2 More Preps
The Southwest Stakes was run yesterday at Oaklawn Park. This race was originally scheduled for President's Day; but, the track came up frozen and racing was called for the day. This gave the entrants the benefit of 5 extra days rest. Derby hopeful Lawyer Ron, John McKee up, was sent off as the prohibitive 1/2 favorite and did not disappoint. Lawyer Ron was being rated hard by jockey McKee and always led by a length or better in winning wire to wire. Instead of opening him up in the stretch, McKee knew he had the best horse and he did just enough to win. Smart move in conserving energy for another day. Nice race for this hopeful, keep an eye on him.
Meanwhile out west, Sunland Park had the Borderland Derby today. Derby hopefuls Doctor Decherd and Plagiarist, sent off 6/5 and 9/5 respectively, showed little in this mile and a sixteenth contest. Shaun Bridgmohan,in to ride Dr. Decherd, kept the good Dr.with the pace in 4th position and was done by the 3/4 mark. The fractions were very swift- 22.74; 45:69; 1:10.62 with the final time in 1:44:82. 9-1 shot Indy Wildcat, Michael Baze up, stalked the leading Diasppearing Trick (5-1); and, in an all out drive, won by a head. Derby fever may strike Indy Wildcat's connections; but, this was a grueling race for Indy. Let's see where his next start is and whether he will bounce off this good effort.
4 major stakes races next weekend: The Santa Catalina at Santa Anita Park; the Swale at Gulfstream; the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream; and the John Battaglia at Turfway Park. With these 4 stakes, the Derby season is officially open.
Racetrack Lenny
2006 Triple Crown Journey
With the first daffodils poking their heads through the ground, thoughts turn to that first Saturday in May.
Thus far, Stevie Wonderboy, First Samurai, Brother Derek, and Achilles of Troy have stamped themselves as legitimate contenders on the triple crown trail. This weekend, one more can be added to the list: Bluegrass Cat. Bluegrass Cat, Johnny Velasquez up, won Saturday's Sam F. Davis Stakes run at a mile and a sixteenth at Tampa Bay Downs. Sent off as the prohibitive 3/5 favorite, Bluegrass Cat eked out a hard fought victory just starting to pull away about 100 feet from the wire to beat 63-1 Deputy Glitters. The time of the race was on the slowish side. Four other Derby contenders ran in this event: Laptop Computer, Hesanoldsalt, Pegasusbystorm and Blazing Rate. Of the four, Hesanoldsalt was the best. However, he finished 6th passing tiring rivals and showed little at 6/1. Laptop Computer, sent off at 9-1, set the pace and wilted in the stretch--not a good sign for a horse looking to go the Derby distance. Pegasusbystorm, off at 33-1, finished 8th and was never a factor. Blazing Rate, off at 9-1, showed nothing running last all the way until he passed a badly tiring Sweet Grass Creek. Off this race, I don't think the Derby winner will be coming out of Tampa Bay.
At Sam Houston Park, the Jim's Orbit was run at a mile. Derby hopeful Upstream off at 3/5, set the pace and tired to get 3rd. Given that the fractions were 24.18 and 48.66, it would seem Upstream will be up against it. Brick Fight, off at 41-1 won the race after running second all the way until pulling away in the stretch to win by 3-1/2 widening lenghts. Brick Fight's connections must be getting Derby fever by now.
Stay tuned. March promises a slew of prep races and that's when things start to get serious.
May the horse be with you!
Racetrack Lenny
