Iroquois Stakes Kicks Off Derby Points

The Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes is a highlight of Churchill Downs opening day for the fall meet. This is the first race of the Kentucky Derby qualifying events, with points distributed as follows - the winner will earn 10 points, 4 for second, 2 for third and 1point for fourth.

None of the past winners of the Iroquois Stakes have had influence on the three Triple Crown races, although the 1983 third place finisher At The Threshold was also third in the Kentucky Derby. The 2012 Iroquois third place runner Overanalyze won the Arkansas Derby. Some of the previous winners, Court Vision, Harlan’s Holiday and Capt Candyman Can became Grade 1 winners.

 

This year’s 1 1/6 mile contest is headed by MR Z, runner-up in the Sanford and Saratoga Special. He faces eight other colts. Mr Z should love the extra distance. He’s a tough colt who doesn’t know the meaning of quit. He’s the one to beat. He’s bested Iroquois entrants Hashtag Bourbon and Cleveland Sound.

 

 

  HASHTAG BOURBON (Super Saver - Waltzing With Deb, by Robyn Dancer) won the Mountaineer Juvenile by over four lengths, but was beaten 3 ¾ lengths in his debut by Mr Z. The son of hot sire Super Saver should also enjoy running longer distances. Hashtag Bourbon is a half to 2002 Arkansans Derby runner-up Wild Horses (Saint Ballado) and stake placed Waltzing With Blue (Malibu Moon). The Keller Gordon trainee was forced to go wide in both starts, but draws post one in the Iroquois.

 

Both Mr Z and Hashtag have raced over the Churchill dirt. LUCKY PLAYER (Lookin At Lucky - Janetstickettocats, by Storm Cat) won his debut at Churchill and then finished fourth in the Bashford Manor Stakes. He was on the wrong end of a photo finish, beaten a neck in the Prairie Meadows Juvenile Mile in his last start.

CLEVELAND SOUND (More Than Ready - Twilight Service, by Horse Chestnut (SAF)) was all over the place in the Sanford Stakes. He was behind a wall of horses going five wide on the turn, then ducked down to the inside. He did manage to make up ground despite this and was beaten a nose for third. He adds Lasix and gets a jock switch.

 

The rest of the field appears up against it. DEKABRIST was soundly beaten by 23 lengths just last week in the Hopeful at Saratoga. HOLY FRAZIER has three starts at a mile under his girth, all over the Ellis Park lawn. He won his maiden last out, but was beaten previously by DANNY BOY. That one is a half to Arlington Classic hero Meal Penalty. Both Holy Frazier and Danny Boy have dirt-oriented pedigrees, and could hit the board.

Two others are coming off of maiden victories. BOLD CONQUEST (Curlin - One for Jim, by Distorted Humor) won the dog fight by a head in his last race at Saratoga. After finishing second at 5 ½ furlongs, the colt added a furlong and got the job done. Sprinting isn’t his game, he should love the extra distance and he’s had two strong post-race breezes.

THE GORILLA MAN (After Market - War Indian, by Indian Charlie) beat maidens by ½ length at Ellis Park last time out. In his debut which was over the lawn, he finished three lengths behind Holy Frazier after having to steady. He faces a deeper field here.

SELECTIONS

MR Z has faced :21 and change early fractions in each start, but has the ability to rate. LUCKY PLAYER and CLEVELAND SOUND may also vie near the lead. HASHTAG BOURBON draws the rail, but he’ll likely take back. If he stays out of traffic, he could come running at the end. CLEVELAND SOUND could have earned a graded stakes placing with a better ride last time out. He gets a jock switch and could play the spoiler’s role. BOLD CONQUEST had a strong debut for Assmusen. Joel Rosario rides and he could also be tough.

#2 MR Z

#5 LUCKY PLAYER

#1 HASHTAG BOURBON

#6 CLEVELAND SOUND – longshot pick

The Final Juvenile Championship

A field of only seven colts are headed to the final edition of the six furlong Hollywood Juvenile Championship. Willie B Awesome and Solid Wager, the second and third place finishers in the Willard Proctor, will attempt to add more blacktype to their resumes.

Willie B Awesome (Awesome Gambler - Cause I'm Tricky, by Nineeleven) grabbed the lead in the stretch of the Willard Proctor but was passed by the winner. He held on for second over a short neck ahead of Solid Wager.

Solid Wager (Birdonthewire - G Ma, by Valid Wager) raced in the back of the field early in the Willard Proctor and went three wide on the turn, finishing a jump behind Willie B Awesome. The extra distance should suit him.

Alpine Luck (Lucky J. H. - I Can Yodele, by Swiss Yodeler) wired the field in his maiden win getting 5F in a respectable :58 2/5. He held of Ontology by a measured length. Alpine Luck is a half to two-time juvenile stakes winner Swiss Wild Cat.

Ontology (Tapit - Shytoe Lafeet, by King of Kings (IRE)) is the first foal out of his multiple stakes winning dam. Shytoe Lafeet was a versatile earner of over $300K, winning at a mile to 1 1/16 over dirt and turf. Ontology should appreciate more distance.

The remaining three colts are first time starters. Knock Em Flat (Flatter - Malamado, by Broken Vow) was a $350K OBS April two year old in training purchase after working a furlong in :10.1. He's the first foal out of his dam. She proved to be camera shy, visiting the winners' circle only once in seven starts. Malamado is a half sister to the multiple G-2 heroine Tar Heel Mom (by Flatter) and to G-3 winner Scrappy T (by Fit to Fight), who is best known for causing Afleet Alex to stumble in the Preakness. Knock Em Flat's sire Flatterer is noted for getting older stakes winners (Flat Out, Tar Heel Mom, etc.) but he's also a sneaky good juvenile sire, getting 39% winners, but only 9% win first time out.

Bond Holder (Mineshaft - Cielo Girl, by Conquistador Cielo) brought $125K at the OBS March two year old in training sale after breezing a furlong in :10.2. Mineshaft's offspring win only 6% as first time starters. Cielo Girl was a solid dirt sprinter, in the money 20 of her 31 starts, including stakes. She wasn't precocious, needing five starts to win. Bond Holder is from the same people who brought us Derby/Preakness winner I'll Have Another. The O'Neil barn is 13% with first time starters, but Bond Holder will likely improve with racing.

Carson's Ten (Rock Hard Ten - Carson's Dane, by Carson City) is the first foal out of his dam to race. She went 0-3 in her career, but is a half to Sands Point (G-3) winner Raw Silk. The majority of Rock Hard Ten's offspring are best over turf and Polytrack. 11% of his offspring win at first asking.

SELECTIONS

Solid Wager will appreciate the extra distance and represents a high percentage barn. Willie B Awesome has improved his speed figures in every start and had a strong work for this race. Alpine Luck has also improved in every race. Of the three newcomers, Knock Em Flat has the most class and worked a quick five furlongs from the gate in his last breeze.

#2 Alpine Luck

#5 Solid Wager

#6 Willie B Awesome

December Watch List

At HRN:  Uncaptured Has Derby Connections

November and December are traditionally quiet months in terms of racing action. The spectacle of the Breeders’ Cup is over and many precocious juveniles are getting a well deserved vacation before returning to action next year. However, November and December are good months to look at the two year olds who are bred to enjoy classic distances. The majority of the Derby winners from 1990 – 2012 won their maiden races between August and November of their juvenile season. Only two horses, Fusaichi Pegasus and Monarchos, didn’t win their maiden race until the following January. Let’s take a look at horses that are flying under the radar and could show up in next year’s stakes races.

 
APEX (Dynaformer - Enth, by Seeking the Gold)
Race Record: 2-0-2-0 ($32,000)
Trainer: Bill Mott

This Claiborne Farm homebred has yet to break his maiden, however, he finished second while sprinting in both starts and appeared green. Apex is bred to be a late-developer and should improve with time and distance. When we think of Apex's sire Dynaformer, we immediately think of grass horses, but Dynaformer produces long-winded runners over all surfaces. His stakes-wining dirt progeny include Champion Barbaro, Stephen Foster victor Perfect Drift and Lone Star Derby winner Dynever. Apex's dam Enth is a half sister to stakes winners Total and Cease. Apex's third dam, the blue hen Bound, is the grand-dam of HOY Blame and his half brother, multiple stakes winner Tend. Apex has comparable breeding to Tend as both are by Dynaformer out of Seeking The Gold mares. Apex is taking a break at Payson Park and we may see him make a start at Gulfstream Park. He could be a late-developer on the Triple Crown trail.

 
ARCHWARRIOR (Arch -Winner's Edge, by Seeking the Gold)
 
 





Race Record: 2-1-0-0 ($68,000)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher

A $375K OBS March 2 YO in training sales graduate purchased by Alto Racing, Archwarrior was quick to win a six furlong maiden race in his August debut. He was tossed into the Hopeful Stakes against his tougher stablemate Shanghai Bobby and finished a lackluster fourth. Archwarrior is a half to a two minor stakes winners and a stakes placed runner. His dam is Grade 3 stakes placed. She's a half sister to the English highweighted filly Lucky Song, a winner at 13 furlongs. Archwarrior last worked in October and may be taking some time off to grow up over the winter. He's one of many talented juveniles stabled in Todd Pletcher's barn at Palm Meadows. We may see Archwarrior next at Gulfstream Park.

 
DEWEY SQUARE (Bernardini –Somethinaboutbetty, by Forestry)
 
 




Race Record: 2-2-0-0 ($55,200)
Trainer: Dale Romans

The RNA (Reserve not Attained) $575K Keeneland Yearling has been impressive in his two starts so far for his owner-breeder Siena Farms. Dewey Square outclassed maidens and allowance runners in his first two starts. Then the son of super stud Bernardini Dewey Square gained ground to finish third, two lengths behind the frontrunners in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G-2). The race was better than it looked on paper because Dewey Square raced four wide the whole way. Dewey Square's dam is a multiple stakes winning veteran of 25 races, mainly in Maryland. Humana Distaff winner My Trusty Cat is a member of this female family. Dewey Square may be distance challenged down the road since as a broodmare sire, Forestry isn't represented by a stakes winner past 1 1/16 miles.

 
FRAC DADDY (Scat Daddy - Skipper's Mate, by Skip Away)
 
 




Race Record: 3-1-2-0 ($80,116)
Trainer: Ken McPeek

After his half siblings sold for six figures, Frack Daddy was scooped up by Magic City Thoroughbred Partners for $50K at last year's Keeneland September Yearling sale. Frack Daddy has finished in the money in all three starts at Churchill, including a monster finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. In that race, he went four wide and fought to the finish with the top runner Uncaptured, losing by a bare neck to his more experienced rival. Between the two, Frac Daddy ran the more impressive race. Frac Daddy receives his pretty gray coat from his damsire the Champion Skip Away, who was practically unbeatable as a five year old. Frack Daddy's dam is a half sister to the stakes winner Vegas Play. His second dam Power Play captured the Delaware Handicap at 1 ¼ miles. Should he stay healthy, Frac Daddy should be a major player on the Triple Crown trail.

 

FLYING BIRD (Street Boss - Caged Glory, by Honour and Glory)
Race Record: 5-2-0-1 ($60,334)
Trainer: Nick Zito

The Whitney Stables homebred is a late developing juvenile. After placing in his debut in June, he was off of the board in two starts. At the end of September, Flying Bird switched to turf and promptly won his maiden by over five lengths. He came back to score in an allowance race by two lengths over the Churchill turf. Flying Bird's first crop sire Street Boss set records as a sprinter. His offspring are winning up to 1 1/16 miles. They will likely be distance challenged, but may run farther over turf than dirt. There's little blacktype in the first two generations of Flying Bird's distaff line. However, his third dam is the blue hen Dear Birdie, dam of Belmont Stakes hero Birdtown and his full sister, Kentucky Oaks winner Birdtown. Flying Bird is inbred to the good mare Gongalon, dam of multiple G-1 winner and very good damsire Ogygian. Gonfalon is also the grand-dam of Grade 1 miler and sire Honour and Glory. Will Zito keep Flying Bird on the turf or experiment once again with dirt? Flying Bird's pedigree is filled with dirt influences, so we may see him take another shot at the surface next year at Gulfstream Park.

 
GULFPORT (Unbridled's Song - Dream Supreme, by Seeking the Gold)
 




Race Record: 4-1-1-1 ($55,460)
Trainer: Dale Romans

The exceptionally well-bred Gulfport was purchased by the partnership of Kinsman Stable, Michael Lauffer and Mike Rutherford for $775K at the Fasig Tipton August Yearling Sale in Saratoga. He's a half brother to Hopeful (G-1) hero and sire Majestic Warrior, stakes winner Crystal Current and Grade 3 placed Evolutionist. Gulfport's dam is a multiple G-1 winning sprinter. Gulfport freaked over the Churchill dirt scaring his rivals by over seven lengths in a seven furlong sprint on October 31. He followed up with a victory in an allowance race, getting a mile in 1:35.93 at Churchill on November 24. Among beaten rivals were stakes placed Midas Dancer (3^rd Kentucky Downs Juvenile Stakes) and Five Iron (2^nd, Swynford Stakes).

 
LITTLE DISTORTED (Distorted Humor - Asbeautifulasyou (IRE), by A.P. Indy)
Race Record: 1-1-0-0 ($40,800)
Trainer: Michael Mareina

An $180K Keeneland September Yearling purchase by Kuehne Racing, Little Distorted was impressive in his six furlong debut at Belmont. He dueled from the start with Soulsinging to the ½ mile pole, put that one away and was re-engaged by the well-bred favorite, Revolutionary. The two colts opened up eight lengths on the field, Little Distorted refused to yield and pulled away to win by 2 ½ lengths at the end. With Belmont Stakes hero A.P. Indy and Kentucky Derby champ Unbridled as his first and second damsires, Little Distorted has the pedigree to run all day. His second dam is Hollywood Oaks (G-2) heroine Santa Catarina. The English Champion Two Year Old Filly Culture Vulture is also a member of this female family. Little Distorted breezed 4F :48.46 (13/13) at Gulfstream Park on November 24. He may be pointed to an allowance race in December or January.

 
MIDNITE POPPA (Unbridled's Song - Island Sand, by Tabasco Cat)
Race Record: 2-0-0-2 ($14,800)
Trainer: Nick Zito

The My Meadowview Farm homebred has the pedigree to handle classic distances. He was third in two attempts sprinting over dirt. Midnite Poppa is a son of the multiple graded stakes winner Island Sand. The mare won from one mile to 1 ¼ miles, including the Acorn (G-1), Delaware Handicap (G-2), and placed in in the Kentucky Oaks behind the champion Ashado over a muddy track. She was also second in the Mother Goose Stakes. Midnite Poppa has been breezing at Churchill.

 
NORMANDY INVASION (Tapit - Boston Lady, by Boston Harbor)
 
 





Race Record: 3-1-1-0 ($92,240)
Trainer: Chad Brown

Normandy Invasion was purchased at the Keeneland April 2012 sale for $230K by Fox Hill Farm. After blasting maidens by over nine lengths in a one mile maiden race at Aqueduct, Normandy Invasion came back just 22 days later to face winners in the Remsen Stakes (G-2). He mad a blinding move around the far turn and was just nipped by the more experienced Overanalyze at the wire. Normandy Invasion galloped out past his rivals at the end of the race. There is very little blacktype in the colt's female family. However, he is bred along similar lines to West Virginia Derby winner Concord Point, who is by Tapit out of a Boston Harbor mare. Despite the ability to quicken and sustain a run, Normandy Invasion's pedigree is borderline for Classic distances. His damsire Boston Harbor was the precocious winner of the 1996 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Champion Two Year Old. The majority of his daughters' offspring are best up to 1 1/16 miles, although one runner, Sealy Hill, has won at 1 ¼ miles. Despite the lack of class and shortcomings in his pedigree, Normandy Invasion appears to be a serious racehorse who could be a significant force on the Triple Crown trail.

 
PALACE MALICE ( Curlin - Palace Rumor, by Royal Anthem)
 
 




Race Record: 2-1-10 ($62,000)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher

A $200K Keenland 2YO in training purchase by Dogwood Stable, Palace Malice was the first US based winner for his sire, Curlin, a two-time HOY. Palace Malice has a turf-oriented pedigree through his distaff line. His dam placed in a listed stakes over the lawn. She's a half sister to the dam of California stakes veteran Rail Trip. Palace Malice hasn't been heard from since winning his maiden in a 6 ½ furlong dirt sprint in August. He beat Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint champ Hightail by 4 ½ lengths. He may show up in an allowance race at Gulfstream sometime next year and the lawn could be an option.

 
WAR ACADEMY (Giant's Causeway - Cabbage Key, by A.P. Indy)
Race Record: 1-1-0-0 ($27,000)
Trainer: Bob Baffert

The $450K '11 KEESEP Yearling purchase by Demi O'Byrne stalked nicely three wide and professionally dominated his rivals by 1 ¾ lengths, including his well regarded stablemate Denzel (Lion-Heart – Jindy's Dream, by A.P. Indy). War Academy's dam placed in two stakes over the lawn. She's a half sister to a stakes winner and stakes placed runner. The Champion Euro Juvie filly Gay Gallanta is part of this female family. War Academy's fourth dam Gay Missile is also the third dam of his broodmare sire, A.P. Indy. War Academy has an astounding 31 Classic Chef de race attributes in his pedigree. Should he live up to his hype, huge sales price and pedigree, War Academy could be a very serious contender on the Triple Crown Trail. War Academy breezed 4F :48.20 (14/47) on November 27 over the Santa Anita dirt.

Jackpot!

GOLDENCENTS - DERBY CONTENDER OR PRETENDER?

In the nine years that the Delta Jackpot (G-3) has been contested, only one winner, Big Drama, has gone on to a career as a Grade 1 winner. Only one horse that finished in the money has made an impact on the Triple Crown races. That was 2005 Kentucky Derby runner-up Closing Argument.

Traditionally, horses that ran in the Breeders' Cup haven't fared well in the Delta Jackpot. Only Z Humor, fifth in the BC Juvenile, has won the Jackpot. Last year, Drill was unplaced in the BC Juvenile and Delta Jackpot after finishing second in the Norfolk Stakes. In 2008, Skipadate was unplaced in both the BC Juvenile Turf and Jackpot. Colts from Florida have done very well in the Delta Jackpot. Big Drama and Gourmet Dinner both won the Jackpot after winning the In Reality Stakes and last year Decisive Moment was a runner up in the In Reality and Jackpot.

This year's Delta Jackpot field is loaded with stakes winners, including Breeders' Cup Sprint champ Hightail. As in previous years, the majority of the field is loaded with sprinter/miler pedigrees that will be challenged at classic distances.

Leading the field is Breeders' Cup Sprint Champ HIGHTAIL. The Wayne Lukas trainee surprised in the Sprint with a nose victory to win his maiden race. The son of Mineshaft has the pedigree to improve with maturity. He's coming off of the highest speed figure of his career.

BERN IDENTITY won the Sanford Stakes (G-2), but like every other two year old this year, was no match for Shanghai Bobby when he tangled with that rival in the Hopeful (G-1). Bern Identity easily won the Jean Lafitte Stakes, the prep race for the Jackpot by three lengths over Mylute. Read more about Bern Identity.

MYLUTE came from off of the pace and went five wide around the turn in the Jean Lafitte Stakes, he made up some ground, but wasn't going to catch Bern Identity. Mylute descends from a precocious female family. His half brother She Digs Me won the Sapling (G-3) and Tyro. Their dam and second dam are both stakes winners.

Two colts ship in from California for trainer Doug O'Neil. KNOW MORE won his maiden in the Best Pal (G-2). He wound up in a speed duel in the Frontrunner Stakes and finished a distant second to Power Broker. Experimenting with turf for the first time in the BC Juvenile Turf, Know More was wide the whole way and wasn't in the same zip code as the winner.

Know More's stablemate GOLDENCENTS wowed in his 7 ¼ length winning debut. Then he was tossed in against the monster known as Shanghai Bobby in the Champagne Stakes. Making his first start on dirt, shipping to a new track and adding 2 ½ furlongs, Goldencents did very well to place second, five lengths behind the winner.

ITSMYLUCKYDAY is the Florida representative in the Jackpot field. He crushed them in his last two races by over nine lengths, including a paid workout in the Foolish Pleasure Stakes. Itsmyluckyday hails from the female family of Florida Derby winner Vicar.

CENTRAL BANKER beat Hightail by a head in a maiden race and then finished second in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Stakes. Both contests were over the lawn. Trying dirt for the first time, the son of Speightstown demolished a group of Churchill allowance runners by five lengths. Central Banker's half brother Gantry is a Grade 2 wining sprinter. Their dam is a stakes winner over the lawn. She's a half sister to Arkansas Derby winner Private Emblem. This is the female family of Met Mile hero Dixie Brass.

HEAVEN'S RUNWAY showed some ability on Presque Isle Downs Tapeta when he speed dueled his way to a ½ length win in the Fitz Dixon, Jr. Memorial. Switching barns, the son of Run Away and Hide tired badly to finish over 10 lengths behind the winner in the Iroquois in his first try over dirt.

Rounding out the Jackpot field is SHOW SOME MAGIC. After winning his maiden at Saratoga, he's been totally outclassed in both the Hopeful Stakes, and most recently, he was embarrassed by over 15 lengths by Bern Identity in the Jean Lafitte Stakes.

SELECTIONS

Track bias: Since the Delta Jackpot was held over a resurfaced track in 2006, two one run closers and two pace pressers have won. One mid-pack runner and one pace setter have also won.

Bern Identity is the obvious pick. His easy win in the Jean Lafitte earned him the highest late pace speed figure of his career and the second highest in the field. The son of Bernstein worked a bullet over the Delta Downs dirt in his latest breeze for the Jackpot. His trainer Kelly Breen is 17% with next out winners.

Hightail owns the highest late pace speed figure in the field. Is the well-bred colt living up to his pedigree or was his win in the Juvie Sprint a fluke? Trainer Wayne Lukas is 3% with graded stakes winners, and 13% with last out winners.

Mylute has shown improving speed figures in every race. He has the same late kick that his sire Midnight Lute did and the extra distance could be to his benefit. His trainer Tom Amoss wins with 30% two year olds.

Goldencents is fast, but he'll have to clear the field and may get into a fight with Heaven's Runway or Itsmyluckyday. The later doesn't need the lead to win and Heaven's Runway needs to show greater improvement over dirt.

#1 BERN IDENTITY-             $3.00   $2.60  
#9 GOLDENCENTS  - $7.20  $3.60   $3.40
#6 ITSMYLUCKYDAY
#4 MYLUTE – LONGSHOT PICK    $5.40

$2  EXACTA        $26.60
$2 TRIFECTA   $175.40

VICTORIA STAKES

The Victoria Stakes, named for Queen Victoria, has been contested since 1903. Notable winners include Nearctic, Champion Two Year Old in Canada and sire of the incomparable Northern Dancer, Kentucky Derby hero George Smith, Belmont Stakes Champ Faireno, plus Champion Canadian Juveniles Sound Reason Deputy Minister and Cash Deposit. Champion Sprinter Kodiak Kowboy Won in 2007 and Sunny’s Halo, the 1983 Kentucky Derby Champ, was second in the Victoria stakes.

This year’s edition of the Victoria Stakes includes a full brother to last year’s victor, plus a half brother to a track record setter.

GIN JOINT (Macho Uno – Phils Pill, by Cozzene) was much the best in his second start after a slow beginning in his debut. The pretty gray colt is a half brother to the stakes placed Happy Clapper. On his distaff side, Gin Joint is inbred to the foundation mare Portage, as she is his fourth dam and Portage is also the fourth dam of Cozzene, Gin Joint’s sire. Portage, through her daughters, produced a dynasty, including the Champions TM Opera O, Dubai Millennium, and Bianconi, G-1 winner and broodmare of the year Fall Aspen, Cozzene, Dixie Union, top Maryland sire, Allen’s Prospect and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile/Preakness hero Timber County.

STARK RAVIN MAD (Bring The Heat – Harper N Abby, by Outflanker) won his debut at Arlington Park by a dominating six lengths. He’s bred to be precocious and his full brother Madman Diaries won the Victoria Stakes last year before winning the Sapling (G-3).

THREEANDDONEDAN (Dance With Ravens – So Smashing, by Two Punch) won his debut over a sloppy Pimlico track and has been firing bullets like a machine gun. His sire is a son of the Canadian Champion Dance Smartly, a half sister to prominent sire Smart Strike. Dance With Ravens is a half brother to Champion Canadian filly Dancethruthedawn and Queens Plate hero Scatter The Gold. Threeanddonedan is a half brother to Colleen Stakes winner and track record setter Six Pack Shelly.

BOLIVAR (Flashy Bull – Paris Sky, by Skywalker) makes his debut in the Victoria Stakes after recording only five works, although the last two were from the gate. His first crop sire has two winners from four starters. Bolivar is a half brother to stakes placed Proud Kentuckian, who faced the starter 26 times and won or placed in 16 attempts. Trainer Kelly Callaghan has a 20% win rate with first time runners.

FIREFALL (Bring The Heat – Highdollargirl, by Helmsman) flashed two furlongs in his debut at Gulfstream in April. He has a speed over stamina pedigree. Firefall’s sire gets 24% two year old winners and his offspring are speedy win early types, while his damsire Helmsman was best between 1 1/8 and 1 ¼ miles and his second damsire Skywalker won the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Firefall’s less precocious full sister needed five starts to win her maiden. She recently got the job done in a five furlong maiden claiming event at Woodbine in April. There is little blacktype in this distaff family.

SAFRACTION (Saffir - Attraction Fatale (Dauphin Fabuleux) raced off the pace and won his debut in a state-bred maiden event at Woodbine, getting 4 ½ furlongs in a brisk :51 3/5 seconds. He is the first winner for his first crop sire. Saffir has only eight foals in his initial crop and from four starters; he is represented by one winner and three offspring that have placed. Saffir was a $1.8 million dollar yearling son of Unbridled out of a stakes winning Storm Cat mare. Saffir faced the starter six times, winning twice, both sprint events, once over the lawn. Safraction’s damsire was 1984 Canadian Horse of the Year and Safraction’s dam won two listed sprint events. She’s produced nine starters, eight winners and her son Saratoga Prince is a stakes placed sprinter.

DISTINCTLY DONOVAN  (With Distinction – Hopi, by Cox’s Ridge) won his debut in April at Aqueduct. His second-crop sire gets sprinter/milers although his best runner Decisive Moment placed in the Spiral Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. Although Distinctly Donovan’s dam won once in eight tries, all four of her offspring to race are winners. She’s a full sister to G-3 winner Pima, dam of G-2 hero Bosque Redondo. Another full sister is stakes placed and a half sibling is a stakes winner. The Salzman barn has an eye catching 19% win rate with the maiden to stakes race angle.

BANNER BILL (Rockport Harbor – Temporada, by Summer Squall) sat three lengths off the lead then was up in time to win his debut over the Woodbine Polytrack. He’s a half brother to the listed stakes winner No Third Chance and another half sibling, Stormy Afternoon, is stakes placed. All six of his half siblings to race are winners. Banner Bill’s second dam Lemhi Go won the La Prevoyante Invitational (G-2), the Arlington Matron Handicap (G-3) and Sabin Handicap (G-3).

SELECTIONS:

How the track is playing: 55 races have been run this meet at five furlongs with an overwhelming 51% won on the front. 22% have been taken by one run stalkers.

STARK RAVIN MAD earned a legitimate 108 speed figure in his debut at Arlington Park. He appears to be emulating his speedy full brother Madman Diaries. He’s published a steady diet of three furlong moves, including a bullet last breeze. THREEANDDONEDAN has a history of speed in his family and his works are the best of the field. The only concern is the dirt to Poly move. His sire has only one winner in the last year over Polytrack. GIN JOINT is the most experienced horse in the field with two starts under his girth. He showed improvement and can continue to move forward. SAFRACTION and BANNER BILL have demonstrated the ability to sit off of the pace and win. FIREFALL is the morning line favorite and represents the barn of Wesley Ward who has been hitting with 28% starters this meet at Woodbine. Firefall has been working sharply at Keeneland.

#2 STARK RAVIN MAD
#3 THREEANDDONEDAN
#6 SAFRACTION
#1 GIN JOINT - longshot

Weekend Update 11-20-10

Hollywood Premier

Premier Pegasus (Fusaichi Pegasus – Squall Linda, by Summer Squall) remained un-defeated in the Hollywood Prevue and will be the likely favorite for next month’s Cash Call Futurity. The half brother to Norfolk Stakes (G-1) victor Street Hero wired the field by 1 ½ lengths, getting the seven furlongs in 1:22.78.

 

By Street Cry, Street Hero was injured and retired after his two year old season and never had a chance to prove himself at longer distances. Premier Pegasus has a more speed-oriented pedigree than his older half-brother. At stud, his sire Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus gets stakes winners up to 1 1/8 miles, however he does have six turf stakes winners at 1 ¼ miles.

Premier Pegasus receives stamina from his first three damsires, yet his dam Squall Linda was a stakes placed sprinter who won or placed in 11 of 17 starts. She is a half sister to the stakes warrior Kohen With a K, who won 10 of 59 starts as a turf sprinter. Squall Linda has inbreeding to Lavendula, who is Squall Linda’s fourth dam. Lavendula was a precocious sprinter and won three of nine starts at age two. Lavendula produced Source Sucree, Squall Linda’s third dam and a stakes winner at 11 furlongs. Source Sucree is a half sister to the stallion Ambiorix who won from a mile to 1 ½ miles. Ambiorix was bred to Source Sucree’s daughter Giff-Gaff, a ¾ sister to the brilliant chef – de – race Turn To. An interesting note - Turn- To the grandsire of Halo. Halo is the second damsire of Fusaichi Pegasus.

Summer Squall

Premier Pegasus damsire Summer Squall is an excellent broodmare sire and works well with the Mr. Prospector sire line. There are six graded stakes winners based upon the Mr. Prospector/Summer Squall bloodline cross. Of those, only Seeking The Best, a turf miler in Japan has Mr. Prospector in her second generation, similar to Premier Pegasus.

Premier Pegasus’ second damsire The Axe II raced for five years, winning 15 of 38 starts. He won from six to 13 furlongs on the turf and retired sound. Going back another generation, Premier Pegasus’ third damsire Ambiorix raced in France and won stakes races from a mile to 1 ½ miles.

Despite the stamina farther back in his pedigree, one must also take into account Premier Pegasus’ pace setting running style. He will likely be at his best up to 1 1/6 miles, but could carry his speed 1 1/8 miles if unpressured on the lead, especially if traveling over the lawn. Premier Pegasus should be able to get the distance of the 1 1/16 Cash Call Futurity, but a protracted speed duel could be his undoing.

 

Jackpot!

Gourmet Dinner - Photo: Coady

Since its inception, the victors of the Delta Jackpot have been sprinter/milers. This year isn’t an exception. Gourmet Dinner (Trippi - Potluck Dinner, Pentelicus) invaded from Florida and the In Reality Stakes runner-up was virtually ignored in the betting, going to the gate at 20-1. The bay colt tried blinkers for the first time and relaxed off of the pace. He rewarded his connections with a strong sustained move down the stretch getting 1 1/6 miles in 1:45.23.

Gourmet Dinner has speed top and bottom in his pedigree. His sire and damsire are both descended from Mr. Prospector, who in this case, is a brilliant speed influence. Additionally, inbreeding to In Reality also lends speed to Gourmet Dinner.

Trippi - Photo: Coglianese

Gourmet Dinner’s sire Trippi was a seven furlong specialist, Vosburgh (G-1) over More Than Ready, but he also outclassed his rivals in the 1 1/8 mile Flamingo Stakes. At stud, Trippi transfer speed to his offspring. He has nine stakes winners at a mile and three winners at 1 1/8 miles.

Gourmet Dinner’s damsire Pentelicus was a multiple listed stakes winner at six furlongs. His daughters produce mostly sprinter/milers, however Pentelicus is the damsire of the graded stakes warrior Awesome Gem and Mecke Daughter, a Grade 1 stakes winner in Puerto Rico. Both have won at 1 ¼ miles.

Trippi has 13 offspring out of Pentelicus mares with nine starters and six winners. Gourmet Dinner is the only stakes winner to date.

Gourmet Dinner’s dam Potluck Dinner was unplaced in her only start, but has shined in the breeding shed. All six of her foals to race are winners and are durable runners. Her first foal, I’mroyalymecke’d raced 55 times and was stakes placed. She also produced stakes winner Gaston A She’s a half sister to the sprint stakes winners Lady Gin, Sea Of Green, and her half sister Almost Aprom Queen is the dam of 2010 Oak Leaf Stakes (G-1) winner Rigoletta.

Gourmet Dinner’s mid-pack running style should enable him to get two turns, although 1 1/8 miles might be out of his scope against top stakes runners. According to his trainer Steven Standridge, Gourmet Dinner will point to the one mile Holy Bull Stakes in January at Gulfstream Park.

It’s Never Too Soon to Talk Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup will be held in three months. More precisely, two months, 28 days. A lot will happen in that time period. Heck, the Juvenile Division has barely begun to form.

With the summer festivals at Saratoga and Del Mar in full swing, we will be treated to a preview of possible contestants for the Breeders’ Cup races. Babies can mature seemingly overnight, and a spectacular performance by a hitherto unknown maiden can make last week's sensation yesterday's news.

During the next two months and twenty-something days, this blog will focus upon up-and-coming two year old colts and fillies that may enter one of the four Breeders’ Cup Juvenile races. There’s no time like the present to become familiar with the names, pedigrees and accomplishments of future stars.

Stakes events will be plentiful leading up to the Breeders’ Cup. Below is a list of races that will help shape the Juvenile Divisions. Races with asterisks (*) are designated Breeders' Cup win-and-you're-in competitions. 

Are you new to racing or want more information on the Breeders’ Cup? Check out the official site: http://www.breederscup.com/. Read the latest Breeders’ Cup news and reminisce in the history area. Not only are there charts from all of the previous races, you can re-live some of the thrilling moments of past contests.

*NEW*  Breeders' Cup 360 includes articles on handicapping the Breeders' Cup and invites your participation!