Racetrack Lenny

B.C. Juvenile: The Jinx Returns!

Well, Street Sense had been thought to erase the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Jinx for all time; but, it's baaacck!!!

Sadly, leading Derby contender War Pass, winner of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile last year, is out of the Derby--and possibly the Triple Crown picture. War Pass was discovered to have a fracture of his left front pastern and will need at least 60-90 days rest for the fracture to heal. The Bolton Clinic will be examining the injury to see if surgery might be an option. It is believed the injury may have occurred during the running of the grueling Wood Memorial several weeks ago.

Yesterday featured one major prep race leading up to the Derby- The Lexington Stakes run at Keeneland at a mile and a sixteenth over the all-weather polytrack. With no standout in the field, the fans bestowed lukewarm favoritism to Peruvian "wonder horse" Tomcito. Tomcito, sent off at 3-1 and ridden by Jorge Chavez, was not a factor during the race as he ran evenly to finish 6th, just 4 lengths off the winner. Without finishing in the money, Tomcito doesn't have the earnings he needs to draw into the Derby. Instead, it was a Todd Pletcher trainee, Behindatthebar, ridden by David Flores, who closed from next to last to win by a length at odds of just under 6-1. The win almost guarantees Behindatthebar a spot on May 3rd. The other two major Derby contenders ran up the track. Atoned, sent off as the 9/2 second choice, finished 8th while Salute The Sarge, sent off at 5-1, could do no better than 7th. Both are now in the "not enough earnings" category.

Once again, the synthetic polytrack played a role in the Lexington. Some horses just don't take to it and I'm amazed that trainers elect to race their Derby hopefuls on a surface not utilized on the first Saturday in May.

Well, just two weeks to go. May the horse be with you!

Racetrack Lenny

racetrack lenny went to the post at @ 1:20 PM