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A handful of graded events were contested on Feb 20th, and the performance of the day belonged to my new number one Derby contender…Eskendereya.
The Todd Pletcher trainee came into the ‘Youth off a sharp allowance score, and the early-pressing sort went off as 3rd betting choice behind Buddy’s Saint and Jackson Bend.
The well bred colt tracked the pace, took over and pulled away to an emphatic score. He earned a triple digit speed rating for his efforts and has all the tools it takes to wear the roses. Note that he is 3 for 3 on conventional dirt.
Jackson Bend chased the pace and gamely held the place. He is a hard knocking sort and will remain in my top ten. Aikenite rallied for the show in a rebound effort. Remains a cut below the best.
Buddy’s Saint experienced a rough trip and never got to run his preferred prominent throughout race. Can rebound next time, but questions remain regarding his stamina.
Discreetly Mine stole the Risen Star, and the top three ran that way throughout. The local prep for the Louisiana Derby was apparently weak, and I do not think this was a major Derby prep.
One colt from the Risen Star deserves a mention. Drosselmeyer finished a close-up 4th as the fav. Before everyone writes him off, remember that he earned a career top in his 3yo bow, and he was coming back in 20 days at the Fair Grounds. He got no pace help either, so his effort is better than appears.
Conveyance ran his rivals off their feet in the Southwest. The Bob Baffert trainee sports the look of a miler, and it is doubtful he carries his speed much farther.
Dublin rallied for the place in the Oaklawn Park event. That was his first attempt over a route of ground and a fine start to his 3yo campaign. Should move forward for Lukas.
The El Camino Real at Golden Gate was also run on Saturday, and another Todd Pletcher trainee (Connemara) got the candy. He looks like a plodding synthetic specialist at this point.
D’Funnybone returned in the pink for Rick Dutrow in the Hutcheson. His only bad effort was the BC Juvenile on synthetic. He deserves another chance to route and might go next in the Florida Derby. Have a feeling he is a sprinter, and it seems like speed types are all over the place on the Derby trail.
Odysseus romped in an allowance event at Tampa, and he goes next in the Tampa Bay Derby. Promising colt bears watching.
1. Eskendereya (Giant’s Causeway) – Sharp win in the Fountain of Youth moves him from 3rd to first on my list.
2. Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) – Baffert torn between Rebel and San Felipe for his 3yo bow.
3. American Lion (Tiznow) – Better than appears show finish in the Robert Lewis. He needs to take a step forward next time, and I am expecting him to do just that.
4. Super Saver (Maria’s Mon) – Strong wire job victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill. The Todd Pletcher (WinStar Farm) trainee should only improve with distance and experience.
5. Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) – Gamely held place behind runaway winner Eskendereya in FOY. Hard knocker.
6. Noble’s Promise (Cuvee) – Working in Florida and might resurface in Rebel.
7. Dublin (Afleet Alex) – Moves up from honorable mention list following a solid place finish in Southwest. That was his 3yo route bow.
8. Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor) – Deserves another chance after getting no pace help in Risen Star. Look for an improved effort next out.
9. Vale of York (Invincible Spirit) – Surprise BC Juvenile winner brought good turf form to Santa Anita, and he proved he could handle synthetic ground. Godolphin runner is not bred for dirt, but the new track in Dubai (synthetic) should suit him.
10. Interactif (Broken Vow) – Was nosed in grassy Hallandale Beach return at Gulfstream on Feb 7th. The versatile Pletcher trainee has the Santa Anita Derby as an early spring goal.
Honorable Mention: Buddy’s Saint (Bruce Levine), Caracortado (Mike Machowsky), Dave In Dixie (John Sadler), Rule (Todd Pletcher), William’s Kitten (Michael Maker)
Image: Newscom
