Horse Racing: Arkansas Derby day recap: $41,000,000 bet, Nadal and Charlatan win Ky. Derby preps

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Nadal aces: And just like that, Nadal vaulted to a tie (the field -- those not listed -- have the smallest odds) atop the Kentucky Derby Futures Pool #2 as it closed this weekend despite currently without any Ky. Derby points. Baffert has a powerful runner who needs some seasoning. This should be an entertaining few weeks leading up to the Ky Derby.

Four Ky Derby preps this weekend: There are two Ky. Derby preps under the same name -- Risen Star -- at Fair Grounds on Saturday. Each has a 50-20-10-5 to the top four finishers. The El Camino Real at Golden Gate awards the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale. On Monday, a holiday in the U.S., the Southwest at Oaklawn is another Derby prep and has a 10-4-2-1 point system.

'All Others' Favored in KY Derby Future Wager Pool 2 - BloodHorse

Horses in order of the public's betting choice (with trainer and Pool 2 odds) are:

All Other 3-Year-Olds (2-1);
Nadal (Baffert, 8-1);
Tiz the Law (Barclay Tagg, 8-1);
Dennis' Moment (Dale Romans, 10-1);
Maxfield (Brendan Walsh, 13-1);
Authentic (Baffert, 15-1);
Thousand Words (Baffert, 16-1);
Independence Hall (Mike Trombetta, 19-1);
Honor A. P. (John Shirreffs, 24-1);
Anneau d'Or (Blaine Wright, 28-1);
Structor (Chad Brown, 28-1);
Enforceable (Mark Casse, 29-1);
Storm the Court (Peter Eurton, 30-1);
Gouverneur Morris (Todd Pletcher, 32-1);
Three Technique (Jeremiah Englehart, 36-1);
Chance It (Saffie Joseph Jr., 39-1);
Basin (Steve Asmussen, 39-1);
Max Player (Linda Rice, 49-1);
Silver State (Steve Asmussen, 50-1);
Gold Street (Steve Asmussen, 54-1);
Palm Springs (Todd Pletcher, 98-1);
Exaulted (Peter Eurton, 111-1);
Violent City (Ian Wilkes, 145-1); and
Premier Star (Jorge Navarro, 169-1).​

-------------------------
Dates for the remaining Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks future pools are March 6-8 (Pool 3) and April 3-5 (Pool 4). The lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will coincide with the Derby's Pool 3, March 6-8.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

RISEN STAR STAKES (Division 1 of 2)

What: Grade 2. A Kentucky Derby prep race and the winner will achieve 50 points. The top four finishers will achieve points based on a 50-20-10-5 system. There are split divisions this year.
Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, LA
When: Saturday, February 15, 2020, Race 12
Time: 5:38 pm Central Time
Who: 3-year-olds
Distance: 1 1/8 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $400,000
TV: TVG
History: Inaugurated in 1973.
Kentucky Derby prep schedule: Kentucky Derby Prep Races
​

[TR][TH]PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Digital (KY)	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	122	W. Bret Calhoun	-
2	Silver State (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	122	Steven M. Asmussen	-
3	Ready to Roll (KY)	Gabriel Saez	122	W. Bret Calhoun	-
4	Perfect Revenge (ON)	Shaun Bridgmohan	122	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	-
5	Moon Over Miami (KY)	Junior Alvarado	122	William I. Mott	-
6	Shashashakemeup (KY)	James Graham	122	J. Keith Desormeaux	-
7	Blackberry Wine (KY)	Adam Beschizza	122	Joe Sharp	-
8	Enforceable (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	122	Mark E. Casse	-
9	Mr. Monomoy (KY)	Florent Geroux	122	Brad H. Cox	-
10	Farmington Road (KY)	Javier Castellano	122	Todd A. Pletcher	-
11	Scabbard (KY)	Joel Rosario	122	Eddie Kenneally	-

[TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

[TBODY][TR][TH][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

RISEN STAR STAKES (Division 2 of 2)

What: Grade 2. A Kentucky Derby prep race and the winner will achieve 50 points. The top four finishers will achieve points based on a 50-20-10-5 system. There are split divisions this year.
Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, LA
When: Saturday, February 15, 2020, Race 13
Time: 6:12 pm Central Time
Who: 3-year-olds
Distance: 1 1/8 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $400,000
TV: TVG
History: Inaugurated in 1973.
Kentucky Derby prep schedule: Kentucky Derby Prep Races
​

[TR][TH]PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Modernist (KY)	Junior Alvarado	122	William I. Mott	-
2	Truculent (KY)	Declan Carroll	122	Jack Sisterson	-
3	Mr. Big News (KY)	Robby Albarado	122	W. Bret Calhoun	-
4	Fame to Famous (KY)	Colby J. Hernandez	122	John P. Mc Allen	-
5	Liam's Lucky Charm (FL)	Edgard J. Zayas	122	Ralph E. Nicks	-
6	Excession (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	122	Steven M. Asmussen	-
7	Major Fed (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	122	Gregory D. Foley	-
8	Anneau d'Or (KY)	Joel Rosario	122	Blaine D. Wright	-
9	Lynn's Map (KY)	Corey J. Lanerie	122	Mark E. Casse	-
10	Finnick the Fierce (KY)	Sonny Leon	122	Rey Hernandez	-
11	Mailman Money (KY)	Gabriel Saez	122	W. Bret Calhoun	-
12	Ny Traffic (NY)	Javier Castellano	122	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	-

[TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

[TBODY][TR][TH][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The current Kentucky Derby Leader Board. This will change dramatically in the upcoming weeks but even so this weekend with the key races in Louisiana.

[TR][TH]Rank	Horse	Points
1	Storm the Court	22
2	Tiz the Law	22
3	Thousand Words	20
4	Independence Hall	14
5	Shotski	14
6	Enforceable	13
7	Anneau d'Or	12
8	Shoplifted	12
9	Silver Prospector	11
10	Maxfield	10
11	Eight Rings	10
12	Sole Volante	10
13	Dennis' Moment	10
14	Max Player	10
15	Gold Street	10
16	Authentic	10
17	Ajaaweed	7
18	Scabbard	6
19	Wrecking Crew	5
20	Finnick the Fierce	5
21	Green Light Go	4

[TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen (Bloodhorse.com) for Feb. 11 is below. I added the other info to formulate a chart.

* There is a temporary rider switch on Dennis' Moment because Irad Ortiz, Jr. is going to Saudi Arabia to ride on February 29. Prat doesn't ride too often for Romans. An interesting decision.


[TABLE="class: brtb_item_table"][TBODY][TR][TD]Pos.[/TD][TD]Horse[/TD][TD]Sex[/TD][TD]State Bred[/TD][TD]Sire[/TD][TD]Jockey[/TD][TD]Trainer[/TD][TD]Record[/TD][TD]Note [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]1[/TD][TD]Tiz the Law[/TD][TD]Colt [/TD][TD]New York[/TD][TD]Constitution[/TD][TD]Manny Franco[/TD][TD]Barclay Tagg[/TD][TD]4 3-0-1[/TD][TD][/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]2[/TD][TD]Sole Volante[/TD][TD]Gelding[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Karakomite (Japan)[/TD][TD]Luca Panici[/TD][TD]Patrick Biancone[/TD][TD]4 3-0-1[/TD][TD]The only jockey-trainer teamed twice on this list.[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]3[/TD][TD]Dennis' Moment[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Tiznow[/TD][TD]Irad Ortiz, Jr. switched to Flavien Prat*[/TD][TD]Dale Romans[/TD][TD]4 2-0-0[/TD][TD]Possible for Feb 29 at Gulfstream[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]4[/TD][TD]Anneau d'Or[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Medaglia d'Oro[/TD][TD]Joel Rosario[/TD][TD]Blaine Wright[/TD][TD]3 1-2-0[/TD][TD]Entered for Feb 7 at Fair Grounds[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]5[/TD][TD]Gouverneur Morris[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Constitution[/TD][TD]John Velazquez[/TD][TD]Todd Pletcher[/TD][TD]2 1-1-0[/TD][TD]Expected to run Feb. 14 at Tampa Bay[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]6[/TD][TD]Thousand Words[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Florida[/TD][TD]Pioneerof the Nile[/TD][TD]Flavien Prat[/TD][TD]Bob Baffert[/TD][TD]3 3-0-0[/TD][TD]Could run March 7 at Santa Anita [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]7[/TD][TD]Authentic[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Into Mischief[/TD][TD]Drayden Van Dyke[/TD][TD]Bob Baffert[/TD][TD]2 2-0-0[/TD][TD]Expected to run March 7 at Santa Anita[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]8[/TD][TD]Storm the Court[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Court Vision[/TD][TD]Flavien Prat[/TD][TD]Peter Eurton[/TD][TD]5 2-0-1[/TD][TD]Could run March 7 at Santa Anita.[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]9[/TD][TD]Independence Hall[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Constitution[/TD][TD]Jose Ortiz[/TD][TD]Michael Trombetta[/TD][TD]4 3-1-0[/TD][TD][/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]10[/TD][TD]Three Technique[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Mr Speaker[/TD][TD]Irad Ortiz, Jr.[/TD][TD]Jeremiah Englehart[/TD][TD]5 2-3-0[/TD][TD][/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]11[/TD][TD]Ete Indien[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Summer Front[/TD][TD]Luca Panici[/TD][TD]Patrick Biancone[/TD][TD]4 2-1-0[/TD][TD][/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]12[/TD][TD]Enforceable[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Tapit[/TD][TD]Julien Leparoux[/TD][TD]Mark Casse[/TD][TD]7 2-1-2[/TD][TD][/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Top HM[/TD][TD]Nadal[/TD][TD]Colt[/TD][TD]Kentucky[/TD][TD]Blame[/TD][TD]Joel Rosario[/TD][TD]Bob Baffert[/TD][TD]2 2-0-0[/TD][TD][/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Upper echelon: Three of the top four riders at the meet dominated today. Antonio Gallardo and Pablo Morales each had three victories and Daniel Centeno added two. Only Chuckie Lopez's win in the opener went to another rider.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 5: The $.50 Pick 4 was enormous at $26,000+ but the $.50 Pick 5 was astonishing at $218,000+.
• Luis Saez won three times.
• Romero Maragh won twice, his first visit to the winner's circle since January 27, 2019. He was injured four days later and did not return to racing January 19, 2020. He entered today 0-for-30 in 2020. Last year, the 19-year-old underwent surgery to fuse four vertebrae.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

EL CAMINO REAL DERBY

What: An ungraded Kentucky Derby prep race and the winner will achieve 10 points towards entry. The top four finishers will achieve points based on a 10-4-2-1 system. The winner will also get a free berth into the Preakness Stakes. The race is held on a synthetic surface unlike most Derby preps.
Where: Golden Gate Fields, Berkeley, CA
When: Saturday, February 15, 2020, Race 7
Time: 3:45 pm Pacific Time
Who: 3-year-olds
Distance: 1 1/8 mile
Surface: All Weather Track
Purse: $100,000
TV: TVG
History: Inaugurated in 1982. Among the biggest names to win this race are Tabasco Cat, Tank's Prospect and Snow Chief.
Kentucky Derby prep schedule: Kentucky Derby Prep Races​

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Indian Peak (CA)	Juan J. Hernandez	122	Quinn Howey	-
2	Praise Loudly (CA)	Silvio Ruiz Amador	122	Daniel Franko	-
3	American Farmer (CA)	Kent J. Desormeaux	122	Steve M. Sherman	-
4	Wine and Whisky (CA)	Cristobal Herrera	122	Felix Rondan	-
5	Mysterious Stones (CA)	William Antongeorgi III	122	Steve M. Sherman	-
6	Final Final (KY)	Kevin Krigger	122	Bill McLean	-
7	Sacred Rider (CA)	Frank T. Alvarado	122	Steven Specht	-
8	Ajourneytofreedom (KY)	Ricardo Gonzalez	122	Blaine D. Wright	-
9	Azul Coast (KY)	Rafael Bejarano	122	Bob Baffert	-
10	Czechmight (KY)	Jose Valdivia, Jr.	122	Richard Baltas	-
11	The Stiff (KY)	Julien Couton	122	Michael W. McCarthy	-

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thursday, February 13, 2020

• Larry Jones: In the 5th race at Oaklawn, his 20-to-1 morning line was sent off 2-to-1 and nearly won before being passed in a second place finish. Within the next half hour or so, Jones won at Fair Grounds and the 7th race at Oaklawn. He finished the day at the two tracks with a 3 2-1-0 mark.
• Robertino Diodoro had five wins, three at Delta Downs and two at Oaklawn where he is the meet's leading trainer. His 45 victories in 2020 is tied with Steve Asmussen for second most in North America, behind only Karl Broberg's 50 wins.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 1: Luca Panici rode the winner in the opener for the second straight day.
• Race 2: A 110-to-1 shot (99-to-1 on the screen) was the surprising victor until an objection was supported and the even-money favorite was elevated. The placed horse paid $63 in the middle. Stunning turn of events:

​

• Race 9: Massive payouts when Luis Saez brought home a 15-to-1 shot. The $.50 tri was over $3,000. The $.10 super paid over $5,500.
• Chris Landeros is 79 0-9-13 this meet. He needs a W more than any jockey in North America right now.
• Victor Lebron had three rides and won twice.
• Jose Ortiz added two wins with four rides.

Delta Downs:

• Ty Kennedy-Robertino Diodoro combined for four starters and won three times.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, February 14, 2020

Aqueduct (New York):

• Eric Cancel had three starts and won each in a natural hat trick performance beginning with race 6.
• Mike Luzzi had his first mount since December 8 and finished third. He had a surgical procedure reported as a hernia operation since.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Horacio Karamanos rode four times and won with his first three mounts.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Race 6: Gouverneur Morris (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher) won as expected at 1-to-5. Untitled (Antonio Gallardo/Mark Casse), who won his maiden at Gulfstream by 11 lengths and then had a switch of trainer's from Ralph Nicks, finished second in his third lifetime race. The winner is perhaps Pletcher's top Kentucky Derby contender and was given this layup since the horse was stabled in Florida rather than traveling to Oaklawn for Monday's Ky. Derby prep. Gouverneur Morris finished in 1:38.88 for the mile-and-40 yards on the main track, .02 seconds off the track record. He is 3 2-1-0 with both wins under Velazquez. Pletcher had a second horse entered but Dudley Square dismounted jockey Daniel Centeno at the start.

​

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Paco Lopez rode the card and finished 10 3-1-3.
• Ronald Spatz, who had lost with his last 35 starters most of which came at this meet, won the finale.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Joe Sharp had four horses entered and won a rare natural hat trick for a trainer beginning with race 4.

Santa Anita (California):

• Abel Cedillo hit the board with each mount going 7 2-3-2.

 

[GKJ]

Country House has contracted laminitis and has been retired. Not sure the last horse whose final race was winning, officially, the Kentucky Derby

Derby Winner Country House Retired Due to Laminitis - BloodHorse

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Country House has contracted laminitis and has been retired. Not sure the last horse whose final race was winning, officially, the Kentucky Derby

Derby Winner Country House Retired Due to Laminitis - BloodHorse

I only remember because he was a son to Unbridled, but the answer is Grindstone in 1996 who was retired that week. I think there was horse in the early part of the last century who was another.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Here is Oaklawn's holiday card for Monday which includes the Southwest Stakes which is a Kentucky Derby prep based on a 10-4-2-1 award to the top four finishers.

[TR][TH]Race #	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post Central Time
Race 1	$40,000	Starter Allowance	1 3/16 Miles	Dirt	8	12:35 PM
Race 2	$85,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 Furlongs	Dirt	14	1:05 PM
Race 3	$86,000	Allowance	6 Furlongs	Dirt	9	1:35 PM
Race 4	$34,000	Starter Allowance	6 Furlongs	Dirt	8	2:06 PM
Race 5	$85,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 Furlongs	Dirt	10	2:37 PM
Race 6	$200,000	Bayakoa S.	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	6	3:08 PM
Race 7	$86,000	Allowance	1 Mile	Dirt	11	3:39 PM
Race 8	$500,000	Razorback H.	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	11	4:09 PM
Race 9	$750,000	Southwest S.	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	9	4:43 PM
Race 10	$85,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	11	5:15 PM

[TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

 

[GKJ]

I only remember because he was a son to Unbridled, but the answer is Grindstone in 1996 who was retired that week. I think there was horse in the early part of the last century who was another.

Looks like 1926 with Bubbling Over was the most recent one before that.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday. February 15, 2020

• Brad Cox was one of the stars today. He sent out 12 horses across three tracks and finished 12 5-3-1. He won multiple times at Fair Grounds (3) and Oaklawn (2). At one point, he won a Derby prep race at Fair Grounds and less than five minutes later finished 1st-2nd in the 10th race at Oaklawn.
• Steve Asmussen sent out 21 horses at Oaklawn and Fair Grounds combined and finished 21 3-3-6.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 9: Let's Maga (Andre Worrie/Charis Englehart) wired the field in the finale. The jockey was 2-for-58 at the meet. The trainer, I am not sure the last 2-win day he had at the Big A, as he did today, but he has over 4,000 wins. He is mostly a Finger Lakes trainer I recall.
• Dylan Davis and Eric Cancel each had three wins. Cancel has six wins the past two days.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Card: Five of the nine races held purses $100,000 or more including two at $250,000.
• Local connections: The Maryland contingent fared quite well against some big named outsiders.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. made a rare appearance at Laurel and ended the day a subpar (for him) 5 1-1-0 though he won the feature race.
• Race 6: Claudio Gonzalez, the leading trainer at the meet, finished 1st and 3rd with the married combo of Sheldon and Brittany Russell in the middle. The $1 tri paid over $700. It is so easy after the race sometimes.
• Race 7: Majestic Reason (Trevor McCarthy/Graham Motion) won the $250,000 Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie.
• Race 8: Firenze Fire (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Jason Servis) won the $250,000 Grade 3 General George. It was his 10th win with 24 starts and he has earned over $1.7 million. The Florida-bred ran in the 2018 Kentucky Derby.
• Race 9: John Robb trained a winner for the 2,000th time.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Jesus Castanon won three times.
• No repeats: 11 races, 11 trainers won.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Off the turf: Three races were off the turf on a rainy cool day.
• Card: Not a particularly strong Saturday card by Gulfstream standards this time of the year.
• Race 11: Cookie Dough (Paco Lopez/Saffie Joseph) won the Grade 3 $150,000 Royal Delta and withstood an objection by Tyler Gaffalione on the runner up.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Purses: Seven of the 13 races held purses of $100,000 or more.
• Race 9: Silver Dust (Brian Hernandez, Jr./Bret Calhoun) won the $200,000 Grade 3 Mineshaft.
• Race 10: Factor This (Shaun Bridgmohan/Brad Cox) won the $150,000 Grade 3 Fair Grounds.
• Race 11: Finite (Ricardo Santana, Jr./Steve Asmussen) won the $300,000 Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra and with it 50 points towards entry into the Kentucky Oaks. The filly is 7 5-2-0 and has won five straight races. Among the defeated was British Idiom (Javier Castellano/Brad Cox) who won an Eclipse Award in January. The 3-year old filly was 3 3-0-0 lifetime.

Horse Racing FanSite on Twitter​

• Race 12: Mr. Monomoy (Florent Geroux/Brad Cox) won the $400,000 Grade 2 Risen Star (Div. 1) and with it 50 points towards entry into the Kentucky Derby. He wired the field at 7-to-1 but this field did not impress during the romp. His new total of 52 points (two prior points) tops the current leader board. Barring unforeseen events, Cox will have his first Derby runner. Enforceable (Julien Leparoux/Mark Casse) finished second and achieved 20 points towards the big race.

​

• Race 13: Modernist (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott) won the $400,000 Grade 2 Risen Star (Div. 2) and with it 50 points towards entry into the Kentucky Derby. The horse ran for the fourth time and first outside of New York. He broke last but was seamless in transition and did it at 12-to-1. Modernist is a home bred and as such was purchased through a private sale.

​

• Brad Cox won three races and leads the trainer standings at the meet by one victory over Ron Faucheux.
• Jockey standings: Mitchell Murrill (41 wins), James Graham (41), Colby Hernandez (39) and Florent Geroux (38) are in a tight battle.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Race 8: Mojo Man (Martin Garcia/James DiVito) yanked out of the clouds in a long stretch run to win at 11-to-1 in what I thought was one of the best races of the day. It helps to have a winner at 11-to-1.
  

• Race 9: Ring Leader (Joe Talamo/McLean Robertson) held on to win the $125,000 feature race. The 3-year-old filly is 3 3-0-0 lifetime.
• No repeats: Ten different jockeys won.

Golden Gate (California):

• Race 7: Azul Coast (Rafael Bejarano/Bob Baffert) won the El Camino Real Derby and picked up 10 points towards the Kentucky Derby but also an automatic entry into the Preakness Stakes.

​

continued below...

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday, continued...

Santa Anita (California):

• Umberto Rispoli, mentioned in the recent past about his first stay in the USA after an extensive resume overseas, has done exceptional work especially on turf where is he approximately 30%. He won three times today. He is developing into one of the tops jocks in California almost overnight.
• Race 8: Hard Not to Love (Mike Smith/John Shirreffs) won the $200,000 Grade 2 Santa Monica.

​

​

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Aqueduct (New York):

• Eric Cancel rode the entire card and had his third straight 3-win day. Good things come in threes.
• Race 8: Chowda (Eric Cancel/Gary Sciacca) won the $100,000 feature race.
• Race 6: One of the best finishes of the day in which the winner nosed the place horse who in turn nosed the show horse who went off at 86-to-1. Three-way closeness.

Parx (Pennsylvania):

• Father-won dead heat: This is outstanding. A father-won finished in a dead heat for second. I wonder if it has ever happened in the past?

Johan Rosado on Twitter
​

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Edgar Prado rode two winners. He has 7,051 wins which is six behind Angel Cordero who is 8th all-time in North America.
• Cam Gambolati, best known as the winning trainer in the 1985 Kentucky Derby with Spend A Buck, won with Edgar Prado riding.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Race 9: Kody Kellenberger rode outside of Turf Paradise (Arizona) for the first time this year, picked up the mount on a rider change from Eddie Martin, and promptly delivered a $76 winner. He was a hunter/jumper (equestrian) prior
• Eddie Martin, who is in his mid-50s. was injured earlier in the day and could be out 4-to-6 weeks.

Santa Anita (California):

• Jockeys: Three jockeys combined to win all eight races.
  • Flavien Prat started the day with a natural hat trick among a 4-win day.
  • Drayden Van Dyke and Abel Cedillo won twice each.
• Race 7: Laura's Light (Abel Cedillo/Peter Miller) won the Grade 3 $100,000 Sweet Life Stakes at 2-to-5. The daughter to 9-year-old Constitution to 4 3-1-0 lifetime. Constitution is proving to be a big-time sire.
• Race 4: Charlatan (Drayden Van Dyke/Bob Baffert) won in his maiden race at even money in exceptional style. The $700,000 3-year-old son to Speightstown defeated all challengers including the 3-to-5 favorite Lane Way (Flavien Prat/Richard Mandella) who finished third. In second spot was Shooters Shoot (Abel Cedillo/Peter Eurton) who was sent off at 9-to-1 and is owned by NHL player Erik Johnson. Baffert scratched his other entry J Z My Man who was a $410,000 purchase. This was my race of the day for educational and interest purposes. Judging by this one performance, Baffert has yet another commodity.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

^ I am not sure of their immediate plans but this had (yesterday) and now has (this Beyer figure released today) the scent of a Kentucky Derby late bloomer.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Monday, February 17, 2020 (U.S. holiday)

• Claudio Gonzalez entered horses at three tracks and won at each. He is best known for his high success rate at Laurel but he also won in New York and Philly today. He finished 7 4-0-2. At last check, only Steve Asmussen, Robertino Diodoro and Karl Broberg have more wins this year in North America.
• Florent Geroux rode in four graded stakes this weekend and finished 4 2-1-0.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Eric Cancel had his fourth consecutive 3-win day. He rode the entire card and finished 9 3-1-3. He has won 12 of his 30 mounts in that stretch.
• Jose Lezcano leads the meet with 49 wins but Eric Cancel is making a strong move with 44 victories.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Race 7: A 27-to-1 claimed an objection against the initial winner at 3-to-5 who was eventually placed fourth. The decision also elevated a 40-to-1 shot to runner up. The 27-1 and 40-1 shots finished 1-2 and were the two longest prices on the board.
• Race 8: The $.20 Pick 6 paid over $31,000.

Gulftstream (Florida):

• Race 9: The $.20 Rainbow Six paid off to one lucky handicapper who collected over $1.2 million. The winning ticket was submitted online for $51.
• Race 7: A 75-to-1 shot wowed spectators and paid $153.20. The double paid $998.40. The $.50 tri over $1,200.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. ended the day 10 3-3-1.
• Handle: Over $10 million.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Handle and Attendance: Over 19,000 spectators and the handle approached $7.5 million.
• Kelsi Harr rode two winners. That could be the young rider's first 2-win day. She seemed to be especially ecstatic winning for Larry Jones who is called the "Ladies' Man" after all. Jones, a gifted conditioner more so with fillies, had a first time starter in the fifth race Quick Decision who won at 9-to-1. That was a thrill!
• Race 6: Go Google Yourself (Brian Hernandez, Jr./Paul McGee) won the $200,000 Grade 3 Bayakoa. She caught Whoa Nellie (Joe Rocco, Jr./Larry Jones) in a good finish. The trainer is mostly on the Louisiana-Kentucky circuit and entered a horse at Oaklawn for the first time this meet.

​

• Race 8: Warrior's Charge (Florent Geroux/Brad Cox) won the $500,000 Grade 3 Razorback Handicap. It was the Florida-bred's fourth win in his past five starts. He held off a charging Bankit (Ricardo Santana, Jr./Steve Asmussen).

​

• Race 9: Silver Prospector (Ricardo Santana, Jr./Steve Asmussen) won for the third time in 8 lifetime starts and earned 10 points towards entry into the Kentucky Derby following a victory in the $750,000 Grade 3 Southwest Stakes.

​

Santa Anita (California):

• Joel Rosario had four winners and placed his other two starts. A 6 4-2-0 day. He was off his mounts Friday due to illness.
• Race 5: Joel Rosario won with the longest shot at 16-to-1, a rarity indeed.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

In a separate post, difficult news to comprehend in that trainer Coty Davidson was killed and his girlfriend jockey Megan Fadlovich is reported to be in serious condition following a car accident late Friday/early Saturday in Florida. They were on the Ohio-West Virginia circuit recently. She is in her early 30s, from Minnesota, raised in Illinois and rode in spots as distant as Massachusetts to Arizona. She was pursuing a career as a trainer. As cruel as fate can be, they were apparently headed to Tampa Bay Downs where she was to saddle her first horse ever for a race on Saturday (Feb. 15)

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The only remaining Kentucky Derby prep race in North America for the month of February is Feb. 29 when the Fountain of Youth is held at Gulfstream. It should be a good field and I would expect to see Dennis' Moment (Dale Romans) be entered. If the horse doesn't fire considering his last race, then that could be a telltale sign.

The 29th will also be about the inaugural Saudi Cup and the $20,000,000 purse. The race will be held in Saudi Arabia and is billed as the world's largest purse ever. It will be contested at 1 1/8 mile on dirt for 3-year-olds-and up.

A possible list of contenders includes Maximum Security who was DQ'd in the 2019 Kentucky Derby and Mucho Gusto who won the Pegasus World Cup earlier this year.

Horse [TBODY] [/TBODY] Trainer [TBODY] [/TBODY] Status [TBODY] [/TBODY] [TBODY] [/TBODY] Mjjack S. Alharabi Probable North America S. Seemar Probable Great Scot T. Dascombe Probable Capezzano S. Ghadayer Probable Gold Dream O. Hirata Probable Chrysoberyl H. Otonashi Probable Benbatl S. Suroor Probable Magic Wand A. O'Brien Probable Tacitus W. Mott Probable Mucho Gusto B. Baffert Probable Midnight Bisou S. Asmussen Probable McKinzie B. Baffert Probable Maximum Security J. Servis Probable Gronkowski S. Ghadayer Probable [TBODY] [/TBODY]

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Source: HorseRacingNation

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The first NTRA poll of top three-year-olds was released. Most of these will be on the Kentucky Derby trail, in preps, and many will be in the race.

Mucho Gusto leads first NTRA poll; who's the top 3-year-old?

[TR][TH]Rank	Horse	Age-Sex	2020 Record	Points
1	TIZ THE LAW (17)	3-C	1-1-0-0	252	-
2	THOUSAND WORDS (4)	3-C	1-1-0-0	199	-
3	NADAL (2)	3-C	2-2-0-0	141	-
4	AUTHENTIC (1)	3-C	1-1-0-0	128	-
5	DENNIS' MOMENT (1)	3-C	0-0-0-0	125	-
6	MR. MONOMOY	3-C	2-1-0-1	112	-
7	SOLE VOLANTE	3-C	2-1-0-1	103	-
8	INDEPENDENCE HALL	3-C	2-1-1-0	70	-
9	MAXFIELD (2)	3-C	0-0-0-0	66	-
10	SILVER PROSPECTOR (1)	3-C	2-1-0-0	59	-

[TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY][/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

[TBODY][TR][TH]Other horses receiving votes: ENFORCEABLE (55), GOUVERNEUR MORRIS (47), STORM THE COURT (44), MODERNIST (44), CHARLATAN (20), STRUCTOR (17), EIGHT RINGS (15), FINITE (10), ANNEAU D’OR (9), CHANCE IT (5), WELLS BAYOU (4), AZUL COAST (4), HONOR A.P. (3), TARAZ (3), MISCHEVIOUS ALEX (3), FORE LEFT (1), BRITISH IDIOM (1)[/TH][/TR][/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

In a separate post, difficult news to comprehend in that trainer Coty Davidson was killed and his girlfriend jockey Megan Fadlovich is reported to be in serious condition following a car accident late Friday/early Saturday in Florida. They were on the Ohio-West Virginia circuit recently. She is in her early 30s, from Minnesota, raised in Illinois and rode in spots as distant as Massachusetts to Arizona. She was pursuing a career as a trainer. As cruel as fate can be, they were apparently headed to Tampa Bay Downs where she was to saddle her first horse ever for a race on Saturday (Feb. 15)

This perhaps is some positive news in an otherwise devastating event.

Megan Fadlovich Medical Expense Fund organized by Danielle Eilerman

In the early hours of Valentine’s Day, Megan Fadlovich and her beloved Coty Davidson were in a terrible car accident. We are heartbroken to say Coty did not survive. (Please see Coty Davidson’s Gofundme to donate towards his expenses and support for his young children. Click Here for Coty's Fundraiser )

Currently, Megan is in stable condition in an Ocala hospital. She has had 2 surgeries to stabilize a badly broken leg. Megan also has broken ribs and many contusions. She is expected to make a full, physical recovery. We pray that her broken heart can heal, too.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

2-6:30PM ET	Fri, May 1	Kentucky Oaks 145 - Live Coverage	NBCSN
12-2:30PM ET	Sat, May 2	Kentucky Derby 145 Undercard - Live Coverage	NBCSN
2:30-7:30PM ET	Sat, May 2	Kentucky Derby 145 - Live Coverage 6:50pm ET Kentucky Derby Post Time	NBC

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

To get acclimated with the names of 3-year-old fillies, here is TDN's Top Ten Kentucky Oaks ranking:

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/pdf/tdn/tdn200220.pdf

[TABLE="class: brtb_item_table"][TBODY][TR][TD]Rank[/TD][TD]Name[/TD][TD]Sire[/TD][TD]Trainer[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]1[/TD][TD]Finite[/TD][TD]Munnings[/TD][TD]Steve Asmussen[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]2[/TD][TD]Venetian Harbor[/TD][TD]Munnings[/TD][TD]Richard Baltas[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]3[/TD][TD]British Idiom[/TD][TD]Flashback[/TD][TD]Brad Cox[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]4[/TD][TD]Bast RETIRED DUE TO INJURY[/TD][TD]Uncle Mo[/TD][TD]Bob Baffert[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]5[/TD][TD]Donna Veloce[/TD][TD]Uncle Mo[/TD][TD]Simon Callaghan[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]6[/TD][TD]Wicked Whisper[/TD][TD]Liam's Map[/TD][TD]Steve Asmussen[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]7[/TD][TD]Lake Avenue[/TD][TD]Tapit[/TD][TD]Bill Mott[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]8[/TD][TD]Spice Is Nice[/TD][TD]Curlin[/TD][TD]Todd Pletcher[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]9[/TD][TD]Harvey's Lil Goil[/TD][TD]American Pharoah[/TD][TD]Bill Mott[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]10[/TD][TD]Tonalist's Shape[/TD][TD]Tonalist[/TD][TD]Saffie Joseph, Jr.[/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 1: Romero Maragh, teenage nephew to Rajiv Maragh and a member of the extensive racing family, moved his tack to New York from south Florida and won in his first attempt. Maragh was the rider injured severely early last year who took many months to rehab before returning very late last year.
• Luis Rodriguez Castro had three winners and that is something out of the ordinary for New York. He rides in Philly much of the time and has less than 200 career wins.
• Junior Alvarado and Eric Cancel each won twice, the latter had his fifth straight multiple win racing.
• Oddity: There was a delay prior to the second race due to an issue with the timing clock and photo finish equipment.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Pick 5: Over $2.49 million was added to the Pick 5. An exorbitant total for that wager. All winners collected $2,700+.
• Dale Romans, who began 2020 0-for-35, has won with three of his past six starters. He is now 3-for-41. His Kentucky Derby hopeful -- Dennis' Moment -- is expected to run next weekend here in the Fountain of Youth.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• David Cohen added two wins to his meet-leading total of 19 which is one more than Ricardo Santana, Jr.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Weather: Off the turf as heavy rains occurred earlier in the day.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A.P. Indy has passed away at the age of 31. One of the most prolific sires of all-time, he was one of those athletes, equine or otherwise, who was impossible not to like and respect. The 1992 Horse of the Year and winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic that same year. Rest in peace to one of the most tremendous talents we have seen in his lifetime if not ever.





Leading Sire A.P. Indy Passes Away at 31

Two-time leading sire and 1992 Horse of the Year A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew–Weekend Surprise, by Secretariat) has died at the age of 31. The legendary Lane’s End Farm stallion sired 30 Grade I winners, 12 champions, 89 graded winners and 156 stakes winners.

“It is with extreme sadness that we today announce the passing of our beloved A.P. Indy, he was 31 years old,” a statement from Lane’s End Farm read. “A.P. Indy passed away peacefully in his stall at the Lane’s End stallion complex, the barn he called home for 27 years. Champion A.P. Indy’s list of accomplishments range far and wide as his legacy continues to be carried through the outstanding performances of his sons and daughters across the globe. He was the most important and popular member of the Lane’s End team and we are deeply sorry to all who loved him as much as we did.”

Straight A’s

Bred in partnership by William S. Farish and William S. Kilroy, A.P. Indy was a handsome youngster, and the emergence of his half-brother Summer Squall (Storm Bird) as the 1990 GI Preakness S. hero enhanced his pedigree by the time he was offered at Keeneland July two months later. The bay duly topped that boutique auction when selling to BBA Ireland for $2.9 million on behalf of Tomonori Tsurumaki.

Turned over to Neil Drysdale, A.P. Indy finished fourth as the favorite in his debut at Del Mar, then underwent surgery for an undescended testicle. He returned to rattle off three straight wins in 1991, capped by the GI Hollywood Futurity, and picked up where he left off in 1992 with wins in the GII San Rafael S. and GI Santa Anita Derby. That winning streak would have ensured him favoritism for the GI Kentucky Derby, but a quarter crack kept him in his stall during the Run for the Roses.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

February 21, 2020

Aqueduct (New York):

• Pick 6: Two days before there was to be a mandatory payout of the Empire 6 pool, there was a successful unique ticket sold which returned $123,545.80 to the lucky bettor.
• Race 6: Mills (Eric Cancel/David Cannizzo), a 10-year-old, snapped a 24-race losing streak and won for the 7th time in 67 starts.
• Race 1: The $.10 super paid $.54. Yikes.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• The Ortiz brothers put on quite the show at Gulfstream today finishing 1-2 in three races. Irad Ortiz, Jr. won five times and his brother Jose won twice. The pair went a combined 13 7-3-1 today and won seven of the 10 races. It is only February but unless something unthinkable occurs, Irad is a mortal lock to win Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey of the Year for a third straight time. Jose is within 16 wins of 2,000 lifetime.
• Michael Maker is having a solid 2020. He is just two wins behind Todd Pletcher for most wins by a trainer at the meet with 30.
• Handle: Just under $10,000,000 bet . The weekend of Feb. 29 should be massive with an exhilarating card highlighted by the Fountain of Youth.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Race 1: Ingrid Mason won the opener which snapped a 30-race losing streak. She won the first two races of the meet and with three of her first four starters in January but had since not been able to find the winner's circle. She is now 4-for-36 after today's card.

Santa Anita (California):

• Umberto! Married on Tuesday, first race since and he won that. Umberto Rispoli is making a huge name for himself in America in his first go-around. He is considering Kentucky or New York for his future tack. Nice gesture by the Italian jockey to say "thank you" to an informative article on DRF.

​

• Race 8: The late $.50 Pick 5 paid over $30,000. The two Pick 5 payouts today exceeded $50,000.
• Pick 6: The exorbitant jackpot was nailed by a Canadian-based handicapper who invested $2,048 for over $605,000 (Canadian $) at Woodbine (Ontario). The numbers are still being compiled...slightly under $500,000 in U.S. money.... officially $454,497.90 in U.S. money.
• Race 5: Striking a Pose (Umberto Rispoli/Mark Glatt) debuted to a $54.20 win. The horse was bred in Washington state. How often does that happen at Santa Anita?! This was the difference maker for the person who hit the big Pick 6 jackpot. Among those defeated was a colt purchased for $560,000 by Boston business man Larry Best and another bought for a quarter of a million dollars and trained by Bob Baffert. A Washington bred beat the big guns. The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $20,000.