In Florida, a select group of six colts take their first major step on the Triple Crown Trail in Sunday’s Holy Bull Stakes. The one mile contest is the highly anticipated three year old debut of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Champ HANSEN. The speedy colt will try to wire the field, but the Holy Bull contains plenty of speed to test the pretty gray colt’s mettle.
Two contenders who will attempt to run with
Hansen early are My Adonis and Silver Max. MY ADONIS (Pleasantly Perfect - Silent Justice, by Elusive Quality) a son of a Breeders’ Cup Classic hero, is the first foal out of his dam. She is a half-sister to the graded stakes winning sprinter Lakota Brave. My Adonis doesn’t need the lead to win, but the Kelly Breen trainee has fired three consecutive bullets at Palm Meadows.
SILVER MAX (Badge of Silver - Kissin Rene, by Kissin Kris) a son of the leading third crop sire, is a half-brother to a listed stakes winner. His dam is a half-sister to the dams of Grade 1 winning sprinter Yes Its True and multiple stakes winning Kiss A Native. Silver Max jumps back to the dirt after three consecutive turf races. He’s placed second twice over dirt. The Dale Romans trainee has set the pace in his last four starts.
The local hope, FORT LOUDON (Awesome of Course - Lottsa Talc, by Talc) ruled South Florida with a sweep of the Stallion Stakes, but finished up nine lengths behind Hansen in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile after racing wide. Fort Loudon is a half-brother to the dam of the multiple graded stakes winning miler Jackson Bend. Trained by top South Florida conditioner Stanley Gold, Fort Loudon has a versatile running style and can sit off the pace.
Algorithms and Consortium, two lightly raced, but
highly regarded sons of the sensational Bernardini should make their presence known in the Holy Bull. ALGORITHMS (Bernardini - Ava Knowsthecode, by Cryptoclearance) is a half-brother to the graded stakes winners Keyed Entry and Justin Philip as well as listed winners Successful Mission and Alex’s Allure. Algorithms is undefeated in two starts, including a one length victory over Consortium over the Gulfstream dirt in their last starts. Algorithms worked a bullet five furlongs for the powerful Pletcher stable.
Godolphin color bearer CONSORTIUM (Bernardini - Marietta, by Machiavellian) is the first foal out of Arlington Oaks (G-3) and Iowa Oaks (G-3) heroine Marietta. His second dam Minister Wife (by Deputy Minister) won the Demoiselle (G-2) and his third dam Dowery (by Full Pocket) was also a stakes winner. Consortium was game in defeat to Algorithms and ads first time Lasix for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
SELECTIONS:
Track bias: Pace setters/pressers have been successful 69% in 63 one mile events during this meet. 14% of the front runners wire the field.
HANSEN is the overwhelming favorite. He could be another The Factor, run with him early at your peril. HANSEN doesn’t need to win the Holy Bull, and the race is likely a tune-up for the Fountain of Youth or Florida Derby. Still, he’s done nothing wrong and is the class of the field. ALGORITHMS and CONSORTIUM should benefit from the added distance and could take advantage of a softened up Hansen. FORT LOUDON is a nice horse, and can sit anywhere. If MY ADONIS and SILVER MAX are pushed early, they may not have anything left at the end.
#4 HANSEN
#2 CONSORTIUM
#6 ALGORITHMS
#5 FORT LOUDON - longshot
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