Derby Update
Minister Eric ran a 4 furlong workout at Santa Anita on Tues. 2/24 in 49 seconds. While that sounds awfully slow, his connections had him entered in a minor stake race yesterday, 2/28 at Santa Anita. Problem was that the race filled up and Minister Eric was on the "A/E" (Also Eligible) list. He needed 2 scratches to draw into the race and that didn't happen. So, while the work was on the slow side, it was purposely done just in case he drew into the race. They're going to have to get a bit smarter about running him somewhere! Eric's family (and honorary members) will stand by Minister Eric no matter what!
The filly possibility for the Derby, Halfbridled, ran a 5 Furlong workout at Santa Anita in 59 seconds. That, my friends, is Sensational. Julie Krone was on board and she said "I could have even gone faster if I wanted". Pretty scary---but let's not leave her best racing on the workout tab.
Some possible Derby contenders ran actual races this weekend with mixed results. Capac ran at Laurel Park in an ungraded stake and was a very well beaten 5th. Smarty Jones won the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park by almost a length and it was a gutsy win. Little Matth Man, the Midwestern Derby hopeful ran at Turfway Park in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes and finished 2nd beaten nearly 3 lengths. Little Matth Man had the lead but tired. Racetrack Lenny, February 29, 2004
Another Derby Update
Minister Eric put in a 4 furlong work in 50-1/5 at Santa Anita. The track was listed as Good; but, it was a rather ho-hum workout. Maybe spaced too soon after his last workout a week ago.
Action This Day put in a work at Santa Anita as well. He went in 50-2/5; so, maybe the off track did compromise workouts.
The Cliff's Edge, touted as a real contender, ran an ungraded stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs. He went of at 1/2 and finished 2nd losing to a 37-1 longshot. The Cliff's Edge got a horrible trip and went 5 wide at the top of the stretch to just miss by a length. There's some talent there but wait til the real running begins.
Derby Updates Begin!
Minister Eric had his first major workout at Santa Anita this past Sunday. He ran 6 Furlongs in 1:14-3/5 which is nothing spectacular but not bad for a horse who last raced in the Breeder's Cup. His final 3 furlongs were faster than his first 3, confirming in my mind that this horse is a closer. I've put $20 Win on him in the Derby Futures Pool in Las Vegas--my friend Les happened to be there and let me know that Minister Eric was listed as horse #13 on Friday the 13th--what a hunch bet! He was listed at 60-1. The Field is the favorite in the Futures Book- a very non-appetizing 4/5 odds. Not with my cash.
Another contender, Birdstone, ran an allowance race at Gulfstream at 7 Furlongs and won by 3 at 3/5 odds. It sounds better than it looked. He ran against 6 tomato cans and his time was nothing to write home about. But, a win is a win.
The Fountain of Youth (Grade 2) at Gulfstream this past Saturday was one helluva race. Second of June was 8/5 with Read the Footnotes at 2/1 and Read the Footnotes prevailed by a head after a 3/4 mile battle between the 2. It was another 7 lengths back to the third choice Silver Wagon. Exacta paid $13 and the Triple paid $39. The time was just 2/5 of a second off the stakes record. The top two ran their eyeballs out. I wonder if that took too much out of them. I don't think either trainer wanted that big of an effort this early.
Halfbridled is soon to be worked out with Julie Krone back in action. Halfbridled could be a real serious threat to the boys this year if she picks up where she left off last year. Could be this year's Winning Colors. Too early to tell.
We'll see how it continues to develop. That's it from Uncle Lenny at the races!
