The Sam F. Davis Stakes is my video race of the week and McCraken is the one to beat from off the pace.
Other contenders include stakes placed colts No Dozing and Wild Shot, and the Todd Pletcher pair of Fact Finding and Tapwrit.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Kentucky Derby 2017 Update: Holy Bull, Withers, Robert Lewis recap + Sam F Davis preview
The road to Kentucky Derby 2017 had three stops last week and Irish War Cry burst onto the scene with a sharp wire-to-wire win in the G2 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park.
Irish War Cry traveled well throughout, easily defeating G3 Delta Jackpot hero Gunnevera and 2-year-old champion Classic Empire. The Motion trainee is now 3-for-3 but did have everything his own way at the Gulf and figures to face a stiffer pace challenge next time.
Gunnevera rallied nicely for the place and Classic Empire came up empty in his sophomore debut. The latter was short on conditioning with only four works and came out of the Holy Bull with a foot abscess.
The G3 Withers was a replay of the Jerome with track condition the only real difference. Once again, El Areeb made short work of his competition in a solid stalk/pounce victory. He is expected to skip the Gotham and have his final Derby prep in the Wood Memorial. We will learn more about El Areeb vs. tougher competition at nine furlongs.
It was nice to see Royal Mo go all the way in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. He has been on my Derby list for quite some time and the strapping son of Uncle Mo is developing nicely for John Shirreffs. He is still a bit behind some of the top tier Derby contenders but possesses raw talent and unlimited potential.
This week’s Derby points race is the G3 Sam F. Davis from Tampa Bay Downs and G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes hero McCraken is the morning line favorite.
Stakes placed colts No Dozing and Wild Shot are both solid threats, and trainer Todd Pletcher goes after his seventh Sam F. Davis victory with Fact Finding and Tapwrit.
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 2-11-17)
#1 - MASTERY
#2 - McCraken
#3 - El Areeb
#4 - Gormley
#5 - Three Rules
#6 - Classic Empire
#7 - Practical Joke
#8 - Royal Mo
#9 - Theory
#10 - Battalion Runner
#11 - Irish War Cry
You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.
* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards
Irish War Cry traveled well throughout, easily defeating G3 Delta Jackpot hero Gunnevera and 2-year-old champion Classic Empire. The Motion trainee is now 3-for-3 but did have everything his own way at the Gulf and figures to face a stiffer pace challenge next time.
Gunnevera rallied nicely for the place and Classic Empire came up empty in his sophomore debut. The latter was short on conditioning with only four works and came out of the Holy Bull with a foot abscess.
The G3 Withers was a replay of the Jerome with track condition the only real difference. Once again, El Areeb made short work of his competition in a solid stalk/pounce victory. He is expected to skip the Gotham and have his final Derby prep in the Wood Memorial. We will learn more about El Areeb vs. tougher competition at nine furlongs.
It was nice to see Royal Mo go all the way in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. He has been on my Derby list for quite some time and the strapping son of Uncle Mo is developing nicely for John Shirreffs. He is still a bit behind some of the top tier Derby contenders but possesses raw talent and unlimited potential.
This week’s Derby points race is the G3 Sam F. Davis from Tampa Bay Downs and G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes hero McCraken is the morning line favorite.
Stakes placed colts No Dozing and Wild Shot are both solid threats, and trainer Todd Pletcher goes after his seventh Sam F. Davis victory with Fact Finding and Tapwrit.
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 2-11-17)
#1 - MASTERY
#2 - McCraken
#3 - El Areeb
#4 - Gormley
#5 - Three Rules
#6 - Classic Empire
#7 - Practical Joke
#8 - Royal Mo
#9 - Theory
#10 - Battalion Runner
#11 - Irish War Cry
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 (Feb 2-5)
It was a very big week for jockey Flavien Prat with a pair of riding doubles on Thursday-Friday and a four-bagger on Saturday.
Thursday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Feb 2
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a downhill presser, a flat mile stalker, and another stalker at a mile and a half (rail at 20 feet).
Flavien Prat booted home a pair. Richard Baltas saddled two winners including Goodyearforroses in the Astra Stakes at a mile and a half on turf.
Into the Mystic has an uncomfortable trip in the Astra Stakes at 12f. She was wide early from post 10 and wide on the last turn and even wider in the stretch. She faded to 10th and last and can show more at a shorter distance with a better trip next time.
Friday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Feb 3
Fast main track and firm turf course. The opening race was moved from the downhill turf course to the main track. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (6.5f, 8f). The winning turf course running styles were a patient runner down the hill and a front runner at one mile (rail at 30 feet).
Rafael Bejarano and Flavien Prat booted home a pair.
You can read the rest of my Santa Anita Park Report at The Runaway Horse...
Thursday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Feb 2
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a downhill presser, a flat mile stalker, and another stalker at a mile and a half (rail at 20 feet).
Flavien Prat booted home a pair. Richard Baltas saddled two winners including Goodyearforroses in the Astra Stakes at a mile and a half on turf.
Into the Mystic has an uncomfortable trip in the Astra Stakes at 12f. She was wide early from post 10 and wide on the last turn and even wider in the stretch. She faded to 10th and last and can show more at a shorter distance with a better trip next time.
Friday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Feb 3
Fast main track and firm turf course. The opening race was moved from the downhill turf course to the main track. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (6.5f, 8f). The winning turf course running styles were a patient runner down the hill and a front runner at one mile (rail at 30 feet).
Rafael Bejarano and Flavien Prat booted home a pair.
You can read the rest of my Santa Anita Park Report at The Runaway Horse...
Kentucky Derby 2017 prep races: Sam F. Davis Stakes preview
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.
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.
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...
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