This will be a one stop shop for all info leading up to the 135th Kentucky Derby. I will post all articles I read and come across regarding the contenders and pretenders for this years running of the roses. Anyone else comes across good info please post in this thread.



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Videos | Kentucky Derby 135

Videos | Kentucky Derby 135

Videos | Kentucky Derby 135

McPeek Sets Plans For Talented 3YOs



Free Country is one of several promising 3-year olds in trainer Ken McPeek's barn.
Photo: Coglianese Photos



Trainer Ken McPeek shipped into South Florida for the winter season with divisions at Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows, and high expectations after a good season in 2008. Thanks largely to promising juvenile talent, the Lexington-native has gotten the new campaign off to a fast start with eight winners, including impressive allowance victories by a trio of different 3-year-old colts.

Lansdon Robbins III and Sam Delaney’s Danger to Society and Silver Wing Stable’s Free Country each won ‘a other than’ allowance races at 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 8,and Samotowka Stables and partners’ Theregoesjojo won his ‘a other than’ allowance condition going seven furlongs two days later on Jan. 10.

“Naturally, we’d like to keep them apart for now,” said McPeek Jan. 22. “Right now we’re looking to run Danger to Society in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) here (on Jan. 31), Theregoesjojo in the race at Fair Grounds (Risen Star Stakes, gr. III on Feb. 7) and Free Country in the race at Tampa Bay Downs (Sam Davis Stakes, gr. III on Feb. 14).”

In addition to this accomplished trio of potential Kentucky Derby (gr. I) prospects, McPeek also has another highly-regarded 3-year-old colt in Marvin Delfiner and partners’ More Than Willing, although the son of More Than Ready is still a maiden after two starts. He finished a closing third in his debut at Churchill Downs on Nov. 8 and second as the favorite in a six-furlong maiden test on Jan. 3 behind highly regarded Checklist.

“He’s entered for a race Sunday,” McPeek said of More Than Willing. “He’s got to get past his maiden, but we certainly think he has the potential to go on to bigger objectives once he gets that done. It’s a nice problem to have (keeping the talented 3-year-olds apart).”

McPeek picked out for purchase three of the four youngsters at different yearling sales: Danger to Society (by Harlan's Holiday) for $300,000 at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July, Theregoesjojo (by Brahms) for $42,000 at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October, and More Than Willing for $140,000 at Keeneland September. Free Country was purchased by his owner for $10,500 as a weanling at the Keeneland November sales.

Desert Party posts smooth success in Dubai

Sanford S. (G2) hero DESERT PARTY (Street Cry [Ire]) had not raced since last summer, but the Godolphin colt showed no signs of rust when driving to a half-length victory over stablemate Regal Ransom (Distorted Humor) in Thursday's 2ND race at Nad al Sheba. After tracking the early pace, Frankie Dettori angled Desert Party to the rail for the stretch run, while Regal Ransom launched his bid beneath Ted Durcan on the outside.

The two Godolphin colts soon drew clear from the field and had the finish all to themselves. Regal Ransom tried to match strides with Desert Party, but the winner was too strong in the closing stages and edged away late. Another 3 3/4 lengths adrift came Redding Colliery (Mineshaft) in third.

Desert Party completed about seven furlongs on the fast track in 1:24 2/5.

Desert Party began his career with trainer Eoin Harty at Arlington Park on June 22, taking a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight by 3 3/4 lengths. The bay colt was immediately stepped up in class for his next race and responded with a 3 1/4-length decision in the six-furlong Sanford. Desert Party suffered his first loss when sixth in the Hopeful S. (G1) in his juvenile finale and was making his sophomore bow for new trainer Saeed bin Suroor in this spot. From a 4-3-0-0 mark, the colt has now banked $138,467 in lifetime earnings.

Bred by David Smith and Steven Sinatra in Kentucky, Desert Party was produced from the winning Sage Cat (Tabasco Cat), making him a half-brother to the stakes-winning Elliecat (Crafty Prospector). This is the same female family as Grade 2 winner and Louisiana-based sire Good and Tough (Carson City).

Break Water Edison, Hello Broadway gear up for Hutcheson

BREAK WATER EDISON (Lemon Drop Kid) and HELLO BROADWAY (Broken Vow), the respective one-two finishers in the November 2 Nashua S. (G3), stretched their legs over Gulfstream Park's fast dirt Wednesday morning in advance of their three-year-old bows in the $150,000 Hutcheson S. (G2) on January 30.

Break Water Edison breezed five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 with jockey Alan Garcia aboard in his first work since trainer John Kimmel shipped the Eli Gindi-owned sophomore from Payson Park to Gulfstream.

Garcia allowed Break Water Edison to travel wide on the turn to keep his mount horse from doing too much in the workout. Despite the ground loss, the colt finished his final quarter-mile in :23 3/5 according to Kimmel's stopwatch.

"We've given him the opportunity to grow up," Kimmel said. "That's going to be helpful in the difficult campaign. We just don't want to knock him out in his first race back."

Kimmel and Garcia had an open discussion about choosing the seven-furlong Hutcheson over the $150,000 Holy Bull S. (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on January 31. The trainer concluded that the advantages of starting with a sprint outweighed racing around two turns.

"I just think debuting at a distance you've never run before, and after three months off, is a little much to ask," Kimmel explained. "He's raced well at seven-eighths before. The concern is getting too sharp in a sprint race and we have to be careful we don't overdo it. There's no doubt in my mind that longer will be better for this horse. He's got great tactical speed."

Break Water Edison has racked up a 2-1-0 line from five starts, including a second-place finish in the Saratoga Special S. (G2) last summer. He has so far accumulated $109,680 in graded earnings.

Fellow Hutcheson hopeful Hello Broadway proved he can adjust his speed on the fly when he worked six furlongs for trainer Barclay Tagg. The Elizabeth Valando-owned colt flew through the early part of his workout, but geared down considerably through the lane to post a time of 1:15 3/5.

"It thought it was really good," Tagg said. "I thought the track was a little slow today, so it was hard to judge, but he went quick early and slowed down. We're glad to have that work under him. He's still got a big work ahead of him."

Hello Broadway, a half-brother to 2007 Holy Bull S. (G3) winner Nobiz Like Shobiz (Albert the Great), will be making his fourth career start in the Hutcheson following his Nashua second and a fifth-place finish in the Champagne S. (G1). He has by this point earned $33,860 in graded earnings.

The Hutcheson will be a cutback in distance for the Kentucky-bred, and that fact is prominent in Tagg's mind as he plans a final workout next week and the overall winter/spring schedule.

"The fact that he dialed it down in today's work helps," Tagg said. "We don't want him too tight. We want him to get just enough to show some quickness at seven-eighths, but we don't want him burned up and on the muscle in that race."

Tagg has projected Hello Broadway's schedule to run from the Hutcheson to the $250,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) going one mile on February 28 and the $750,000 Florida Derby (G1) set at nine furlongs on March 28.

San Rafael -- I thought he might have been named after a dessert or a piece of furniture, but THE PAMPLEMOUSSE (Kafwain) is a fancy restaurant in Vegas and also means grapefruit in French. Regardless of moniker, the Julio Canani-trained colt established himself as a Kentucky Derby (G1) prospect with a two-length tally in Saturday's San Rafael S. (G2) at Santa Anita.

The Pamplemousse, who just broke his maiden on December 14 at Hollywood, wasn't given much of a chance against Grade 1 winner and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike), who returned to the races for Doug O'Neill as the 3-5 choice in the five-horse San Rafael. The stage was set for the heavy favorite following quick splits in :23 and :45 4/5, but The Pamplemousse never weakened, extending his margin late under Alex Solis. The gray Kentucky-bred registered a 97 BRIS Speed rating for the gate-to-wire decision.

Canani didn't want to talk Kentucky Derby afterward, and The Pamplemousse looks like a sprinter/miler based on pedigree. He'll get the chance to stretch out in his next start, possibly the 1 1/8-mile Sham S. (G3) on February 28.

O'Neill didn't have Square Eddie cranked up, but he finished a disappointing second nonetheless. The pace was solid and the chestnut was in position to strike turning for home, but he lacked the necessary rally and never threatened. Much more was expected considering the competition and the way he finished his races last fall. However, it's still January and the California races are on synthetic surfaces. Square Eddie's next start, the one-mile Southwest S. (G3) on February 16, will give us a better indication of his Derby potential.

The Southwest will be Square Eddie's first start on a dirt track, and it's also the scheduled starting point for unbeaten Remsen S. (G2) hero OLD FASHIONED (Unbridled's Song). It will be an exciting day at Oaklawn Park.

Smarty Jones -- Monday's one-mile Smarty Jones S. headlined the Martin Luther King Jr. Day card in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and PROFESSOR Z's (Grand Slam) clunker left me shaking my head. What is happening to the Aqueduct horses?

QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality), a smashing debut winner at the Big A on November 29, was the first big name to take a tumble in the early Derby rankings, dropping his seasonal debut, a seven-furlong entry level allowance at Gulfstream Park on January 10, as the 3-5 favorite. Professor Z is the latest, faltering badly as the even-money choice, and I'm concerned about the prospects of WELL POSITIONED (Awesome Again), who was last seen winning a maiden race in Ozone Park, New York, by 14 1/4 lengths on November 22.

Professor Z, who looked good breaking his maiden at Aqueduct on November 1 but really drew attention following his dynamic 5 3/4-length allowance tally over the inner track on December 7, didn't beat a horse in the Smarty Jones. After dueling on the front end through the opening three-quarters of a mile, he spit the bit readily upon reaching the top of the stretch and quickly retreated to the back of the pack. And he wasn't flattered by SILVER BAYER (Smoke Glacken), who contested the pace from the start and threatened to win it all in upper stretch before easily holding the place. The runner-up was claimed for $50,000 out of an eighth-place finish two starts earlier.

Oxbow Racing's FLAT OUT (Flatter), a maiden winner at Fair Grounds on December 14, made the most out of his first start against winners, rallying strongly from off the pace to win going away by 3 1/2 lengths. The Charles Dickey trainee earned a career-best 96 BRIS Speed rating for the encouraging performance, but the Florida-bred colt didn't appear to beat much. Flame Out does own a more favorable pedigree for routes than The Pamplemousse, so it will be interesting to see how he fares against better competition next time.

California Derby -- CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) was visually impressive in Saturday's California Derby, rallying boldly to win the 1 1/16-mile event over Golden Gate Fields' Tapeta, and the two-time listed winner will return to graded competition in his upcoming starts. The Sid and Jenny Craig Trust colorbearer already banked $100,000 in graded earnings via his third-place effort in the CashCall Futurity (G1), so trainer Jerry Hollendorfer could afford to ship the colt north to his favorite stomping grounds for a confidence-building score over listed rivals.

Out of Seattle Slew mare, Chocolate Candy remains an interesting Derby hopeful, but I was disappointed to see him earn only a 92 BRIS Speed rating. And that's a career-best. He'll be running late if he makes it to the starting gate at Churchill Downs, but the bay colt is a no-fig performer so far.

Sprint stakes -- TAQARUB (Aldebaran) is by 2003 champion sprinter Aldebaran (Mr. Prospector), but his sire owns plenty of stamina influences in his bloodlines and the three-year-old colt is bred to be an outstanding turf router on his dam side. Despite the mouth-watering pedigree, Taqarub is obviously well-suited for sprints at this point in his career, recording an eye-catching performance in Monday's six-furlong Jimmy Winkfield S. The Shadwell runner stumbled at the start but quickly sling-shotted to the front on the Aqueduct inner track, eventually drawing clear to a commanding 8 1/4-length decision. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee received an whopping 107 BRIS Speed rating.

MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska) is another who will likely try a route at some point, but he's probably best suited to sprint/middle distances. The Derek Ryan trainee rallied wide off the far turn to the lead in Saturday's seven-furlong Pasco S. at Tampa Bay Downs, repelled the challenge of a fast-charging rival in midstretch, and then drew off with authority, notching a 101 BRIS Speed rating. The unbeaten colt is going well presently.

SILVER CITY (Unbridled's Song) concluded his juvenile campaign with a smart 4 1/2-length score in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance at Churchill Downs and many wondered whether he would develop into a Derby prospect over the winter. Trainer Bret Calhoun elected to bring the gray colt back in Friday's 5 1/2-furlong Dixieland S. at Oaklawn Park, and Silver City made short work of his overmatched rivals, winning by four lengths. Out of a Mt. Livermore mare and a half-brother to up-and-coming sprinter Elope (Gone West), the Kentucky-bred colt may wind up preferring distances up to a mile, but he hasn't tried two turns yet. Silver City will get the opportunity to carry his speed in upcoming starts.

Lecomte -- Saturday's Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds was the first graded event of 2009 for Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls, and Vinery Stables and Fox Hill Farms' FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) put on a good show, rolling to a 1 1/2-length victory. The Larry Jones runner rated behind a pair of front runners during the opening half-mile, moved around his rivals nearing the conclusion of the far turn, and was in complete command through the short stretch run of the one-mile event, notching his first stakes win and a career-best 97 BRIS Speed rating.

Third behind Charitable Man (Lemon Drop Kid) in the Futurity S. (G2) and fourth behind Break Water Edison (Lemon Drop Kid) in the Nashua S. (G3) last fall, Friesan Fire concluded his juvenile campaign with a disappointing second as the 2-5 favorite in a December 18 allowance at Fair Grounds. Jones blamed that setback on a tough trip (the bay colt was in tight between rivals that afternoon), and Friesan Fire certainly looked like a different horse on Saturday. He'll be pointed toward the 1 1/16-mile Risen Star S. (G3) on February 7.

Jones, who has finished second in the last two runnings of the Kentucky Derby with Eight Belles and Hard Spun, is holding a strong hand this year. Unbeaten Remsen S. (G2) winner Old Fashioned (Unbridled's Song) remains the big horse in the barn, and Friesan Fire, who owned only a maiden victory prior to the Lecomte, is coming on strong.

Woodbine stakes winner PATENA (Seeking the Gold), who made a smooth transition to dirt for trainer Josie Carroll, offered a commendable late rally to finish a clear second while never threatening the winner, and AU MOON (Malibu Moon) held third after surprisingly showing speed from the start. Both are eligible to show more in their upcoming starts as Patena gets more distance and Au Moon reverts to rating tactics.

Morning-line favorite INDYGO MOUNTAIN (A.P. Indy) never got involved in the running, checking in sixth, but his effort may prove to be a throw out. The Churchill maiden winner missed a scheduled start in December due to a foot problem, and trainer Bret Calhoun probably rushed him a little in order to get a race into him. Also, Indygo Mountain veered out dramatically after slamming the gate and bobbling at the start.

Spectacular Bid/Count Fleet -- The New Year opened with a pair of stakes for three-year-olds on January 3, the Spectacular Bid S. at Gulfstream Park and the Count Fleet S. at Aqueduct, but I'll be surprised if either race has any impact upon the Kentucky Derby. It's a matter of distance for Spectacular Bid hero NOTONTHESAMEPAGE (Catienus), who looks capable of making a serious impact the rest of the year in one-turn events. Class concerns surround Count Fleet winner HAYNESFIELD (Speightstown).

After breaking a half-step slow from the rail in the six-furlong Spectacular Bid, Notonthesamepage quickly flashed to the front under Elvis Trujillo and began to inch clear as he approached the end of the far turn. He poured it on in breathtaking fashion down the stretch, drawing clear to a 8 1/4-length decision. Owned and bred by Ken & Sarah Ramsey, the chestnut colt missed the track record by .02 seconds and registered a 109 BRIS Speed rating. Notonthesamepage will attempt to stretch his speed to a mile in the one-turn Fountain of Youth S. (G2) on February 28.

The reduced distance will benefit the Wesley Ward-trained Notonthesamepage, but I'm saddened to see Gulfstream basically turn the Fountain of Youth into the Hutcheson S. (G2).

Haynesfield, who entered the one-mile and 70-yard Count Fleet off a pair of front-running victories over New York-bred rivals, rated off the pace before launching his rally at Aqueduct, but he didn't assert his superiority as expected at the top of the stretch. After working hard to get past the leader, the chestnut colt finished up in a pedestrian manner, netting a 76 BRIS Late Pace rating. Haynesfield rates as a second stringer in the Steve Asmussen barn presently.

Allowances -- Kenny McPeek is off to a fast start at Gulfstream, winning at nearly a 30 percent clip, and the conditioner of 1995 Kentucky Derby runner-up Tejano Run sent out a trio of three-year-old allowance winners last week. DANGER TO SOCIETY (Harlan's Holiday) will get top billing here, but it's difficult to separate the promising colts at this early date.

Unraced since a debut maiden victory going a mile at Churchill in mid-November, Danger to Society reappeared last Thursday (January 8) in a nine-furlong allowance at Gulfstream and tracked soft early fractions before launching his move on the far turn. He entered the stretch run with a narrow advantage, quickly opened up when asked by Robby Albarado, and cruised to the finish line with a 3 1/2-length cushion. Owned by Lansdon Robbins and Sam Delaney, Danger to Society earned a 95 Speed rating. The bay colt is bred to run all day and appears to have plenty of quality to him.

FREE COUNTRY (Big Country) doesn't own the fashionable pedigree of his stablemate, but he also made a good impression last Thursday at Gulfstream, winning a nine-furlong allowance by a neck under Kent Desormeaux. After rating off a more sensible pace, the dark bay colt rallied boldly up the rail to grab a narrow advantage in upper stretch and gamely repelled Remsen runner-up ATOMIC RAIN (Smart Strike) to the wire. The Silver Wing Stable colorbearer improved his mark to two for two while earning a commendable 96 Speed figure. Free Country and the Kelly Breen-trained Atomic Rain both appear to have a nice upside.

THEREGOESJOJO (Brahms) opened his three-year-old campaign with a seven-furlong allowance score last Saturday (January 10), rallying past the highly regarded QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality) in the process, and received 101 Speed and a 106 Late Pace figures for the 2 3/4-length decision. Unraced since running fourth as the favorite in the Bashford Manor S. (G3) last summer, Theregoesjojo will be returning to stakes company in his next start for McPeek, and he's definitely bred to handle two-turn events. There's a lot to like about the late runner.

Quality Road disappointed as the heavy favorite, but he managed to hold second and is eligible to move forward off only his second career outing. The James Jerkens pupil received plenty of hype following his smashing maiden victory at Aqueduct in late November, and it's too early for his supporters to jump off the bandwagon. Let's see what he does next time.

Southwest showdown: Old Fashioned v. Square Eddie


Oaklawn Park - whose 3-year-old stakes had a huge run producing champions Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex and Lawyer Ron, as well as Travers winner Flower Alley - will have a terrific matchup in its Feb. 16 Grade III Southwest.

That's where unbeaten Remsen winner Old Fashioned is expected to make his 3-year-old debut. It's also where trainer Doug O'Neill says Square Eddie will race next. Square Eddie won Keeneland's Grade I Lane's End Breeders' Futurity in his first U.S. start before finishing second in the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile and second again in Saturday's San Rafael to well-regarded maiden winner The Pamplemousse.

Pamplemousse is French for grapefruit. Google also reveals there's a posh restaurant in Vegas named Le Pamplemousse.

By the way, how can the Arkansas Derby continue to be ranked a Grade II instead of a Grade I? It boggles the mind. (It's also why, years ago when it first was downgraded, Oaklawn quit listing the gradings of its races.)

Elsewhere, BC Juvenile Turf winner Donativum has joined Godolphin's European-bound contingent in Dubai and will not be pointed toward the Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, that means no trainer John Gosden, who would have been one of the most entertaining and thought-provoking trainers on the Derby backside.

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In part two of Stopping the Clock, here are a few works turned in this week by some of the early Kentucky Derby contenders.


There are no prominent 3-year-old races this weekend, but next week we'll return with analysis of the Hutcheson (gr. II) and Holy Bull (gr. III) from Gulfstream. Those two should help us start to form a clearer Derby picture.




Big Drama - Jan. 18 at Calder, five furlongs in 1:00.20, handily. The Delta Jackpot winner will go in the Jan. 31 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream. Trained by David Fawkes, he has won five of six starts and already has enough graded earnings to qualify for the Derby. A big run in the Holy Bull will put the colt near the top of every watch list.

Break Water Edison - Jan. 21 at Gulfstream, five furlongs in 1:00.80, breezing. A solid work considering he went wide on the turn. Got the final quarter mile in :23 3/5, according to trainer John Kimmel. The Nashua Stakes winner is gearing for a big run in the Jan. 30 Hutcheson after a three-month layoff.

Checklist - Jan. 18 at Palm Meadows, five furlongs in 1:02.80, breezing. The Gone West colt was very impressive in his Jan. 3 debut at Gulfstream in which he won by four lengths while being ridden out by John Velazquez. Looks like the best 3-year-old in Todd Pletcher's barn, so far.

Giant Oak - Jan. 16 at Fair Grounds, five furlongs in 1:00.40, breezing. Second in the Kentucky Jockey Club in November at Churchill, he continues to work towards his season debut. His second start on dirt should be even better. Trained by Chris Block.

Hello Broadway - Jan. 21 at Gulfstream, six furlongs in 1:15.60, handily. Was geared down towards the end of his work, which Barclay Tagg was very pleased with. The half-brother to Nobiz Like Shobiz will also make his first start of the year in the seven-furlong Hutcheson after finishing runner-up to Break Water Edison in the Nashua on Nov. 2.

I Want Revenge - Jan. 19 at Hollywood, six furlongs in 1:10.80, handily. A smooth, bullet work for the son of Stephen Got Even. Second to Pioneerof the Nile in CashCall Futurity, he continues to work towards his 3-year-old debut.

Indygo Mountain - Jan. 22 at Fair Grounds, four furlongs in :49.80, breezing. The Bret Calhoun trainee was not in top form for the Lecomte, but don't forget about this colt. Look for a bigger run from him in the Risen Star.

Notonthesamepage - Jan. 18 at Gulfstream, four furlongs in :47.80, handily. The best of 47 works that day for the Wesley Ward trainee. After earning an incredible 115 Beyer in the Spectacular Bid on Jan. 3, Ward said his star will go in the Fountain of Youth on Feb. 28.

Old Fashioned - Jan. 18 at Fair Grounds, five furlongs in 1:01.20, breezing. The Remsen winner is on target for the Feb. 16 Southwest at Oaklawn. Will continue training at Fair Grounds leading up to the one-mile race.

Pioneerof the Nile - Jan. 18 at Santa Anita, five furlongs in 1:00.20, handily. The CashCall winner remains on target for the Feb. 7 Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Word from California is that this colt is training like a monster for Baffert.

Stardom Bound - Jan. 19 at Santa Anita, five furlongs in 1:00.80, handily. Everyone is anxiously awaiting the filly's 3-year-old debut.

West Side Bernie - Jan. 18 at Palm Meadows, five furlongs in 1:00.05, handily. The best move of 41 that day. The Delta Jackpot runner-up already has more than $200k in graded earnings and his 3-year-old debut will be eagerly anticipated.

Old Fashioned ~ went 1:01.20 at Fair Grounds on Sunday
Pioneerof the Nile ~ worked 1:00.20 at Santa Anita on Sunday
Square Eddie ~ returned to run second in the San Rafael
Friesan Fire ~ no works since his Lecomte win
Giant Oak ~ went 1:00.40 at FG on Jan 16th
Beethoven ~ 1:05 at GP on Sat. Pointing for the Holy Bull on 1/31
Danger To Society ~ possible for Holy Bull
Free Country ~ possible for the Holy Bull
Patena
Atomic Rain
The Pamplemousse ~ impressive win in the San Rafael
Alma d’Oro ~ sharp maiden winner for Dutrow at Gulfstream
There are few changes on the list this week as it was a quiet week for the “classic” bound three year olds. Point Encounter was announced as “out” after he was found to have a minor problem. Also, thank you to James Scully of Brisnet for pointing out that Street Hero had been retired. He too leaves the list.


At Golden Gate, the California Derby went to Chocolate Candy. He had run well against modest Southern California horses but was no match in the CashCall Futurity. He will need to step up a notch to prove he can handle the likes of Old Fashioned.

In the San Rafael, the start of the “classic trail” for the southern California based runners, The Pamplemousse scored a bit of an upset over Square Eddie. After showing good speed, The Pamplemousse turned back the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner- up with little urging from Alex Solis. The Pamplemousse is by Kafwain and from a Rubiano mare, so he may be limited in his distance capabilities but he will be fun to follow.

I didn’t downgrade Square Eddie for his effort. He had not run since the Breeders' Cup and certainly Doug O’Neill was viewing this race as a starting point and not a goal. I’d have loved to have seen a bit more from him, but his performance was consistent with a colt who had been working steadily, but not explosively at 5 and 6 furlongs. I predict that he will become sharper as we get into the season.


In Florida, trainer Ken McPeek has indicated that his two nine furlong allowance winners, Danger To Society and Free Country are both under consideration for the Holy Bull Stakes on January 31st. They may meet Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Beethoven and Delta Jackpot winner and runner-up Big Drama and West Side Bernie in that spot.

New on the list is recent maiden winner Alma d’Oro. The son of Medaglia d’Oro won at second asking at Gulfstream, in his first try for Richard Dutrow. At this point, it could be said that he is “farther ahead” than Big Brown was at this time last season. We’ll see if lightning can strike twice for Dutrow.

LeComte Runner-up Patena Sold to IEAH


IEAH Stables is back on the Kentucky Derby trail after purchasing majority interest in LeComte Stakes (gr. III) runner-up Patena from John and Glen Sikura and Dominic Dilalla.



Patena, bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm and N.E.T.P., captured the Display Stakes at Woodbine last year after breaking his maiden by 5 1/4 lengths. Making his dirt debut in the LeComte, he split horses on the far turn and rallied through the stretch to finish second, 1 1/2 lengths behind the favorite, Friesan Fire, while conceding six pounds to the winner.



Patena is by Seeking the Gold, out of the A.P. Indy mare Handpainted, a stakes winner of over $435,000. Handpainted’s dam, Daijin, also a stakes winner, is a full-sister to 1997 Belmont Stakes and Haskell Invitational (both grade I) winner Touch Gold.



“His pedigree was first and foremost in our decision to purchase him,” said IEAH co-president Mike Iavarone. “We know he can run and he’ll get better the farther he goes. The mile of the LeComte was too short for him.”



Iavarone said Patena will be sent to trainer Rick Dutrow in Florida and would point either for the Fountain of Youth (gr. II) and Florida Derby (gr. I) or the Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial (gr. I). Iavarone said he says he’s not crazy about running the colt back at a mile, but has no choice because of the change in distance. The Fountain of Youth was shortened from 1 1/8 miles this year.

Pamplemousse, Square Eddie to go their separate ways

There will be no immediate rematch between THE PAMPLEMOUSSE (Kafwain) and SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike), for the respective top two finishers from the San Rafael S. (G3) are going their separate ways.

The Pamplemousse will stay in Southern California for the February 28 Sham S. (G3) at Santa Anita, according to trainer Julio Canani, while Square Eddie will ship to Oaklawn Park for the February 16 Southwest S. (G3), trainer Doug O'Neill reports.

The Pamplemousse, who is two-for-two since stretching out to two turns, will step up to nine furlongs in the Sham. In the one-mile Southwest, Square Eddie is expected to clash with OLD FASHIONED (Unbridled's Song), the undefeated Remsen S. (G2) winner.

"We are real excited about coming to Oaklawn," O'Neill said. "The big reason is we need to try him on dirt. He trains over at Hollywood Park where they have a dirt training track and really seems to go over that well. I don't think he will have any problems with it, but we need to give him a race over it."

Square Eddie has raced only on turf and synthetic surfaces so far. Last season, he romped in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland and then finished a good second to Midshipman (Unbridled's Song) in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita. Square Eddie was sent off as the 3-5 favorite when making his three-year-old debut in the San Rafael, only to be upset by the front-running The Pamplemousse.

"He's an extremely smart, classy and big colt," O'Neill said of Square Eddie. "We have been real lucky with him and look forward to see how he runs in the Southwest. This race comes at a perfect time for him. We will ship in about 10 days before the race, and the plan is to give him a work over the track either on the 8th or 9th of February."

Rafael Bejarano, who has ridden the chestnut colt in all of his U.S. starts, will retain the mount for the Southwest.

San Rafael fourth BROTHER KEITH (Johar), who lost all chance after bearing out on the first turn, may also be headed out of town.

"I'm going to run him back in some stakes," horseman Bobby Frankel said. "I don't know where -- either here or New Orleans (possibly the February 7 Risen Star S. [G3] at Fair Grounds)."

In other news from the West Coast, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer confirmed that California Derby hero CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) would make his next start in the February 14 El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields.

"Then we might come back here for the Santa Anita Derby ([G1] on April 4)," Hollendorfer said from Santa Anita.

Beethoven breezes for Holy Bull

John Oxley's three-year-old BEETHOVEN (Sky Mesa), hero of the November 29 Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) in his last race, breezed five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 over Gulfstream Park's fast main track on Saturday. The John Ward pupil is gearing up for next Saturday's $150,000 Holy Bull S. (G3) at the track and had jockey Calvin Borel aboard for the move.

Ward indicated he was happy with the bay's drill and declared him ready for his 2009 debut.

"I thought it was a very good work," Ward commented. "He came on well at the end of it and really galloped out strong. Calvin was happy with it. If he's happy with it, I'm happy with it."

The colt's running style during the work was similar to his running style in his most recent races. He gradually picked up speed up the backstretch, stuck close to the rail on the turn, and kicked into gear nicely while straightening into the stretch. His jockey lived up to his reputation as Calvin 'Bo-Rail.'

"This is a colt that really fits Calvin," Ward said. "I told him 'this is your kind of horse. He gives me heart attacks, but he's your kind of horse.' Calvin never rushes a horse away from the pole in a workout. He loves to wait and wait. It makes me worry, but he and this horse eventually turn it on."

It was the second time Borel was in town to work Beethoven, with his previous trip to South Florida coming on January 3.

Beethoven will bid for his third straight victory and second straight stakes win in the 1 1/8-mile Holy Bull. He scored a neck victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs and has so far accumulated $99,994 in graded earnings.

Trainer Kenny McPeek sent out a trio of his three-year-old allowance winners to work five furlongs over Gulfstream Park's fast main track on Saturday.

Undefeated DANGER TO SOCIETY (Harlan's Holiday), a 3 1/2-length winner last out, covered the distance in 1:01 2/5. The bay colt is headed for next Saturday's Holy Bull S. (G3).

Fellow unbeaten runner FREE COUNTRY (Big Country) logged five-eighths in 1:01 in advance of the February 14 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.

THEREGOESJOJO (Brahms), a recent 2 3/4-length allowance victor, traveled five furlongs in 1:01 to prepare for the February 7 Risen Star S. (G3) at Fair Grounds.

California Derby winner CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), third in the CashCall Futurity (G1) two starts back, worked four furlongs in :48 4/5 over the Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday. The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained sophomore colt will be be pointed toward the El Camino Real Derby (G3) on February 14.

Looks like Free Country and Theregoesjojo may have worked together. Thanks FB.

Cat,

How long has horse sense been open? Are you and Chap good friends?


fb

About a week, i guess. I don't know Chap at all, except from his postings at LVA.

Daily Racing Form reports that Delta Jackpot S. (G3) winner BIG DRAMA (Montbrook) has been ruled out of Saturday's Holy Bull S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Trainer David Fawkes told the DRF that Big Drama kicked himself in the shin. "It's nothing major but it forces me to miss a scheduled work on Sunday," he said. "It's just a little bump in the road." The Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful, who swept the Florida Stallion S. series, has won five of six career starts while bankrolling $860,250...

At Santa Anita on Sunday, CashCall Futurity (G1) hero PIONEEROF THE NILE (Empire Maker) scorched six Pro-Ride furlongs in a bullet 1:10 3/5, breezing. The Bob Baffert pupil turned in the fastest of 38 works at the distance as he continues to gear up for the February 7 Robert B. Lewis S. (G2).

"He worked great, like he always does," Baffert said.

This could be Godolphin's Derby year
By Alan Shuback

NEW YORK - Midshipman, Vineyard Haven, and Donativum, perhaps the three biggest 2-year-old winners in America last year, are all prime Kentucky Derby hopefuls but none of them is currently in the United States. In fact, they are all ensconced at Al Quoz, Godolphin's training base near Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed seemed to have forgotten about his dream of winning the Run for the Roses in recent years. His last Godolphin runner in the Derby was Essence of Dubai, who finished ninth in 2002, but nothing in trainer Saeed bin Suroor's barn has threatened to crack the Derby lineup since then. This year, with three hot prospects and a newly enhanced foreign path to Churchill Downs, the story could be different.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Midshipman and Champagne Stakes winner Vineyard Haven are both under consideration for the one-mile UAE 2000 Guineas on Feb. 12 and the 1 1/8-mile UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup Night, March 28.

Trained last year by Bob Baffert for Stonerside Stable, Midshipman was transferred to Darley Stable after Sheikh Mohammed's purchase of Stonerside. Following the Breeders' Cup, Midshipman was transferred to Godolphin, as was Vineyard Haven, the Bobby Frankel-trained winner of the Hopeful who was bought by Sheikh Mohammed after his Champagne victory.

Nad Al Sheba's dirt track may impart an edge to Vineyard Haven because his three victories were on dirt at Calder, Saratoga, and Belmont. In contrast, Midshipman has never run on that surface, his three tallies coming on synthetic tracks at Del Mar and Santa Anita.

There is a feeling, however, that Midshipman will not only take to dirt, but that he is better equipped to stay the Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles. He is by Wood Memorial and Florida Derby winner Unbridled's Song out of 1o1/8-mile La Canada winner Fleet Lady. While the average winning distance of Unbridled's Song progeny is just 8.1 furlongs, Midshipman looks certain to stay at least nine furlongs. Moreover, he has shown staying power at the end of all four of his races to date.

Vineyard Haven is by Lido Palace, a three-time Grade 1 winner on dirt going 1 1/8 miles who was second in the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup and won a Chilean Group 1 on dirt at 1 3/8 miles. Vineyard Haven, however, is out of a sprinting female family that may let him down beyond nine furlongs.

Donativum, the only 2-year-old in history to win two million-dollar races (the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and the Tattersalls Million), has been nominated to the first running of the Tattersalls 3-Year-Old Trophy, a 1 1/4-mile restricted turf race worth $560,000 at Newmarket on April 15. He is also a possibility for the brand new Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes, a 1 1/8-mile allowance worth $350,000 (but just $112,000 to the winner) on the Kempton Park Polytrack on March 18. That is the race in which the winner receives an automatic berth in the Kentucky Derby and for which Donativum appears to be a perfect fit if Godolphin is interested in sending him back to England nearly a month before it usually ships its European contingent from Dubai.

Because Donativum is a gelding, he is ineligible for all of the European classics. That is an added incentive for Godolphin to send him to Churchill Downs should he complete his preliminaries in the hoped-for manner, but Donativum is by the sprinting sire Cadeaux Genereux out of a mare by the miler Warning and is a question mark beyond a mile and at any distance on dirt. His half- brother Worldly, by the 1 1/4-mile type sire Selkirk, won the 1 1/8-mile Cinema Handicap on turf but was only seventh in his lone try at 1 1/4 miles in the Hollywood Gold Cup.

Desert Party and Regal Ransom brightened Godolphin's hopes on Thursday when they finished one-two in a seven-furlong allowance at Nad Al Sheba. A stoutly bred Street Cry-Tabasco Cat cross, Desert Party had won the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga in July before finishing sixth behind Vineyard Haven in the Hopeful, while Regal Ransom won his maiden at Saratoga before finishing eighth in the Norfolk Stakes in which Midshipman was second. Both could challenge Vineyard Haven and Midshipman in the UAE 2000 Guineas in what is shaping up as an intramural Godolphin affair.

Godolphin also has the ex-Wayne Catalano trainee Jose Adan at Al Quoz. First across the line in the Arlington-Washington Futurity from which he was disqualified and placed second for his only loss in three starts, he is also a gelding.

We will soon know more about European plans for the Derby as Triple Crown nominations closed on Saturday. Aidan O'Brien and Dermot Weld are sure to have a half-dozen or so on the list. But if Churchill Downs is really serious about attracting foreign horses to the Derby, it should forgo marketing ploys like Kempton's Kentucky Derby Challenge and install a synthetic surface. If that were the case, half the Derby field might hail from foreign climes.