry.

#7 Blues Street (Street Cry x Capote Blues by Capote) Raced evenly last out in the Fourstardave where he was fifth. He didn’t have much of a shot that day due to slow pace and a vastly superior horse setting that slow pace in the form of Sidney’s Candy. He figures to get a much better pace setup this time and is as good as anyone in the race. Recent efforts where he was second by a nose to Little Mike in a Grade 3 at Gulfstream and a win in an optional claimer at Belmont say he can win this. Kent Desormeaux picks up the mount for Todd Pletcher.

#8 Hymn Book (Arch x Vespers by Known Fact) Shug McGaughey trained gelding was a distant second to one of the best older horses in the land in the Suburban last out, Flat Out. Before that he won the Three Coins Up Stakes over 2009 Wood Memorial winner I Want Revenge. Three of his five lifetime wins have been on the sod and he also owns a win at the distance. He looks like a horse that is improving and that makes him deadly. John Velazquez will be in the irons.

#9 Loup Breton (Anabaa x Louve by Irish River) Grade 2 winner just doesn’t seem to have it anymore. Don’t count him out though. He picks up a hot jockey in JJ Castellano and he does have Pletcher in his corner. The man has been known to turn a horse or two around in the past.

#10 Moryba (Hard Buck x Valetza by Baronius) Bill Mott trained horse was second to Sidney’s Candy last out, but it’s hard to give any credence to that race because they ran 1-2 the entire way and set glacial fractions. He could jump up and run big here, but I’m leaning against. I just don’t think he is good enough.

#11 Get Stormy (Stormy Atlantic x Foolish Gal by Kiri’s Clown) Won the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile and Woodford Reserve Turf Classic before fading in the Monmouth Stakes last out. He figures to get an easy lead with Ramon Dominguez and for that reason he rates a strong chance to be a repeat winner of this race.

My top pick to win the 2011 Bernard Baruch Handicap is Hymn Book. He will get seven pounds on the favorite and should be tracking close behind him. Look for him to blast off for the win turning for home. To get more Saratoga picks for Friday as well as into the future check out our Saratoga Picks page. Also, please consider playing the race at Twin Spires where new players get a $100 sign up bonus!

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