Visit BloodHorse.com/TripleCrown for complete Triple Crown coverage SPECIAL DIGITAL REPORT BloodHorse.com Previews of the Top 40 Triple Crown contenders to watch, including: STEVE HASKIN’S RATINGS AND COMMENTS ANALYSIS AND “CONTENDER VS. PRETENDER” EVALUATION FROM TRIPLE CROWN TALK’S JASON SHANDLER TRUENICKS PEDIGREE RATING HELPFUL FACTS AND STATS TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONTENDERS AND THEIR CONNECTIONS COMPLETE BRIS PAST PERFORMANCES A 4-CROSS PEDIGREE CHART FOR EACH RUNNER DOSAGE PROFILE PREVIEW 2012 Triple Crown
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2012 Triple Crown Preview See whom the pedigree expertS predict to win.
Watch for Triple Crown Pedigree Profiles from The Blood-Horse, coming soon!
Past Performances provided byvisit BloodHorse.com/TripleCrown for complete Triple Crown coverage
2012 Triple Crown Preview who will the pedigree expertS predict to win?
Find out in the 2012 Triple Crown Pedigree Profiles. Pre-order now!
CONTeNTSIntroductIon .............................................. 3Glossary .................................................... 3alGorIthms .......................................................5alpha.................................................................6Battle hardened ..............................................7BodemeIster .....................................................8Brother FrancIs ...............................................9castaway.........................................................10casual trIck ...................................................11consortIum.....................................................12creatIve cause ................................................13currency swap ...............................................14daddy nose Best .............................................15dIscreet dancer .............................................16done talkInG ...................................................17dullahan.........................................................18el padrIno .......................................................19empIre way ......................................................20ever so lucky .................................................21Fed BIz .............................................................22GemoloGIst .....................................................23hansen ............................................................24I’ll have another ............................................25lIaIson.............................................................26mark valeskI ..................................................27mIdnIGht transFer .........................................28motor cIty ......................................................29mr. BowlInG ....................................................30mr. prankster ................................................31my adonIs .......................................................32out oF Bounds .................................................33prospectIve ....................................................34reckless Jerry ...............................................35rousInG sermon .............................................36russIan Greek ................................................37saBercat .........................................................38shared property ............................................39souper speedy ................................................40sprInG hIll Farm ............................................41take charGe Indy ............................................42unIon raGs ......................................................43z daGer ............................................................44BrIsnet.com (Advertisement) .......................... 45all trIple crown nomInees ........................ 46kentucky derBy hIstory ............................ 56preakness stakes hIstory ......................... 57Belmont stakes hIstory ............................ 58churchIll downs track InFormatIon .......... 59pImlIco track InFormatIon ........................ 60Belmont track InFormatIon ...................... 61
steve haskin is an award-winning Turf writer renowned for his Kentucky Derby commentary. He has been a senior correspondent at The Blood-Horse since 1998. When he decided in 2011 to list the top 60 or 70 3-year-olds as sort of a guide leading up to his “Derby Dozen” and “Derby Trail” columns featured in the magazine and on BloodHorse.com, he felt assigning a rating to each horse would be useful. He used a scale of 1-10, based on several factors, including performance, pedigree, and the visual impressiveness of the horses’ races.
JasOn shanDLeR has been a staff writer at The Blood-Horse since 2007, but he’s been a sportswriter for 12 years. Before moving to Lexington, he worked at the Norristown Times-Herald outside Phila-delphia. He is featured weekly on the BloodHorse.com video “That Handicapping Show” and is the author of the blogs “Triple Crown Talk” and “Breeders’ Cup Chat.” Shandler’s work also has been fea-tured on ESPN.com and NTRA.com.
Horses indexed by Haskin’s numerical rating
Horses indexed by sHanDler’s analysis
alGorIthmscreatIve causeunIon raGs
el padrInoout oF BoundssaBercat
alphadIscreet dancerdullahanFed BIzGemoloGIsthansenI’ll have anothersouper speedy
Battle hardenedBodemeIstercastawaydaddy nose Bestdone talkInGempIre wayever so luckylIaIsonmotor cItymr. BowlInGmy adonIsshared propertysprInG hIll Farmtake charGe Indyz daGer
Top ContenderalGorIthmsalphael padrInoFed BIzsaBercatz daGer
Modest ThreatBattle hardenedBodemeIstercreatIve causedaddy nose BestdIscreet dancerempIre wayever so luckyGemoloGIsthansenI’ll have anotherlIaIsonmotor cItymr. BowlInGout oF BoundsprospectIverousInG sermonshared propertysprInG hIll Farmtake charGe Indy
Photos by Benoit & Associates, Michael Burns, Coady Photography, Adam Coglianese, Tom Cooley, Anne M. Eberhardt, Equi-Photo, Four Footed Fotos, Hodges Photography, Mathea Kelley, Pat Lang, Reed Palmer/Churchill Downs, Rick Samuels, Vassar Photography
2012 Triple Crown Preview who will the pedigree expertS predict to win?
Find out in the 2012 Triple Crown Pedigree Profiles. Pre-order now!
introduction
Glossary
THE TRiPLE CRoWN TRAiL is a winding road with many ob-stacles. Potential runners must prove themselves capable at three dis-tances—11⁄4 miles for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. i), 91⁄2 furlongs for the Preakness Stakes (gr. i), and the near-mar-athon 11⁄2 miles for the Belmont Stakes (gr. i). Contenders must stay sound during a rigorous schedule of races against the top 3-year-olds in the nation. Trainers must balance keeping their horses strong and conditioned with maintaining soundness, all while trying to ensure a fresh horse at the start of a grueling five-week, three-race series. An additional challenge for trainers and owners is a need for graded stakes earnings—the 20 coveted spots in the Churchill Downs start-ing gate are occupied by those with the most graded earnings. Now consider questions of pedigree, conformation, and aptitude and the task of predicting the final Derby field is made more daunting. Even Thoroughbred enthusiasts find that springtime intro-duces a slew of new potential runners.
Ten weeks out from the May 5 kickoff to the Tri-ple Crown, this special report from BloodHorse.com is an early-season guide to the most promising sophomores that are likely to have an impact in the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. in these pages you’ll be introduced to 40 top 3-year-olds that appear headed toward one of the American classic races.
Steve Haskin of “Derby Dozen” and “Hangin’ with Haskin” fame reviews each contender’s chances and assigns his own 1 to 10 rating—where 10 is Steve’s prediction that the horse not only will run but also be in contention down the stretch, and 1 means that the horse is an elite sophomore that needs a breakthrough before Derby Day to be considered a top contender.
Jason Shandler, author of “Triple Crown Talk”—also known for his no-nonsense persona on “That Handicapping Show”—serves as a counterpoint to Steve. Jason provides his own rating and analysis on each sophomore runner.
Profile pages include a wealth of data. Correspondent Joe Depaolo compiled several interesting facts about each contender. Four-gen-eration pedigree boxes are provided by The Jockey Club informa-tion Systems’ equineline.com service, while BRiSnet.com past-per-
formance charts (“PPs”) summarize the subject horses’ race careers to date.
Shorter statistical overviews starting on page 46 show race records and best performance, the lon-
gest distance the horse has won, and several quantita-tive figures for all 2012 Triple Crown nominees. one-
page reviews of past winners of the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont provide some perspective, and brief histories of
the host tracks round out the Triple Crown preview.
BrOODMAre Sire: The sire of a horse’s dam (i.e., maternal grandfather)
COLOr: Abbreviations are b=bay; blk=black; ch=chestnut; dkb/br=dark bay or brown; wh=white; and gr/ro=gray or roan.
DAM: The female parent (i.e., mother)DOSAGe: A technique for classifying
Thoroughbred pedigrees by type based on aptitudinal characteristics inherited from selected sires, called “chefs-de-race.” The degree of inheritance attributed to each of these “chefs” was essentially constant in all pedigrees, the absolute value (or Dosage figure) varying from sire to sire. “Chefs,” chosen on the basis of their observable pre-potence for type, are assigned to one or two of five aptitudinal groups (Brilliant, inter-mediate, Classic, Solid, and Professional) covering the spectrum (from left to right as you read the dosage profile) of speed to endurance. The assignments are made to reflect the traits that these stallions pre-dictably and consistently transmit to their offspring. only one winner of the Kentucky Derby since 1940 (Strike the Gold), and only three winners of the Belmont Stakes over the same time frame (Damascus, Con-quistador Cielo, Creme Fraiche) have had a Di above 4.00. This is in direct contrast to stakes winners in general, of which about one-quarter to one-third have a Di greater than 4.00 and for which the average Di is slightly above 4.00.
eXPeriMeNTAL Free HANDiCAP: The Experimental Free Handicap, pub-lished annually by The Jockey Club since 1935, is a weight-based assessment of the previous year’s leading 2-year-olds, with
the weights compiled for a hypothetical race at 11⁄16 miles on dirt.
To be eligible for weighting, a 2-year-old must have finished in the top four in a grad-ed or listed stakes race run in the conti-nental United States. Listed stakes in 2011 were those with a value of $75,000 or more available to all starters, and no restrictions other than age or sex.
The weighting committee of racing secre-taries consists of Ben Huffman of Churchill Downs and Keeneland, P.J. Campo of the New York Racing Association, and Thom-as S. Robbins of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. They assign weights to eligible hors-es based on accomplishments during the 2-year-old season.
FUrLONG: one-eighth of a milerACe reCOrD: The four figures rep-
resent starts, wins, seconds, and thirds. A horse whose race record is 6-3-0-2 has start-ed six times with three wins, two thirds, and one unplaced effort.
SeX: Abbreviations are c=colt; f=filly; g=gelding; and r=ridgling (a colt with only one descended testicle).
Sire: The male parent (i.e., father)TrUeNiCKS: Compatibility of stallions
from one male line with mares from other sire lines has shaped the breed since the Eclipse/Herod cross of the late 18th cen-tury. Called nicks, these successful crosses have made a profound impact on the devel-
opment of the Thoroughbred. TrueNicks is a nick rating that utilizes the database of The Jockey Club—the world’s most com-plete records of Thoroughbreds and their performances—to produce a sophisticated rating based on all foals for a given cross.
A TrueNicks rating is derived from two statistical elements: a Sire improvement index (Sii) and a Broodmare Sire improve-ment index (BSii). Both of them compare the percentage of progeny stakes winners to starters. An Sii of 2.0 indicates the sire/sire line has twice the percentage of stakes win-ners out of mares by the broodmare sire/sire line as he does when bred to all other mares. A BSii of 3.0 indicates the percentage of stakes winners out of a stallion’s daughters when bred to the chosen sire/sire line is 3.0 times as high as the percentage of stakes winners produced by the same mares when bred to all other studs. The TrueNicks rat-ing is then calculated by multiplying the Sii by the BSii, effectively recognizing the real opportunity and performance of the given cross.
A test group of more than 100,000 horses of racing age revealed the following: While only 13% of the entire Thoroughbred popu-lation earn “A” ratings (A to A++), 37% of the stakes winners rate as “A’s;” and horses rated “B” or better (B to A++) represent just 30% of the entire population, yet 3 out of 4 (77%) stakes winners rate “B” or better.
For a complete list of 2011 Triple Crown Nominations, go to http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/triple-crown-mania/nominations
2012 Triple Crown Preview who will the pedigree expertS predict to win?
Find out in the 2012 Triple Crown Pedigree Profiles. Pre-order now!
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■ Bought as a yearling at the 2010 Keeneland September sale, Algorithms was one of 31 Bernardini progeny sold at the September 2010 Keene-land auction. The $170,000 purchase price actually fell a bit below the $199,323 average commanded by the prolific sire—an average that ranked in the top 10 at the sale.
■ Starlight Racing, which owns Algorithms, is looking for its fifth Kentucky Derby (gr. I) trip. Starlight sent out the Derby favorite in 2002, Harlan’s Holiday, who finished seventh.
■ Algorithms is part of the sophomore crop of Bernardini’s. The freshman crop yielded a Derby starter in Stay Thirsty, who finished 12th. That runner, incidentally, was trained by Todd Pletcher—who also trains Algorithms.
■ Winner of the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) on Jan. 29 at Gulfstream Park, Algorithms is bidding to become the third Holy Bull winner to go on to win the Derby. Barbaro (2006) and Go for Gin (1994) previously accomplished the feat.
■ Algorithms is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
Undefeated winner of the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. iii), he easily defeated 2-year-old champ Hansen, combining class, speed, and professionalism. He’s a half brother to two sprinters, but he’s by Bernardini and there is plenty of stamina top and bot-tom. With a 105 Beyer and 1:351⁄5 mile already, and his Beyers jumping at least 10 points with each start, Pletcher has to make sure he doesn’t peak too early.
steve haskin’s
rating 9
Earned the right to stay in South Florida after his Holy Bull romp. By the time the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. ii) and Florida Derby (gr. i) are run, we’ll know if Javier Castellano made the right decision to jump off of the Derby favorite. Al-ready showed he can handle Hansen at one mile, and should only get better with maturity and distance. But is he better than Union Rags?
■ Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was one of the beneficiaries of the transfer of horses from the barn of Saeed bin Suroor last year. Owner Godolphin Rac-ing turned 3-year-old filly It’s Tricky over to McLaughlin, who proceeded to win two grade I races in 2011.
■ Alpha’s sire, Bernardini, is the only horse owned by Sheikh Mohammed—Godolphin’s owner—to capture a Triple Crown race. Bernardini won the 2006 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) under the Sheikh’s Darley stable banner.
■ McLaughlin sports one Triple Crown victory, also recorded in 2006. He won the 2006 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) with Jazil.
■ Alpha has a history of acting up in the gate, and it has been a point of emphasis during his training this winter. McLaughlin’s New York based assistant, Art Magnuson, frequently gate-schooled the colt, having him stand between two runners. “It’s something we will continue to do,” Magnuson said.
■ Alpha is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
He became the undisputed king of New York, winning the Count Fleet Stakes by daylight and then duplicating that effort in the re-positioned Withers Stakes, picking up valuable graded earnings. He established his 2-year-old form finishing second to Union Rags in the Champagne Stakes (gr. i) in only his second career start. He began his career with a six-length romp at Saratoga. Nothing flashy about him, but he’s all business and very dependable. it’ll take a big effort to dethrone him in New York.
steve haskin’s
rating 7
Took a big step forward in Withers, not so much by winning the race against an inferior group but because he figured out his gate problems. i haven’t seen anything else in New York to get excited about, so he should be the one to beat in the Wood Me-morial. if he wins, he’ll be one of the Derby favorites. Right now he’s Godolphin’s best Derby prospect in recent memory, in large part because he has remained in the U.S.
■ A son of Giant’s Causeway, Battle Hardened pulled off the unusual feat of breaking his maiden in graded-stakes company—capturing the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) on Feb. 4 at Tampa Bay Downs.
■ Trainer Eddie Kenneally sent out his first Triple Crown starter in last year’s Kentucky Derby (gr. I). His charge, Santiva, finished sixth.
■ Owners Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier have started five Kentucky Derby runners in partnership. Their best finish came in 2002 when Johannes-burg—the 2001 Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner—finished eighth.
■ What impressed Kenneally most about Battle Hardened’s score in the Sam F. Davis Stakes was his “professionalism.” Despite being in tight among horses, Battle Hardened remained poised. “He showed a little bit of gameness and a little bit of toughness, like you want to see going forward to the bigger races down the road,” Kenneally said.
■ Battle Hardened is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
Even though he was a maiden going into the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. iii), he still was the wise-guy horse, getting bet down to 9-2. The optimism was justified as he rallied in the stretch to take over from Gulfstream Park Derby winner Reveron and then drew clear to win by 1¼ lengths in a respectable 1:442⁄5 for the 11⁄16 miles. Trained by Eddie Kenneally for Coolmore’s Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier, he no doubt has a lot of room for improvement. But he’ll be facing much better from now on.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
Nice job by Eddie Kenneally to spot him in a first-round prep race as a maiden, and the Giant’s Causeway colt responded with a solid win in which he showed profes-sionalism by racing comfortably in tight quarters. But i can’t get too excited about the Sam F. Davis winner at this point; it didn’t look like there was a lot that he beat, other than Prospective. That’s not to say he won’t improve, but my attention is elsewhere right now.
Toussaud, 1989 El Gran Senor, 1981 Northern Dancer
Sex Appeal
Image of Reality, 1976
In Reality
Edee’s Image
Untouched Talent, b, 2004
Storm Cat, 1983
Storm Bird, 1978 Northern Dancer
South Ocean
Terlingua, 1976 Secretariat
Crimson Saint
Parade Queen, 1994
A.P. Indy, 1989 Seattle Slew
Weekend Surprise
Spanish Parade, 1988
Roberto
Nijit
■ Purchased as a yearling at the 2010 Keeneland September sale for $260,000, Bodemeister was one of 27 hips sired by Empire Maker that sold at that auction. They commanded an average price of just under $175,000.
■ Ahmed Zayat, owner of Bodemeister, is looking to break through in the 2012 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), after com-ing tantalizingly close in each of the past three years. Pioneerof the Nile and Nehro both finished second (in 2009 and 2011, respectively), while likely favorite Eskendereya was pulled from contention for the 2010 edition just seven days out.
■ The horse is named for trainer Bob Baffert’s 7-year-old son, Bode.
■ Although Baffert has won nine Triple Crown races in his storied career, the victory notched by Lookin’ At Lucky in the 2010 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) represents his lone conquest in the series since 2002.
■ Bodemeister is currently based at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, Calif.
Normally would not put a maiden winner on here, but this is no ordinary maiden winner. it wasn’t his 9¼-length margin of victory and 1:342⁄5 mile as much as his impressive feat of running his second quarter in :234⁄5 and then running each sub-sequent quarter faster than the one before, coming home his final quarter in :232⁄5. Earned a 99 Beyer speed figure and did it on his own with no urging. There’s no telling how good he could be.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
Dazzling maiden win put him on the map and surprised even Baffert. But he’s a late foal with a lot of catching up to do. And at this point we don’t know if he’s one-dimensional or how he’ll handle better company. Time will tell.
Satin Sunrise, 1990 Mr. Leader, 1966 Hail to Reason
Jolie Deja
Logic, 1979 Naskra
Bactu Reason
Viapervita, dkb/br, 2003
Spectrum, 1992
Rainbow Quest, 1981 Blushing Groom
I Will Follow
River Dancer, 1983 Irish River
Dancing Shadow
Way for Life, 1997
Platini, 1989 Surumu
Prairie Darling
Waitotara, 1979 Habitat
Sagrada
■ A homebred for owner Norman Cheng, Brother Francis is a son of Lion Heart—the runner-up in the 2004 Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
■ Cheng’s most noteworthy runner to date has been as breeder of grade II winner Secret Gypsy—who finished 11th in the 2010 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I).
■ Brother Francis fell just short of winning last year’s CashCall Futurity (gr. I)—a race won by his sire in 2003. He finished third, beaten 1¾ lengths.
■ A New York native, Brother Francis’ trainer James Cassidy has been based in Southern California for more than three decades. Despite having had success on the grade I level in recent years—with horses such as Evening Jewel and The Usual Q. T.—Cassidy has not saddled a Triple Crown runner since 2002, when he sent out Ocean Sound to a 17th-place finish.
■ Brother Francis is currently based at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, Calif.
The country’s most-accomplished maiden, finishing second to So Brilliant in the Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. iii), beaten a half-length, and third in the CashCall Futurity (gr. i) behind Liaison and Rousing Sermon, beaten 1¾ lengths. Son of Kentucky Derby runner-up Lion Heart, he was scratched out of a grass maiden race due to a fever. He’ll have to show up pretty soon.
steve haskin’s
rating 5
The fact he is twice graded stakes-placed is nice from an earnings standpoint, but the horses that beat him didn’t exactly flatter him in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. ii). Plus, it looks like he’ll appreciate the turf more, and he shows his first work of the year on Feb. 13. Not on my radar.
■ The partnership that purchased Castaway at the 2010 Keeneland Sep-tember Sale—led by Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier of Coolmore fame—had absolutely no trepidation about buying a horse from Street Sense’s freshman crop. They paid $435,000 for Castaway—50% more than any other Street Sense hip went for at the auction.
■ This show of confidence in the 2007 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I)-winning sire paid dividends on Feb. 20, when Castaway won the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park. Castaway became the second graded stakes winner sired by Street Sense.
■ Eight of the last 10 winners of the Southwest Stakes have gone on to start in the Kentucky Derby—including 2004 Derby winner Smarty Jones.
■ Master of Hounds was Coolmore’s most recent Derby runner—placing fifth last year.
With Godolphin having several Derby contenders, it’s only appropriate for Coolmore to join in on the action, and they have an improving, well-bred colt who is just now coming into his own. He was impressive winning a division of the Southwest Stakes (gr. iii) after breaking from post 11, drawing off from the best the locals had to offer. Although he looked more like a Derby horse than Secret Circle, it must be noted he did run a full second slower than Secret Circle, who is a much faster horse.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
After taking six tries to break his maiden, he has really turned it around. Credit Baffert, who is a master at getting 3-year-olds to improve. His Southwest was nice, as he overcame an outside post and put away the other pacesetter before pulling away. He belongs in this group for now, but i don’t even think Baffert believes he’s fast enough to win classic races. At least, he has a pedigree that can help him.
■ Longtime, prolific owner/trainer duo Nick Zito and Bob LaPenta are looking to break through in this year’s Derby after coming very close in each of the past two years. They sent out Derby runner-up Ice Box in 2010, and Dialed In, the beaten favorite a year ago—who finished eighth.
■ The pair does own a Classic victory, having captured the 2008 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) with Da’ Tara. Hall of Famer Zito, for his part, has won four Triple Crown races for other clients.
■ Casual Trick, one of 31 Bernardini offspring sold at the 2010 Keeneland September sale, was one of the more coveted of the lot, as only three of the 31 commanded a higher sale price than the $425,000 LaPenta paid.
■ Zito has spoken glowingly about Casual Trick over the winter. He told the Gulfstream Park notes team that Casual Trick is “the type of horse that takes you to the promised land.”
■ Casual Trick is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
Showed a great deal of promise breaking his maiden going a mile at Churchill Downs and then finishing a game second, beaten a half-length, in the Gulfstream Park Derby. But ran an inexplicably bad race in a 11⁄16-mile allowance/optional claimer. Because the race was run over a wet sealed track, he may have hated the going and deserves one more chance on a fast surface. His :482⁄5 breeze following that race was a good sign.
steve haskin’s
rating 5
Ran a good second to Reveron, who was beaten just over a length in Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. iii), but came back to turn in a clunker in a Jan. 29 optional claimer. off course or not, a Derby contender can’t lose by more than 30 lengths in late January. Like many other Bernardinis, might find his peak later in the season.
■ Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has saddled four Kentucky Derby (gr. I) starters in his career. He came close to taking home the roses in 2005, as his charge Closing Argument fell a half-length short of defeating Giacomo.
■ McLaughlin cites Consortium’s mental makeup as one of the things he likes most about the horse. He says the Bernardini colt “has a great mind.”
■ The elite New York-based trainer has become a big fan of Bernardini’s progeny. “Bernardini is such a great sire,” McLaughlin told the Gulfstream Park notes team. “It’s nice to have quite a few Bernardinis in the barn.”
■ The horse McLaughlin remains most closely identified with is Invasor—who followed up a win in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) with a victory in the 2007 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).
■ Consortium is currently based at Belmont Park, where he is under the supervision of assistant trainer Art Magnuson.
This highly promising son of Bernardini is in the same predicament as Casual Trick, running dead-last, beaten nearly 20 lengths, in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. iii) over a sloppy sealed track. He previously ran a strong second to Algorithms in an allowance race after breaking his maiden by 4¾ lengths at Aqueduct in his career debut. He also deserves another chance on a fast track. He has worked since, breezing a half in :504⁄5.
steve haskin’s
rating 5
As of mid- February, Kiaran McLaughlin has no idea what went wrong in the Holy Bull. Maybe they will figure it out, but it’s certainly not a good sign to lose by 20 lengths in your season debut. Maybe he’ll turn it around in the Gotham S. (gr. iii).
Creative Cause (KY)Gray or Roan TrueNicks Rating: A++April 6, 2009 Dosage: 3-2-23-0-0 • DI=1.43 • CD=0.29
Giant’s Causeway, ch, 1997
Storm Cat, 1983
Storm Bird, 1978 Northern Dancer
South Ocean
Terlingua, 1976 Secretariat
Crimson Saint
Mariah’s Storm, 1991
Rahy, 1985 Blushing Groom
Glorious Song
Immense, 1979 Roberto
Imsodear
Dream of Summer, gr/ro, 1999
Siberian Summer, 1989
Siberian Express, 1981
Caro
Indian Call
Mia Karina, 1983 Icecapade
Basin
Mary’s Dream, 1990
Skywalker, 1982 Relaunch
Bold Captive
Proper Mary, 1983 Properantes
My Mary
■ About the horse’s personality, trainer Mike Harrington said that Creative Cause is, “full of himself,” and that he “likes to play.” But ultimately, ac-cording to Harrington, the horse gets his work done.
■ Creative Cause was the second Breeders’ Cup World Championships starter that Harrington and owner Heinz Steinmann teamed up on. Creative Cause finished third in the 2011 Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I), while Buck Trout finished seventh in the same race in 1998.
■ Carrots are a mainstay of Creative Cause’s diet while peppermints are his preferred treat.
■ Guadalupe Vazquez has been Creative Cause’s groom since the colt, currently based at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif., first arrived in Harrington’s barn.
He’s the consummate pro. in his three victories—a maiden score, the Best Pal Stakes (gr. ii), and Norfolk Stakes (gr. i)—he was never touched with the whip. Jock hit him in the San Vicente Stakes (gr. ii), even though it was only a seven-furlong prep, and he ducked in twice, changing leads each time. He changes leads smoothly and just keeps coming in the stretch. He had trouble in both his defeats last year, the Del Mar Futurity (gr. i) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. i), and was beaten only a length each time. He’s bred to run all day, and his grinding style of running should serve him better as the distances stretch out. Tough, consistent, and honest, he’s a trainer’s dream.
steve haskin’s
rating 9
Most people who back him were satisfied with his San Vicente effort as he was closing some ground at the end in his season debut. Yes, he needs more ground, but the bottom line is that he had every opportunity to beat a short field and couldn’t. He’s a consistent horse and has good tactical speed—which means he’ll be a threat in most races—but the gut feeling here is that he is a grinder type and may not be fast enough to win classic races.
■ Owner Seth Klarman, who races Currency Swap under the banner of Klaravich Stables Inc., purchased a minority stake in the Boston Red Sox in 2009.
■ Currency Swap will always hold a special place in the heart of trainer Terri Pompay. The horse’s victory in the 2011 Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga marked Pompay’s first career grade I triumph. Making the win all the more sweet was that it came at Saratoga, Pompay’s hometown.
■ Currency Swap is part of the extremely potent freshman class of sire High Cotton. Eight of High Cotton’s offspring made it to the races in 2011, combining to win 15 races from 31 starts.
■ Klarman manages the world’s 11th largest hedge fund, according to Bloomberg News. Currency Swap is one of a number of horses owned by Klarman whose names have financial roots.
■ Currency Swap is currently based at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.
He’s another on the comeback trail, not having run since winning the Hopeful Stakes (gr. i) in only his second career start. i’ll Have Another came off a sixth in the Hopeful to win the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. ii) off a five-month layoff. He broke his maiden by six lengths at Saratoga at first asking, despite lugging out, which he also did in the Hopeful. He’ll have to correct that problem if he’s going to become a serious Derby contender. Trained by Derby trail newcomer Terri Pompay, he’s by young stallion High Cotton, out of a Pine Bluff mare. His first start back will tell a lot.
steve haskin’s
rating 4
Undefeated in both of his juvenile starts, but the horse would have to be a freak to make a splash on the Triple Crown trail. He’s just missed too much time and only shows three average works as of early February. Probably only has enough time for one major Derby prep. Can’t see him being a factor.
Daddy Nose Best (KY)Bay TrueNicks Rating: A++March 3, 2009 Dosage: 5-1-5-1-0 • DI=2.43 • CD=0.83
Scat Daddy, dkb/br, 2004
Johannesburg, 1999
Hennessy, 1993 Storm Cat
Island Kitty
Myth, 1993 Ogygian
Yarn
Love Style, 1999 Mr. Prospector, 1970 Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Likeable Style, 1990 Nijinsky II
Personable Lady
Follow Your Bliss, b, 2002
Thunder Gulch, 1992
Gulch, 1984 Mr. Prospector
Jameela
Line of Thunder, 1987
Storm Bird
Shoot a Line
Follow the Money, 1996
Pine Bluff, 1989 Danzig
Rowdy Angel
Money Player, 1984 Marshua’s Dancer
Troubles Trouble
■ Owners Bob and Cathy Zollars are looking for their first Kentucky Derby (gr. I) starter since Private Emblem in 2002. Private Emblem finished 14th.
■ Trainer Steve Asmussen defended his title in the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) Feb. 18 with Daddy Nose Best. Asmussen won last year’s El Camino Real with Silver Medallion, who failed to make the Derby field.
■ Zollars named the colt partially after his sire, Scat Daddy, but also as a tribute to the 1950s TV show, “Father Knows Best.”
■ Daddy Nose Best was extremely busy as a juvenile—making eight starts during his freshman campaign. Only two of this year’s 397 early Triple Crown nominees (Argentine Tango, and Ravelo’s Boy) raced more in 2011.
■ Future plans are undetermined for Daddy Nose Best, who was under the care of Asmussen assistant Darren Fleming at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley, Calif.
He’s most likely a grass horse, but his gutsy nose victory in the El Camino Real Derby (gr. iii) on the Tapeta surface at least gives him some credibility and a li-cense to try the dirt again. He’s had one good race on dirt and one bad one in his first two career starts, but his sire, Scat Daddy, as good a grass sire as he’s been, did win the Florida Derby (gr. i), as did his broodmare sire Thunder Gulch, so his pedigree shouldn’t stop him from moving forward on the dirt.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
Jockey Julien Leparoux has followed this colt everywhere Asmussen has sent him, which is a good sign. His El Camino Real win was impressive; stuck on the inside and then outdueled a pretty good colt to win at nine furlongs. Yes, turf is probably where he is best, but the Derby is the goal now and he will get his chance. He has very good bottom under him already with nine starts.
Lassie Dear■ Owner E. Paul Robsham Stables—which is run by Joyce Robsham, widow
of the late Paul—is looking to make the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with a homebred for the second time in three years. Discreetly Mine finished 13th for Robsham Stables in 2010.
■ Discreet Dancer was forced to miss some training in early February, thanks to a fever that topped 102 degrees. He returned to the worktab on Feb. 13—posting a five-furlong breeze of 1:004⁄5, fourth fastest of 29 works at the distance.
■ West Side Dancer, the dam of Discreet Dancer, is off to a strong start as a broodmare. Discreet Dancer is her second foal to race. Her first, Travelin’ Man, was a grade II-winning sprinter.
■ Robsham Stables’ more recent grade I winners include Discreetly Mine, who captured the 2010 King’s Bishop Stakes (gr. I), and R Heat Lightning, who won the 2010 Spinaway Stakes (gr. I).
■ Discreet Dancer is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
He’s one of several undefeated horses trained by Todd Pletcher and may be the most brilliant of all of them. The son of Discreet Cat has won both his starts by a com-bined 15¼ lengths. After breaking his maiden by 9¾ lengths against Florida- breds going 5½ furlongs, he stretched out to a mile in open company and drew off to a front-running 5½-length score over a classy bunch of allowance horses. Pletcher said he has great mechanics and is very athletic, and he still hasn’t gotten to the bottom of him, in the mornings or in his races.
steve haskin’s
rating 7
No doubt about his brilliant speed, the main question is how far he’ll be able to carry it. Pletcher says he’s seen no indication that the colt won’t stretch out two turns, but stretch-ing out to classic distances is another story. May be a factor in Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. (gr. ii) and possibly even the Florida Derby (gr. i), but would be mildly surprised to see him be a factor in the Triple Crown. Will probably be a stellar miler down the road.
Wedding Vow, 1988 Nijinsky II, 1967 Northern Dancer
Flaming Page
Wedding Picture, 1981
Blushing Groom
Strike a Pose
Dixie Talking, b, 2002
Dixieland Band, 1980
Northern Dancer, 1961
Nearctic
Natalma
Mississippi Mud, 1973
Delta Judge
Sand Buggy
Gin Talking, 1997
Allen’s Prospect, 1982
Mr. Prospector
Change Water
Chattin, 1990 Rollicking
Vodka Talking
■ A homebred from Skeedattle Stable, Done Talking takes his name from his dam—Dixie Talking. She notched Skeedattle’s signature victory to date, winning the 2005 Cicada Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct.
■ Trainer Hamilton Smith has been a fixture on the Maryland racing circuit for years. At the height of his run, he finished in the top three of the Maryland trainer standings for four consecutive years (1998-2001).
■ Done Talking’s sire, Broken Vow, has sired three Triple Crown runners. Private Vow finished 15th in the 2006 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), while Stay Put and Interactif finished 5th and 6th, respectively, in the 2010 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
■ Both trainer and owner are in search of their first Triple Crown starter.
■ Done Talking is currently based at Laurel Park in Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
He’s up to seven furlongs in his works and should be nearing his 3-year-old debut. The son of Broken Vow, stabled at Laurel Park, won back-to-back races at Delaware Park and Parx Racing & Casino before closing fast to finish fourth, beaten less than a length in the Remsen Stakes (gr. ii) at 21-1. The third-place finisher El Padrino came back to win his 3-year-old debut impressively. it will be interesting to see what path trainer Hamilton Smith decides to take with him. He’s already run well at four dif-ferent distances from 6 furlongs to 11⁄8 miles, so the potential certainly is there.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
Mildly intriguing Broken Vow colt with a closing running style. Made five starts as a juvenile, so he’s got some bottom, but i’m not sure he’s fast enough; has little tactical speed. Should appreciate some of these longer races.
■ Dullahan, owned by Donegal Racing, is named for an Irish mythological figure.
■ Of the 3,059 horses sold during the 2010 Keeneland September auction, only two were sired by Even the Score. Dullahan was, by far, the more coveted. He was purchased for $250,000, while the other Even the Score netted a comparatively paltry $2,200.
■ Trainer Dale Romans notched his first Triple Crown victory last year when Shackleford captured the Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
■ Romans believes Dullahan, a half brother to 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird, is “much better looking” than the Derby winner.
■ Dullahan is currently based at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.
He’s proved his versatility when it comes to track surfaces, finishing on the board on dirt, grass, and synthetic, including an impressive victory in the Dixiana Breed-ers’ Futurity (gr. i) on Keeneland’s Polytrack, a solid third in the With Anticipation Stakes (gr. ii) on grass, and a fast-closing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. i) on dirt, in which he rallied from 13th and last. in the Breeders’ Futurity he raced wide the entire trip and had to make a sustained five-furlong run. He’s a big, lanky, long-striding horse who should improve with maturity.
steve haskin’s
rating 7
on the positive side he’s a grade i winner who has a nice turn of foot, and he doesn’t have to worry about graded earnings thanks to his Breeders’ Futurity win. But he’s done his best running on synthetics and turf, having failed to hit the board in three dirt starts. Plus, neither of his two preps is likely to be on dirt. Missed about a month of training because of illness. Let’s see his first race back.
■ One of 20 Pulpit offspring sold during the 2010 Keeneland September sale, El Padrino was certainly one of the more coveted. Only four of the 20 sold for more than El Padrino’s $210,000 purchase price.
■ It’s not easy for a 3-year-old to stand out in trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn, but El Padrino has managed to do it. “He’s a talented colt that we’ve thought a lot about from the very beginning,” Pletcher told the Gulfstream Park notes team. “He’s a strong, well-minded colt.”
■ Let’s Go Stable, a partnership managed by Northeastern-based brothers-in-law Kevin Scatuorchio and Bryan Sullivan, is looking for its second Triple Crown starter. Ready’s Echo finished third in the 2008 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) for the partnership.
■ Scatuorchio’s father, Jim, was the owner of 2007 John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner English Channel.
■ El Padrino is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
There’s an awful lot to like about this son of Pulpit, who won an allowance race the same day as the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. iii), defeating the classy stakes-placed Take Charge indy, who had opened a big lead on the turn and finished 13¾ lengths ahead of the third horse. He broke his maiden by 12¾ lengths in the slop at Bel-mont, so he has yet to win on a fast track. But his third, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the Remsen Stakes (gr. ii) showed he can run big on any surface. Like Algorithms, he has beautiful action and definitely a look of class.
steve haskin’s
rating 8
Will be sent to the Feb. 25 Risen Star Stakes (gr. ii) in order to separate him from Algorithms and Discreet Dancer, but i think he’ll turn out to be the best of Pletch-er’s talented bunch. Could not have looked any better in season debut at Gulf-stream and should be best-suited to longer distances because of his running style and professional demeanor. i know he doesn’t even have a stakes win yet, but don’t be surprised if he’s one of the Derby favorites on May 5.
empire way (KY)Dark Bay or Brown TrueNicks Rating: A++February 3, 2009 Dosage: 10-11-17-0-2 • DI=2.81 • CD=0.68
Empire Maker, dkb/br, 2000
Unbridled, 1987
Fappiano, 1977 Mr. Prospector
Killaloe
Gana Facil, 1981 Le Fabuleux
Charedi
Toussaud, 1989 El Gran Senor, 1981 Northern Dancer
Sex Appeal
Image of Reality, 1976
In Reality
Edee’s Image
Delta Princess, dkb/br, 1999
A.P. Indy, 1989
Seattle Slew, 1974 Bold Reasoning
My Charmer
Weekend Surprise, 1980
Secretariat
Lassie Dear
Lyphard’s Delta, 1990
Lyphard, 1969 Northern Dancer
Goofed
Proud Delta, 1972 Delta Judge
Loving Sister
■ An Empire Maker colt, Empire Way was purchased for $250,000 at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton Florida February sale. Empire Maker was quite the popular sire at that auction, as his progeny commanded the highest and second-highest purchase prices.
■ Despite the success that trainer Mike Harrington has had with juveniles such as Buck Trout and Swiss Yodeler, the long-time California-based trainer has yet to saddle a Triple Crown starter.
■ Like stablemate Creative Cause, carrots make up a large portion of Empire Way’s diet. However, unlike Creative Cause, Empire Way does not like to be fed peppermints.
■ Since Empire Way’s arrival in the Harrington barn, Carl Smith has served as the colt’s groom.
■ Empire Way is currently based at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif.
He needed a good effort in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. ii) and got it, finishing second to 43-1 shot i’ll Have Another after getting a dream trip on the rail. He came home well enough to finish nearly three lengths ahead of the third horse while never threatening the winner. By Empire Maker, out of an A.P. indy mare, he gave an indication of what was to come by finishing a rallying fifth in the Cash-Call Futurity (gr. i), beaten only 2¾ lengths.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
Moved way up in Robert Lewis, which was his first start on dirt. Difficult to tell what his upside is until he races again, but i think he might have a chance to make more of an impact than his stablemate, Creative Cause. For now, we know he likes to run at the end of races, and he has the right kind of pedigree for the Triple Crown. Full brother to Royal Delta.
Soviet Sojourn, 1989 Leo Castelli, 1984 Sovereign Dancer
Suspicious Native
Political Parfait, 1984 Diplomat Way
Peach Butter
Bally Storm, dkb/br, 1998
Summer Squall, 1987
Storm Bird, 1978 Northern Dancer
South Ocean
Weekend Surprise, 1980
Secretariat
Lassie Dear
Bally Five, 1990
Miswaki, 1978 Mr. Prospector
Hopespringseternal
Charlotte Amalie, 1982
Gay Mecene
Serenita■ Purchased for $600,000 as a 2-year-old, Ever So Lucky was the
sale-topper at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale by a $210,000 margin.
■ Ever So Lucky spent the winter in Camden, S.C., where his Hall of Fame trainer, Jonathan Sheppard, keeps much of his steeplechase stock.
■ Sheppard’s storied career has yet to take him to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. The 71-year-old trainer is still looking for his first Kentucky Derby (gr. I) starter.
■ According to Sheppard, the colt is quite mature for his age. “He has a very good mind and is a really nice horse.”
■ Ever So Lucky is currently based at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.
Put a colt of this quality in the hands of Jonathan Sheppard and you have a serious Derby contender who still has tremendous room for improvement. But by missing the Hutcheson Stakes (gr. ii) and pointing for the Swale Stakes (gr. iii), it means Ever So Lucky will have only two Derby preps and only one two-turn prep. For a horse with only two races under him that’s an awful lot to ask, especially when his pedigree doesn’t exactly scream a mile and a quarter. After breaking his maiden in his career debut going 6½ furlongs at Churchill Downs, he stretched out to 11⁄16 miles and ran a strong second to the undefeated Gemologist in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. ii), racing on or near the lead throughout. Sheppard is as good a horseman as there is in America and a welcome addition to the Derby trail for as long as it lasts.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
Supremely fast son of indian Charlie skipped the Hutcheson because trainer Jonathan Sheppard thought he needed a little more time. Will now be pointed to March 10 Swale, where Sheppard will see if Ever So Lucky deserves a shot at the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. i). Raw talent and professionalism are there but does not have ideal classic pedigree. Reserving judgment for now.
■ This prized son of Giant’s Causeway was purchased for a whopping $950,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September sale, making him the fourth most expensive buy of the auction.
■ Trainer Bob Baffert considers the promising colt to be very green—citing that he didn’t change leads until deep stretch on Feb. 9 at Santa Anita when he trounced an allowance field by 5¾ lengths. “He’s just learning,” Baffert told the Santa Anita notes team after the race.
■ Owner Kaleem Shah founded the company CalNet in 1989. This company specializes in information technology and intelligence analysis and does a great deal of business with the U.S. government. Fed Biz’s name is a salute to their patronage.
■ Despite having increased his investment in the racing business over the past few years, Shah is still in search of his first grade I win. He has won graded stakes with horses such as May Day Rose and Concord Point.
■ Fed Biz is currently based at Santa Anita Park near Arcadia, Calif.
With Bob Baffert suffering a setback in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. ii), maybe this son of Giant’s Causeway can step up to No. 1. He broke his maiden at a mile by 1¾ lengths in a sharp 1:352⁄5 and the runner-up, Zackn’mat, came back to break his maiden impressively last week. Then he ran a talented colt, Consulado, into the ground in a mile allowance race and drew off to a 5¾-length win in 1:343⁄5, despite not changing leads. There’s no telling how good he can be. owner Kaleem Shah paid $950,000 for him as a yearling, so he’s been highly touted since he was a baby.
steve haskin’s
rating 7
He is now a buzz horse and thought to be Baffert’s top Derby threat. His one-mile al-lowance win should set him up perfectly for his stakes debut, which will come in mid-March, probably in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. ii). The word around the barn is that this colt has it all, and with a top pedigree and trainer in his corner, the sky is the limit.
■ Owner WinStar Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher teamed up to send out the 2010 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner, Super Saver. Like Gemologist, Super Saver also won the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) at Churchill Downs as a 2-year-old.
■ Gemologist, a son of Tiznow, was purchased as a weanling at the 2009 Keeneland November Sale for $310,000. Only one of the 17 other Tiznow progeny sold at the auction commanded a higher sale price.
■ WinStar has one other Triple Crown victory as an owner, having sent out Drosselmeyer to victory in the 2010 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
■ Michael McCarthy, a Pletcher assistant, notes what a visually striking presence Gemologist makes. “He’s a lot of horse and a fantastic-looking animal,” McCarthy said.
■ Gemologist is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
Although he’s undefeated in three starts and is two-for-two at Churchill Downs, including a victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. ii), his inactivity has enabled several others in his barn to move ahead of him on many of the Derby lists. WinStar, as it did with Derby winner Super Saver, sent him to the farm for a little freshening over the winter, and we’ll see whether the results are the same. He has good stalking speed and twice has beaten a good horse in Timely Tally, who is now on the shelf.
steve haskin’s
rating 7
Hard to knock an undefeated colt with these winning connections, especially the way he gamely handled the talented Ever So Lucky in the Kentucky Jockey Club. But i have the nagging feeling that he had some issues after that last race, as he is getting started a bit late for my liking. Targeting either the Tampa Bay Derby or Rebel Stakes (both gr. ii) for season debut.
■ Winner of the 2011 Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I), Hansen will look to become only the second winner of that race to capture the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Only Street Sense has previously accomplished the feat.
■ The horse, a homebred, is named after the family of the owner, Dr. Kendall Hansen.
■ Trainer Mike Maker always has been high on the horse. He told Dr. Hansen prior to the colt’s juvenile bow that he was going to be “an absolute superstar.”
■ Maker is the only trainer who has started multiple runners in each of the past two Kentucky Derbys. He sent out Stately Victor and Dean’s Kitten in 2010, and Derby Kitten and Twinspired in 2011. Stately Victor was the highest finisher of the quartet—reporting home eighth.
■ Hansen, though currently based at Gulfstream Park, will be shipping to New York in advance of a scheduled start in the Gotham Stakes (gr. III). His plans after that are undetermined.
He is the champ and Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. i) winner, but his first start back in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. iii) suggests there is still work to be done on him, mainly getting him to settle early in his races. He can’t get away with running :22 flat second quarters if he hopes to get a mile and a quarter on the first Saturday in May. He obviously is very fast and very talented, but one-dimensional horses usually do not win the Derby. His owner said the gray colt will race with his tail and mane painted in his colors. Good luck getting that past the Derby gods.
steve haskin’s
rating 7
Take nothing away from his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victory; he was as game as could be. His Holy Bull was even a nice effort in his 3-year-old debut. But he’s a horse that needs the lead, and they are not the kind i look for in the Triple Crown. Now he is being shipped to New York for the Gotham Stakes (gr. iii) and removing blinkers. i don’t like it.
i’ll Have Another (KY)Chestnut TrueNicks Rating: AApril 1, 2009 Dosage: 2-4-7-1-0 • DI=2.11 • CD=0.50
Flower Alley, ch, 2002
Distorted Humor, 1993
Forty Niner, 1985 Mr. Prospector
File
Danzig’s Beauty, 1987
Danzig
Sweetest Chant
Princess Olivia, 1995 Lycius, 1988 Mr. Prospector
Lypatia
Dance Image, 1990 Sadler’s Wells
Diamond Spring
Arch’s Gal Edith, dkb/br, 2002
Arch, 1995
Kris S., 1977 Roberto
Sharp Queen
Aurora, 1988 Danzig
Althea
Force Five Gal, 1994
Pleasant Tap, 1987 Pleasant Colony
Never Knock
Last Cause, 1985 Caucasus
Last Bird
■ Owner J.P. Reddam and trainer Doug O’Neill are looking for their first trip back to a Triple Crown race since they sent out Great Hunter and Liquidity to 13th- and 14th-place finishes, respectively, in the 2007 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
■ Jockey Mario Gutierrez’s first mount for O’Neill was aboard I’ll Have Another, whom he piloted to victory in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) on Feb. 4. Gutierrez called the win the biggest of his career.
■ O’Neill’s brother, barn associate Dennis O’Neill, says that I’ll Have Another has been considered a classic prospect around the barn since his acquisition. “He trained like a two-turn horse from Day One,” he said.
■ Reddam has started horses in three other Triple Crown races, coming close to glory in 2002 when Ten Most Wanted finshed second in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
■ I’ll Have Another is currently based at Santa Anita Park near Arcadia, Calif.
He burst onto the Derby trail at an overlaid 43-1 in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. ii), winning by nearly three lengths in a swift 1:404⁄5 for the 11⁄16 miles. His splits of :233⁄5, :233⁄5, :232⁄5, :24, and :061⁄5 were very strong. Add the fact he had finished a good second to Creative Cause in last year’s Best Pal Stakes (gr. ii) in only his second career start, as well as a class and stamina-laden female family, and you have to consider him a legitimate contender.
steve haskin’s
rating 7
Surprised everyone, including his trainer, in the Robert B. Lewis. To run as well as he did off a long layoff shows the colt has enormous talent. Like most, i am still trying to determine whether i can trust him. Luckily, the Derby isn’t until May, so i can reserve judgment until i see him run at least one more time.
Soviet Sojourn, 1989 Leo Castelli, 1984 Sovereign Dancer
Suspicious Native
Political Parfait, 1984 Diplomat Way
Peach Butter
Galloping Gal, dkb/br, 2001
Victory Gallop, 1995
Cryptoclearance, 1984
Fappiano
Naval Orange
Victorious Lil, 1989 Vice Regent
Glass House
Indy Flash, 1994
A.P. Indy, 1989 Seattle Slew
Weekend Surprise
Mirror Bright, 1979 Gleaming
Pet Eagle
■ Thirty-four Indian Charlie Yearlings were purchased at the 2010 Keeneland September sale. Only one commanded a higher purchase price than Liaison, who was acquired for $290,000.
■ Owner Arnold Zetcher and trainer Bob Baffert are looking to make the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) field for the second consecutive year. They sent out Midnight Interlude to a 16th-place finish a year ago.
■ Liaison’s victory in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park last December marked the sixth time that Baffert had won that race. Four of his previous five CashCall winners (Real Quiet, Point Given, Pioneerof the Nile, and Lookin At Lucky) went on to win at least one Triple Crown race.
■ Other grade I winners owned by Zetcher include Gabby’s Golden Gal, E Z’s Gentleman, and Richard’s Kid.
■ Liaison is currently based at Santa Anita Park near Arcadia, Calif.
You have to give him one more chance, based on his victories in the CashCall Fu-turity (gr. i) and Real Quiet Stakes, but he was a big disappointment in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. ii) as the 3-2 favorite, coming up empty when set down for his run. He did look as if he might get a second win after turning for home but stumbled badly, unseating his rider, after being interfered with. His stakes victories were on a synthetic surface, but he did break his maiden impressively on the dirt at Santa Anita, so that can’t be used as an excuse.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
Not exactly sure what happened in the Robert B. Lewis, but i wouldn’t toss him just yet. He’s worked well since that race and looks like he’s back on track. it’s a Baffert horse remember, so don’t be surprised if he rebounds in a big way in his next prep. He already has plenty of earnings.
■ “We go back a little bit,” trainer Larry Jones said of his relationship with Mark Valeski’s owner, former Kentucky governor Brereton C. Jones. “When I first started training for him, it seemed like he always had a Jones trainer working for him. Bert Jones. Gary Jones. And then all of a sudden, it seemed like he was going to other named horsemen. So I couldn’t let that happen.”
■ The first horse Larry Jones trained for Gov. Jones was Proud Spell, winner of the Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old filly in 2008.
■ Like Proud Spell, Mark Valeski is a Brereton Jones homebred son of Proud Citizen. Proud Citizen finished second in the 2002 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and third in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
■ Mark Valeski was named for an employee at a hotel in Bal Harbour, Fla., where the governor and his family have vacationed for the past four decades. Gov. Jones came to know Valeski as a big racing fan and was inspired to name one of his horses after him.
■ Mark Valeski (the horse) is currently based at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La.
He’s on here strictly off reputation as trainer Larry Jones is very high on him. As of this writing, he still hasn’t been farther than six furlongs but scheduled to get his first stretch-out in Risen Star Stakes (gr. ii). The son of Proud Citizen isn’t inun-dated with stamina, but his Beyer speed figs keep increasing with each start, and he showed the ability to rate off the pace in his last race. His works, including a six-furlong bullet, indicate a horse who is sharp and ready for a big effort, if he can get the distance against some classy colts.
steve haskin’s
rating 4
His sharp allowance win in January gave Jones the confidence to send him to the Risen Star. Not only will he be facing tougher, but he will also try two turns for the first time. We won’t know anything until Feb. 25, but Jones has hinted that the colt has at least as much potential as stablemate Mr. Bowling. Time will tell.
■ Trainer Carla Gaines and longtime client, owner Warren Williamson, have teamed up successfully in the past. The pair campaigned highly regarded turf filly Nashoba’s Key—a four-time grade I winner.
■ Midnight Transfer is one of five horses sired by Hard Spun pur-chased at the 2011 Keeneland April sale. Along with Street Sense, Hard Spun was the most popular sire of that sale.
■ Though Gaines has yet to start a horse in a Triple Crown race, she does have a Breeders’ Cup World Championships win on her ledger. Dancing in Silks won the 2009 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) under Gaines’ stewardship.
■ Though he gets his work done in the mornings, Gaines considers Midnight Transfer “a bit of a party animal.” According to her, the horse frequently craves attention.
■ Midnight Transfer is currently based at Santa Anita Park near Arcadia, Calif.
Distance is the big question for this son of Hard Spun, who has yet to go farther than 6½ furlongs. He’ll get his distance test in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. ii). There’s no questioning his speed as he broke his maiden at Santa Anita in 1:08 flat for the six furlongs and closed fast in the final furlong to win the 6½-furlong San Pedro Stakes in 1:141⁄5. He is inbred 5x4 to Hail to Reason, and his tail-female family is loaded with stamina influences, so the stretch-out shouldn’t pose a problem based on his pedigree.
steve haskin’s
rating 5
Five sprints to begin his career with mixed results. Could change my mind in San Felipe, but i’m not expecting to.
Albania■ A homebred for owner Lantern Hill Farm, Motor City is a son of 2007
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Street Sense.
■ Motor City was the first stakes winner sired by Street Sense.
■ Trainer Ian Wilkes’ two career grade I wins have come in sprint stakes on the NYRA circuit. He captured the 2009 King’s Bishop Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga with Capt. Candyman Can and followed that up by winning the 2010 Carter Handicap (gr. I) with Warrior’s Reward.
■ Wilkes is still in search of his first Triple Crown starter, although he was heavily inolved in the training of Street Sense, as trainer Carl Nafzger’s top assistant.
■ Motor City is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
The son of Street Sense hasn’t run since his victory in the iroquois Stakes (gr. iii) at Churchill Downs, but he is back on the work tab at Palm Meadows for ian Wilkes. iroquois third-place finisher Mr. Bowling captured the Lecomte Stakes (gr. iii) at Fair Grounds last month. Motor City is two-for-three on dirt, with a second, and turned in a huge stretch run to finish third in the Arlington-Wash-ington Futurity on Polytrack, rallying from 12th. His dam is by Belmont Stakes (gr. i) winner Danzig Connection, so he has plenty of stamina top and bottom.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
A mixed bag on Street Sense gelding, who is now Wilkes’ best hope after Timely Tally was injured. He defeated Mr. Bowling in the iroquois, which is a feather in his cap, but he was also soundly beaten by some of these other contenders earlier as a juvenile. First race back will tell us a lot more, but no doubt he has some ability.
Mr. Bowling (KY)Dark Bay or Brown TrueNicks Rating: A++March 23, 2009 Dosage: 5-2-3-0-0 • DI=5.67 • CD=1.20
Istan, b, 2002
Gone West, 1984
Mr. Prospector, 1970 Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Secrettame, 1978 Secretariat
Tamerett
Ronda, 1996 Bluebird, 1984 Storm Bird
Ivory Dawn
Memory’s Gold, 1991 Java Gold
Memory Lane
Goldilock’s Bear, dkb/br, 1995
Irish Tower, 1977
Irish Castle, 1967 Bold Ruler
Castle Forbes
Royal Loom, 1971 Loom
Abrogate
Madam Bear, 1988
Dreadnought, 1977 Lt. Stevens
Misty Memory
Sister Bear, 1982 For The Moment
Roses of Love
■ Though he’s only made three trips to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) in his career, trainer Larry Jones has come with a purpose each time. He sent out Hard Spun and the ill-fated Eight Belles to runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2008, respectively. And in 2009 he trained the Derby favorite, Friesan Fire—who finished 18th.
■ Mr. Bowling is a homebred, owned by former Kentucky governor Brereton C. Jones—who is still looking for his first Kentucky Derby starter.
■ Larry Jones is impressed with Mr. Bowling’s sire, Istan—whose offspring are just beginning to hit the track. “I have several Istans in my barn, and they all look like they can run.”
■ Trainer Jones uses the word “maturing” to describe Mr. Bowling. “He just keeps getting better and better.”
■ Mr. Bowling is currently based at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La.
He was very impressive breaking his maiden at Delaware Park last year and fol-lowed that up with an even more impressive 7¼-length romp in the 11⁄16-mile Dover Stakes. He was given three months off following a third in the iroquois Stakes (gr. iii) and returned with a gutsy victory in the Lecomte Stakes (gr. iii) at Fair Grounds. His Beyers haven’t been all that fast, but he looks to have a lot of room for improvement. And not many get them ready better than Larry Jones.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
i thought his comeback in the Lecomte was as good as could be expected, and he probably will be in the mix again in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. ii). But he has dis-tance limitations, in my opinion, and classic races are probably too far for him.
It’s Personal, 1990 Personal Flag, 1983 Private Account
Grecian Banner
Dance Hall Girl, 1967 Guerrero
Hindu Dancer
Cremedelacramer, b, 2002
Avenue of Flags, 1988
Seattle Slew, 1974 Bold Reasoning
My Charmer
Beautiful Glass, 1979 Pass the Glass
Beautiful Spirit
One Smart Tart, 1995
In Excess, 1987 Siberian Express
Kantado
Art Smart, 1987 Affirmed
Honey Breeze
■ A joint purchase of trainer Mike Maker and Thomas Conway, Mr. Prankster was purchased for $40,000 at the 2011 OBS June sale. His sire It’s No Joke is best known for winning the Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) in 2006.
■ Maker has had great success over the years in Kentucky Derby (gr. I) preps held at his home base of Turfway Park. In addition to winning the WEBN Stakes with Mr. Prankster on Feb. 4, Maker is a two-time winner of the signature Derby prep at Turfway—the Spiral Stakes (gr. II). Maker won the Spiral with Dean’s Kitten (2010) and With a City (2006).
■ Although Maker has started five horses in Triple Crown races as a trainer, he has yet to participate in the Triple Crown series as an owner.
■ Thomas Conway, meanwhile, is looking to send his second horse to the Triple Crown. Stately Victor represented Conway in 2010—finishing eighth in that year’s Kentucky Derby and seventh in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
■ Mr. Prankster is currently based at Turfway Park near Florence, Ky.
He wasn’t nominated to the Triple Crown, even though he was impressive winning the Turfway Prevue S. and WEBN S., the latter by 7½ lengths. Those races were on Polytrack and he did run poorly on the dirt in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (gr. ii). Prior to that, however, he broke his maiden at Hoosier Park on dirt. His pedigree is more blue-collar, but the way he’s run in his first two starts at Turfway Park, he’s not going to be any pushover in the Vinery Racing Spiral S. (gr. iii), won last year by even-tual Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. i) winner Animal Kingdom.
steve haskin’s
rating 5
Don’t discount these Turfway runners after last year, right? i saw his race at Churchill, so i am.
■ Owners George and Lori Hall and trainer Kelly Breen all won their first Triple Crown race with Ruler On Ice in the 2011 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
■ Breen and the Halls have sent three horses to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). West Side Bernie and Pants On Fire came in ninth in 2009 and 2011, respec-tively, while Atomic Rain came in 16th—also in 2009.
■ My Adonis is a homebred, sired by Pleasantly Perfect. The 2003 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) winner gained credibility as a sire in 2011, thanks to the suc-cess of his first foal to race, Rapid Redux, who won 19 consecutive outings during 2011 and 22 in a row to date.
■ Breen’s base of operations is Monmouth Park in New Jersey, where he won the training crown in 2005 and 2006.
■ My Adonis is currently based at Belmont Park near Elmont, N.Y.
it looks as if Kelly Breen has himself another quality 3-year-old following last year’s triumph in the Belmont Stakes (gr. i) with Ruler on ice. My Adonis gets plenty of stamina from his sire Pleasantly Perfect, but his dam is by Elusive Quality, who still is a speed influence despite siring Smarty Jones. My Adonis doesn’t run like a sprinter and showed a good deal of quality coming from 20 lengths back to finish third in the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. iii) over a speed-favoring sloppy, sealed track. He broke his maiden at Monmouth and won the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs, both by big margins, so he definitely has the potential to be a major player.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
Ran well under the circumstances in Holy Bull, but what was his Delta Down Jackpot Stakes (gr. iii) excuse? i haven’t seen enough from him to consider him a legitimate contender at this point, but maybe he’ll make a splash in New York where the competition is likely to be easier.
Out of Bounds (KY)Chestnut TrueNicks Rating: CApril 10, 2009 Dosage: 3-7-4-0-0 • DI=6.00 • CD=0.93
Discreet Cat, b, 2003
Forestry, 1996
Storm Cat, 1983 Storm Bird
Terlingua
Shared Interest, 1988 Pleasant Colony
Surgery
Pretty Discreet, 1992
Private Account, 1976
Damascus
Numbered Account
Pretty Persuasive, 1988
Believe It
Bury the Hatchet
Unbridled Elaine, gr/ro, 1998
Unbridled’s Song, 1993
Unbridled, 1987 Fappiano
Gana Facil
Trolley Song, 1983 Caro
Lucky Spell
Carols Folly, 1987
Taylor’s Falls, 1973 In Reality
Nilene Wonder
No Trespassing, 1981 Bob’s Dusty
Private Parking■ Trainer Eoin Harty admires the temperament of this Darley home-bred. He calls Out of Bounds a “gentle giant.”
■ Out of Bounds was the first graded stakes winner sired by Discreet Cat.
■ Harty is 0-for-4 in Triple Crown races. His best finish came in the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), where Colonel John finished sixth.
■ Sheikh Mohammed and Harty teamed up to win a Breeders’ Cup World Championships race in 2001, albeit under the Godolphin banner. Tempera captured the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) for the owner/trainer duo.
■ Out of Bounds is currently based at Santa Anita Park near Arcadia, Calif.
He seems to be the buzz horse in Southern California after winning the Sham Stakes (gr. iii) coming off a maiden victory. Both races were almost carbon cop-ies of each other, as he tracked a fast pace, made up a couple of lengths in the final furlong, and ran down the leader with great determination, winning by three-quarters of a length and a half-length. He’s a big, tall, long-striding colt who still has a lot of improving to do, and who knows how good he’ll be once he fills into that frame. He’s by the exciting sire Discreet Cat out of Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. i) winner Unbridled Elaine.
steve haskin’s
rating 8
Nice job of beating Secret Circle in two-turn Sham, but he had the perfect trip. There are many who like him more than i do. His pedigree doesn’t scream dis-tance; i see him being more of a miler-type. Just not sold yet. i guess he could change my mind in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. ii).
Prospective (KY)Dark Bay or Brown TrueNicks Rating: AFebruary 22, 2009 Dosage: 8-5-11-0-0 • DI=3.36 • CD=0.88
Malibu Moon, b, 1997
A.P. Indy, 1989
Seattle Slew, 1974 Bold Reasoning
My Charmer
Weekend Surprise, 1980
Secretariat
Lassie Dear
Macoumba, 1992 Mr. Prospector, 1970 Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Maximova, 1980 Green Dancer
Baracala
Spirited Away, b, 2004
Awesome Again, 1994
Deputy Minister, 1979
Vice Regent
Mint Copy
Primal Force, 1987 Blushing Groom
Prime Prospect
Cape North, 1993
Capote, 1984 Seattle Slew
Too Bald
North Sider, 1982 Topsider
Back Ack
■ Owner John Oxley is in search of his second Kentucky Derby (gr. I) win, having captured the 2001 edition with Monarchos.
■ Groom Rosa Jimenez has been with the colt ever since his first day in Mark Casse’s barn. So too has exercise rider Jamar Gibson.
■ Casse is looking to get back to the Derby for the first time since he saddled Seaside Retreat, who finished 10th in 2006.
■ Casse’s son Norman is one of the barn’s top assistants. Many of the day-to-day tasks involving Prospective’s training have been del-egated to Norman.
■ Prospective is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
The son of Malibu Moon showed a lot of promise in Canada last year, winning the Grey Stakes (Can-iii) in his two-turn debut. After a last-place finish in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. i), he captured the seven-furlong Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and then ran an excellent second in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. iii), despite breaking from post 11and going wide on both turns. He still hasn’t reached an 80 Beyer, so he has to improve his speed figures. He obviously loves Tampa, and could be tough in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. ii).
steve haskin’s
rating 5
He’s a colt i liked as a 2-year-old. if you throw out his Breeders’ Cup race on a heavy track, he’s never run a bad race. Probably moved too early in the Sam F. Davis, and he was coming on hard in the final yards. i like him better than the winner. i see some potential here, but he will need to show it in Tampa Bay Derby. Already has a significant amount of graded earnings, which is another positive.
■ Country music superstar Toby Keith owns Reckless Jerry. His stable, Dream Walkin’ Farms, shares its name with an album released by Keith in 1997.
■ Reckless Jerry is a homebred. His sire is Cactus Ridge, who was undefeated in four starts as a juvenile for Dream Walkin’ Farms back in 2003. His dam is the lightly-raced sprinter Miss Moneywise.
■ Keith’s cousin Jerry, with whom Keith maintains a close friendship, is the horse’s namesake.
■ Trainer Kenny Smith has had one Triple Crown starter in his career. He conditioned Silver Goblin, who finished eighth in the 1994 Preakness (gr. I).
■ Reckless Jerry is currently based at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.
Seven starts, seven times in the money, including seconds in the Smarty Jones Stakes at oaklawn and Remington Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington Park. But might have been exposed in the Southwest Stakes (gr. iii) against better-caliber horses. The son of Cactus Ridge had seen his Beyer figures increase with every start, and his 93 in the Smarty Jones makes him competitive with most of the other top 3-year-olds on his best day. He was forced to go very wide while the winner slipped through along the rail. He has shown good early speed but has developed into a horse that is most effective coming from off the pace. A solid, honest horse who gives his all.
steve haskin’s
rating 5
Southwest effort wasn’t bad; he was stuck toward the inside most of the way and finished willingly, just as he did in the Smarty Jones Stakes. The colt has some speed and talent, but his pedigree is a major negative for success in Triple Crown races. owned by country music star Toby Keith, who would certainly pump some life into the Derby if the colt makes it that far.
■ Rousing Sermon gets a thumbs-up for his work ethic from his trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer. Said the Hall of Fame conditioner, “He doesn’t do anything wrong.”
■ A homebred, Rousing Sermon is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams. Among the more notable horses they’ve owned are Antares World and Coastal Strike—both stakes winners in California.
■ Hollendorfer has had four Kentucky Derby (gr. I) starters in his career, but none have finished better than fifth (Eye of the Tiger and Chocolate Candy in 2003 and 2009, respectively).
■ With the support of owners such as Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Hollendorfer is hoping to regain control of Golden Gate Fields, a track that he dominated for decades. He’d won 32 consecutive training titles at Golden Gate, until William Morey bettered him in the 2008 spring meet standings.
Like Liaison, Rousing Sermon’s reputation took a major blow when he could do no better than a well-beaten fourth in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. ii) at odds of 3-1. He was placed third via disqualification, but was not involved in the incident. if you’re willing to throw that race out, he did run well in his seconds to Liaison in the CashCall Futurity (gr. i) and Real Quiet Stakes, but those were on a synthetic surface. He did, however, win the Cal Cup Juvenile on the dirt at Santa Anita.
steve haskin’s
rating 5
California-bred disappointed in Robert B. Lewis. So far, he’s a horse that has shown he can be competitive but just doesn’t like to win races. Does have a nice bankroll, but unless he surprises me in his remaining preps i can’t see him being a factor this spring.
russian Greek (KY)Dark Bay or Brown TrueNicks Rating: A++January 23, 2009 Dosage: 6-4-26-0-0 • DI=1.77 • CD=0.44
Giant’s Causeway, ch, 1997
Storm Cat, 1983
Storm Bird, 1978 Northern Dancer
South Ocean
Terlingua, 1976 Secretariat
Crimson Saint
Mariah’s Storm, 1991
Rahy, 1985 Blushing Groom
Glorious Song
Immense, 1979 Roberto
Imsodear
Sand Dollar, dkb/br, 1998
Grindstone, 1993
Unbridled, 1987 Fappiano
Gana Facil
Buzz My Bell, 1981 Drone
Chateaupavia
Train Robbery, 1987
Alydar, 1975 Raise a Native
Sweet Tooth
Track Robbery, 1976 No Robbery
Left At Home
■ Owner Olympia Star Inc. is a major client of trainer Jerry Hollendor-fer. They have sent out a number of noteworthy runners over the years, including Skipshot—winner of the 2010 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) at Hollywood Park.
■ Russian Greek was one of 23 horses sired by Giant’s Causeway that sold during the 2009 Keeneland November sale.
■ Led by company president Mikhail Yanakov, Olympia Star features partners whose ancestors hail from Russia and Greece. The horse’s name is a nod to their lineage.
■ Hollendorfer considers Russian Greek to be a consummate professional both “around the barn and on the racetrack.”
■ Russian Greek is currently based at Golden Gate Fields near Berkeley, Calif.
Year after year we get caught up in the Northern California form, and year after year those horses fail to make much of an impact on the Derby, especially with Golden Gate now using a synthetic surface. He looked very impressive winning the Califor-nia Derby and Gold Rush Stakes with scintillating stretch runs but came up empty against better company in the El Camino Real Derby (gr. iii). What is most impres-sive is his pedigree, by Giant’s Causeway, out of a Grindstone mare. So there is no question about his stamina. He did break his maiden on dirt at Santa Rosa but still has to prove he can duplicate his form and that big stretch kick at major dirt tracks.
steve haskin’s
rating 4
El Camino Real was first real test for him and he failed. Maybe Hollendorfer will help him improve and try him back on dirt, but it’s a stretch to think he’s a Triple Crown threat right now. At least his pedigree suggests that distance won’t be an issue.
Sabercat (KY)Dark Bay or Brown TrueNicks Rating: A++April 8, 2009 Dosage: 10-4-13-0-1 • DI=2.73 • CD=0.79
Bluegrass Cat, b, 2003
Storm Cat, 1983
Storm Bird, 1978 Northern Dancer
South Ocean
Terlingua, 1976 Secretariat
Crimson Saint
She’s a Winner, 1996 A.P. Indy, 1989 Seattle Slew
Weekend Surprise
Get Lucky, 1988 Mr. Prospector
Dance Number
Miner’s Blessing, dkb/br, 1994
Forty Niner, 1985
Mr. Prospector, 1970 Raise a Native
Gold Digger
File, 1976 Tom Rolfe
Continue
Bless You, 1985
Halo, 1969 Hail to Reason
Cosmah
Wedding Party, 1979 Hoist the Flag
Betrothed
■ Trainer Steve Asmussen, along with owners Ron and Joan Winchell are hop-ing for better luck than they had last year with highly regarded 3-year-old Tapizar—who won the San Fernando Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita in January 2011, but was forced off the Triple Crown trail due to injury.
■ Purchased as a yearling at the 2010 Keeneland September sale, Sabercat was one of the more coveted offspring of Bluegrass Cat sold at that auction. Only three of the 29 horses sired by Bluegrass Cat sold for more than Sabercat’s $120,000 purchase price.
■ Asmussen owns two Classic victories, having captured the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) in 2007 and 2009 with Curlin and Rachel Alexandra. respectively.
■ Sabercat is almost assured of a spot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on graded earnings—having banked the $600,000 winner’s share of 2011 Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III). However, none of the last seven Delta Jackpot winners have made it to the Derby starting gate.
■ Sabercat is currently based at Santa Anita Park, near Arcadia, Calif., where he is being handled by Asmussen’s assistant, Scott Blasi.
it’s encouraging to see him back on the work tab. From a visual standpoint, he was as impressive a 2-year-old as we saw last year, especially his turn of foot, his profession-alism down the stretch, and the way he opens up on his competition. He turned in an explosive early move in the Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. iii) and was actually under a pull when he nearly ran up over horses’ backs on the turn. He also showed that accel-eration when he bounded clear of his rivals in his six-length win in the Garden State Stakes at Monmouth Park. So far, we like everything we’ve seen of him.
steve haskin’s
rating 8
The Delta Jackpot winner has never really meant much for the Triple Crown, but this colt could change that. Granted, it doesn’t look like he beat all that much in that race, but he gives the impression that he has more to offer. i like him; he’s a good mover with a solid pedigree and is in the right hands with Asmussen. Let’s see what happens now that he is going to California, but i suspect that we haven’t heard the last of him. of course, already has plenty of graded stakes cash.
Shared Property (KY)Dark Bay or Brown TrueNicks Rating: A++March 7, 2009 Dosage: 5-2-8-1-0 • DI=2.20 • CD=0.69
Scat Daddy, dkb/br, 2004
Johannesburg, 1999
Hennessy, 1993 Storm Cat
Island Kitty
Myth, 1993 Ogygian
Yarn
Love Style, 1999 Mr. Prospector, 1970 Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Likeable Style, 1990 Nijinsky II
Personable Lady
Yoursmineours, dkb/br, 2001
Belong to Me, 1989
Danzig, 1977 Northern Dancer
Pas de Nom
Belonging, 1979 Exclusive Native
Straight Deal
Polly Adler, 1993
Housebuster, 1987 Mt. Livermore
Big Dreams
Honest and True, 1977
Mr. Leader
Tell Meno Lies
■ Trainer Tom Amoss is looking for his first Triple Crown starter since he saddled Backtalk—who finished last in the 2010 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
■ Shared Property’s conquest of the Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr. III) last September was the first graded stakes win for owner Jerry Namy.
■ Of the novice owner, trainer Tom Amoss said, “He is an actively involved owner who enjoys his horses very much, and his stable is likely to expand rapidly if [Shared Property] is as good as I think he is.”
■ The gelding is named after his dam—Yoursmineours.
■ Shared Property is currently based at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La.
He turned in a big stretch run to win the Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr. iii) in only his second career start. His subsequent sixth in the Breeders’ Futurity (gr. i) was better than it looks on paper, and he came out this year with a strong third, beaten only a half-length, in the Lecomte Stakes (gr. iii), rallying from way out in the middle of the track. He’s been working very well since and should keep mov-ing forward for trainer Tom Amoss.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
Have to give him a lot of credit in the Lecomte; had a very wide trip and still was beaten a half-length. Solid works in February show he bounced out of the race just fine. Maybe one that’s flying under the radar. Let’s wait and see what happens in Risen Star Stakes (gr. ii).
Soviet Sojourn, 1989 Leo Castelli, 1984 Sovereign Dancer
Suspicious Native
Political Parfait, 1984 Diplomat Way
Peach Butter
Speed Succeeds, dkb/br, 2001
Gone West, 1984
Mr. Prospector, 1970 Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Secrettame, 1978 Secretariat
Tamerett
Daijin, 1992
Deputy Minister, 1979
Vice Regent
Mint Copy
Passing Mood, 1978 Buckpasser
Cool Mood■ Sired by Indian Charlie, Souper Speedy is a homebred, owned by
Live Oak Plantation.
■ Trainer Tom Albertrani has one Triple Crown win from five starts—having scored with Bernardini in the 2006 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
■ Two Live Oak Plantation 3-year-olds won grade I races in 2011. Brilliant Speed (a half brother to Souper Speedy and also trained by Albertrani) triumphed in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland in April, while To Honor and Serve captured the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct in November.
■ Live Oak’s signature victory came in the 2006 NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) with Miesque’s Approval.
■ Souper Speedy is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
He’s been working slowly at Palm Meadows and is up to five-eighths. He is a tough competitor who in two starts has shown he likes to be on the lead. But we don’t think he’s necessarily a confirmed front-runner. He has proved to be a tough horse to pass in the stretch, and was very game in the Remsen Stakes (gr. ii), miss-ing by three-quarters of a length, while finishing ahead of El Padrino. By indian Charlie out of a Gone West mare, it’s hard to tell how far he wants to go, but he runs hard and should be a major force when he gets back in the starting gate.
steve haskin’s
rating 7
Front-running indian Charlie colt did finish ahead of El Padrino in Remsen, but works haven’t exactly inspired confidence since he started back. Not sure his run-ning style helps him for these longer races.
Spring Hill Farm (vA)Dark Bay or Brown TrueNicks Rating: AMay 12, 2009 Dosage: 9-18-21-0-2 • DI=3.00 • CD=0.64
Smart Strike, b, 1992
Mr. Prospector, 1970
Raise a Native, 1961 Native Dancer
Raise You
Gold Digger, 1962 Nashua
Sequence
Classy ‘n Smart, 1981
Smarten, 1976 Cyane
Smartaire
No Class, 1974 Nodouble
Classy Quillo
Colonial Minstrel, gr/ro, 1994
Pleasant Colony, 1978
His Majesty, 1968 Ribot
Flower Bowl
Sun Colony, 1968 Sunrise Flight
Colonia
Minstrella, 1984
The Minstrel, 1974 Northern Dancer
Fleur
Flight Dancer, 1968 Misty Flight
Courbette
■ Owner George Bolton paid $60,000 for Spring Hill Farm at the Keeneland November sale in 2011. The Smart Strike colt was sold as part of the dispersal of the late Edward P. “Ned” Evans’ stable.
■ The horse was named after the expansive 3,000-acre property owned by Evans—located in Casanova, Va.
■ Spring Hill Farm’s victory in an allowance race on Feb. 11 at Gulfstream Park was the 3,000th of trainer Todd Pletcher’s career.
■ Bolton owned a 20% share in 2007 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Curlin, in partnership with Stonestreet Stables.
■ Spring Hill Farm is currently based at Palm Meadows Training Center, Boynton Beach, Fla.
He’s now two-for-two following a workmanlike victory in a mile allowance race over a sloppy sealed track at Gulfstream that seemed to take its toll on many of the performances that day. Although he won by only 1¼ lengths, he defeated a talented colt in Unbridled Minister, who finished six lengths ahead of the third horse in what appeared on paper to be a very strong field. By Smart Strike out of a Pleasant Colony mare, he should only get stronger the farther he goes. With only two career starts he’s playing catch-up, but he’s proved he’s a quality colt with a great deal of upside.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
No doubt he is talented; proved that by beating a couple of nice ones in Feb. 11 optional claimer over sloppy track. He’ll now go to the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. ii) where he’ll be one of the favorites. Big negatives for me are that he is a May 12 foal and didn’t start as a 2-year-old. Not ideal for a Derby winner. Maybe he is Pletcher’s first Preakness S. (gr. i) winner? Would be fitting with his connections.
Take Charge indy (KY)Dark Bay or Brown TrueNicks Rating: A++March 27, 2009 Dosage: 6-13-19-0-0 • DI=3.00 • CD=0.66
A.P. Indy, dkb/br, 1989
Seattle Slew, 1974
Bold Reasoning, 1968
Boldnesian
Reason to Earn
My Charmer, 1969 Poker
Fair Charmer
Weekend Surprise, 1980
Secretariat, 1970 Bold Ruler
Somethingroyal
Lassie Dear, 1974 Buckpasser
Gay Missile
Take Charge Lady, b, 1999
Dehere, 1991
Deputy Minister, 1979
Vice Regent
Mint Copy
Sister Dot, 1985 Secretariat
Sword Game
Felicita, 1994
Rubiano, 1987 Fappiano
Ruby Slippers
Grand Bonheur, 1979 Blushing Groom
Director■ Sire A.P. Indy has classic winners—2006 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Bernardini, and 2007 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Rags To Riches.
■ Take Charge Indy is the star of a stable, owned by Chuck and Maribeth Sandford, that was first assembled in 2009. “To get into the sport at [such a high] level,” Chuck Sandford said, “is a dream come true.”
■ Three of the four foals of dam Take Charge Lady have made it to the winner’s circle.
■ Trainer Pat Byrne is looking to make his first trip back to the Triple Crown since he sent out Prime Directive to a 10th-place finish in the 1999 Belmont. His one other Triple Crown starter, Black Cash, who finished fifth in the 1998 Preakness.
■ Take Charge Indy is currently based at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.
This well-bred son of A.P. indy is still very much a work in progress. His first three career starts were over Polytrack, at Arlington and Keeneland, and he ran well enough, destroying a maiden field and then making a huge move in the Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr. iii) to take a clear lead, only to be caught by Shared Property. Following a solid fourth in the Breeders’ Futurity (gr. i), with the addition of blinkers, he made his dirt debut in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. i) and ran well to finish fifth, despite having to steady early on. in his 3-year-old debut, he again made an early move in a Gulfstream allowance event in an effort to blow the race open, but again was caught, this time by El Padrino, while finishing 13¾ lengths ahead of the third horse. There is no reason to believe he won’t keep showing steady improvement.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
Was well clear of third-place horse in El Padrino’s optional claimer. Has faced some of the best of this class in his last four races and held his own. Now he needs to improve and show he can win some of these races. A Tampa Bay Derby (gr. ii) victory would not surprise me. He’s one i’m intrigued by.
Dryad■ Having sold Union Rags in 2010, breeder Phyllis Wyeth bought the colt back at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton February sale for $390,000—nearly triple the price she’d sold him for six months earlier.
■ Trainer Michael Matz has not saddled a Kentucky Derby (gr. I) starter since Visionaire in 2008, who finished 12th. Matz won the race in 2006 with Barbaro.
■ Despite losing by a nose to Hansen in the 2011 Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I), Union Rags still garned 52 first place votes in the 2011 Eclipse Award race for champion 2-year-old male. Hansen prevailed in the balloting, however, by a nearly 4-to-1 margin.
■ According to Wyeth, the horse possesses an incredibly stoic demeanor. She cites this as part of the reason she was willing to sell the colt in 2010.
Looked to be the most talented 2-year-old last year off impressive scores in the Sara-toga Special (gr. ii) and Champagne S. (gr. i). in the latter he displayed his professional-ism and athleticism by changing course on two occasions and still blowing away his field by 5¼ lengths. He does have one bad habit of ducking out in the stretch on occa-sion. He got away with it in the Saratoga Special but not in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. i). Those antics, along with going wide every step of the way (he ran 78 feet farther than the victorious Hansen), not only cost him the race, which he lost by a head, but the 2-year-old championship. if he’s gotten over that stunt with matu-rity, he is going to be awfully tough to handle on the Derby trail.
steve haskin’s
rating 9
Despite his narrow loss in the Breeders Cup, many felt he was the best that day. All eyes will be on him in Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (gr. ii), where he’ll face top horses who have already had a start this year, this time with a new rider. if he handles them, he is the unquestioned leader of the division. Even before the Fountain of Youth, he looks like he has all the components of a Derby winner. We just need to see his progression from 2 to 3.
■ Rabbi Daniel Glanz, a friend of Zayat Stables racing manager Justin Zayat, aspired to be a rap artist while growing up. His nickname was “Dagger.” Z Dager was named as an homage to Glanz’ alter ego.
■ Zayat Stables holds Z Dager’s sire, Mizzen Mast, in high regard. Mizzen Mast also sired, notably, California-based graded stakes winner Mizdirection—owned by sports talk personality Jim Rome.
■ Trainer Steve Asmussen teamed with Zayat Stables to send out Nehro to finish second in last year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
■ Justin Zayat lauds Z Dager’s comparatively cool demeanor. Nehro, according to Zayat, was far more high-strung and much more of a handful for Asmussen. Z Dager, on the other hand, “always trains forwardly.”
■ Z Dager is currently based at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La.
This son of Mizzen Mast relished the stretch-out to two turns, winning a mile and 70-yard maiden race at Fair Grounds in the slop by 1¼ lengths in his second career start. That race, although solid, hardly looked like it would set him up for a victory in the Lecomte Stakes (gr. iii), but he almost pulled it off, rallying from between horses to be beaten a head by Mr. Bowling in a three-horse charge to the wire in a 13-horse field. Trained by Steve Asmussen, he looks like a colt who is only just beginning to show his potential as his Beyers have increased with each start.
steve haskin’s
rating 6
it’s a little bit of a stretch for me to put him in this group, but i loved what i saw in the Lecomte. Showed talent and heart in that race, as he was passed on the turn then fought his way out of a tough spot. Didn’t change leads until very late. Now we need to see if he’ll improve in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. ii), where he’ll meet El Padrino and Mr. Bowling again, among others.
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46Past Performances provided by
2012 Triple Crown Preview who will the pedigree expertS predict to win?
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Name (Location bred): color, sex, date of birth Sire-Dam, Broodmare Sire
Earnings (Graded Earnings) Race Record Best Perf.
Longest WD
True-Nicks*
Exp. Free Hcp Wt*
Dosage Profile*
A BOY NAMED EM (KY): ch. g. Mar 17 Point Given–No Knocks, A.P. Indy $28,450 3 - 1 - 0 - 0 Wnr 6.00 f. A+ 1.60
ADIOS NARDO (FL): b. g. Apr 15 Invisible Ink–Tambien Me Voy, Orono $845 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 Rnr NR 2.00
ADIRONDACK KING (KY): b. c. Mar 20 Lawyer Ron–Jostle, Brocco $169,610 ($25,000) 7 - 3 - 1 - 3 G3SPl 6.50 f. D 2.43
AFFARI DI CAT (VA): b. c. Apr 07 Tale of the Cat–Promote Business, Capote – Unraced Unr A 3.89
AFFORD (KY): dkb/br. c. Mar 02 Street Sense–Unaffordable, Unbridled $52,904 4 - 2 - 0 - 2 SPl 8.32 f. D 3.00
AFRICANIST (KY): gr/ro. c. Apr 26 Johannesburg–Mekko Hokte, Holy Bull $52,882 ($1,782) 5 - 1 - 2 - 1 Wnr 8.50 f. D 3.00
ALGORITHMS (KY): b. c. May 08 Bernardini–Ava Knowsthecode, Cryptoclearance $301,500 ($240,000) 3 - 3 - 0 - 0 G3SW 8.00 f. A 2.71
ALL STORMY (KY): dkb/br. c. Jan 26 Stormy Atlantic–Allspice, Coronado's Quest $32,138 6 - 1 - 2 - 0 Wnr 8.32 f. B+ 1.86
ALPHA (KY): b. c. Mar 11 Bernardini–Munnaya, Nijinsky II $300,000 ($180,000) 5 - 3 - 1 - 0 G1SPl 8.50 f. A+ 114 1.67
AMBER COAST (KY): ch. c. Feb 04 Speightstown–Joyce Ann, Pine Bluff – Unraced Unr B+ 4.50
AMERICAN ACT (KY): b. g. Mar 04 Quiet American–Revolutionary Act, Boston Harbor $72,950 ($30,000) 4 - 1 - 2 - 0 G2Spl 5.50 f. D 4.78
ARGENTINE TANGO (FL): dkb/br. c. Feb 10 Black Mambo–Duchess d'Or, Tour d'Or $118,850 11 - 1 - 4 - 1 SPl 5.00 f. B 102 1.33
ATIGUN (KY): b. c. Mar 20 Istan–Rimini Road, Dynaformer $69,025 ($5,025) 6 - 2 - 1 - 0 Wnr 8.50 f. B 2.33
ATLANTIC TITAN (KY): dkb/br. c. Mar 03 Stormy Atlantic–Lokoya, Woodman $56,256 9 - 1 - 3 - 2 Wnr 8.32 f. D 3.00
ATTENBOROUGH (KY): dkb/br. c. Mar 17 Medaglia d'Oro–Julie's Prospect, Allen's Prospect $3,719 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 Wnr 8.00 f. A++ 1.57
AWAITED (KY): b. r. Feb 02 Unbridled's Song–Secret Status, A.P. Indy $3,615 3 - 0 - 0 - 1 Pl A 3.00
AWESOME ADDRESS (KY): b. c. Mar 03 Awesome Again–Word of Mouth, Saint Ballado $350 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 Rnr D 1.91
BACKDOOR STRIKE (MD): ch. g. Mar 28 Tenpins–Love Factor, Royal Academy – Unraced Unr A++ 3.00
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Kentucky Derby History
Year Winner Sire Margin Time Track Odds Rnrs2011 Animal Kingdom, ch. c. Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) 23⁄4 2:02.04 Fast 20.90 192010 Super Saver, b. c. Maria’s Mon 21⁄2 2:04.45 Sloppy 8.00 202009 Mine That Bird, b. g. Birdstone 63⁄4 2:02.66 Sloppy 50.60 192008 Big Brown, b. c. Boundary 43⁄4 2:01.82 Fast *2.40 202007 Street Sense, dkb/br. c. Street Cry 21⁄4 2:02.17 Fast *4.90 202006 Barbaro, dkb/br. c. Dynaformer 61⁄2 2:01.36 Fast 6.10 202005 Giacomo, gr/ro. c. Holy Bull 1⁄2 2:02.75 Fast 50.30 202004 Smarty Jones, ch. c. Elusive Quality 23⁄4 2:04.06 Sloppy *4.10 182003 Funny Cide, ch. g. Distorted Humor 13⁄4 2:01.19 Fast 12.80 162002 War Emblem, dkb/br. c. Our Emblem 4 2:01.13 Fast 20.50 182001 Monarchos, gr/ro. c. Maria’s Mon 43⁄4 1:59.97 Fast 10.50 172000 Fusaichi Pegasus, b. c. Mr. Prospector 11⁄2 2:01.12 Fast *2.30 191999 Charismatic, ch. c. Summer Squall nk 2:03.29 Fast 31.30 191998 Real Quiet, b. c. Quiet American 1⁄2 2:02.38 Fast 8.40 151997 Silver Charm, gr/ro. c. Silver Buck hd 2:02.44 Fast 4.00 131996 Grindstone, dkb/br. c. Unbridled ns 2:01.06 Fast 5.90 191995 Thunder Gulch, ch. c. Gulch 21⁄4 2:01.27 Fast 24.50 191994 Go for Gin, b. c. Cormorant 2 2:03.72 Sloppy 9.10 141993 Sea Hero, b. c. Polish Navy 21⁄2 2:02.42 Fast 12.90 191992 Lil E. Tee, b. c. At the Threshold 1 2:03.04 Fast 16.80 181991 Strike the Gold, ch. c. Alydar 13⁄4 2:03.08 Fast 4.80 161990 Unbridled, b. c. Fappiano 31⁄2 2:02 Good 10.80 151989 Sunday Silence, dkb/br. c. Halo 21⁄2 2:05 Muddy 3.10 151988 Winning Colors, ro. f. Caro (Ire) nk 2:021/5 Fast 3.40 171987 Alysheba, b. c. Alydar 3⁄4 2:032/5 Fast 8.40 171986 Ferdinand, ch. c. Nijinsky II 21⁄4 2:024/5 Fast 17.70 161985 Spend a Buck, b. c. Buckaroo 51⁄4 2:001/5 Fast 4.10 131984 Swale, dkb/br. c. Seattle Slew 31⁄4 2:022/5 Fast 3.40 201983 Sunny’s Halo, ch. c. Halo 2 2:021/5 Fast 2.50 201982 Gato Del Sol, gr. c. Cougar (Chile) 21⁄2 2:022/5 Fast 21.20 191981 Pleasant Colony, dkb/br. c. His Majesty 3⁄4 2:02 Fast 3.50 211980 Genuine Risk, ch. f. Exclusive Native 1 2:02 Fast 13.30 131979 Spectacular Bid, gr. c. Bold Bidder 23⁄4 2:022/5 Fast *0.60 101978 Affirmed, ch. c. Exclusive Native 11⁄2 2:011/5 Fast 1.80 111977 Seattle Slew, dkb/br. c. Bold Reasoning 13⁄4 2:021/5 Fast *0.50 151976 Bold Forbes, dkb/br. c. Irish Castle 1 2:013/5 Fast 3.00 91975 Foolish Pleasure, b. c. What a Pleasure 13⁄4 2:02 Fast *1.90 151974 Cannonade, b. c. Bold Bidder 21⁄4 2:04 Fast *1.50 231973 Secretariat, ch. c. Bold Ruler 21⁄2 1:592/5 Fast *1.50 131972 Riva Ridge, b. c. First Landing 31⁄4 2:014/5 Fast *1.50 141971 Canonero II, b. c. Pretendre 31⁄4 2:031/5 Fast 8.70 201970 Dust Commander, ch. c. Bold Commander 5 2:032/5 Good 15.30 171969 Majestic Prince, ch. c. Raise a Native nk 2:014/5 Fast *1.40 81968 #Forward Pass, b c. On-and-On nk 2:021/5 Fast 3.60 161967 Proud Clarion, b. c. Hail to Reason 1 2:003/5 Fast 30.10 141966 Kauai King, dkb/br. c. Native Dancer 1⁄2 2:02 Fast *2.40 151965 Lucky Debonair, b. c. Vertex nk 2:011/5 Fast 4.30 111964 Northern Dancer, b. c. Nearctic nk 2:00 Fast 3.40 121963 Chateaugay, ch. c. Swaps 11⁄4 2:014/5 Fast 9.40 91962 Decidedly, gr. c. Determine 21⁄4 2:002/5 Fast 8.70 151961 Carry Back, br. c. Saggy 3⁄4 2:04 Good *2.50 151960 Venetian Way, ch. c. Royal Coinage 31⁄2 2:022/5 Good 6.30 131959 Tomy Lee, b. c. Tudor Minstrel ns 2:021/5 Fast 3.70 171958 Tim Tam, dk. b. c. Tom Fool 1⁄2 2:05 Muddy 2.10 141957 Iron Liege, b. c. Bull Lea ns 2:021/5 Fast 8.40 91956 Needles, b. c. Ponder 3⁄4 2:032/5 Fast *1.60 171955 Swaps, ch. c. Khaled 11⁄2 2:014/5 Fast 2.80 101954 Determine, gr. c. Alibhai 11⁄2 2:03 Fast 4.30 171953 Dark Star, br. c. Royal Gem II hd 2:02 Fast 24.90 111952 Hill Gail, dk. b. c. Bull Lea 2 2:013/5 Fast *1.10 161951 Count Turf, b. c. Count Fleet 4 2:023/5 Fast 14.60 201950 Middleground, ch. c. Bold Venture 11⁄4 2:013/5 Fast 7.90 141949 Ponder, dk. b. c. Pensive 3 2:041/5 Fast 16.00 141948 Citation, b. c. Bull Lea 31⁄2 2:052/5 Sloppy *0.40 61947 Jet Pilot, ch. c. Blenheim II hd 2:064/5 Slow 5.40 131946 Assault, ch. c. Bold Venture 8 2:063/5 Slow 8.20 171945 Hoop, Jr., b. c. Sir Gallahad III 6 2:07 Muddy 3.70 161944 Pensive, ch. c. Hyperion 41⁄2 2:041/5 Good 7.10 161943 Count Fleet, br. c. Reigh Count 3 2:04 Fast *0.40 101942 Shut Out, ch. c. Equipoise 21⁄2 2:042/5 Fast *1.90 151941 Whirlaway, ch. c. Blenheim II 8 2:012/5 Fast *2.90 11
Year Winner Sire Margin Time Track Odds Rnrs1940 Gallahadion, b. c. Sir Gallahad III 11⁄2 2:05 Fast 35.20 81939 Johnstown, b. c. Jamestown 8 2:032/5 Fast *0.60 81938 Lawrin, br. c. Insco 1 2:044/5 Fast 8.60 101937 War Admiral, br. c Man o’ War 13⁄4 2:031/5 Fast *1.60 201936 Bold Venture, ch. c. St. Germans hd 2:033/5 Fast 20.50 141935 Omaha, ch. c. Gallant Fox 11⁄2 2:05 Good 4.00 181934 Cavalcade, br. c. Lancegaye 21⁄2 2:04 Fast *1.50 131933 Brokers Tip, br. c. Black Toney ns 2:064/5 Good 8.93 131932 Burgoo King, ch. c. Bubbling Over 5 2:051/5 Fast 5.62 201931 Twenty Grand, b. c. St. Germans 4 2:014/5 Fast *0.88 121930 Gallant Fox, b. c. Sir Gallahad III 2 2:073/5 Good *1.19 151929 Clyde Van Dusen, ch. g. Man o’ War 2 2:104/5 Muddy 3.00 211928 Reigh Count, ch. c. Sunreigh 3 2:102/5 Heavy *2.06 221927 Whiskery, b. c. Whisk Broom II hd 2:06 Slow *2.40 151926 Bubbling Over, ch. c. North Star III 5 2:034/5 Fast *1.90 131925 Flying Ebony, blk. c. The Finn 11⁄2 2:073/5 Sloppy 3.15 201924 Black Gold, blk. c. Black Toney 1⁄2 2:051/5 Fast *1.75 191923 Zev, br. c. The Finn 11⁄2 2:052/5 Fast 19.20 211922 Morvich, br. c. Runnymede 11⁄2 2:043/5 Fast *1.20 101921 Behave Yourself, b. c. Marathon hd 2:041/5 Fast 8.65 121920 Paul Jones, br. g. Sea King hd 2:09 Slow 16.20 171919 Sir Barton, ch. c. Star Shoot 5 2:094/5 Heavy 2.60 121918 Exterminator, ch. g. McGee 1 2:104/5 Muddy 29.60 81917 Omar Khayyam, ch c. Marco 2 2:043/5 Fast 12.80 151916 George Smith, blk. c. Out of Reach nk 2:04 Fast 4.15 91915 Regret, ch. f. Broomstick 2 2:052/5 Fast *2.65 161914 Old Rosebud, b. g. Uncle 8 2:032/5 Fast *0.85 71913 Donerail, b. c. McGee 1⁄2 2:044/5 Fast 91.45 81912 Worth, br. c. Knight of the Thistle nk 2:092/5 Muddy *0.80 81911 Meridian, b. c. Broomstick 3⁄4 2:05 Fast 2.90 71910 Donau, b. c. Woolsthorpe 1⁄2 2:062/5 Fast *1.65 71909 Wintergreen, b. c. Dick Welles 4 2:081/5 Slow *1.96 101908 Stone Street, b. c. Longstreet 1 2:151/5 Heavy 23.72 81907 Pink Star, b. c. Pink Coat 2 2:123/5 Heavy 15.00 61906 Sir Huon, b. c. Falsetto 2 2:084/5 Fast *1.10 61905 Agile, b.c. Sir Dixon 3 2:103⁄4 Heavy *0.33 31904 Elwood, b. c. Free Knight 1⁄2 2:081⁄2 Fast 15.00 51903 Judge Himes, b. c. Esher 3⁄4 2:09 Fast 10.00 61902 Alan-a-Dale, ch. c. Halma ns 2:083⁄4 Fast 3-2 41901 His Eminence, b. c. Falsetto 2 2:073⁄4 Fast 3-1 51900 Lieut. Gibson, b. c. G. W. Johnson 4 2:061⁄4 Fast *7-10 71899 Manuel, b. c. Bob Miles 2 2:12 Fast *11-20 51898 Plaudit, br. c. Himyar nk 2:09 Good 3-1 41897 Typhoon II, ch. c. Top Gallant hd 2:121⁄2 Heavy 3-1 61896 Ben Brush, b. c. Bramble ns 2:073⁄4 Good *1-2 81895 Halma, blk. c. Hanover 3 2:371⁄2 Fast *1-3 41894 Chant, b. c. Falsetto 2 2:41 Fast *1-2 51893 Lookout, ch. c. Troubadour 5 2:391⁄4 Fast *7-10 61892 Azra, b. c. Reform ns 2:411⁄2 Heavy *3-2 31891 Kingman, b. c. Glengarry 1 2:521⁄4 Good *1-2 41890 Riley, b. c. Longfellow 2 2:45 Heavy 4-1 61889 Spokane, ch. c. Hyder Ali ns 2:341⁄2 Fast 6-1 81888 Macbeth II, b. g. Macduff 1 2:381⁄4 Fast 6-1 71887 Montrose, b. c. Duke of Montrose 2 2:391⁄4 Fast 10-1 71886 Ben Ali, br. c. Virgil 1⁄2 2:361⁄2 Fast *1.72-1 101885 Joe Cotton, ch. c. King Alfonso nk 2:371⁄4 Good *1-1 101884 Buchanan, ch. c. Buckden 2 2:401⁄4 Good 3-1 91883 Leonatus, b. c. Longfellow 3 2:43 Heavy *1.96-1 71882 Apollo, ch. g. Lever 1⁄2 2:401⁄2 Good 10-1 141881 Hindoo, b. c. Virgil 4 2:40 Fast *1-3 61880 Fonso, ch. c. King Alfonso 1 2:371⁄2 Fast 7-1 51879 Lord Murphy, b. c. Pat Malloy 1 2:37 Fast *11-10 91878 Day Star, ch. c. Star Davis 2 2:371⁄4 Good 3-1 91877 Baden Baden, ch. c. Australian 2 2:38 Fast 8-1 111876 Vagrant, br. g. Virgil 2 2:381⁄4 Fast *9-5 111875 Aristides, ch. c. Leamington 1 2:373⁄4 Fast *2-1 15
† Includes bonus. # Dancer’s Image disqualified from first. Triple Crown winners in bold face. Odds from 1875-1902 reflect bookmaking odds or auction pools. * Favorites.From the first running won by Aristides in 1875 through Halma’s victory in the 21st running in 1895, the distance for the Kentucky Derby was 11⁄2 miles. Ben Brush won the first Derby run at 11⁄4 miles in 1896.
Find out in the 2012 Triple Crown Pedigree Profiles. Pre-order now!
Year Winner Sire Margin Time TrackOdds to $1 Rnrs
2011 Shackleford, ch. c. Forestry 1⁄2 1:56.47 Fast 12.60 142010 Lookin At Lucky, b. c. Smart Strike 13⁄4 1:55.47 Fast 2.40 122009 Rachel Alexandra, b. f. Medaglia d’Oro 1 1:55.08 Fast *1.80 132008 Big Brown, b. c. Boundary 51⁄4 1:54.80 Fast *0.20 122007 Curlin, ch. c. Smart Strike hd 1:53.46 Fast 3.40 92006 Bernardini, b. c. A.P. Indy 51⁄4 1:54.65 Fast 12.90 92005 Afleet Alex, b. c. Northern Afleet 43⁄4 1:55.04 Fast *3.30 142004 Smarty Jones, ch. c. Elusive Quality 111⁄2 1:55.59 Fast *.70 102003 Funny Cide, ch. g. Distorted Humor 93⁄4 1:55.61 Good *1.90 102002 War Emblem, dkb/br. c. Our Emblem 3⁄4 1:56.36 Fast *2.80 132001 Point Given, ch. c. Thunder Gulch 21⁄4 1:55.51 Fast *2.30 112000 Red Bullet, ch. c. Unbridled 33⁄4 1:56.04 Good 6.20 81999 Charismatic, ch. c. Summer Squall 11⁄2 1:55.32 Fast 8.40 131998 Real Quiet, b. c. Quiet American 21⁄4 1:543⁄5 Fast 2.50 101997 Silver Charm, gr/ro. c. Silver Buck hd 1:544⁄5 Fast 3.10 101996 Louis Quatorze, b. c. Sovereign Dancer 31⁄4 1:532⁄5 Fast 8.50 121995 Timber Country, ch. c. Woodman 1⁄2 1:542⁄5 Fast *1.90 111994 Tabasco Cat, ch. c. Storm Cat 3⁄4 1:562⁄5 Fast 3.60 101993 Prairie Bayou, ch. g. Little Missouri 1⁄2 1:563⁄5 Fast *2.20 121992 Pine Bluff, b. c. Danzig 3⁄4 1:553⁄5 Good *3.50 141991 Hansel, b. c. Woodman 7 1:54 Fast 9.10 81990 Summer Squall, b. c. Storm Bird 21⁄4 1:533⁄5 Fast 2.40 91989 Sunday Silence, dkb/br. c. Halo ns 1:534⁄5 Fast 2.10 81988 Risen Star, dkb/br. c. Secretariat 11⁄4 1:561⁄5 Good 6.80 91987 Alysheba, b. c. Alydar 1⁄2 1:554⁄5 Fast *2.00 91986 Snow Chief, dkb/br. c. Reflected Glory 4 1:544⁄5 Fast 2.60 71985 Tank’s Prospect, b. c. Mr. Prospector hd 1:532⁄5 Fast 4.70 111984 Gate Dancer, b. c. Sovereign Dancer 11⁄2 1:533⁄5 Fast 4.80 101983 Deputed Testamony, b. c. Traffic Cop 23⁄4 1:552⁄5 Sloppy 14.50 121982 Aloma’s Ruler, dkb/br. c. Iron Ruler 1⁄2 1:552⁄5 Fast 6.90 71981 Pleasant Colony, dkb/br. c. His Majesty 1 1:543⁄5 Fast *1.50 131980 Codex, ch. c. Arts and Letters 43⁄4 1:541⁄5 Fast 2.70 81979 Spectacular Bid, gr. c. Bold Bidder 31⁄2 1:541⁄5 Good *0.10 51978 Affirmed, ch. c. Exclusive Native nk 1:542⁄5 Fast *0.50 71977 Seattle Slew, dkb/br. c. Bold Reasoning 11⁄2 1:542⁄5 Fast *0.40 91976 Elocutionist, b. c. Gallant Romeo 31⁄2 1:55 Fast 10.10 61975 Master Derby, ch. c. Dust Commander 1 1:562⁄5 Fast 23.40 101974 Little Current, ch. c. Sea-Bird 7 1:543⁄5 Good 13.10 131973 Secretariat, ch. c. Bold Ruler 21⁄2 1:542⁄5 Fast *0.30 61972 Bee Bee Bee, dkb/br. c Better Bee 11⁄4 1:553⁄5 Sloppy 18.70 71971 Canonero II, b. c. Pretendre 11⁄2 1:54 Fast *3.40 111970 Personality, b. c. Hail to Reason nk 1:561⁄5 Fast 4.50 141969 Majestic Prince, ch. c. Raise a Native hd 1:553⁄5 Fast *0.60 81968 Forward Pass, b. c. On-and-On 6 1:564⁄5 Fast *1.10 101967 Damascus, b. c. Sword Dancer 21⁄4 1:551⁄5 Fast *1.80 101966 Kauai King, dkb/br. c. Native Dancer 13⁄4 1:552⁄5 Fast *1.00 91965 Tom Rolfe, b. c. Ribot nk 1:561⁄5 Fast 3.60 91964 Northern Dancer, b. c. Nearctic 21⁄4 1:564⁄5 Fast 2.10 61963 Candy Spots, ch. c. Nigromante 31⁄2 1:561⁄5 Fast *1.50 81962 Greek Money, ch. c. Greek Song ns 1:561⁄5 Fast 10.90 111961 Carry Back, br. c. Saggy 3⁄4 1:573⁄5 Fast *1.00 91960 Bally Ache, b. c. Ballydam 4 1:573⁄5 Fast 1.70 61959 Royal Orbit, ch. c. Royal Charger 4 1:57 Fast 6.60 111958 Tim Tam, dk. b. c. Tom Fool 11⁄2 1:571⁄5 Fast *1.10 121957 Bold Ruler, dk. b. c. Nasrullah 2 1:561⁄5 Fast 1.40 71956 Fabius, br. c. Citation 3⁄4 1:582⁄5 Fast 2.50 91955 Nashua, b. c. Nasrullah 1 1:543⁄5 Fast *0.30 81954 Hasty Road, dk. b. c. Roman nk 1:572⁄5 Fast 5.00 111953 Native Dancer, gr. c. Polynesian nk 1:574⁄5 Fast *0.20 71952 Blue Man, b. c. Blue Swords 31⁄2 1:572⁄5 Fast *1.60 101951 Bold, b. c. By Jimminy 7 1:562⁄5 Fast 4.10 81950 Hill Prince, b. c. Princequillo 5 1:591⁄5 Slow *0.70 61949 Capot, br. c. Menow hd 1:56 Fast 2.50 91948 Citation, b. c. Bull Lea 51⁄2 2:022⁄5 Heavy *0.10 41947 Faultless, br. c. Bull Lea 11⁄4 1:59 Fast 4.20 111946 Assault, ch. c. Bold Venture nk 2:012⁄5 Fast *1.40 101945 Polynesian, br. c. Unbreakable 21⁄2 1:584⁄5 Fast 12.00 91944 Pensive, ch. c. Hyperion 3⁄4 1:591⁄5 Fast *1.65 71943 Count Fleet, br. c. Reigh Count 8 1:572⁄5 Good *0.15 41942 Alsab, b. c. Good Goods 1 1:57 Fast *2.05 101941 Whirlaway, ch. c. Blenheim II 51⁄2 1:584⁄5 Good *1.15 81940 Bimelech, b. c. Black Toney 3 1:583⁄5 Fast *0.90 91939 Challedon, b. c. Challenger II 11⁄4 1:594⁄5 Muddy 6.20 6
Year Winner Sire Margin Time TrackOdds to $1 Rnrs
1938 Dauber, ch. c. Pennant 7 1:594⁄5 Sloppy *1.50 91937 War Admiral, br. c. Man o’ War hd 1:582⁄5 Good *0.35 81936 Bold Venture, ch. c. St. Germans ns 1:59 Fast *1.85 111935 Omaha, ch. c. Gallant Fox 6 1:582⁄5 Fast *0.95 81934 High Quest, b. c. Sir Gallahad III ns 1:581⁄5 Fast *0.45 71933 Head Play, ch. c. My Play 4 2:02 Slow *1.80 101932 Burgoo King, b. c. Bubbling Over hd 1:594⁄5 Fast 3.25 91931 Mate, ch. c. Prince Pal 11⁄2 1:59 Fast 4.10 71930 Gallant Fox, b. c. Sir Gallahad III 3⁄4 2:003⁄5 Fast *1.00 111929 Dr. Freeland, ch. c. Light Brigade 1 2:013⁄5 Fast *3.85 111928 Victorian, b. c. Whisk Broom II ns 2:001⁄5 Fast 9.35 181927 Bostonian, blk. c. Broomstick 1⁄2 2:013⁄5 Good 3.00 121926 Display, b. c. Fair Play hd 1:594⁄5 Fast 19.35 131925 Conventry, blk. c. Negofol 4 1:59 Fast 21.80 121924 Nellie Morse, b. f. Luke McLuke 11⁄2 1:571⁄5 Sloppy 12.10 151923 Vigil, ch. c. Jim Gaffney 11⁄4 1:533⁄5 Fast 4.50 131922 Pillory, ch. c. Olambala hd 1:513⁄5 Fast 11.15 121921 Broomspun, b. c. Broomstick 3⁄4 1:541⁄5 Slow *1.00 141920 Man o’ War, ch. c. Fair Play 11⁄2 1:513⁄5 Fast *0.80 91919 Sir Barton, ch. c. Star Shoot 4 1:53 Fast *1.40 121918 War Cloud, b. c. Polymelus 3⁄4 1:533⁄5 Good *0.90 101918 Jack Hare, Jr., b. c. Marathon 2 1:532⁄5 Good *1.70 61917 Kalitan, b. c. Rey Hindoo 2 1:542⁄5 Slow 9.60 141916 Damrosch, br. c. Rock Sand 11⁄2 1:544⁄5 Fast 6.45 91915 Rhine Maiden, b. f. Watercress 11⁄2 1:58 Muddy 5.95 61914 Holiday, b. g. Broomstick 3⁄4 1:534⁄5 Fast 4.25 61913 Buskin, b. g. Hamburg nk 1:532⁄5 Fast *1.40 81912 Colonel Holloway, br. c. Ethelbert 5 1:563⁄5 Slow *2-1 71911 Watervale, b. c. Watercress 1 1:51 Fast *6-5 71910 Layminster, ch. g. Matchless 1⁄2 1:403⁄5 Fast 8-1 121909 Effendi, br. c. Previous 1 1:394⁄5 Fast 20-1 101908 Royal Tourist, b. c. Sandringham 4 1:462⁄5 Fast *2-1 41907 Don Enrique, b. g. Hastings 1 1:452⁄5 Slow 15-1 71906 Whimsical, ch. f. Orlando 4 1:45 Fast *8-5 101905 Cairngorm, b. c. Star Ruby hd 1:454⁄5 Fast *9-5 101904 Bryn Mawr, br. c. Atheling 1 1:441⁄5 Fast *3-2 101903 Flocarline, ch. f. St. Florian 1⁄2 1:444⁄5 Fast 8-1 61902 Old England, b. c. Goldfinch ns 1:454⁄5 Heavy *9-5 71901 The Parader, b. c. Longstreet 2 1:471⁄5 Heavy *20-9 51900 Hindus, b. c. Volante hd 1:482⁄5 Fast 15-1 101899 Half Time, ch. c. Hanover 1 1:47 Fast *1-1 31898 Sly Fox, ch. c. Silver Fox 2 1:493⁄4 Fast 12-5 41897 Paul Kauvar, b. c. Pirate of Penzance 11⁄2 1:511⁄4 Sloppy 6-1 71896 Margrave, ch. c. St. Blaise 1 1:51 Fast *5-4 41895 Belmar, gr. c. Belvidere 1 1:501⁄2 Fast 3-1 71894 Assignee, ch. c. Spendthrift 3 1:471⁄4 Fast 4-1 141890 Montague, ch. h., 5 Mortemer 3 2:363⁄4 Fast *5-4 41889 Buddhist, b. c. Hindoo 8 2:171⁄2 Fast *5.75-5 21888 Refund, ch. c. Sensation 3 2:49 Heavy 22.75-5 41887 Dunboyne, b. c. Uncas 1 2:391⁄2 Fast 4-1 41886 The Bard, b. c. Longfellow 3 2:45 Good 26.40-5 51885 Tecumseh, b. c. Attila 2 2:49 Heavy *7.75-5 41884 Knight of Ellerslie, ch. c. Eolus 2 2:391⁄2 Fast *8.45-5 21883 Jacobus, b. c. The Ill-Used 4 2:421⁄2 Good *6.00-5 21882 Vanguard, b. c. Virgil nk 2:441⁄2 Good *6.05-5 31881 Saunterer, ch. c. Leamington 1⁄2 2:401⁄2 Good *2-1 61880 Grenada, b. c. King Alfonso 3⁄4 2:401⁄2 Good *7-10 51879 Harold, ch. c. Leamington 1 2:401⁄2 Fast *1-6 61878 Duke of Magenta, b. c. Lexington 2 2:413⁄4 Good *2-5 31877 Cloverbrook, ch. c. Vauxhall 2 2:451⁄2 Good — 41876 Shirley, b. g. Lexington 4 2:443⁄4 Good *2-1 81875 Tom Ochiltree, b. c. Lexington 2 2:431⁄2 Slow — 91874 Culpepper, b. c. Revolver 3⁄4 2:561⁄2 Muddy 8-1 51873 Survivor, b. c. Vandal 10 2:43 Slow 11-1 7Triple Crown winners in bold face. Odds from 1873-1912 reflect bookmaking odds or auction pools. *Favorites. Prior to 1889 the Preakness was run at 11⁄2 miles. In 1889 the distance was 11⁄4 miles; 1894-1900,1908, 11⁄16 miles; 1901 to 1907, 1 mile 70 yds.; 1900-01, 1 mile; and 1911-1924, 11⁄8 miles. In 1918 the Preakness was run in two divisions.
The Preakness has not always been held in Maryland. In 1890 the Preakness took place at Morris Park in New York and from 1894 to 1908, it was run at Gravesend track in Brooklyn, New York.
Find out in the 2012 Triple Crown Pedigree Profiles. Pre-order now!
Year Winner Sire Margin Time TrackOdds to $1 Rnrs
2011 Ruler On Ice, ch. g. Roman Ruler 3⁄4 2:30.88 Sloppy 24.75 122010 Drosselmeyer, ch. c. Distorted Humor 13⁄4 2:31.57 Fast 13.00 122009 Summer Bird, ch. c. Birdstone 23⁄4 2:27.54 Fast 11.90 102008 Da’ Tara, dkb/br. c. Tiznow 51⁄4 2:29.65 Fast 38.50 92007 Rags to Riches, ch. f. A.P. Indy hd 2:28.74 Fast 4.30 72006 Jazil, b. c. Seeking the Gold 11⁄4 2:27.86 Fast 6.20 122005 Afleet Alex, b. c. Northern Afleet 7 2:28.75 Fast *1.15 112004 Birdstone, b. c. Grindstone 1 2:27.50 Fast 36.00 92003 Empire Maker, dkb/br. c. Unbridled 13⁄4 2:28.26 Sloppy 2.00 62002 Sarava, dkb/br. c. Wild Again 1⁄2 2:29.71 Fast 70.25 112001 Point Given, ch. c. Thunder Gulch 121⁄4 2:26.56 Fast *1.35 92000 Commendable, ch. c. Gone West 11⁄2 2:31.19 Fast 18.80 111999 Lemon Drop Kid, b. c. Kingmambo hd 2:27.88 Fast 29.75 121998 Victory Gallop, b. c. Cryptoclearance ns 2:29.16 Fast 4.50 111997 Touch Gold, b. c. Deputy Minister 3⁄4 2:284⁄5 Fast 2.65 71996 Editor’s Note, ch. c. Forty Niner 1 2:284⁄5 Fast 5.80 141995 Thunder Gulch, ch. c. Gulch 2 2:32 Fast *1.50 111994 Tabasco Cat, ch. c. Storm Cat 2 2:264⁄5 Fast 3.40 61993 Colonial Affair, b. c. Pleasant Colony 21⁄4 2:294⁄5 Good 13.90 131992 A.P. Indy, dkb/br. c. Seattle Slew 3⁄4 2:26 Good *1.10 111991 Hansel, b. c. Woodman hd 2:28 Fast 4.10 111990 Go and Go, ch. c. Be My Guest 81⁄4 2:271⁄5 Good 7.50 91989 Easy Goer, ch. c. Alydar 8 2:26 Fast 1.60 101988 Risen Star, dkb/br. c. Secretariat 143⁄4 2:262⁄5 Fast *2.10 61987 Bet Twice, b. c. Sportin’ Life 14 2:281⁄5 Fast 8.00 91986 Danzig Connection, b. c. Danzig 11⁄4 2:294⁄5 Sloppy 8.00 101985 Creme Fraiche, b. g. Rich Cream 1⁄2 2:27 Muddy 2.50 111984 Swale, dkb/br. c. Seattle Slew 4 2:271⁄5 Fast *1.50 111983 Caveat, dkb/br. c. Cannonade 31⁄2 2:274⁄5 Fast 2.60 151982 Conquistador Cielo, b. c. Mr. Prospector 14 2:281⁄5 Sloppy 4.10 111981 Summing, b. c. Verbatim nk 2:29 Fast 7.90 111980 Temperence Hill, b. c. Stop the Music 2 2:294⁄5 Muddy 53.40 101979 Coastal, ch. c. Majestic Prince 31⁄4 2:283⁄5 Fast 4.40 81978 Affirmed, ch. c. Exclusive Native hd 2:264⁄5 Fast *0.60 51977 Seattle Slew, dkb/br. c. Bold Reasoning 4 2:293⁄5 Muddy *0.40 81976 Bold Forbes, dkb/br. c Irish Castle nk 2:29 Fast *0.90 101975 Avatar, ch. c. Graustark nk 2:281⁄5 Fast 13.20 91974 Little Current, ch. c. Sea-Bird 7 2:291⁄5 Fast *1.50 91973 Secretariat, ch. c. Bold Ruler 31 2:24 Fast *0.10 51972 Riva Ridge, b. c. First Landing 7 2:28 Fast *1.60 101971 Pass Catcher, b. c. All Hands 3⁄4 2:302⁄5 Fast 34.50 131970 High Echelon, ro. c. Native Charger 3⁄4 2:34 Sloppy 4.50 101969 Arts and Letters, ch. c. Ribot 51⁄2 2:284⁄5 Fast 1.70 61968 Stage Door Johnny, ch. c. Prince John 11⁄4 2:271⁄5 Fast 4.40 91967 Damascus, b. c. Sword Dancer 21⁄2 2:284⁄5 Fast *0.80 91966 Amberoid, dkb/br. c. Count Amber 21⁄2 2:293⁄5 Fast 5.50 111965 Hail to All, b. c. Hail to Reason nk 2:282⁄5 Fast 2.65 81964 Quadrangle, b. c. Cohoes 2 2:282⁄5 Fast 6.55 81963 Chateaugay, ch. c. Swaps 21⁄2 2:301⁄5 Good 4.50 71962 Jaipur, dk. b. c. Nasrullah ns 2:284⁄5 Fast *2.85 81961 Sherluck, dk. b. c. Correspondent 21⁄4 2:291⁄5 Fast 65.05 91960 Celtic Ash, ch. c. Sicambre 51⁄2 2:293⁄5 Fast 8.40 71959 Sword Dancer, ch. c. Sunglow 3⁄4 2:282⁄5 Sloppy *1.65 91958 Cavan, ch. c. Mossborough 6 2:301⁄5 Fast 4.90 81957 Gallant Man, b. c. Migoli 8 2:263⁄5 Fast 0.95 61956 Needles, b. c. Ponder nk 2:294⁄5 Fast *0.65 81955 Nashua, b. c. Nasrullah 9 2:29 Fast *0.15 81954 High Gun, br. c. Heliopolis nk 2:304⁄5 Fast 3.45 131953 Native Dancer, gr. c. Polynesian nk 2:283⁄5 Fast *0.45 61952 One Count, dk. br. c. Count Fleet 21⁄2 2:301⁄5 Fast 12.80 61951 Counterpoint, ch. c. Count Fleet 4 2:29 Fast 5.15 91950 Middleground, ch. c. Bold Venture 1 2:283⁄5 Fast 2.70 91949 Capot, br. c. Menow 1⁄2 2:301⁄5 Fast 5.60 81948 Citation, b. c. Bull Lea 8 2:281⁄5 Fast *0.20 81947 Phalanx, b. c. Pilate 5 2:292⁄5 Fast 2.30 91946 Assault, ch. c. Bold Venture 3 2:304⁄5 Fast 1.40 71945 Pavot, br. c. Case Ace 5 2:301⁄5 Fast 2.10 81944 Bounding Home, br. c. Espino 1⁄2 2:321⁄5 Fast 16.35 71943 Count Fleet, br. c. Reigh Count 25 2:281⁄5 Fast *0.05 31942 Shut Out, ch. c. Equipoise 2 2:291⁄5 Fast 3.50 71941 Whirlaway, ch. c. Blenheim II 21⁄2 2:31 Fast *0.25 41940 Bimelech, b. c. Black Toney 3⁄4 2:293⁄5 Fast *1.35 61939 Johnstown, b. c. Jamestown 5 2:293⁄5 Fast *1-8 61938 Pasteurized, ch. c. Milkman nk 2:292⁄5 Fast 8-1 61937 War Admiral, br. c. Man o’ War 3 2:283⁄5 Fast *9-10 71936 Granville, b. c. Gallant Fox ns 2:30 Fast 16-5 10
Year Winner Sire Margin Time TrackOdds to $1 Rnrs
1935 Omaha, ch. c. Gallant Fox 11⁄2 2:303⁄5 Sloppy *7-10 51934 Peace Chance, b. c. Chance Shot 6 2:291⁄5 Fast 3-1 81933 Hurryoff, b. c. Haste 11⁄2 2:323⁄5 Fast 15-1 91932 Faireno, b. c. Chatterton 11⁄2 2:324⁄5 Fast 5-1 111931 Twenty Grand, b. c. St. Germans 10 2:293⁄5 Fast *4-5 31930 Gallant Fox, b. c. Sir Gallahad III 3 2:313⁄5 Good 8-5 41929 Blue Larkspur, b. c. Black Servant 3/4 2:324/5 Sloppy *13-10 81928 Vito, b. c. Negofol 3 2:331⁄5 Fast 10-1 61927 Chance Shot, b. c. Fair Play 11⁄2 2:322⁄5 Fast *2-7 61926 Crusader, ch. c. Man o’ War 1 2:321⁄5 Sloppy *7-10 91925 American Flag, ch. c. Man o’ War 8 2:164⁄5 Fast *9-20 71924 Mad Play, ch. c. Fair Play 2 2:184⁄5 Good *2-1 111923 Zev, br. c. The Finn 11⁄2 2:19 Good *4-5 81922 Pillory, ch. c. Olambala 2 2:184⁄5 Fast 6-1 41921 Grey Lag, ch. c. Star Shoot 3 2:164⁄5 Fast 2-1 41920 Man o’ War, ch. c. Fair Play 20 2:141⁄5 Fast *1-25 21919 Sir Barton, ch. c. Star Shoot 5 2:172⁄5 Fast *7-20 31918 Johren, b. c. Spearmint 2 2:202⁄5 Fast 11-5 41917 Hourless, br. c. Negofol 10 2:174⁄5 Good *1-4 31916 Friar Rock, ch. c. Rock Sand 3 2:22 Muddy 5-2 41915 The Finn, blk. c. Ogden 4 2:182⁄5 Fast 7-5 31914 Luke McLuke, b. c. Ultimus 8 2:20 Fast 9-5 31913 Prince Eugene, b. c. Hamburg 1⁄2 2:18 Fast 3-1 41910 Sweep, br. c. Ben Brush 6 2:22 Fast *1-10 21909 Joe Madden, ch. c. Yankee 8 2:213⁄5 Fast 11-5 51908 Colin, b. c. Commando hd // Sloppy *1-2 41907 Peter Pan, b. c. Commando 1 // Fast *7-10 51906 Burgomaster, br. c. Hamburg 4 2:20 Fast *2-5 61905 Tanya, ch. f. Meddler 1⁄2 2:08 Fast *11-5 71904 Delhi, br. c. Ben Brush 4 2:063⁄5 Fast *8-5 81903 Africander, b. c. Star Ruby 2 2:231⁄5 Fast *3-5 41902 Masterman, ch. c. Hastings 2 2:221⁄2 Fast 3-1 61901 Commando, b. c. Domino 2 2:21 Fast *7-10 31900 Ildrim, br. c. Kingston ns 2:211⁄2 Fast 3-1 71899 Jean Bereaud, b. c. His Highness hd 2:23 Fast *2-5 41898 Bowling Brook, b. c. Ayrshire 6 2:32 Heavy 7-2 41897 Scottish Chieftain, br. c. Inverness 1 2:231⁄4 Fast 9-5 61896 Hastings, br. c. Spendthrift hd 2:241⁄2 Fast 8-5 41895 Belmar, gr. c. Belvidere hd 2:111⁄2 Heavy 6-1 51894 Henry of Navarre, ch. c. Knight of Ellerslie 11⁄2 1:561⁄2 Fast 1-10 31893 Comanche, ch. c. Sir Modred hd 1:531⁄4 Fast 20-1 51892 Patron, b. c. Falsetto 6 2:17 Muddy 1-6 21891 Foxford, b. c. Stratford nk 2:083⁄4 Fast 8-1 61890 Burlington, blk. c. Powhattan 2 2:073⁄4 Fast 6-1 91889 Eric, b. c. Duke of Magenta 1⁄2 2:47 Good 7-5 31888 Sir Dixon, br. c. Billet 15 2:401⁄4 Fast *30-13 21887 Hanover, ch. c. Hindoo 15 2:431⁄2 Heavy *1-20 21886 Inspector B., b. c. Enquirer 1 2:41 Fast *6-5 51885 Tyrant, ch. c. Great Tom 3 2:43 Good *9-10 61884 Panique, ch. c. Alarm nk 2:42 Good *11-10 41883 George Kinney, b. c. Bonnie Scotland 3 2:421⁄2 Fast *1-12 41882 Forester, ch. c. The Ill-Used 5 2:43 Fast *1-5 31881 Saunterer, ch. c. Leamington nk 2:47 Heavy *5-2 61880 Grenada, br. c. King Alfonso nk 2:47 Good *2-5 41879 Spendthrift, ch. c. Australian 6 2:423⁄4 Slow *1-1 61878 Duke of Magenta, b. c. Leamington 2 2:431⁄2 Muddy *7-10 61877 Cloverbrook, ch. c. Vauxhall 1 2:46 Heavy 5-1 131876 Algerine, b. c. Abd-el-Kader 1⁄2 2:401⁄2 Fast 6-1 51875 Calvin, br. c. Tipperary 2 2:421⁄4 Fast *6-5 141874 Saxon, br. c. Beadsman nk 2:391⁄2 Fast 12-1 91873 Springbok, ch. c. Australian 3⁄4 3:013⁄4 Heavy 18-1 101872 Joe Daniels, ch. c. Australian 3⁄4 2:581⁄4 Good *1-1 91871 Harry Bassett, ch. c. Lexington 3 2:56 Fast *1-1 81870 Kingfisher, b. c. Lexington nk 2:591⁄2 Slow *5-4 71869 Fenian, ch. c. Mickey Free 6 3:041⁄4 Muddy *4-5 81868 General Duke, ch. c. Lexington 2 3:02 Heavy *1-2 61867 Ruthless, b. f. Eclipse 1⁄2 3:05 Slow *1-4 4
Triple Crown winners in bold face. Odds from 1867-1939 reflect bookmaking odds or auction pools. Time not recorded in 1907 and 1908. * Favorites. † Dead heat.Prior to 1874 the Belmont distance was 15⁄8 miles; 1890-1892, 1895, 1904-1905, 11⁄4 miles; 1893-1894, 11⁄8 miles; 1896-1903, 1906-1925, 13⁄8 miles. The Belmont was held at Jerome Park prior to 1890, at Morris Park from 1890-1905, and at Aqueduct, 1963-1967.
2012 Triple Crown Preview who will the pedigree expertS predict to win?
Find out in the 2012 Triple Crown Pedigree Profiles. Pre-order now!
iN PRE-AUToMoBiLE 1875 the entire United States was “horse country.” But the rolling hills and ample bluegrass of Kentucky certainly presented an ideal venue to raise and race horses, as evidenced by the nascent breeding industry in the Commonwealth’s countryside and four racetracks operating in the city of Louisville before the turn of the century.
Little did Col. M. Lewis Clark, grandson of William Clark of Lewis & Clark fame, know that his new racetrack in the city’s South End with its inaugural Kentucky Derby would become a national landmark with a world-renowned sporting event that would one day eclipse the fame of the Epsom Derby after which it was fashioned.
But with Aristides’ victory over 14 other 3-year-olds in May 1875, born was a legend-ary racetrack and America’s longest continu-ously running sporting event. it just took a while for anyone outside of Louisville to take note. it was eight years before the track was officially named “Churchill Downs,” another 20 years before Twin Spires topped a new grandstand, 28 years before the racetrack became profitable, and 50 years before the Derby earned its “Run for the Roses” moniker.
Churchill Downs racetrack was or-ganized as a Kentucky corporation in 1928 and officially became known as Churchill Downs inc. in 1942.
Col. Matt winn — “Mr. Derby”Enter Matt Winn, who led a syndi-
cate that took the reins of the strug-gling facility in 1902 and eventually brought the racetrack and its signature race to a level of international acclaim virtually unmatched by any other U.S. sporting event. Winn was an innova-tor, promoter, and champion of the sport who is credited with making the Kentucky Derby what it is today.
During Winn’s tenure Churchill Downs racetrack hosted state fairs at the facility, locomotive collisions in the infield, and auto races on the race-track. Even the first recorded flight in Kentucky is tied to Churchill Downs, when pilot Glenn Curtiss, founder of Curtiss-Wright Aviation, shipped a plane in by train, assembled it at the track and took off from the infield. Winn is also credited with bringing pari-mutuel machines to the race-track in 1908, Derby radio broadcasts in 1925, and the military—Sherman tanks and all—to the infield’s “Camp Winn” in 1942. His efforts helped draw tens of thousands, including many celebrities, to Churchill Downs each first Saturday in May. Fittingly, Winn’s final Derby in 1949 was the
first Kentucky Derby to be televised, extend-ing the opportunity to witness the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” to every family with a television set.
in retrospect, his efforts to imprint Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby on the national consciousness gave the company something no other racetrack could have: an identity and event as big as the sport itself. in the four decades that followed, the Com-pany continued to expand and modernize its facility to accommodate the throngs attend-ing the Kentucky Derby and its sister race, the Kentucky oaks. in doing so, the company built upon its unique brand, which it would later leverage to become a leading provider of Thoroughbred racing across the nation.
2012 Triple Crown Preview who will the pedigree expertS predict to win?
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HiSToRiC PiMLiCo RACE CoURSE, home of the Preakness Stakes, first opened its doors on oct. 25, 1870, making it the second-oldest racetrack in the nation be-hind Saratoga, which debuted in 1864 in upstate New York. Engineered by Gen. John Ellicott, Pimlico has played host to racing icons for over a century, where Baltimor-eans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Sir Barton, Seabiscuit, War Admiral, Citation, Secretariat, and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition.
Constructed on 70 acres west of the Jones Falls, after Maryland’s Governor at the time, oden Bowie, suggested during a 1868 din-ner party in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., that he and his prominent racing friends have a race in two years for their horses that were year-lings at the time. The winner would have to host the losers for dinner. Both Saratoga and the American Jockey Club made bids for the event, but Gov. Bowie pledged to build a model racetrack in his home state if the race were to be run in Baltimore. Thus, Pimlico was built. The Maryland Jockey Club pur-chased the land for $23,500 and built the race-track for $25,000.
“Pimlico” was the name given the area by English settlers in Colonial times. The colo-nists hailed from an area near London, and harbored memories of a famous landmark “olde Ben Pimlico’s Tavern.”
The racetrack soon became affectionately known as “old Hilltop,” after a small rise in the infield that became a favorite gathering place for trainers and race enthusiasts to view the contestants close-up and cheer on their favorites. The infield was always a fashion-able rendezvous, where in days gone by the four-in-hands, “spikes,” tandems, pairs, and singles were parked and lively guests con-gregated between the races for a champagne lunch. over 60,000 revelers crowd additional areas of the infield to celebrate Preakness Day.
Regrettably, though the famous moniker remains today, the notable infield “hill” was removed in April 1938 because it obscured a view of the backstretch for movie and televi-sion cameras.
Despite a brief hiatus from flat racing be-tween 1889 and 1904—when the Preakness and Dixie were run at other tracks, and “out-law” race meets sprung up around Mary-land—Pimlico has conducted racing each
year since its revival in 1904. During this in-terim period, steeplechase enthusiasts kept racing alive.
Racing at Pimlico even survived a 1910 an-ti-gambling movement that swept the coun-try, prohibiting the sport everywhere, except
in Maryland and Kentucky. Col. Matt Winn of Churchill Downs is alleged to have credited Pimlico’s Billy Riggs as the savior of Eastern rac-ing at this time. it was Riggs’ use of the less-sinful “French Pools,” or pari-mutuel ma-chines, in 1913 as opposed to the controversial bookmakers and their blackboards, that preserved racing at Pimlico during this turbulent time in racing. Later Pimlico be-came the first racetrack in the country to utilize an electric starting gate.
During its rich history, the racetrack has enjoyed being the only track in the United States to be honored by the adjournment of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first and only time in his-tory in 1877 to watch a race featuring Parole, Ten Broeck and Tom ochiltree. The race became known as “The Great Race,” and a reproduction of its finish is immortalized as a Pimlico trademark, adorn-ing the clubhouse as a signal to all entering that Pimlico is a place where legends will en-dure forever.
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iN 1902 A SYNDiCATE headed by Au-gust Belmont ii and former Secretary of the Navy William C. Whitney sought land on Long island to build the most elaborate track in America, one modeled after the great race courses of Europe. They found what they were looking for on the border of Queens County and Nassau County. originally known as Foster’s Meadow, the 650 acres of land included a turreted Tudor-Gothic man-sion owned by William de Forest Manice, which was to serve as the Turf and Field Club until 1956.
The grand opening of Belmont Park on May 4, 1905, prompted the first of countless traffic jams in Long island history as more than 40,000 fans, in all manner of convey-ance, tried to arrive by the first race post time of 3 p.m. Not all of them made it in time to see August Belmont ii’s Blandy, at 7-1, hold off 100-1 shot oliver Cromwell in the $1,500 Belmont inaugural. Later, James R. Keen’s Sy-sonby, who would be ranked No. 30 on The Blood-Horse magazine’s top 100 horses of the 20th century, made his 3-year-old debut against the super filly Beldame, another of Belmont’s charges. in the stretch Sysonby got unexpected competition from 20-1 Race King, and the two hit the wire in a dead heat.
The most celebrated race at Belmont Park is the Belmont Stakes, the final jewel of rac-
ing’s Triple Crown. Since 1919, when Sir Barton was the first to sweep the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont, the “Test of the Champion” has crowned but 11 winners of racing’s most prestigious, and elu-sive, prize.
Belmont Park holds a place in history in other areas as well. in 1910 Wilbur and orville Wright staged an international aerial competition at Belmont Park that drew 150,000 spectators. in 1918 the track served as the New York City terminal for the first airmail service between New York and Washington, D.C. Belmont Park was the site of “War Relief Day” in 1940 to benefit the American Red Cross and in 1943 hosted “Back the Attack” Day, wherein fans had to buy war bonds to gain admission to the track. Total receipts that day were between $25 and $30 million.
Closed in 1963, the rebuilt Belmont Park grandstand reopened on May 20, 1968. over the next decade it rocked to the cheers of thousands as Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977) and Affirmed (1978) joined Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), and Cita-tion (1948) as Triple Crown winners. History was made in 2007 when Rags to Riches de-feated Curlin to become the first filly in 102
years and one of only three to win the race, and history was denied in 2008 when Da’ Tara ended Big Brown’s bid to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont.
Source: The 2011 New York Racing Asso-ciation Media Guide