Gunnevera was the road toKentucky Derby 2017 star of last week with a powerful late running victory in the
Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, March 4.
Three Rules carved out solid fractions in the FOY and was chased by Holy Bull winner Irish War Cry, Takaful, and Made You Look, and the latter trio retreated to the back of the pack.
Meanwhile, Gunnevera and Javier Castellano were enjoying the scenery
from 10th and last before unleashing a strong late run to cross the line
5+ lengths in front.
Practical Joke rallied from 7th and fought
hard to edge a very game Three Rules for the place. It was another six
lengths back to Talk Logistics in 4th.
The Gotham was supposed to be a walk in the park for El Areeb
but his rider Trevor McCarthy made an early decision to go the front
and there was no turning back. He was hounded throughout by True Timber,
and eventual winner J Boys Echo took full advantage of the lively fractions and rolled home by 3.5 lengths (102 BSF).
Stalker Cloud Computing was clearly second
best in the Gotham and El Areeb held the show in a disappointing
performance that can be partly attributed to riding tactics.
Before anyone gets too excited about the Gotham, check out the 0-for-40
Kentucky Derby record for Gotham participants since 1980.
Two big Derby preps on tap this week beginning with the much anticipated return of Mastery
in the San Felipe. He has been my top ranked Derby contender for many
months and looks ready to roll off the bench for Bob Baffert.
2-time graded route winner Gormley and impressive G2 San Vicente hero Iliad figure to make Mastery work hard for the money.
The Tampa Bay Derby is a wide open affair and trainer Todd Pletcher has a pair of contenders including Sam F. Davis runner-up Tapwrit.
Fast
main track and firm turf course. Only one wire-to-wire winner on dirt
(6f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one mile
and two downhill stalkers (rail at 20 feet).
Norberto Arroyo Jr. and Peter Miller teamed up to win the late daily double including Calculator in the downhill feature. Steve Miyadi saddled two winners including $53 first timer General Mach Four in the opener.
As mentioned earlier, Miyadi saddled a pair of winners and almost made it three with first timer Catfish Hunter, who finished a troubled 3rd (beaten 2 lengths) under Tyler Baze in the six race for $50k maiden claimers at six furlongs.
Friday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: March 3
Fast
main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8f,
6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at one
mile, a patient runner at ten furlongs, and a downhill stalker (rail at
30 feet).
There are two Kentucky Derby 2017 prep races on tap this week and my top ranked Derby contender Mastery makes his much anticipated return in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Girvin picked up 50 Kentucky Derby 2017
qualifying points and basically guaranteed himself a starting spot on
the first Saturday in May with a sharp score in the Grade 2 Risen Star
Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday, Feb 25.
Recent maiden winner Local Hero was all
alone on the lead but could not keep it going and Girvin stalked inside,
moved out in the lane, and won by a comfortable 2-lengths.
Untrapped was always in contention and easily went by Local Hero for the place. The latter just held the show over Guest Suite
with 3-2 favorite another 5+ lengths back in 4th. The winning BSF was a
respectable 93 but the feeling here is that the New Orleans Derby
contenders are a notch or two below the best.
El Areeb rolled home in the Jerome and
Withers and figures to be a very short price in the Gotham. He has
looked great all winter for trainer Cal Lynch but he keeps beating the
same horses on the inner dirt at Aqueduct so his true Derby standing is
unknown at this point.
In the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park, Irish War Cry tries to remain unbeaten. He defeated Gunnevera in the Holy Bull and that rival is back again, along with new shooters Three Rules and Practical Joke. Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 3-4-17) #1 - MASTERY #2 - El Areeb #3 - Gormley #4 - Irish War Cry #5 - Three Rules #7 - McCraken #7 - Practical Joke #8 - Royal Mo #9 - Battalion Runner #10 - Classic Empire #11 - Theroy
Irish War Cry won the Holy Bull Stakes earlier this year at Gulfstream Park and tries to keep his perfect record intact in the Fountain of Youth on Saturday, March 4. Gunnevera chased Irish War Cry in the Holy Bull and hopes to get more pace help this time. Three Rules stretches back out and loves the Gulfstream Park oval, and Practical Joke was one of the top juveniles in the land last year and makes his much anticipated sophomore debut for Chad Brown.
TwoKentucky Derby 2017 prep races are on the docket this week beginning with the Gotham Stakes from Aqueduct. El Areeb easily won the first two Derby preps at Aqueduct (Jerome + Withers) and looks tough to deny in the Gotham as well. The Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream features a rematch between the Top 2 Holy Bull finishers, Irish War Cry and Gunnevera.
Fast
main track and firm turf course. Only one wire-to-wire on dirt (7f).
The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at nine
furlongs, a stalker at ten furlongs, and a patient runner down the dip
(rail at 30 feet).
Joe Talamo booted home the early double.
Saturday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Feb 25 Fast
main track and firm turf course. Three wire-to-wire sprint winners on
dirt (5.5f, 7f, 6f). The winning turf course running styles were a
downhill presser, a front runner at ten furlongs, and a downhill closer.
In a virtual replay of Friday, Joe Talamo booted home a pair.
Sunday SANTA ANITA PARK Recap: Feb 26 Fast
main track and firm turf course. The two downhill turf sprints were
moved to the main track. Four wire-to-wire sprint winners on dirt (7f,
6.5f, 6f, 6f). The lone turf race at one mile was nabbed by a front
runner (rail at 20 feet).
Hat trick for Tyler Baze. Doug O’Neill saddled two winners including Avanti Bello in the Tiznow.
Longshot Jockey: Rito Almanza. Rides for Doug O’Neill and guided home Latest Craze ($17.40) for O’Neill on Feb 26.
