The Kentucky Derby 2017 trail makes a pit stop at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb 11 and McCraken is the one to beat in the Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes.
McCraken won all three of his juvenile starts at Churchill Downs including the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.
Other Sam F. Davis contenders include G2 Remsen runner-up No Dozing and G2 Kentucky Jockey Club runner-up Wild Shot.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has won the Sam F. Davis six times and he has Fact Finding and Tapwrit for the 2017 renewal.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Friday, February 3, 2017
Kentucky Derby 2017 prep race video preview featuring Classic Empire in the Holy Bull Stakes
There are three Kentucky Derby 2017 points races on the schedule for Saturday, Feb 4 including the return of 2-year-old champion Classic Empire in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park.
In addition to the Holy Bull, impressive Jerome hero El Areeb is back in New York for the Withers at Aqueduct, and five horses will square off in the Robert Lewis at Santa Anita including 2-1 morning line favorite Sheer Flattery.
In addition to the Holy Bull, impressive Jerome hero El Areeb is back in New York for the Withers at Aqueduct, and five horses will square off in the Robert Lewis at Santa Anita including 2-1 morning line favorite Sheer Flattery.
Kentucky Derby 2017 Update: Robert Lewis, Withers, Holy Bull
The road to Kentucky Derby 2017 has three stops this week beginning with the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Only five horses entered the G3 Lewis and all seem to have a shot. The Lewis figures to come down to pace and Royal Mo might attempt a wire job from the rail.
Sheer Flattery is the morning line favorite and will probably track whatever pace develops under Mike Smith.
The other three entrants (Irap, Dangerfield, Term of Art) are trained by Doug O’Neill.
The G3 Withers looks like a one-horse affair if El Areeb runs back to his facile Jerome triumph. The Jerome was contested on a wet track so he must still prove that he can run a quality two turn race on fast ground.
The G2 Holy Bull from Gulfstream marks the much anticipated return of juvenile champion Classic Empire. He only has four workouts for this event and is obviously not fully cranked but can still score on class alone. He is already in great shape with 30 Derby points in his holster.
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 2-3-17)
#1 - MASTERY
#2 - Classic Empire
#3 - Three Rules
#4 - Gormley
#5 - McCraken
#6 - El Areeb
#7 - Practical Joke
#8 - Theory
#9 - Royal Mo
#10 - Battalion Runner
#11 - Faja
You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.
* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards
Only five horses entered the G3 Lewis and all seem to have a shot. The Lewis figures to come down to pace and Royal Mo might attempt a wire job from the rail.
Sheer Flattery is the morning line favorite and will probably track whatever pace develops under Mike Smith.
The other three entrants (Irap, Dangerfield, Term of Art) are trained by Doug O’Neill.
The G3 Withers looks like a one-horse affair if El Areeb runs back to his facile Jerome triumph. The Jerome was contested on a wet track so he must still prove that he can run a quality two turn race on fast ground.
The G2 Holy Bull from Gulfstream marks the much anticipated return of juvenile champion Classic Empire. He only has four workouts for this event and is obviously not fully cranked but can still score on class alone. He is already in great shape with 30 Derby points in his holster.
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 2-3-17)
#1 - MASTERY
#2 - Classic Empire
#3 - Three Rules
#4 - Gormley
#5 - McCraken
#6 - El Areeb
#7 - Practical Joke
#8 - Theory
#9 - Royal Mo
#10 - Battalion Runner
#11 - Faja
You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.
* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards
Santa Anita Park 2017 Winter Meet Rewind (Jan 26-29)
The seemingly endless wet weather pattern took a hike and it was sunny and dry for the entire live racing week.
Thursday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Jan 26
Fast main track and no turf races carded. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 8f).
Hat trick for Rafael Bejarano. Richard Baltas saddled two winners.
Friday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Jan 27
Fast main track and no turf races carded. One wire-to-wire winner at 8.5 furlongs on dirt.
Santiago Gonzalez booted home the late double. Mark Glatt saddled two winners.
You can read the rest of my Santa Anita Park Report at The Runaway Horse...
Thursday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Jan 26
Fast main track and no turf races carded. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 8f).
Hat trick for Rafael Bejarano. Richard Baltas saddled two winners.
Friday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Jan 27
Fast main track and no turf races carded. One wire-to-wire winner at 8.5 furlongs on dirt.
Santiago Gonzalez booted home the late double. Mark Glatt saddled two winners.
You can read the rest of my Santa Anita Park Report at The Runaway Horse...
Sunday, January 29, 2017
KENTUCKY DERBY 2017 UPDATE: Guest Suite Wins Lecomte
Guest Suite picked up ten Kentucky Derby 2017 points in an off the pace tally on a muddy (sealed) main track in
the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds on Jan 21.
The speed figure for the Lecomte was below par and it looks as though it was a weak race. Winner Guest Suite is slowly improving for Neil Howard and should continue to progress.
If you are keeping score at home, all four Derby points races this year (Jerome, Sham, Smarty Jones, Lecomte) were contested on a wet track. The top performers in the first three listed races were on or near the lead throughout and each race produced a lopsided win and/or strung-out fields. Guest Suite rallied from 6th and earned a subpar 82 BSF in the Lecomte. The jury is still out on Uncontested (Smarty Jones), El Areeb (Jerome), and 1-2 Sham finishers Gormley and American Anthem.
There was not a Derby points race this week. Next week (Feb 4), the Withers from Aqueduct, the Holy Bull from Gulfstream, and the Robert Lewis from Santa Anita are each worth a total of 17 Derby points to the Top 4 finishers (10-4-2-1).
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 1-29-17)
#1 - MASTERY
#2 - Classic Empire
#3 - Three Rules
#4 - Gormley
#5 - McCraken
#6 - El Areeb
#7 - Practical Joke
#8 - Theory
#9 - Royal Mo
#10 - Battalion Runner
#11 - Faja
You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.
* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards
The speed figure for the Lecomte was below par and it looks as though it was a weak race. Winner Guest Suite is slowly improving for Neil Howard and should continue to progress.
If you are keeping score at home, all four Derby points races this year (Jerome, Sham, Smarty Jones, Lecomte) were contested on a wet track. The top performers in the first three listed races were on or near the lead throughout and each race produced a lopsided win and/or strung-out fields. Guest Suite rallied from 6th and earned a subpar 82 BSF in the Lecomte. The jury is still out on Uncontested (Smarty Jones), El Areeb (Jerome), and 1-2 Sham finishers Gormley and American Anthem.
There was not a Derby points race this week. Next week (Feb 4), the Withers from Aqueduct, the Holy Bull from Gulfstream, and the Robert Lewis from Santa Anita are each worth a total of 17 Derby points to the Top 4 finishers (10-4-2-1).
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 1-29-17)
#1 - MASTERY
#2 - Classic Empire
#3 - Three Rules
#4 - Gormley
#5 - McCraken
#6 - El Areeb
#7 - Practical Joke
#8 - Theory
#9 - Royal Mo
#10 - Battalion Runner
#11 - Faja
You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.
* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards
Santa Anita Park Winter Meet Rewind (Jan 20-21)
Rain, rain, go away. A canceled card last Thursday was followed up by
another cancellation on Sunday, Jan 22. Just two live racing days and
not turf racing this week. Better weather is just around the corner!
Friday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Jan 20
Wet fast (sealed) main track and off the turf. Four wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8f, 8f, 6f, 8f).
Kent Desormeaux booted home a pair. Flavien Prat and Jerry Hollendorfer teamed up for two wins.
The opening race was taken off the turf and 2-3 finishers My Uncle Al and Evicted are worth following. The former was a clear 2nd despite his low Tomlinson mud rating and the latter finished 2nd in a pair of previous turf routes and will enjoy getting back on preferred footing.
Saturday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Jan 21
Wet fast (sealed) main track and no turf races scheduled. Four wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8f, 6f, 7f, 6f).
Flavien Prat and Peter Eurton teamed up for two wins.
Town Champ (7th race) was the beaten favorite in his bow for Bejarano/D’Amato. After a less than ideal start, he attended the pace outside and between horses before missing 3rd by a nose. He might go better on a fast track next time.
RECENT 2017 FULL CARD HIGHLIGHTS
Friday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Jan 20
Wet fast (sealed) main track and off the turf. Four wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8f, 8f, 6f, 8f).
Kent Desormeaux booted home a pair. Flavien Prat and Jerry Hollendorfer teamed up for two wins.
The opening race was taken off the turf and 2-3 finishers My Uncle Al and Evicted are worth following. The former was a clear 2nd despite his low Tomlinson mud rating and the latter finished 2nd in a pair of previous turf routes and will enjoy getting back on preferred footing.
Saturday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Jan 21
Wet fast (sealed) main track and no turf races scheduled. Four wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8f, 6f, 7f, 6f).
Flavien Prat and Peter Eurton teamed up for two wins.
Town Champ (7th race) was the beaten favorite in his bow for Bejarano/D’Amato. After a less than ideal start, he attended the pace outside and between horses before missing 3rd by a nose. He might go better on a fast track next time.
RECENT 2017 FULL CARD HIGHLIGHTS
JAN 28 – 5 Winning Tops + SA Early P4, SA P5 - Total payouts: $477.50
JAN 27 – 2 Winning Tops + Early P4 from SA - PAYOUTS: $465.45
JAN 26 – 5 Winning Tops (2 at SA, 3 at GG) - payouts: $229.30
JAN 21 – 3 Winning Tops + SA P4, SA P5, + GG P4 - payouts $345.65
JAN 20 – 5 Winning Tops + SA P4, SA P5, + GG P4 - payouts - $457.75
JAN 16 – 2 Winning Tops + SA Late Pick 4 - total payouts: $1,472.15
JAN 15 – 6 Winning Tops (3 each from SA + GG) - payouts: $195.10
JAN 14 – 5 Winning Tops + SA Early P4 - total payouts: $268.90
JAN 13 – 4 Winning Tops + SA P4 + LRL P4 - payouts: $283.15
JAN 8 – 3 Winning Tops + SA Late P4 - total payouts: $631.70
JAN 7 – 3 Winning Tops + SA Early p4 - total payouts: $323.25
Go to The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily full cards from SANTA ANITA PARK!
Friday, January 20, 2017
Kentucky Derby 2017 prep race handicapping video of the week: Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes
The lone Kentucky Derby 2017 points race this weekend is the G3 Lecomte from Fair Grounds and the 12-horse field is a real scramble.
Untrapped is the 9-2 morning line favorite for Steve Asmussen and the Lecomte will be his first start around two turns after a stalk/pounce maiden sprint win at Churchill on Nov 20.
Asmussen saddles two other runners including Springboard Mile runner-up Totality. He did not get much pace help last time and will try to get involved late.
Guest Suite looks like a solid contender for Neil Howard. His speed figures are on the rise and he romped when last seen at Churchill Downs Nov 26.
Running Mate rolled home in his first two sprints before losing the Sugar Bowl as the heavy favorite. He stretches out for Larry Jones and is probably the target.
Maiden Arklow is improving for sharp trainer Brad Cox and he might upset the applecart. Takeoff beat Arklow last time and should be forwardly placed for Mark Casse.
Shaeholder Value exits a dirt route win at Fair Grounds vs. optional claiming foes for Tom Amoss, who saddled 2016 Lecomte winner Mo Tom.
Saint’s Fan drew post 12 and trainer Dallas Stewart is expected to withdraw his charge because of the outside post.
Phat Man, Marco Mischief, Tip Tap Tapizar, and Pat On the Back round out the Lecomte field.
Untrapped is the 9-2 morning line favorite for Steve Asmussen and the Lecomte will be his first start around two turns after a stalk/pounce maiden sprint win at Churchill on Nov 20.
Asmussen saddles two other runners including Springboard Mile runner-up Totality. He did not get much pace help last time and will try to get involved late.
Guest Suite looks like a solid contender for Neil Howard. His speed figures are on the rise and he romped when last seen at Churchill Downs Nov 26.
Running Mate rolled home in his first two sprints before losing the Sugar Bowl as the heavy favorite. He stretches out for Larry Jones and is probably the target.
Maiden Arklow is improving for sharp trainer Brad Cox and he might upset the applecart. Takeoff beat Arklow last time and should be forwardly placed for Mark Casse.
Shaeholder Value exits a dirt route win at Fair Grounds vs. optional claiming foes for Tom Amoss, who saddled 2016 Lecomte winner Mo Tom.
Saint’s Fan drew post 12 and trainer Dallas Stewart is expected to withdraw his charge because of the outside post.
Phat Man, Marco Mischief, Tip Tap Tapizar, and Pat On the Back round out the Lecomte field.
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