TheKentucky Derby 2020points race series was in high gear last weekend. Tiz the Law is the very early Derby favorite after a sharp score in the Holy Bull Stakes, and Bob Baffert’s $1 million colt Thousand Words ran his record to 3-for-3 in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. The Withers was the other points race on Feb. 1, and Max Player went from maiden winner at Parx to graded stakes winner at the Big A.
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The Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs is the lone points race on Saturday, Feb. 8, and Independence Hall tries to go 4-for-4. The early-pressing type makes his first start around two turns. Premier Star stretches out and looms the target, and Remsen Stakes (G2) runner-up Ajaaweed is the one to fear late.
Kentucky Derby 2020 Points Race Recaps
Withers Stakes Recap (2-1-20) - Winner: Max Player ($12.80)
Shotski was an underlay as expected. He stole the Remsen (G2) over a speed favoring oval last year. In this event, he did not figure to shake loose early, and he did not. Prince of Pharoahs was the first to engage the chalk, and Vanzzy and New Commission were also forwardly placed. Monday Morning Qb went after Shotski after the other early challengers faded, and that set the table for my value oriented TRD video winner Max Player. The Linda Rice trainee was lurking wide under Dylan Davis. He was scrubbing away and under the whip while continuing wide approaching the far turn, and swung even wider turning for home. He had the momentum out in the middle of the track and won going away by 3+ lengths. Shotski just held 2nd over late runner Portos, and Monday Morning Qb flattened out and finished 4th. New Commission was 5th, and Prince of Pharoahs was another ten lengths back in 6th. Mr. Shortandsimple and Vanzzy were both eased. This was not a fast race but was a big forward move for Max Player. He went from wet track maiden winner at Parx to a graded Derby points race winner. You can read the rest of this post on my Kentucky Derby 2020 page...
The Kentucky Derby 2020 trail is off and running! Independence Hall started off the year with an easy score in the Jerome Stakes, and Authentic ran away with the Sham Stakes a few days later. The Fair Grounds road to the Derby begins with the Lecomte Stakes (G3) Jan. 18, and Scabbard is the tepid morning line favorite.
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Lecomte Stakes (G3) Preview from Fair Grounds (1-18-20)
Scabbard is the favorite and he should not have any excuses. He looks like the class of the field and reunites with his winning rider Corey Lanerie. He drew a favorable post position and should get pace to chase. Look for him to strike from midpack. Steve Asmussen entered three runners (Excession, Halo Again, Silver State), and the latter might be the most dangerous of the three. The $450k son of Hard Spun ran well in both starts at Churchill Downs last year, and Ricardo Santana Jr. sticks with the stalker. Enforceable is one of two runners from the Mark Casse barn (Lynn’s Map is the other), and the well bred colt is part of my Derby list. He has a shot to rally for a share if the pace heats up (it should). Sycamore Run might be the one to catch from post 13. Can he go all the way from a tough post in his stakes and two turn debut in his second career start? Mr. Monomoy drew well and figures to save ground chasing the pace. He is bred to be a good one for Brad Cox. Finnick the Fierce rallied for the place at 87-1 odds in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2). We will find out if that effort was a fluke.
Kentucky Derby 2020 Points Race Recaps
Jerome Stakes Recap (1-1-20) - Winner: Independence Hall ($2.20)
This was not the performance many of us were expecting. Granted, Independence Hall scored easily, but he made some troubling mistakes. He was fractious in the paddock and lunged at the start and was away last. His rider Jose Ortiz maneuvered him outside, and within a matter of strides he was in front. He was a bit erratic in the lane and scored by four lengths. There was nothing behind him and that is why he got away with his antics. I still like him and he clearly has ability, but there are more questions than answers at this stage. Prince of Pharoahs and Bourbon Bay, a pair of NY-bred maiden winners, finished in a dead-heat for the place, and it was a mile back to Celtic Striker, Polar Bear Pete, and Dubai Bobby. The track was good and the final time was not particularly fast (1:37.27).
Authentic was my top pick in my TRD video for Jan. 4, and he made short work of this field. He seized control early from the rail under Drayden Van Dyke, and he was clear throughout. He was green in the stretch but it did not matter in this spot. He won by more than seven lengths over stablemate Azul Coast. The latter had no speed and wants all the ground he can get. Zimba Warrior held off Taishan for 3rd. Scoring was another 8+ back in 5th, and Uncaptured Hero stalked and retreated to last. This was only the second career start for Authentic, and he clearly has sped and talent. He needs to work on some things and we will find out if he is a legit Derby contender in the near future. You can read the rest of this post on my Kentucky Derby 2020 page...
