Racetrack Lenny

The Pretenders

2 major stakes today and several contenders exposed as pretenders. First, the Lexington Stakes, Grade 2 at Keeneland.

Over a very sloppy track, 3/5 favorite, Rockport Harbor, was within 3 lengths of the lead and at the 3/4 pole was making a menacing move. He flattened out when the real running began and finished 6th. Rockport Harbor has been plagued by one minor injury after another and his connections indicated that he would have to run well in this race in order to get to the Derby. If Derby fever does not strike them, it looks like Rockport Harbor will sit the Derby out. I think he will be a good sprinter.

Closer Sort It Out (Brice Blanc up) closed from dead last to get second 3 lenghts behind the winner. So, Sort it Out re-establishes his credentials as a legitimate closer that can get lucky in the Derby.

Todd Pletcher's Coin Silver (Javier Castellano up) won the Lexington at 13-1. He sat 5th most of the way and then began to pick off horses one by one to win going away by 3-1/2. Coin Silver has Conquistador Cielo in his bloodline which makes Coin Silver a superior mudder. I think Coin Silver got lucky with the off track today.

Going Wild's owners indicated he had to have a good race to be Derby bound. Going Wild (Gary Stevens up) actually got the lead at the 3/4 pole and then tired badly in the stretch to finish 5th. I don't think we'll see Going Wild in the Derby.

Next, the Frederico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico, an ungraded stakes race at a mile and an eighth. One thing is for certain: The winner of the Ky.Derby will not come out of the Tesio. The race was negotiated in a mule-like 1:53-1/5, one of the slowest Tesio's ever. Even though the track was listed as fast, there was moisture in the track which made for heavier going; but, that was a slow time. Favorite Byanosejoe, ridden by Jose Santos, was sent off as the 3/5 favorite and finished 3rd with no apparent excuse. He made a menacing move at the head of the strecth and just flattened out. The winner, Malibu Moonshine, won by 3/4 of a lenghth over pacesetter Hello Jerry.

So, as of today it seems Bellamy Road will be the Derby favorite and his odds will be dictated by post position in the Derby. We'll follow remaining workouts for the next week and see who shows up at the Derby Trial next Saturday.

May the horse be with you!

Racetrack Lenny

racetrack lenny went to the post at @ 7:29 PM