Sunday, June 23, 2013

After the Auction: Meadowood

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

Catching my eye in the sales ring at the Keeneland September YearlingSale (via an online feed), I quickly jotted down Hip 1386. A balanced, athletic-looking bay colt, the son of Harlan’s Holiday impressed me with his conformation and I watched as he drove the hammer to $190,000. Who paid that sum of money? Stonestreet Farm and George Bolton, the same connections that campaigned champion My Miss Aurelia, and, along with other owners, two-time Horse of the Year Curlin throughout the majority of his three-year-old campaign.

Hip 1386 grew into a colt named Meadowood, who debuted at Monmouth Park on June 23, 2013 against four other first-time starters in a five-furlong maiden special weight. The heavy favorite in the small field, Meadowood broke well from the rail and was urged by jockey Joe Bravo to contest the pace. Bravo continuously encouraged the bay colt and angled his mount to the outside as the horses entered the far turn, allowing Meadowood to draw even with the frontrunner, Amelia’s Wild Ride. 
Under strong handling from Bravo, Meadowood gained a narrow advantage as the field turned for home. Engaging in a battle with Amelia’s Wild Ride, Meadowood began to edge clear outside the sixteenth pole, coasting to a two-length victory.

Meadowood’s sire, Harlan’s Holiday, has found much success since entering stud in 2004, siring the likes of the champion Shanghai Bobby and the graded/group stakes winners Denis of Cork, Mendip, Necessary Evil, Saratoga Sinner, and Summer Applause. A multiple grade one winner, Harlan’s Holiday has recurrently crossed well with mares from the Unbridled sire line like Meadowood’s dam, Into Reality. Both Denis of Cork and Necessary Evil were produced from this cross, as were several other winners.

Into Reality herself was a rather successful racehorse, winning the Dipsea Trail Stakes at Golden Gate Fields as a three-year-old. Her success as a broodmare is still quite unknown, as Meadowood – her second foal – is the only one that has raced. But as a granddaughter of Unbridled through her sire Untuttable, Into Reality’s broodmare career receives much support, as Unbridled has been a terrific dam sire, producing the dams of the grade one winners Dream Rush, Lady Joanne, Orb, Shackleford, and Tapit. His sons – particularly Unbridled’s Song – have also proven themselves as maternal grandsires, siring the mares that foaled the likes of the grade/group one winners Better Than Ever and The Lumber Guy, as well as the graded stakes winners Hold Me Back and Super Ninety Nine.


Meadowood is a model of precociousness, making quite the impression as a yearling prior to becoming a win-early juvenile. He did not win his maiden by an overwhelming margin, but displayed notable professionalism in just his first start. This is just the beginning for a very promising colt.

Friday, June 21, 2013

After the Auction: Jake's Magic Hat

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. This is the twelfth edition in a blog series called “After the Auction” that will feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

The average sale price at the 2013 OBS March Sale was $158,632. For nearly $70,000 less than that, one could have acquired Jake’s Magic Hat – a colt that, less than four months later, would earn nearly half of his purchase price in his very first start, proving to be a smart buy.

Catching my eye with a 10
3/5-second breeze in the preview show for the sale, Jake’s Magic Hat joined my auction selections due to the athleticism he displayed in that work. Just over three months later, the bay two-year-old made his debut, contending with five other juveniles in a five-furlong maiden special weight at Belmont Park.

After breaking in the air and making contact with the horse to his outside, the tall bay was asked by jockey Jose Lezcano to move closer to the front. The colt responded, finding a position just behind the leaders as he tracked the pace. He and the leaders widened their lead on the others and near the end of the far turn, Lezcano guided Jake’s Magic Hat to the outside, allowing the colt to begin his rally.

As a result of running greenly, Jake’s Magic Hat required straightening by Lezcano, but the colt commenced his run nonetheless, striking to the lead in late stretch. Without much effort, the flashy,
blaze-faced bay drew away from his competitors, taking the race by 2 ¼ lengths in a good final time of 57.57 seconds.

Jake’s Magic Hat is a son of the young Tiz Wonderful, whose offspring have impressed many, especially in terms of looks. Since entering stud in 2009, Tiz Wonderful has sired the likes of the graded stakes-winning My Happy Face, the group stakes-placed Tiz Tremendous, and the stakes-placed runners Scammony and Tiz Fitting. Tiz Wonderful is a son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) victor Tiznow, who has concluded three of the past five years with a top twenty ranking among the best sires in North America.

The dam of Jake’s Magic Hat, Tico Breeze, is sired by Carson City, thus providing Jake’s Magic Hat with the same broodmare sire as the grade one winners Barbaro, Havre de Grace, Lear’s Princess, and Rail Trip. The Tiznow/Carson City sire line cross on which Jake’s Magic Hat was bred has proven successful, as it is the same one that produced the grade one-winning Bullsbay, as well as the stakes-winning Lady Chace and the graded stakes-placed horses Big Tiz and Tiz to Dream.

Jake’s Magic Hat descends from a strong Maryland dam line, which includes his fifth dam, Golden Spike. A daughter of Secretariat’s half-brother, Sir Gaylord, Golden Spike is the dam of the multiple grade one-winning Track Barron. Jake’s Magic Hat’s eighth dam is La Chica, a brilliant broodmare whose progeny include the champion El Chico, who was unbeaten as a juvenile. Thus, Jake’s Magic Hat’s tail female line is the same one that produced the legendary champion Native Dancer, as the Hall of Famer and influential sire’s third dam is La Chica.


Becoming my first official selection from a 2013 two-year-old sale to garner a victory, Jake’s Magic Hat appears to have a very promising future. With a pedigree geared toward early success, bigger and better things could be waiting on the horizon for this colt.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

After the Auction: Somewhat

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. This is the eleventh edition in a blog series called “After the Auction” that will feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale provides thousands of yearlings to sort through, numerous catalogs to study, and two weeks to find at least one potential superstar from the group. The sale has recurrently proven to be a quality source for finding a successful horse, having offered two of the past five Kentucky Derby winners, four of the past five Preakness Stakes winners, and three of the past five Belmont Stakes winners.

On June 14, a two-year-old colt named Somewhat debuted at Musselburgh Racecourse in the United Kingdom, winning the race in a rather authoritative manner. Nine months earlier, Somewhat had been offered at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale and although he drove the hammer to $190,000, the colt did not reach his reserve and therefore remained with his breeders, B. P. Walden, Jr., P. W. Madden, and G. McDonald.

The colt was sent to Europe and prepared for his racing career, which began in a seven-furlong maiden at Musselburgh over good to firm going. Sent off as the favorite in a field of six, Somewhat displayed greenness in the early stages of the race prior to taking the lead. Although he continued to run greenly, Somewhat responded well when asked for a rally by jockey Joe Fanning. Beginning to draw clear in the final furlong, the bay two-year-old held clear to prove himself as the best in the field, winning by seven lengths.

Boasting a rather international pedigree, Somewhat is a result of the mating between the American-bred stallion Dynaformer and the Irish-bred mare Sometime. His ancestry is largely influenced by Thoroughbreds bred in Ireland, Great Britain, and Italy, although traces of Argentine, Canadian, and French horses also exist within his lineage.

Somewhat’s sire, Dynaformer, was United States-based horse, but became an international stallion, having produced winners of some of the world’s greatest races, including Kentucky Derby (GI) victor Barbaro, Melbourne Cup (GI) winner Americain, and St. Leger Stakes (GI) conqueror Lucarno. Dynaformer was a son of the influential stallion Roberto and the tremendous broodmare Andover Way, who was a grade one winner on the track before later producing not only Dynaformer, but also the stakes winners Triple Elvis and White Bridle, as well as Black Speck – the dam of the group stakes-winning Lines of Battle.

Sometime – the dam of Somewhat – is an impeccably bred mare who is also the dam of the group stakes-winning Art Deco and the graded stakes-placed Friendly Banter. A daughter of the outstanding sire Royal Academy, who sired 171 stakes winners, Sometime provides her offspring with the same maternal grandsire as the group one winners Dabirsim, Finsceal Beo, Frozen Power, and Rule of Law.

But Royal Academy is not the only notable parent of Somewhat; her dam, Alidiva, is a Reine De Course mare and group stakes winner. In 1997, Alidiva was honored as Irish and Italian Broodmare of the Year when three of her offspring took home group one victories that season, becoming the only mare to accomplish that feat. Among her group one winners were the Italian and German champion Taipan and Sometime’s full sister, highweight Sleepytime.

Through his dam, Somewhat is a direct descendant of an astounding seven Reine De Course mares, beginning with the multiple stakes-winning Maid of Masham, who was born in 1845. The next Reine De Course mare in this colt’s pedigree is The Apple, the foundation mare of a strong female family that produced the likes of the champions Bold Forbes, Forego, Mar-Kell, Nellie Flag, and Nellie Morse. Continuing down Somewhat’s tail female line, you will find Affection, a French-bred mare that was imported to the United States in the early 1900s, where she produced the black-type winners Escutcheon, Flat Iron, and Sanford.

The aforementioned Escutcheon is among the abundance of Reine De Course mares that line Somewhat’s female family. Winner of the Alabama Stakes, Escutcheon had an incredible produce record, having sixteen foals – fifteen of which made it to the track and fourteen of which found the winner’s circle. Among those was Bourtai, yet another one of the blue hens that dwell in Somewhat’s tail female line. Bourtai produced six black-type runners, including two Broodmare of the Years and the champion Bayou. Among those stakes-winning Broodmare of the Years is Somewhat’s fifth dam, Delta, a mare who captured six stakes events and set a track record at Churchill Downs before becoming a champion broodmare.


This blue-blooded two-year-old is hopefully just the beginning of much success for my yearling sale selections of 2012. If his spectacular bloodlines are any indication, perhaps Somewhat will find even greater success in his future.


SUCCESS SINCE THIS ARTICLE:
WON: Denford Stud Washington Singer Stakes
2nd: Superlative Stakes (GII)

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Paynter: A Miraculous Comeback

An updated version of my December 30, 2012 article, "Paynter: A True Superstar"


Paynter
Photo by Casey Phillips
Just four Thoroughbreds galloped down the stretch in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park on February 18, 2012. One emerged the clear winner, exuding class as he drew away to score by 4 ¼ lengths. His name was Paynter.

The three-year-old bay colt caught my eye, greatly impressing me. I envisioned a future superstar, a horse that would go on to bigger and better things. Perhaps this horse would not make it to the Kentucky Derby (GI); perhaps he would not even make it to a Triple Crown race. But I knew this horse would become something special. However, I never expected him to become as special as he has.

Paynter did become quite the superstar on the track, with performances that included a game runner-up finish in the Belmont Stakes (GI) and 
a dominant victory in the Haskell Invitational (GI). But it was what he did after those races that made him a true superstar.

Following his victory in the Haskell, Paynter was struck with a fever, which only became a far more serious issue. Much too quickly, his illness became colitis and Paynter was soon also diagnosed with laminitis. Death seemed inevitable.

Paynter spent months fighting the diseases that had attacked him. Under the care of veterinary clinics in the northeastern United States, Paynter struggled to defeat his illnesses. Many days passed on which his connections and growing fan base feared they would lose him forever.

But Paynter fought hard. With the true heart of a champion, Paynter struggled to stay alive, fighting to defeat the hardships that had stricken him. After several months, however, he achieved the impossible. With a team of supporters, including not only his loving owner Ahmed Zayat and the veterinarians that treated him, but also the thousands of fans that prayed for his recovery, Paynter became healthy again.

After spending two and one-half months at Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center, the awe-inspiring son of Awesome Again returned to where he belongs: the racetrack. Shortly after being awarded the Vox Populi Award, an honor his devoted fans ensured he would receive, Paynter resumed training in Bob Baffert’s barn in California. He had overcome the impossible, displaying an incomparable fighting spirit to survive what nearly claimed his life.

Baffert gradually prepared Paynter for his return to racing, monitoring how his body was handling the rigors of training. Over several months, the Zayat Stables-owned colt became more fit. His large fan base eagerly awaited his return and on June 14, 2013, more than ten months after he initially became ill, Paynter miraculously returned to the races for the first time since he’d captured the Haskell.

Prior to the race, Paynter made quite the impression, his dark coat glimmering beneath the June sun as he pranced about the paddock, eager to make his return to competition. This was what he was bred for, what he loved to do. And finally, after the toughest battle he could face, he had returned to his true passion.

Making his return to the races in an allowance optional claiming event at Hollywood Park, Paynter encountered seven rivals, including four South American group one winners, a graded stakes winner, and a stakes winner. As soon as Paynter broke from the gate, he determinedly pursued the lead, gaining a clear advantage over the graded stakes-winning Majestic City down the backstretch.

Although Majestic City gained ground on Paynter as the favorite led the field into the far turn, Paynter found more, beginning to draw clear. Turning for home, the dogged bay kicked away, lengthening his advantage on his opponents. As the crowd cheered for the miracle horse before him, Paynter simply did what he loved to do, galloping toward a 4 ½-length triumph. Displaying sheer power and resolve, Paynter brought tears of joy to the eyes of many.


Paynter winning his comeback race
Photo by Casey Phillips


This time last year, Paynter was full of promise. He’d just finished a game second in the grueling final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, and was being prepared for a summer campaign. Despite months spent fighting for his life, Paynter has reached yet another promising moment in his life. He has returned to the brilliance he showed on the track last year and ahead of him is the continuation of the career of a gifted Thoroughbred that is one of the most resolute to ever live.


There was Lazarus. There was the Buffalo Bills against the Houston Oilers in a 1993 playoff game. There was Greg LeMond, Rocky Bleier, Mario Lemieux, Ben Hogan, Tommy John, Da Hoss. And now there’s Paynter, a horse with one of the greatest comeback stories of all-time. 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Reminder: PTG on Horse Racing Nation

For those who follow my blog via subscription or email, I'd like to offer a reminder that Past the Grandstand is on Horse Racing Nation. To access my blog on HRN, please click here.

The articles on my HRN blog are separate from the ones posted here and very seldom do I post about my HRN articles on this blog.

Remember, I always post links to my new articles - those that are on this blog and on my HRN blog - on my FacebookTwitter, and Google Plus. Links to each of the social media websites Past the Grandstand is on are located on the right side of this blog.

Please let me know if you would prefer for me to post on this blog about each HRN article I publish by commenting below.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Palace Malice: A Heartwarming Belmont Victory

Racing enthusiasts spend months awaiting the Triple Crown, scouting talented young Thoroughbreds as they embark upon the search for the horse that can finally quench our thirst for a Triple Crown winner. And within a matter of five weeks – weeks that seem to pass within the blink of an eye – it is over.

Yet another year has passed without the capture of the coveted Triple Crown. For the sixth time in the past ten years, three different horses won each leg of the prestigious series, not only eliminating the dream of a Triple Crown triumph being achieved for the first time in thirty-five years, but discombobulating the three-year-old scene.

But one theme was recurrent throughout the 2013 Triple Crown: old-school. Beginning with Orb’s victory in the Kentucky Derby (GI) for the classic connections of Shug McGaughey and the Phipps and Janney families, the throwback feeling continued when Oxbow– ridden by Gary Stevens, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, and owned by Calumet Farm – upset the Preakness Stakes (GI).

The final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes (GI), was promoted as a rematch between the Derby and Preakness victors, but twelve additional Thoroughbreds aligned to contest against that pair to form the largest Belmont field since 1996. Among those fourteen starters, only three – Orb, Oxbow, and Will Take Charge – had contested in each jewel, but only four horses in the field had not contested in a single Triple Crown race. In fact, half of the field was directly exiting the Kentucky Derby.

Amid those horses was Palace Malice, the eccentric pacesetter of the Kentucky Derby. Equipped with blinkers for the first time in the Run for the Roses, the bay son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin had essentially taken off with Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith, and after setting a blistering pace, he weakened to finish twelfth.

Palace Malice
Photo by Brittlan Wall
It was immediately decided that the blinkers would be taken off the Blue Grass Stakes (GI) runner-up. The colt departed the Derby in good order, working very well as he prepared for the Belmont Stakes, posting a trifecta of noteworthy breezes at Belmont Park as trainer Todd Pletcher looked on.

Palace Malice entered the Belmont under morning line odds of 15-1. Of Pletcher’s record five Belmont starters, the colt was the second-longest shot on the morning line. To the roar of more than 47,000 people gathered at the New York track, Palace Malice loaded into the twelfth stall alongside his rivals over a track that had dried enough to be labeled fast – a day after it had been an oval of slop.

Palace Malice broke well and Mike Smith immediately guided him to the vanguard, angling his mount closer to the inside as Preakness winner Oxbow also galloped to the front. Meanwhile, along the inside, Frac Daddy and Freedom Child also charged to the lead.

Racing wide around the wide clubhouse turn, Palace Malice was only a small matter of lengths behind the early leader, Frac Daddy. As a brisk initial quarter-mile of 23.11 was set, Palace Malice remained comfortable in a stalking position, edging closer to the front midway through the first curve. As Frac Daddy, Freedom Child, and Oxbow formed a cluster at the front of the pack, Palace Malice sat just behind them, inching closer as a half-mile clocking of 46.66 – the fastest since Secretariat’s record-breaking victory in 1973 – was recorded.

As Frac Daddy began to drop back, Oxbow seized the lead over Freedom Child, allowing Palace Malice to advance to the third position. Less than two lengths separated Palace Malice and Oxbow as the backstretch began to transform into the far turn. Threatening the Preakness victor on the outside, Palace Malice began to rally beneath a stationary Mike Smith, drawing even with Oxbow in the early stages of the final curve.

Palace Malice established a narrow advantage over Oxbow near the end of the far turn as the pair abandoned their remaining rivals by more than three lengths. Leading his thirteen opponents into the long, grueling stretch of Big Sandy, Palace Malice began to kick clear, opening up on Oxbow and the closers that were gradually gaining ground on the frontrunners.

This moment of drawing away proved crucial for Palace Malice, as he staggered home. However, the rest of the field did the same, allowing the bay colt to maintain his wide lead as he captured the 145th installment of the classic by 3 ¼ lengths. As trainer Todd Pletcher celebrated gleefully in the grandstand, Mike Smith galloped Palace Malice out with a euphoric grin upon his face, gazing up at the heavens as he pumped his fists victoriously. Meanwhile, Cot Campbell – president of Dogwood Stable, which owns Palace Malice – relished the victory, his first Triple Crown race win since Summer Squall carried the Dogwood green and yellow silks to victory in the 1990 Preakness.

The 2013 Triple Crown was over, but not without style. Old-school had reigned again, treating racing fans with a glimpse into the past.

Palace Malice
Photo by Brittlan Wall
While Pletcher may not appear to fit with the theme of old-school, it must not be forgotten that he is a former assistant to D. Wayne Lukas, having worked under “The Coach” for seven years. During this time, Pletcher was associated with the likes of Derby and Belmont winner Thunder Gulch, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) champion Flanders, and champion filly and winner of thirteen grade ones, Serena’s Song.

And although Mike Smith has graced many headlines in recent years – especially during his years of riding the popular Zenyatta– the 47-year-old jockey has made his name be known in racing since the early 1990s. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003, Mike Smith had won one edition of each Triple Crown race prior to this year’s Belmont.

But the true old-school story that Palace Malice carried into the winner’s circle with the garland of carnations was that of Dogwood Stable. Founded in Aiken, South Carolina in 1973, Campbell’s Dogwood Stable has sent a plethora of high-caliber Thoroughbreds to the racetrack, including not only Summer Squall, but the Champion Two-Year-Old Filly of 1996, Storm Song. For 23 years, a Triple Crown race win had eluded the storied stable, but with two of the most recognizable faces in racing in Pletcher and Smith, Campbell was finally able to attain yet another victory in one of the sought-after spring classics.

After the race, 85-year-old Campbell, who had led his horse into the winner’s enclosure with a heartwarming smile upon his face, summed it up best: “This is the mother of all great moments, I’ll tell you that. I’m proud for Dogwood and for my great partners. . . And I’m proud for Aiken, South Carolina; they’ll be dancing in the streets. . . And I’m proud of Todd, one of the great trainers of all-time and Mike Smith, one of the great riders. And, for the horse, the horse, the horse! I’m so proud of him.”

While Palace Malice’s connections carry an old-school story, Palace Malice carries a story of fate. The dam of Palace Malice, Palace Rumor, was trained by small-time trainer Burl McBride, who sent the daughter of Royal Anthem to Hal Wiggins’ barn at Churchill Downs for a start beneath the twin spires in 2005 while the remainder of his small stable remained at Ellis Park. Although he planned to send Palace Rumor – two years old at the time – back to Ellis Park after her race, he decided to keep her overnight at Churchill following a taxing effort.

Early the next morning, a tornado ripped through Ellis Park, killing three of the seven horses McBride had stabled there. Palace Rumor – who, by the intervention of fate, had remained safe at Churchill Downs – was the only horse he had left. She would go on to be a black-type winner, accumulating career earnings of $271,135 before being sold for $140,000 to William S. Farish of Lane’s End Farm at the 2008 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale while in foal to Tiznow.

One year later, Palace Rumor was bred to Curlin. The result was Palace Malice, who McBride attempted to purchase but was never able to, although he has eagerly followed the colt.

And so now, the colt who exists by the intervention of fate has won one of the greatest races in the United States for the trainer who learned the ropes from a Hall of Famer, for the Hall of Fame rider that had searched for redemption, and for the owner who truly loves the game and the animals that make the game what it is: the horses.

Palace Malice
Photo by Brittlan Wall

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

2013 Belmont Stakes Field Analysis

Following the Kentucky Derby (GI), Orb was declared the next Triple Crown winner. But with a lackluster finish in the Preakness Stakes (GI) behind Oxbow, the colt’s hopes of ending the 35-year drought came to a sudden halt. This year’s installment of the Belmont Stakes (GI) will not be abuzz with Triple Crown excitement, but the “Test of the Champion” has drawn an admirable field nonetheless. Who will win the final leg of the 2013 Triple Crown?

Listed below are all of the horses entered to run in the 2013 Belmont Stakes, along with descriptions of their pedigrees in regards to stamina, track condition influences (there is a 60% of rain on Saturday), race records, final preparations, and my opinions of them. The runners are listed in post position order.

1. FRAC DADDY:

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:

By Florida Derby winner (GI) Scat Daddy and out of a Skip Away mare, Frac Daddy’s pedigree appears to have a limit of ten furlongs, although he may gain support from his great-grandsires Nijinsky and Seattle Slew for longer distances.

If the Track is Sloppy:

Mr. Prospector appears in Frac Daddy’s pedigree twice and this colt’s sire, Scat Daddy, won his debut over a muddy track. However, his dam’s two attempts over a good track resulted in poor finishes. Frac Daddy was a clear second in his debut, which came over a muddy track, but was a distant sixteenth in the Kentucky Derby in the slop.

Race Record:

Frac Daddy garnered his first victory in his second start, which came at Churchill Downs. He turned in a game runner-up performance in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GI) beneath the twin spires, but in his first start as a three-year-old, the Holy Bull Stakes (GIII), Frac Daddy finished sixth after grabbing a quarter. Following a poor seventh-place effort in the Florida Derby (GI), Frac Daddy ran second in the Arkansas Derby (GI) behind Overanalyze. In the Derby, he traveled wide prior to showing no kick down the lane.

Final Preparations:

Frac Daddy has trained well since the Derby, firing a trifecta of 47-and-change half-mile breezes at Churchill Downs, two of which were bullets. His most recent work was a bullet drill on May 31.

Conclusions:

Frac Daddy has formed a pattern of running a commendable race prior to finishing poorly in his subsequent start. For those who place weight on patterns, he is coming off a poor finish. However, he may be in over his head here.

2. FREEDOM CHILD:

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
A grandson of Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy through his sire, Malibu Moon, Freedom Child is therefore a great-grandson of Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew. His dam is a daughter of Deputy Minister, a Canadian Hall of Famer that has appeared within the first three generations of numerous distance horses, including Curlin, Paynter, and Rags to Riches. He was a tremendous broodmare sire, producing the dams of many talented distance horses, including the multiple group one-winning Kane Hekili and Sarava, winner of the 2002 Belmont.

If the Track is Sloppy:
A grandson of underestimated mud influence A.P. Indy, Freedom Child’s sire, Malibu Moon, has proven to be a top sire of mudders – including Freedom Child and Orb. His broodmare sire, Deputy Minister, is a major mud influence as well. Freedom Child is inbred 3 X 4 to Mr. Prospector – one of the most well-known mud influences of the breed.

Race Record:
A poor eighth in his debut last fall, Freedom Child finished second behind Orb – and ahead of Revolutionary – in the second start of his career. Following a third-place effort in his sophomore debut, Freedom Child finally broke his maiden in March at Gulfstream Park, dominating a nine-furlong maiden special weight by 5 ¼ lengths. Unprepared at the start of the Wood Memorial Stakes (GI) in his following start, Freedom Child finished last but was declared a non-starter as a result of the unfair beginning. He rebounded next out in the Peter Pan Stakes (GII) over a sloppy track at Belmont, romping by 13 ¼ lengths.

Final Preparations:
Freedom Child’s only work since the May 11 Peter Pan was a brisk five-furlong drill at Belmont Park on May 27, in which he worked eagerly.

Conclusions:
As is the case for any horse coming off a dominant victory, especially one over a sloppy surface, there is a large chance of a bounce for Freedom Child in the Belmont. However, he is bred for the distance of the Belmont and, under the right circumstances, has shown impressive talent. He should not be ignored on Saturday.

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
A horse with a pedigree slightly questionable in relation to distance, Overanalyze’s sire – Dixie Union – has been considered to not be useful in siring distance horses. However, his son Union Rags won last year’s Belmont. Despite appearing to be rather lacking in outstanding stakes success, Overanalyze’s tail female line traces back to Muzzie II, a mare imported from Great Britain in 1931 that produced the multiple stakes-winning Shot Put – a gelding that equaled and set numerous track records at various distances, including 2 ¾ miles and 2 ¼ miles.

If the Track is Sloppy:
On an off-track, Overanalyze should benefit from being inbred 4 X 4 to Mr. Prospector. The grandsire of his dam, Private Account, was bred for mud, being by Damascus and out of a Buckpasser mare. Yet, he finished eleventh in the slop in the Derby.

Race Record:
Overanalyze contested in four graded stakes events as a juvenile, capturing two of them – including the Remsen Stakes (GII) by a nose over Normandy Invasion. In his first two starts as a three-year-old, Overanalyze ran a poor fifth in the Gotham Stakes (GIII) behind Vyjack prior to an easy win in the Arkansas Derby (GI). But in the Kentucky Derby, he finished a weak eleventh.

Final Preparations:
Since the Derby, Overanalyze has posted three works, the most recent of which was a 48.01 half-mile drill at Belmont on June 2.

Conclusions:
Overanalyze has never won consecutive races, having formed a win-lose-win-lose pattern. This could be a good omen for the colt, as he is entering the Belmont off a loss. However, he will need to step it up to win Saturday.

4. GIANT FINISH:

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:

This colt is a member of the first crop of Frost Giant – a grade one-winning son of Giant’s Causeway that won up to ten furlongs – and is out of a Hickman Creek – a son of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew – mare.

If the Track is Sloppy:
Sired by Frost Giant, a horse that was primarily raced over the turf, Giant Finish is inbred 4 X 3 to Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, who can be found in the pedigree of many mudders. The broodmare sire of his sire, Gone West, has been an influential mud sire. Giant Finish was a poor fifth in his first sloppy try and tenth in the Derby over a track of the same condition, but rallied in a decent manner in the latter.

Race Record:
Winner of his debut, Giant Finish finished fifth in the Damon Runyon at Aqueduct in the second start of his career prior to taking an allowance optional claiming event at the same track. Second in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes over Turfway Park’s Polytrack, Giant Finish then ran third in the Spiral Stakes (GIII). As the second-longest shot in the field in the Derby, Giant Finish appeared to be traveling backward around the far turn, but suddenly, he picked up the pace and was able to close steadily for a tenth-place effort that was far beyond his odds.

Final Preparations:
He has turned in three half-mile works since the Derby, the most recent of which came at Belmont Park on June 4.

Conclusions:
Giant Finish appears to be outclassed here.

5. ORB:

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
This colt is clearly bred for distance. A grandson of A.P. Indy through his sire, Malibu Moon, Orb is therefore a great-grandson of Triple Crown hero Seattle Slew. Orb is a half-brother to Cause of Freedom, an earner of more than $100,000 who never won at a distance shorter than nine furlongs and won up to eleven furlongs. This colt is from a very strong tail female line, hailing from the same female family as the great Ruffian.

If the Track is Sloppy:
The Kentucky Derby winner is clearly proven over off-going, having won the Run for the Roses by 2 ½ lengths over a sloppy track. His grandsire, A.P. Indy, is hidden mud influence and his sire’s broodmare sire is top mud influence in Mr. Prospector, a horse Orb is inbred to 3 X 4. The sire of Orb’s dam sire is Fappiano and the colt also traces back to Damascus, both of which are major off-track influences. His fifth generation is also home to the influential mud horses Buckpasser and In Reality. Orb’s dam, Lady Liberty, was third – beaten less than 2 lengths – in one of her two starts over a sloppy track and won an allowance over a good track. In her other try over an off-track, she finished last of five, but her loss was more of a matter of being outclassed than not handling the track.

Race Record:
Orb turned in steady efforts in his first three starts but did not win until his fourth race. Since then however, he has been spectacular on nearly every occasion, winning three races at Gulfstream Park this year, including the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) and the Florida Derby (GI) prior to capturing the Kentucky Derby with authority. Triple Crown hopes were dashed with his lackluster fourth-place finish in the Preakness, although he did make a slight rally in that classic.

Final Preparations:
Orb’s flashy but quick work prior to the Preakness may have been a contributing factor to his loss, but his final work for the Belmont was more than a second slower, hopefully conserving some of his energy. A great work horse, Orb finished his four-furlong drill very strongly, completing it in 48.30 on June 2.

Conclusions:
Orb has a great chance to rebound on Saturday and, having spent much time at Belmont Park, has a home track advantage. He is bred to be successful at long distances and appears to be the class of this field.

Orb
Photo by Brittlan Wall

6. INCOGNITO:

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:

This colt’s sire is Belmont winner A.P. Indy, son of Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew and sire of Belmont Stakes victress Rags to Riches. Perhaps boasting the most well-known parents in this field, his dam is the multiple grade one-winning Octave – who won up to ten furlongs.

If the Track is Sloppy:

A.P. Indy is a hidden mud influence and through him, Incognito is a grandson of Seattle Slew, who can be found in the pedigree of many mudders. Octave was second to Rags to Riches in the 2007 Kentucky Oaks (GI) over a muddy track and a fast-closing third over a very sloppy surface in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI). Her sire, Unbridled’s Song, captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) in the mud and is from the Fappiano sire line, which has proven to be very effective in the pedigrees of mudders. Incognito’s second start resulted in a third-place finish over a sloppy track, but he was fifth in his most recent start, the Peter Pan Stakes (GII) – contested upon a sloppy track at Belmont Park.

Race Record:

Although the initial three starts of Incognito’s career resulted in losses, he showed promise in these races, rallying well despite troubled trips prior to galloping out impressively. He broke his maiden in March at Aqueduct, remaining forwardly placed prior to drawing off to score by 3 ¼ lengths. The winning margin of just a nose in his subsequent start, an allowance optional claiming, may appear unattractive, but he won the race in very game fashion following a tumultuous trip. Incognito did not seem to care for the sloppy track in the Peter Pan, finishing fifth, but he found his best stride late, galloping out ahead of the winner to indicate that added distance will be to his advantage.

Final Preparations:

Incognito has recorded a pair of half-mile works since the Peter Pan, the most recent of which was a good 48.25-second clocking over Belmont’s training oval.

Conclusions:

This well-bred individual may be overlooked on Saturday, but has shown promise and although he is far from a likely winner, he could very well turn in a noteworthy performance.

7. OXBOW:

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
This colt is a three-quarters brother to Haskell Invitational (GI, 9F) winner and Belmont Stakes (GI, 12F) runner-up Paynter, being by Breeders' Cup Classic (GI, 10F) winner Awesome Again and out of a full sister to two-time Breeders' Cup Classic hero Tiznow. His broodmare sire is Deputy Minister, who, as aforementioned, is a Canadian Hall of Famer that has appeared within the first three generations of numerous distance horses, including Curlin, Paynter, and Rags to Riches. He was a tremendous broodmare sire, producing the dams of many talented distance horses, including the multiple group one-winning Kane Hekili and Sarava, winner of the 2002 Belmont..

If the Track is Sloppy:
This colt’s sire, Awesome Again, was a winner in the slop and is a son of mud influence Deputy Minister. His broodmare sire, Cee’s Tizzy, is a hidden mud influence, being a grandson of In Reality – a major force in the pedigree of mudders. Also, like In Reality, Mr. Prospector – known for having a large impact on horses in the slop – resides in Oxbow’s third generation. Oxbow finished a good sixth in the Derby, but may have struggled a bit with the sloppy surface.

Race Record:
Pulled up and vanned off in his debut, Oxbow turned in a pair of steady performances in maiden special weights prior to breaking his maiden by a large margin at Churchill Downs. Shipped west for the CashCall Futurity (GI), Oxbow finished fourth to culminate his juvenile campaign. His three-year-old year began with a romp in the LeComte Stakes (GIII) at the Fair Grounds, which preceded good efforts but losses in the Risen Star Stakes (GII), Rebel Stakes (GII), Arkansas Derby (GI), and Kentucky Derby (GI). However, he rebounded in the Preakness, receiving an easy lead and holding clear to score by 1 ¾ lengths.

Final Preparations:
Oxbow has posted one work since the Preakness, going six furlongs in 1:14.60 at Churchill Downs on May 30.

Conclusions:
Oxbow, though gifted, is less likely to be the lone speed like he has been in all of his victories.

Oxbow
Photo by Brittlan Wall

8. MIDNIGHT TABOO:

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:

Although his sire, Langfuhr, was a champion sprinter that has produced runners of the same type, he has also sired the likes of Wando, winner of the 2003 Canadian Triple Crown – which presents races of the same distances as the American Triple Crown. Other successful distance horses sired by Langfuhr include Jambalaya – a multiple grade one winner who won at or beyond ten furlongs on several occasions; Interpatation – a grade one winner at twelve furlongs; Marlang – a Canadian classic winner at twelve furlongs; and Gangbuster – a stakes winner at thirteen furlongs that was also stakes-placed at fourteen furlongs. This colt’s unraced dam, Hot Red, is a daughter of Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Thunder Gulch.

If the Track is Sloppy:

His sire, Langfuhr, played the role of runner-up over a sloppy track in his second race, but was fifth in the Kennedy Road Breeders’ Cup Handicap contested over a muddy surface. His unraced dam’s sire, Thunder Gulch, placed in a graded stakes over a muddy track. Through his dam, Midnight Taboo is a great-great-grandson of the major mud influences Mr. Prospector and In Reality. Last out, Midnight Taboo finished second over a muddy track.

Race Record:
Second in his debut, which was also Oxbow’s debut (in which the Preakness winner was pulled up and vanned off), last August at Saratoga, Midnight Taboo did not race again until this April, winning a maiden special weight at Aqueduct. His most recent start was a runner-up effort in an allowance optional claiming event at Belmont.

Final Preparations:
Midnight Taboo has had three works since his last race, his final drill for the Belmont occurring in a five-furlong breeze with a final clocking of 1:00.88.

Conclusions:
Having only raced three times, never having started beyond a mile and one-sixteenth, going a mile and one-half at the highest level in just his fourth start seems to be asking too much of Midnight Taboo.

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
A son of the late champion War Pass, Revolutionary is out of a grade one-winning daughter of Belmont winner A.P. Indy that was successful at ten furlongs. Notably, the colt is a direct descendant of the great broodmare La Troienne, who is found in the tail female line of the Derby winners Go for Gin, Sea Hero, Smarty Jones, and Super Saver. Although the top side of this colt’s pedigree leans toward speed, his dam side should give him stamina support.

If the Track is Sloppy:
His sire, War Pass, was a dominant winner in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI), which was contested over a sloppy track. His broodmare sire, A.P. Indy, is an underestimated mud influence and his third generation is home to Mr. Prospector. However, his dam ran poorly in her only start over the slop. Revolutionary ran well over the sloppy surface of the Kentucky Derby, finishing third.

Race Record:
Despite encountering much bad luck throughout his career, Revolutionary has won three of his seven starts. Catching my eye with his debut, a third-place effort at Saratoga, Revolutionary did not break his maiden until his fourth start, although he had finished no worse than third prior to then. He won the two starts following his maiden: the Withers Stakes (GIII) and the Louisiana Derby (GII), gutting out a win in both of those races despite traffic trouble. He rallied well in the Kentucky Derby, but could not match Orb’s kick and finished third.

Final Preparations:
Revolutionary has completed a pair of works since the Derby, the most recent of which was a solid half-mile breeze at Belmont Park on June 2.

Conclusions:
A gutsy horse, Revolutionary seems to be a formidable competitor. Although the top side of his pedigree provides cause for concern, the bottom half of his pedigree should aid him in running well at twelve furlongs. He is certainly one of the top contenders in the Belmont.

Revolutionary
Photo by Brittlan Wall


Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:

One of the most beautifully bred horses in the race, Will Take Charge is a son of top sire Unbridled's Song and the grade one-winning mare Take Charge Lady, which makes him a half-brother to winner of the 2012 Florida Derby (GI), Take Charge Indy. However, this pedigree sets him up to weaken beyond nine furlongs.

If the Track is Sloppy:
Although Will Take Charge is from the Fappiano sire line and is inbred to that mud influence 3 X 4 and is a great-grandson of Deputy Minister, he was a poor sixth over a sloppy track in the Southwest Stakes (GIII). However, he performed well in the Derby despite having to forcefully check at the top of the stretch and rallied well over the mud to finish eighth.

Race Record:
Will Take Charge's first victory came in his second start. He then finished last in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GII) at Churchill Downs prior to finishing second against weaker company in the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington Park. He began 2013 with a win in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Will Take Charge did not take a liking to the mud in the Southwest Stakes (GIII), finishing sixth. He then resurfaced with a game win over stablemate Oxbow in the Rebel Stakes (GII) prior to training up to the Derby following his victory. He was given no chance in the Derby after being forced to check at the top of the stretch, but ran on well to finish eighth. He finished a poor seventh in the Preakness following an awkward break from the gate.

Final Preparations:
In his only work since the Preakness, Will Take Charge completed six furlongs in a slow 1:15.80 at Churchill Downs on May 30.

Conclusions:
Will Take Charge seems to be a horse in need of a confidence booster and the Belmont Stakes does not seem to be a perfect opportunity for that, as he has not fared well in the previous Triple Crown races and he is not thoroughly bred to thrive over the twelve-furlong distance of the Belmont.

11.
VYJACK:

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:

Vyjack's pedigree does not give him much hope for being successful at classic distances, as he is a son of Into Mischief and out of a mare that has failed to produce horses capable of winning at long distances.

If the Track is Sloppy:

This colt’s grandsire, Harlan’s Holiday, won a grade three over a “wet fast” track and in his fourth and fifth generations, you can find the names of the likes of Blushing Groom, His Majesty, and Mr. Prospector. Vyjack captured his stakes debut by 5 ¾ lengths over a sloppy track, but performed very poorly in the Derby over a track of the same manner.

Race Record:

Vyjack won the first four starts of his career, including impressive victories in the Traskwood Stakes and Gotham Stakes (GIII). In his final start before the Derby, the gelding finished third in the Wood Memorial Stakes (GI) behind Verrazano and Normandy Invasion. Breaking from the outside post in the Run for the Roses, Vyjack weakened early on in the race, finishing eighteenth of nineteen.

Final Preparations:

It is worrisome that Vyjack has only turned in one work since his poor finish in the Derby, and a weak work at that. He completed six furlongs in 1:12.11 at Aqueduct on May 28 and though this time is rather average, this work was denoted as “handily” – meaning he was pushed throughout the drill.

Conclusions:

A win in the Belmont by Vyjack would be very surprising, as – although he is talented – Vyjack is better suited to shorter distances and may still be fatigued from his start in the Kentucky Derby.

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
Being a son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin – who finished second, beaten a head, in the 2007 Belmont – and a Royal Anthem – who won at twelve furlongs on multiple occasions – mare, long distances should be right up this one’s alley.

If the Track is Sloppy:
His sire, Curlin, was a dominant winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) in the slop and is a grandson of both Mr. Prospector and Deputy Minister. Palace Malice’s dam traces back to Relaunch, a major mud influence. Palace Malice finished a good second over a sloppy track at Gulfstream Park earlier this year and although his twelfth-place finish over a track of the same manner in the Kentucky Derby may be off-putting, he received a nightmare trip, essentially turning into a runaway after being equipped with blinkers for the first time.

Race Record:
Palace Malice broke his maiden impressively in his second start and after a runner-up effort in an allowance optional claiming event at Gulfstream Park this January, Palace Malice advanced to graded stakes company and hasn’t looked back since. The colt ran a very good third in the Risen Star Stakes (GII) prior to finishing seventh in the Louisiana Derby (GII), a race that can be thrown out for Palace Malice, as the colt had no chance after encountering severe traffic trouble. His last race before the Derby was a noteworthy runner-up finish in the Blue Grass Stakes (GI) over Keeneland’s Polytrack. A line can be drawn through the Derby for Palace Malice, as he is much more talented than the outlandish journey suggests.

Final Preparations:
Since the Derby, Palace Malice has been working extremely well. He has recorded three works at Belmont Park, the most recent of which was a half-mile breeze in 47.56.

Conclusions:
It is certainly to his advantage that Palace Malice has a good race at Belmont under his belt, as well as several terrific workouts. The colt has shown much potential in the past and should benefit from the removal of blinkers. He should not be forgotten in Saturday’s race.

Palace Malice
Photo by Brittlan Wall

13. UNLIMITED BUDGET:

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
Striving to become the first filly to win the Belmont since fellow Todd Pletcher-trained Rags to Riches, Unlimited Budget’s pedigree seems to give her a limit of ten furlongs. A daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, Unlimited Budget is out of a stakes-placed daughter of Valid Appeal – a stallion that produced many nine furlong winners but few that won beyond that distance.

If the Track is Sloppy:
This filly’s sire, Street Sense, lost all of his starts over a sloppy surface, although he never finished worse than fourth in such a situation. The sire of her broodmare sire is In Reality, one of the best mud influences in the breed. Unlimited Budget has never raced over a muddy surface.

Race Record:
Heading into the Kentucky Oaks (GI) with a flawless race record, Unlimited Budget had handled every test thrown in her direction perfectly. A graded stakes winner in New York as a two-year-old, Unlimited Budget won both of her graded stakes preps at the Fair Grounds this year. Her undefeated record was marred in the Oaks when she finished third, but she was defeated by just 2 ½ lengths.

Final Preparations:
All three of Unlimited Budget’s works since the Oaks have taken place at Belmont Park and her most recent was a bullet work on June 2, in which she traveled four furlongs in 47.55 seconds.

Conclusions:

Only three fillies have won the Belmont Stakes and each of them showed much more brilliance prior to their triumphs in the Test of the Champion than Unlimited Budget has. Although very talented, her pedigree does not support her as greatly as most of her male competitors and she does not seem to possess the prowess females Thoroughbreds need against males.

14. GOLDEN SOUL:

Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
A son of Canadian champion Perfect Soul and out of a Mr. Prospector mare that has been primarily successful with runners under nine furlongs, Golden Soul’s ability to be successful at classic distances is questionable with a quick glance at his pedigree. However, his grandsire is the distance-influencing Sadler’s Wells and his second dam was a group one winner beyond ten furlongs.

If the Track is Sloppy:
Although Golden Soul’s sire, Perfect Soul, was a turf horse, the colt’s broodmare sire is Mr. Prospector – one of the top mud influences in the breed. The colt finished a good second in the Derby over a sloppy track.

Race Record:
After his maiden score in his second career start, Golden Soul was second behind Oxbow in the LeComte Stakes (GIII). He then finished sixth in the Risen Star Stakes (GII) and fourth in the Louisiana Derby (GII), both of which were somewhat lackluster performances. He outran his high odds in the Kentucky Derby, closing to finish second.

Final Preparations:

Golden Soul exited the Derby a tired horse and has only had a single work since, going five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Churchill Downs.

Conclusions:
Golden Soul will need to prove the Derby was not a fluke but may have difficulty doing so, as he appears to still be taxed from his effort in the Run for the Roses.

A field divided between contenders and pretenders, Orb is my top selection in the 145th Belmont Stakes. However, I also expect good performances from Revolutionary and Freedom Child. I will also not throw out Oxbow or Palace Malice. My longshot selection is Incognito.