Racetrack Lenny

March Madness

4 major stake races this weekend with one Derby hopeful turning in the expected performance. So, let's start with him: Lawyer Ron. Sent off as the 9/5 favorite in a field of 10, Lawyer Ron, with John McKee up, settled into a stalking trip, swung 5 wide turning for home and drew away to win by 3 authoritative lengths. Fellow Derby hopeful Private Vow, sent off as the close 2nd choice at 2/1 under Shaun Bridgmohan was hard held all through the race. When Bridgmohan wanted to unleash Private Vow, there was nothing there and Private Vow finished a very unthreatening 7th. Perhaps too much energy expended fighting the jockey. Don't toss out Private Vow just yet. The other Derby hopeful, Steppenwolfer with Robby Albarado, was sent off at 5/2 and was closing at the end but started to run out of steam to just miss the place spot.

In the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park, even money favorite Bob & John, Victor Espinoza up, was soundly bumped at the start, was steadied along the rail, swung 5 wide for the drive and while closing, seemed to flatten out a bit to be beaten by 3 lenghts. Meanwhile, 7/1 A.P. Warrier under Corey Nakatani took advantage by racing off the rail and in a 4 wide move, ground it out on the front end to prevail by a 1/2 length over 7/2 Point Determined. Point Determined ran an even race and just could not outrun the winner.

Meanwhile, in Florida's Tampa Bay Derby, Bluegrass Cat (John Velasquez) was sent off as the prohibitive 2/5 favorite and had to settle for 2nd to 8/1 Deputy Glitters under Jose Lezcano. Deputy Glitters sat off the pacesetter 65/1 Winnies Tigger Too who held on to be 3rd. Storm Treasure with Mike Smith up was the other Derby hopeful thought to be able to give Bluegrass Cat a run for the money. He raced evenly and was never a threat at 6/1.

Back East, Aqueduct ran the Gotham Stakes, contested for the first time around 2 turns. The betting public settled on co-favorites. Achilles of Troy, with Ramon Dominguez, was sent off at 3/2. Keyed Entry, Edgar Prado up, was sent off at 8/5. After spectacular victories in the Count Fleet and Whirlaway stakes, Achilles of Troy clearly did not fire yesterday. He raced mid pack and when it came time to run, there was nothing there. In fact, the horse was vanned off after the race and we hope there is nothing seriously wrong--but, it's not a good sign. Taking advantage of the situation was sprinter Like Now sent off at 36/1 with Fernando Jara. Like Now led wire to wire and just lasted to win by a neck over Keyed Entry who was inching up at the end but just ran out of racing room. Sweet Northern Saint, sent off at 4/1 under Kent Desormeaux, raced well from the outside but got a puzzling ride. He was wide on both turns and made a decent bid to miss by less than a length.

Interesting day at the races with Lawyer Ron performing as expected and stamping himself as a true contender.

Racetrack Lenny

racetrack lenny went to the post at @ 4:04 PM