When Be Bop Baby flashed across
the finish line at Philadelphia Park a neck in front on July 3, 2000, no one
could have predicted her future. No one would have wished that future upon her,
either. It was a future no horse deserves, but unfortunately for Be Bop Baby,
she faced that future anyway.
The aforementioned victory was
the only time Be Bop Baby ever won in nineteen starts. She ran at six different
tracks, all in the northeastern region of the United States. Yet somehow, she
found herself in Louisiana over ten years later on a farm owned by Charles
Ford.
Among her were over sixty other
Thoroughbreds, most of them broodmares. By early January of 2012, over twenty-five
horses had died on the farm as a result of neglect. Of the surviving mares, Be
Bop was in the worst shape.
While waiting for the results
of a horse judging contest with my mother and teammates on January 7, I saw the
pictures Remember Me Rescue had posted on Facebook from the Many, Louisiana
horse seizure. My friend, Donna Keen, was at the farm in Many, serving as part
of the massive rescue effort. The pictures were heartbreaking, but the picture
that threatened tears the most for my teammates and me was the picture of Be
Bop Baby.
Be Bop Baby
Photo: Donna Keen
She was incredibly thin and I
immediately thought that she would not survive. She was one of the most
terribly malnourished horses I’d ever seen before. In simple terms, she was skin and bones. Yet the trainer at the farm - Bill Young - had labeled her condition as "not that bad." In reality, she was emaciated and had patches of rain rot on her body. She was the opposite of "not that bad."
Miraculously, Be Bop survived. Although Donna Keen wanted to bring her to Remember Me along with the first set of horses that would
arrive at the Burleson, Texas rescue, the fifteen-year-old mare was in too bad
of shape to travel five hours. Reluctantly, Donna left her behind with hopes of
soon retrieving her.
Be Bop Baby was able to arrive at Remember
Me Rescue on January 23. She was still in terrible shape, but Remember Me was
determined to bring her back to health as soon as possible. After getting her teeth floated and obtaining good food in her system, Be Bop continued her journey to better health.
I had the opportunity to meet
Be Bop on February 5. Even beneath the blanket she was wearing, tears filled my
eyes at the sight of her. She was like a walking skeleton.
When farm manager Lilly Armstrong
pulled the blanket off of Be Bop, I could feel my jaw begin to drop. It dropped
even more when my mom commented to Lilly that the mare looked better than she
had about a week earlier. I could tell that Be Bop had improved since the first
picture I had seen of her about a month prior, but the condition she was in was
still heartbreaking.
Other than noticing her
terrible condition, my first impression of Be Bop was that she was an
incredibly sweet mare. She seems to know what she has gone through and also appears
to be grateful to all who have helped her. Upon meeting her, I stroked her
nearly-white face, overwhelmed with sympathy for her. She just gazed back at me
with kind eyes, standing serenely as she allowed me to stroke her.
She is without a doubt a
fighter and I know that those at Remember Me will strive to make her healthy. She is already improving drastically and is clearly much happier.
Be Bop Baby was not a superstar on the
racetrack, but she is as much of a superstar as any horse I’ve ever met. I greatly admire this mare for her will to survive and the fact that she still trusts people despite what she has gone through. It is
a miracle that Be Bop survived and I am so very glad that she did. There would
truly be a void on this earth if she had not.
Be Bop Baby at Remember Me Rescue
Photo: Terri Cage
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In 2011, I posted “Juvenile Spotlights” about two-year-olds I had followed since early on in their careers. Now that it’s 2012, everyone’s focus is on the Kentucky Derby. Some horses from past Juvenile Spotlights will be featured, as well as additional horses on the Derby trail.
In the perfect San Diego weather, a stunning gray colt flashed across the synthetic track at Del Mar. TVG analysts had been raving about the juvenile all day long and I found myself eager to catch sight of him for the first time, though it would only be on a television screen. Nonetheless, his effortless strides impressed me as he swept to victory in his graded stakes debut. Creative Cause had just won the Best Pal Stakes (GII).
The gray two-year-old had only made one prior start, a five-furlong maiden special weight over Hollywood Park's all-weather surface. He'd galloped his way to a 4 3/4-length triumph in a final time of 56.90 seconds. Needless to say, he garnered the attention of many with that win and even more when he crossed the wire successfully next out in the Best Pal.
Creative Cause Photo: Terri Cage
A month later, trainer Mike Harrington ran the colt in the Del Mar Futurity (GI). Creative Cause emerged from the starting gate as if he had been shot out of a cannon before settling off the leaders. His rally in the stretch was not as breathtaking as it had been in his previous two starts, but he still appeared to be in contention in mid-stretch. However, he was squeezed by Majestic City and Drill just before the wire and crossed the finish line in third before being bumped up into second.
He returned to his winning ways in the Norfolk Stakes (GI) in his following start, in which he made his dirt debut. After breaking cleanly from the gate, the gray colt found a stalking position in second for the majority of the race before pouncing to the lead near the end of the far turn. He continued to advance from there, striding along to a 3 1/4-length score.
Creative Cause competed against the best juveniles in the world on dirt in his subsequent race, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI). As usual, the Mike Harrington trainee settled off the pace before making his move on the far turn. Forgotten by many due to the thrilling battle between Union Rags and eventual winner Hansen, Creative Cause ran a game third, beaten just over a length.
It is clear that Creative Cause has racing talent, but his aptitude does not come to a halt there. He is also bred for success and to go the distance.
His sire, Giant's Causeway, was the 2000 European Horse of the Year and has since found himself in the top ten on the leading sires list seven times, topping the list twice. He, a horse that won at ten furlongs multiple times himself, is capable of producing routers. For instance, he is the sire of Giant Oak - winner of the Clark Handicap (GI, 9F) and Donn Handicap (GI, 9F), runner-up in the Washington Park Handicap (GIII, 9.5F) and Hawthorne Gold Cup (GII, 10F), and third-place finisher in the Breeders' Cup Marathon (GII, 14F). He has also produced Swift Temper, winner of the Delaware Handicap (GII, 10F), and Heatseeker, winner of Santa Anita Handicap (GI, 10F).
The dam of Creative Cause, Dream of Summer, was a very prosperous racehorse in her own right. She at one time won five races in a row, including the A Gleam Invitational Handicap (GII, 7F), the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (GIII, 6.5F), and the California Cup Matron Handicap (8.5F). Though that winning streak ended, Dream of Summer went on to win the Apple Blossom Handicap (GI, 8.5F) over champion Ashado, the Gardenia Handicap (GIII, 8F), and the California Cup Matron Handicap for the second year in a row.
Creative Cause hails from female family one, which is one of the most prolific families there is. This family has produced fourteen victors of the Run for the Roses, which ranks it second behind female family four in the number of Derby winners per family.
One major aspect other than track performances and pedigree that is important in the analysis of a Kentucky Derby contender is the conformation of the prospect. Creative Cause is not lacking in that department, either. Tying in well to his shoulder is his slender gray neck. His shoulder is long and sloping, causing him to be evenly balanced and to therefore possess a topline that is shorter in correlation to his underline. His impressive stride is aided by his long, powerful hip, which allows him to drive more from the hindquarters. He has long, quality muscling and stands on a straight, correct column of bone. Though he does not have perfect conformation, he definitely has the build of an athlete.
As one of the top juveniles of 2011, Creative Cause is already considered one of the top sophomores of 2012, though he will not start until February 19, when he makes his three-year-old debut in the San Vicente Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita. As long as Creative Cause can continue to build on his already impressive race record, there is no reason why he should not be considered one of the top contenders for Kentucky Derby 138.
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In 2011, I posted “Juvenile Spotlights” about two-year-olds I had followed since early on in their careers. Now that it’s 2012, everyone’s focus is on the Kentucky Derby. Some horses from past Juvenile Spotlights will be featured, as well as additional horses on the Derby trail.
Algorithms is ranked highly on several Kentucky Derby (GI) lists, including mine, on which he is currently ranked third behind Union Rags and his stablemate, Discreet Dancer. After all, he is undefeated in three starts and in his most recent start, the Holy Bull Stakes (GIII), he defeated the 2011 Champion Two-Year-Old, Hansen.
Algorithms made his debut at Belmont Park on June 3, 2011, sitting just off the leader before taking the lead around the far turn. Under Javier Castellano, the Todd Pletcher trainee handily put away a field of four other horses by 5 ¼ lengths in an impressive final time of 57.55 for five furlongs.
He did not return to the races until six months later, when he made his final juvenile start in an allowance optional claiming event at Gulfstream Park going six and one-half furlongs. He settled well under Castellano, running in third before digging deep in the stretch to defeat the highly regarded Consortium by one length in 1:15.51.
Algorithms ran against graded stakes company for the first time on January 29 in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream, taking on the undefeated champion Hansen, who stumbled out of the gate before setting blazing fractions. Over a sloppy track, Algorithms found himself in third for much of the backstretch. He quickly gained ground around the far turn, effortlessly taking the lead at the top of the stretch. He continued on from there, crossing the wire 5 lengths ahead of the others in 1:36.17 according to the Teleview Racing Patrol timer at Gulfstream Park and in 1:35.09 according to Trakus.
His pedigree definitely suggests that distance will not be a problem. His sire is the 2006 Champion Three-Year-Old Male, Bernardini, a son of the Belmont Stakes (GI, 12F)- and Breeders' Cup Classic (GI, 10F)-winning A.P. Indy. After winning a one-mile maiden special weight, the Withers Stakes (GIII, 8F), the Preakness Stakes (GI, 9.5F), the Jim Dandy Stakes (GII, 9F), the Travers Stakes (GI, 10F), and the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI, 10F) by a combined 40 lengths, Berardini finished a good second in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. In his first crop, Bernardini has sired six group or graded stakes winners, including Stay Thirsty - winner of the Jim Dandy and Travers - and To Honor and Serve - winner of the Cigar Mile (GI). Bernardini is currently the leading North American sire by earnings for 2012 and not only did he land twenty-fourth on the leading sires list for 2011, but he also was the leading second-crop sire of 2011.
Algorithms' dam, Ava Knowsthecode, finished third in the Senorita Stakes (GIII, 8FT) as a three-year-old. She has also produced the winner of the Woody Stephen Stakes (GII, 7F) in Justin Phillip, the winner of the Hutcheson Stakes (GII, 7.5F) and the Deputy Minister Handicap (GIII, 6.5F) in Keyed Entry, and the winner of the I Take All Stakes (8.5F), Miami Mile Handicap (GIII, 8F), and the Elkwood Stakes (8F) in Successful Mission. Though the mare has not yet produced a horse that has won a stakes at a distance longer than a mile and one-sixteenth, the fact that her sire is Cryptoclearance - sire of the Belmont Stakes-winning Victory Gallop, the Prince of Wales (9.5F)-winning Cryptocloser, and the Breeders' Cup Classic-winning Volponi - and her dam is a black-type-winning and producing mare by the winner of the Santa Anita Derby (GI, 9F), the Belmont Stakes, and the San Luis Rey Stakes (GI, 12F) in Avatar, Algorithms has plenty of potential for routing from his dam side.
In addition, Algorithms is a direct descendant of the Reine De Course mare Qurrat-Al-Ain, who produced a Reine De Course mare in Queen of Shiraz. Qurrat-Al-Ain is the second dam of Gallant Man, a Hall of Fame inductee who won the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes.
Not only does Algorithms come with impressive performances on the track and a solid pedigree, but he has very correct conformation as well. He has a very sleek build, possessing a long, thick neck that ties in well to his powerful, sloping shoulder. The angle of his shoulder allows him to be easily divided into thirds, therefore making him very well-balanced. His strong croup is long and round, which aids in the propulsion of his hind legs. He is also quite structurally correct, having short, strong cannon bones and angular pasterns.
Algorithms has everything you could want in a Kentucky Derby contender. With his obvious talent on the racetrack, auspicious pedigree, and commendable conformation, there is no doubt that he is a top contender for the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby.
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The most anticipated race of the year is the Kentucky Derby (GI). As soon as the race is over, many already begin thinking about the next year’s running. There is no doubt about it; the Kentucky Derby is the greatest two minutes in sports.
Some things have changed since my first Derby Top Ten on January 29, and some have stayed the same. This is the list of my top ten 2012 Kentucky Derby contenders as of February 6.
1. Union Rags: This colt has pure talent. He needs to learn to run straight in the stretch, but he’s likely matured in the past few months. With undeniable talent, incredible conformation, and a solid pedigree, Union Rags rightfully deserves the top position on this list. He is working towards a start in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream Park on February 26. For more on why he is a top Derby contender, please click here.
2. Discreet Dancer: He is freakishly talented and though there is room for doubt on whether he can get the distance or not, there is also plenty in his pedigree that suggests he can be a distance horse. For instance, his grandsire is Gone West and his fourth dam produced Weekend Surprise, the dam of A.P. Indy and Summer Squall. He could very well be seen next in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream Park on February 26. For more on why he is a top Derby contender, please click here.
3. Algorithms: The more I study him, the more I’m impressed by him. He is by one of the top sires in Bernardini and has a very strong dam side as well. Plus, his performances on the track have been nothing short of impressive. He has not been around two turns yet, but his pedigree hints that he will have no issue with two-turn races. He is also pointing towards the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream on February 26.
4. Creative Cause: He’s a hard-knocking colt that always tries. Plus, each time he’s won, he’s shown that he can be absolutely brilliant. He’s not undefeated, but he’s done nothing wrong. In addition, his pedigree suggests that distance will not be a problem for him. He is expected to make his sophomore debut on February 19 in the San Vicente Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita Park.
5. I’ll Have Another: This colt seems to have turned a new page. As a two-year-old, he won a maiden special weight at Hollywood Park before finishing a good second to Creative Cause in the Best Pal Stakes (GII). He then shipped east to run in the Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (GI) at Saratoga, finishing sixth in the mud and coming out of the race with a shin injury. He did not start for five months, reappearing in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita. At 43-1, he impressively won the race by 2 ¾ lengths, leaving behind him the full brother to the 2011 Champion Three-Year-Old Filly – Royal Delta – in Empire Way, the grade one-placed Rousing Sermon, and the grade one-winning Liaison, who dropped the rider in the stretch after clipping heels. He showed ability to settle off the pace in the Lewis and drew off impressively, running the final sixteenth of a mile in 6.32 seconds in an impressive official clocking of 1:40.84 for a mile and one-sixteenth. He is by the Travers Stakes (GI, 10F)-winning Flower Alley and out of an Arch – the sire of Blame – mare. With that and the fact that he is inbred 4 X 4 to both Mr. Prospector and Danzig, he should handle a stretch out in distance well.
6. El Padrino: He has a great running style for the Derby (sitting off the pace) and though I was unsure what to think of him at first, I really like him now that I’ve looked into him more. After finishing second in his debut, he won a maiden special weight in the slop at Belmont Park by an impressive 12 ¾ lengths. After a very good third-place finish in the Remsen Stakes (GII) at Aqueduct, El Padrino brilliantly defeated the talented Take Charge Indy in the mud at Gulfstream Park in a mile and one-sixteenth allowance. Considering he is by Pulpit – a son of A.P. Indy – and out of a Giant’s Causeway mare that is a half-sister to a mare who won a grade two at ten furlongs, it seems as if El Padrino is capable of the Derby distance. It certainly doesn’t hurt that his fourth dam – Remedia – is a Reine De Course mare who produced the grade one-winning dam of Chic Shirine – winner of the Ashland Stakes (GI, 8.5F) – and the three-time grade one-winning Queena. He could race next in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) on February 26 at Gulfstream.
7. Alpha: He has only been out of the money once in his career and that is when he finished eleventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI). Yet, it has been said that he bled in the Breeders’ Cup. Since that disappointing finish, the son of the Preakness Stakes (GI, 9.5F)- and Travers Stakes (GI,10F)-winning Bernardini has won two stakes in New York by a combined winning margin of 5 ¾ lengths. His most recent win came on Saturday in the Withers Stakes (GIII), in which he covered the last sixteenth of a mile in 6.51 seconds for a final time of 1:44.23 for a mile and one-sixteenth. With Bernardini as his sire and a Nijinksy II mare as his dam, Alpha should have no problem with distance. He will stay in New York and could be seen next in the Gotham Stakes (GIII) on March 3 or the Wood Memorial Stakes (GI) on April 7.
8. Out of Bounds: He has plenty of learning to do, but he clearly has talent. Like Discreet Dancer, the fact that Discreet Cat is his sire puts some distance doubts into the picture, but he has plenty on his dam side that suggest he may be able to route. He has been working very well at Hollywood Park for trainer Eoin Harty and should race next in the San Felipe Stakes (GII) on March 10 at Santa Anita.
9. Hansen: Everyone knows this colt is brilliant, but it is a necessity that he learns how to relax. In order to last in the Derby, he will need to learn to settle. Though defeated in the Holy Bull Stakes (GIII) last out, Hansen should still be considered when the top three-year-olds are concerned. He will likely make his next start in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) on February 26 at Gulfstream.
10. Gemologist: It certainly helps him that he already has two wins over the Churchill Downs dirt surface. He also faced one of the most highly-touted juvenile maiden winners of 2011 in Ever So Lucky, battling him down the stretch before drawing clear to win the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GII). After several weeks without posting an official work, the Todd Pletcher trainee worked for the first time as a sophomore on Sunday, breezing three furlongs in 39.88. He will need to step up the training regimen and his times on the track.
Dropped off the list: Liaison: This colt was ranked fifth on my first Derby Top Ten, but after his start in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (GII) on Saturday, I decided to take him out of the top ten. He may have not been able to finish since he clipped heels and lost the jockey, but he wouldn’t have won regardless. He was dropping back around the far turn as it was. He is still a nice colt, but he will have to prove himself again to regain a position in the top ten.
Rousing Sermon: Ranked sixth on my initial top ten, I dropped him off the list after he ran an uninspiring third in the Lewis, in which he actually crossed the wire in fourth but was bumped up into third when Groovin’ Solo was disqualified. He seems to be one of those that always tries but rarely gets up in time.
Secret Circle: I still have faith in him, but he needs to prove that he can relax and get the distance. He relaxed in the Sham but could not hold off Out of Bounds. He is bred for distance, but obviously has a need for speed. Though fast works are usually promising, I find the fact that Secret Circle’s last few works have been very quick discouraging, as Bob Baffert has been trying to get him to relax. He is talented without a doubt, but I’d like to see him relax more and carry his speed over longer distances.
Churchill Downs: Home of the Kentucky Derby
Photo: Terri Cage
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Please read the updated version of this story here. Miss Fifty, a four-year-old chestnut filly by Johannesburg and out of a Coronado’s Quest mare, Copa de Oro, may not have lived up to expectations on the track (at least not yet), but she is still part of an incredible story.
She was bred by Jerry and Ann Moss of Zenyatta fame and was born in Kentucky on April 18, 2008. As a yearling, she was sold for just $10,000 at the 2009 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. As a two-year-old, she was consigned by Pike Racing in the Fasig-Tipton Texas Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale as hip number fifty.
After recording a time of ten seconds and two-fifths for an eighth of a mile, the filly was returned to her stall in barn E4 on Lone Star Park’s backside. Later that day, my parents and I visited the barn area to look at the sale horses.
Leading up to the sale, I had studied the catalogue, writing down horses I was impressed with off of pedigree. Hip number fifty was one of them. I was even more impressed by the filly after watching her work on the track. She moved with a beautiful, flowing stride, highlighted by a flat knee that allowed her to cover much ground. The daughter of Johannesburg was one of the many horses I visited on the backside with my parents.
Photo: Terri Cage
But no other two-year-old caught my attention more than hip number fifty. The chestnut filly captivated me with her sweet personality, acting like a puppy. When I ambled up to her stall, the daughter of Johannesburg eagerly walked up to me, nuzzling at me. I gently rubbed her face and she allowed me to hold her dainty head in my arms. I stayed there for several moments, just cradling her head. As I walked away from the filly, I caught the two-year-old staring at me as if she didn’t want me to leave. Honestly, I didn’t want to leave either. I wished I could somehow garner thousands of dollars so I could purchase the affectionate filly for myself.
Needless to say, I couldn’t get my mind off the filly, whom I had nicknamed Fifty because of her hip number. I anxiously awaited the results of the sale, finding out that the daughter of Johannesburg had sold for $40,000 to Dolphus Morrison, breeder and former owner of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. She was the fifteenth highest-priced horse in the sale.
I decided to find Dolphus Morrison’s address and once I did, I wrote a letter to him, explaining how much I loved the filly by Johannesburg he had just purchased. I told him what I had nicknamed the filly and that I would always be the filly’s biggest fan. For days, I awaited a reply and constantly checked online to see if the filly had been officially named.
Not long before I received a reply from Mr. Morrison, I looked up the filly online and found that she had been named Miss Fifty. I was blown away and left wondering if Mr. Morrison had named the filly Miss Fifty because of my letter. My thoughts were confirmed when I received a letter from Mr. Morrison, in which he told me he had in fact named her Miss Fifty since I called the filly Fifty.
After being trained at Diamond D Ranch, Miss Fifty was sent to Mr. Morrison’s go-to trainer, Lon Wiggins, son of Hal Wiggins, who trained Rachel Alexandra up until her impressive Kentucky Oaks (GI) victory. Miss Fifty made her first start in October 2010 at Keeneland Racecourse. Just when it seemed as if she and Calvin Borel would open up on the field, the highly-touted and now grade two-winning Dancinginherdreams, swept by her, followed by four more horses. Miss Fifty finished a decent fifth out of twelve two-year-old fillies.
In her next start, a six-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs on Halloween, Miss Fifty was never really a factor and finished last in a field of eleven.
Photo: Terri Cage
I contacted Mr. Morrison for the third time and told him that my family and I were visiting Kentucky for the Breeders’ Cup. Mr. Morrison and Lon Wiggins arranged for me to visit Miss Fifty at Churchill Downs on Breeders’ Cup weekend. On Friday morning of the Breeders’ Cup, my sister, my mom, and I visited Mr. Wiggins’ barn.
Mr. Wiggins led me to Fifty’s stall, allowing me to duck under the stall guard to visit the filly. I did so, cautiously walking up to her. Would she remember me?
Fifty turned her head when she heard me approaching, pricking her ears and tossing her nose in my direction. I smiled, stepping forward and allowing her to sniff my hand. I then stroked her face, telling her how much I’d missed her. I’d never dreamed I’d get to visit the filly. Yet, there I was, over seven months after I had met the filly, pampering her on the backside of Churchill Downs during Breeders’ Cup week. It was absolutely surreal.
After watching Fifty’s stablemate, Fleeter, gallop over the track, it was time for the filly I loved so much to head out to the track. I thought I would just go watch, as I did with Fleeter, but Mr. Wiggins handed me the lead and showed me the way to the gap. I was actually leading Fifty toward the track. And it wasn’t just any track; it was Churchill Downs.
I thought I was dreaming as I led Miss Fifty onto the dirt surface. Across the expansive track, the Twin Spires smiled back at me as classy horses galloped and jogged past on the renowned track. I unclipped the lead from the filly’s bridle and Mr. Wiggins allowed me to stand alongside the filly on the track. I did so, stroking her silky neck and shoulder as she stared inquisitively at the other horses galloping by.
Fifty then headed off for her gallop and I stood at the gap, watching Breeders’ Cup horses as I waited for her to come around. Then I spotted the exquisite chestnut galloping and my eyes locked on her, watching her gallop past me. It was a beautiful sight and one that will forever be engraved in my mind. Her breath came in snorts that were in sync with her stride, her hoofs beat over the dirt, and her ears were pricked eagerly as she galloped past.
Photo: Terri Cage
After Fifty was cooled out, we did a short photo-shoot with the filly and me. While the grade one-winning Paddy O’ Prado received a bath just a few feet away, I stood alongside Fifty outside of Mr. Wiggins’ barn, smiling into my mom’s camera. Usually my smiles in photo-shoots are quite fake, but that morning, there was no wiping the smile off my face.
That wasn’t the end of the morning. Mr. Wiggins led us to the other side of the backside to catch a glimpse of the great Zenyatta, my favorite racehorse of all-time. It was my first time to ever see the incredible mare and I stood breathless as I watched her walk onto the track before galloping in preparation for her final race. That wonderful morning provided me with the greatest day yet of my life and I will forever be grateful to Mr. Morrison and Mr. Wiggins.
About three weeks later, Miss Fifty was entered in a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, this time against males. Miss Fifty finished eleventh in a field of twelve. The winner was the future 2011 Preakness Stakes (GI) winner, Shackleford.
Mr. Wiggins then shipped his horses to Tampa Bay Downs. Miss Fifty made her final start as a two-year-old on the day after Christmas, dropping into the claiming ranks for the first time. I was extremely worried that the beloved filly would get claimed. Before leaving to go to a family Christmas celebration, I watched the race anxiously, my eyes glued to the television. I knew she would likely do well, but my main worry was that she would be claimed.
In the first race on Cotillion Cup Day at Tampa Bay Downs, Miss Fifty broke quickly and went to the lead in a maiden claiming $25,000. She never looked back from there and went on to win by a remarkable seven and three-quarters lengths. The entire time, I was bouncing up and down with excitement. Fifty had just broken her maiden and she couldn’t have done it more stylishly.
However, the excitement began to wear off. Had she been claimed? The question rang in my head for what seemed like eternity until I received an Equibase result notification in my email. I anxiously opened the email, reading the chart to find out the answer to the question. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I read that she had not been claimed.
In January, her connections tried her in a stakes race, the Gasparilla Stakes. Miss Fifty faded to finish last in a field of eight, losing to the future grade three-winning Devilish Lady.
Miss Fifty took two months off, returning in a five-furlong allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs. She finished a gutsy third that made me very proud of her. Prior to the race, TVG analysts had called her a ‘stopper.’ I understood why they had given her that label, but I was hoping that she would prove them wrong. She may not have won, but she definitely did not stop trying.
In April, she ran in a six and one-half-furlong starter allowance at Keeneland as the favorite. It looked like she had the win in the homestretch, but she faltered in the final yards to finish last in a field of six, though only beaten by less than four and a half lengths.
Three and a half weeks later, Miss Fifty returned to Churchill Downs in an allowance race, trying the turf for the first time. She never seemed to take to the new surface, finishing last in a field of eleven.
About a month later, Miss Fifty revisited the claiming ranks. Again, I became worried that she would be claimed. I wanted her to stay with the connections she had. In the five and one-half-furlong $15,000 claiming race, Fifty finished a good second. She seemed to have found the right level for her. Fortunately, she had not been claimed.
Three days later, I competed in one of my biggest horse shows of the year. After returning home that evening, I spent some peaceful moments outside my barn with my newly-crowned District Grand Champion Mare, Pebbles (a Quarter Horse registered under the name Sheza Cool Casmire). As the sun grew closer to the horizon, I leaned my head against my beloved mare’s light gray shoulder, enjoying the peaceful moment.
A few minutes later, that peace would be shattered. I came inside to learn that the backside of Churchill Downs had been hit by a tornado. My thoughts immediately jumped to Fifty and the Wiggins family. Frantically, I searched for news, praying that I would not find their names on a list of casualties or injuries. When I found out that no one had been hurt, it felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of relief on me.
Photo: Terri Cage
A little over a week after the tornado, Miss Fifty was entered in a six-furlong $10,000 claiming race at Churchill Downs. She was sent off as the second choice and hooked up at the top of the lane with the favorite, Intimidating Woman, a multiple stakes-placed filly. However, Miss Fifty found another gear and went on to win the race by an easy four and one-quarter lengths under Calvin Borel.
I, like usual, had watched the race live. I was ecstatic that Fifty had won. I’d had a gut feeling that she would win, but I also had had a gut feeling she would be claimed. Both gut feelings were confirmed.
I did. He informed me that the filly had hurt her eye but should be all right. He also told me that he had enough horses and once they were done with Miss Fifty, I could have her. I was ecstatic.
Then Fifty was entered in a race – a claiming race. She finished second in the $7,500 claiming race at Presque Isle Downs and after the race had been run, I was devastated to find out that she had been claimed. I wasn’t going to give up on following her, however. She meant too much to me to do that.
Miss Fifty was not claimed in her next start, a third-place finish in a claiming race at Presque Isle. However, next out, Fifty finished third and was claimed.
I then contacted her new owners to get an update on her. I was thrilled to find out that she was doing well. In fact, she had put on almost one hundred pounds since being claimed. It was a relief to find this out, as I had noticed while watching her recent races that she had become quite thin. She seems to be in good hands now, which is very important to me. All I want is for her to be happy and healthy.
I added her owner as a friend on Facebook to get updates more quickly on her. He has generously given me updates on Fifty and answered any questions I have about her.
On November 20, 2011, Fifty ran in a $10,000 claiming race at Charles Town. Her owner had informed me that it was a lower-priced tag than he wanted, but they were using the four and one-half-furlong race as a prep race to stretch her out in higher class races soon. He told me he didn’t want her to be claimed. I couldn’t agree more.
Photo: Terri Cage
Anxiously, I watched the race online, my eyes fixed on the beautiful chestnut. Her owner was right. She’d put on a lot of weight, in addition to having more defined muscle tone. She looked incredible and was most definitely the best-looking horse in the field, even without my bias towards her.
Much to my satisfaction, Fifty crushed the field by five and one-half lengths. I was ecstatic and grew even happier when I learned that she had not been claimed and would remain with Long Shot Racing Stable, LLC.
About a month later, Fifty returned to the allowance level. I felt confident in her chances, as did the betting public. She loaded into the gate as the heavy favorite for the six and one-half-furlong event at Charles Town. With dread, I watched as she left the gate roughly and galloped in front of the grandstand unevenly after the start. She never got involved. I was extremely worried about the filly, but after contacting her owner via Facebook, I was relieved to find out that the trouble had been caused by the jockey losing his irons. Fifty was fine.
She is currently doing extremely well and her connections are searching for the right race for her. Watching her race is very nerve-wracking for me, but I love it nonetheless and am looking forward to seeing her race again.
I never could have known when I wrote down hip number fifty in my journal of horses to watch at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale that it would lead to an incredible journey. Someday I will watch the exquisite chestnut filly win again, knowing that if I had never had the courage to write Dolphus Morrison, I never would have experienced practically what it felt like to own a racehorse while I was so young. I never would have led a horse onto the track at Churchill Downs as a young fan or come within two feet of the great Zenyatta. And most of all, I know God has blessed me with a tremendous filly that will always be an important part of my life. It's been a rollercoaster ride without a doubt, but I would not trade it for anything. It’s a journey I’ll never forget and I have many people to thank, including Mr. Morrison, Mr. Wiggins, Mr. Vrable, my parents, my best friend, and everyone else who has been a part of my journey with Miss Fifty.
And also, thank you to my fans and readers! I enjoy reading your comments so much and I truly appreciate all of your support. I wouldn't have 100 blog posts without all of you. Again, thank you!
*Miss Fifty was the only horse to not go down or lose the rider in the eighth race at Charles Town on 2/29/12, twenty-six days after this blog post was published. She received some cuts that required stitches, but is okay. To read more, please click here.
Photo: Terri Cage
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The trend for the past several years in racing has been girl power. Racing fans have enjoyed watching Black Caviar, Blind Luck, Goldikova, Havre de Grace, Rags to Riches, Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, and many others. It looks as if this trend will continue, as 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace is returning, 2011 Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Royal Delta is preparing for a great year that should include the Dubai World Cup (GI), and 2010 Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Awesome Feather looks to remain perfect after her dominating win in the Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff.
But what about the three-year-old fillies of 2012? Two of the top newly-turned three-year-old fillies – 2011 Champion Two-Year-Old Filly My Miss Aurelia and two-time grade one-winning Weemissfrankie – are out due to injuries. We must turn our attention to other sophomore fillies, including the ones listed below.
Agave Kiss: She has raced solely in New York and only one of her starts has not been against restricted company. However, she has been very dominant. Her first two starts – a state-bred maiden special weight at Belmont and a state-bred allowance at Aqueduct – were won by a combined winning margin of 16 ¾ lengths. Agave Kiss’ initial start against open company came in the Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct, which she won by 3 ¼ lengths. She is by Lion Heart – winner of the Hollywood Futurity (GI, 8.5F) and the Haskell Invitational Handicap (GI, 9F) and runner-up in the Kentucky Derby (GI, 10F) – and out of the one-mile Delta Princess Stakes winner and Santa Ysabel Stakes (GIII, 8.5) runner-up, Salty Romance. She is inbred 5 X 5 to both Northern Dancer and Raise a Native. Her connections may not plan to run her much outside of New York, but I feel that it would be very exciting to see her race outside of the Big Apple. For more on Agave Kiss, please read my articles here and here.
Applauding: One of the most impressive fillies on this list, Applauding caused jaws to drop when she debuted at Keeneland in October. In that race, she sat off the pace before sweeping to the lead as the field neared the top of the stretch. She never looked back from there, winning the race by 9 lengths in a track record time of 1:07.76 for six furlongs. She made her second start in early December at the Fair Grounds in a six-furlong first-level allowance. After leading from start to finish, Applauding crossed the wire six lengths in front. She was entered in the Silverbulletday Stakes at the Fair Grounds for January 21, but was scratched due to a small bout of colic. By an A.P. Indy son in Congrats and out of a Forestry mare, Applauding definitely has spectacular bloodlines. She is on track for the Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) on March 31.
Broadway’s Alibi: This filly made her first two starts in maiden special weights at Delaware Park, finishing second by a length in her debut before dominating her second start by seven lengths. She did not start for another three months, when she triumphed by five lengths in a six and one-half-furlong allowance optional claiming at Gulfstream Park. She then tried graded stakes company in the seven-furlong Forward Gal Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream on January 29, bounding home to win by an astounding 16 ¾ lengths over a sloppy track. There is doubt in her ability to stretch out, as her sire, Vindication, has primarily been a sire of sprinters and her dam, the graded stakes-winning Strawberry Reason, only won at the distance of a mile and one-sixteenth. Perhaps routing will not be to her liking, but I expect that Broadway’s Alibi will continue to be impressive.
Eden’s Moon: In mid-December, Eden’s Moon made her debut at Hollywood Park, finishing 2 ¼ lengths behind the future Santa Ynez Stakes (GII) winner, Reneesgotzip. She made her first three-year-old start three weeks later, leading from start to finish and winning by an outstanding 11 ½ lengths. By a son of A.P. Indy in Malibu Moon and out of a Giant’s Causeway mare, her pedigree suggests that she will have no trouble with routing. It also helps that her fifth dam – Pange – is a Reine De Course mare who produced the champion Prince Royal II and is the granddam of the ill-fated but great Landaluce. Trainer Bob Baffert scratched her from the Santa Ysabel Stakes (GIII) on January 28.
Grace Hall: Prior to her second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI), Grace Hall was undefeated. However, being defeated by My Miss Aurelia was not a disgrace. Now that My Miss Aurelia is out, Grace Hall finds herself at the top of many lists as far as sophomore fillies are concerned. After a three-length maiden victory at Delaware Park, she traveled to Saratoga to take the Spinaway Stakes (GI) by nearly two lengths. She then returned to Delaware for her final win of 2011: an effortless victory in the Blue Hen Stakes. Grace Hall is by the Belmont Stakes-winning Empire Maker and out of the Irish-bred stakes-winning mare Season’s Greetings. Tracing back to horses such as Seattle Slew, Riva Ridge, and the Reine De Course mare Comely Nell, it doesn’t seem as if long distances will be a problem for Grace Hall. Trainer Tony Dutrow is preparing her for a start in the Davona Dale Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream on February 25.
Killer Graces: Following a nose defeat in her maiden special weight debut, Killer Graces captured two ungraded stakes at Hollywood Park. After two disappointing finishes in Del Mar graded stakes races, the chestnut filly finished second in a pair of ungraded stakes. She then garnered her first grade one victory in the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (GI), in which her smooth stride carried her to a half-length victory. Her most recent start came on January 28 in the Santa Ysabel Stakes (GIII) and when the winner got an easy lead, it made it difficult for Killer Graces to keep up, which led to her second-place finish. By the multiple grade one-winning Congaree and out of an Old Trieste mare, Killer Graces definitely has plenty of speed and stamina in her pedigree. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is preparing her for a start in the Las Virgenes Stakes (GI) at Santa Anita on March 3.
Now I Know: Undefeated in six starts, Now I Know won her first four starts at Remington Park by a combined 17 ½ lengths. One of those wins was a 9 ¼-length victory in the state-bred Oklahoma Classics Lassie Stakes. After that win, she made her first start outside of Oklahoma at Delta Downs in the Delta Downs Princess Stakes (GIII), which she won by 4 lengths. She made her sophomore debut on January 14 in the Dixie Belle Stakes at Oaklawn Park, holding off Amie’s Dini to win by 1 ¼ lengths. By a son of Storm Cat in the 2002 Kentucky Cup Classic Handicap (GII, 9F) winner Pure Prize and out of a Maria’s Mon mare in Now U Know, Now I Know definitely has an impressive pedigree. She is also very impressive on the track and is pointing toward the Martha Washington Stakes – a race that has been won by the likes of Eight Belles and Rachel Alexandra – at Oaklawn Park on February 11 for trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel, who won the race in 2006 with Brownie Points.
Princess Arabella: She has only started once, but she was incredibly impressive in that start. On New Year’s Eve, the Bob Baffert trainee debuted at Santa Anita in a six-furlong maiden special weight. After a poor break from the gate, Princess Arabella gained ground on the leaders with every stride, never decelerating. With a breathtaking move on the outside on the far turn, the chestnut filly swept to the lead with ease under very slight urging from Martin Garcia. By the Haskell winner Any Given Saturday and out of a Thunder Gulch mare, Princess Arabella’s pedigree hints that she will handle a stretch out in distance. She has many tests to pass, but she seems to have the sheer talent and pedigree that will allow her to pass with flying colors.
Reneesgotzip: After soundly defeating Eden’s Moon in her debut, Reneesgotzip tried graded stakes company in her three-year-old debut. On January 15, the chestnut filly dominated the Santa Ynez Stakes (GII) by 7 ¾ lengths, leading from start to finish to defeat five other fillies. She is by City Zip and out of a Distorted Humor mare and is inbred 3 X 4 to Northern Dancer. Trainer Peter Miller is pointing her towards the Las Virgenes Stakes (GI) at Santa Anita on March 3.
Table Three Ten: After her impressive victory in her debut at the Fair Grounds in November, this Cobra Farm-bred filly was purchased by Team Valor. She made her first start for Team Valor and trainer Graham Motion under John Velazquez – the same connections that teamed up to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby – on January 27 in an allowance race at Gulfstream. Sent off as the heavy favorite, she won the six and one-half-furlong race by 1 ¾ lengths. She is by El Prado and out of a stakes-place More Than Ready mare. She traces back to the influential Northern Dancer three times throughout her pedigree and is inbred 5 X 5 to Hail to Reason and 4 X 5 to Special. Her next start is unknown.
Twelve Folds: After two tough losses – one by a nose and one by a head – in her first two starts, Twelve Folds finally got to show the world what she was made of. In a five and one-half California-bred maiden special weight, she won by 8 ¼ lengths. Only one of her starts has been against open company, but she still performed well, finishing second by a head. By a young son of Indian Charlie in Cindago and out of a Tiger Ridge mare, Twelve Folds’ pedigree is not exactly as spectacular as some of the other fillies on this list. However, her fourth dam, Bali Babe, is the dam of 1999 Horse of the Year Charismatic and her sixth dam, Grass Shack, is a Reine De Course mare.
Willa B Awesome: The most heavily raced filly on this list, Willa B Awesome has started ten times. Three of those starts have resulted in victories, two of which were in stakes races. After a win against state-bred maidens in her debut at Hollywood Park, she tried open company in the Cinderella Stakes, finishing third behind the future grade one-winning Killer Graces. Following three unsuccessful stakes tries – two state-bred stakes and one graded stakes – at Del Mar, trainer Walther Solis shipped her to Fairplex Park for the Barrets Debutante Stakes, in which she won by nearly three lengths. After three in-the-money finishes in stakes races – two of which were against California-breds, Willa B Awesome tried graded stakes company in the Santa Ysabel Stakes (GIII) on January 28. She got in easy lead in that race and therefore was able to score by 3 ½ lengths. By a Coronado’s Quest son in Awesome Gambler, most of the appeal in Willa B Awesome’s pedigree is on her sire’s side. However, her fifth dam, Belthazar, is a Reine De Course mare and the final foal sired by the 1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral. Willa B Awesome will need to continue to prove herself against open company, but she is without a doubt a talented filly.
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The most anticipated race of the year is the Kentucky Derby (GI). As soon as the race is over, many already begin thinking about the next year’s running. There is no doubt about it; the Kentucky Derby is the greatest two minutes in sports.
This is the list of my top ten 2012 Kentucky Derby contenders as of January 29.
1. Union Rags: As the early Kentucky Derby favorite, Union Rags is at the top of many Kentucky Derby lists. The son of Dixie Union won his first three starts impressively before falling a head short to Hansen in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI). However, he showed up in all four of his races in 2011, displaying his sheer talent. He has a fine pedigree and is a very well-built horse with nearly flawless conformation. Upon seeing him in person at the Breeders’ Cup, I was able to tell that Union Rags is a very classy individual that carries himself with much confidence. He has been working out for trainer Michael Matz at Palm Meadows Training Center, posting pleasing workouts over the dirt surface. His most recent work was a 1:00.82 five-furlong work. As long as Union Rags learns to race less greenly and continues to improve while maintaining his incredible talent, he will be very difficult to beat. Trainer Michael Matz is pointing him towards the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream Park on February 26. For more on why Union Rags is a top Derby contender, please read my Derby Hopeful article on him by clicking here.
2. Discreet Dancer: This Todd Pletcher trainee has been incredibly impressive, winning his first two starts – a maiden special weight and an allowance at Gulfstream Park – by a combined 15 ¼ lengths. He is clearly extremely talented and there is no telling how good he is yet. He will need to prove himself against graded stakes company, but it seems as if he should handle the step up in class well. His pedigree may possibly have distance limitations, but with Gone West as his broodmare sire, he may be able to handle the stretch out in distance. What intrigues me most about his pedigree is that his fourth dam is Lassie Dear, a Reine De Course mare who produced Weekend Surprise – the dam of A.P. Indy and Summer Squall. This hints that he may be better suited to routing than many think. His next start is unknown. For more on why Discreet Dancer is a top Derby contender, please read my Derby Hopeful article on him by clicking here.
3: Algorithms: After two impressive victories at two renowned racetracks (Belmont and Gulfstream), Algorithms emerged on many Derby lists. A son of the young, successful stud Bernardini, Algorithms sat near the pace in his debut at Belmont before stylishly drawing off to win by 5 ¼ lengths. He didn’t start for over six months, reappearing in a six and one-half-furlong allowance optional claiming at Gulfstream Park. He sat off the pace before battling the highly-touted Consortium down the stretch. After digging deep, the bay colt prevailed by a length before galloping out impressively. Today in the Holy Bull Stakes (GIII), the Todd Pletcher trainee effortlessly galloped past Hansen to win by 5 lengths in a final time of 1:36.17 for one mile over a sloppy track at Gulfstream Park. His Preakness Stakes (GI)-winning sire, Bernardini, is of course by the Belmont Stakes- and Breeders’ Cup Classic-winning A.P. Indy. The bottom side of his pedigree also hints that Algorithms will be able to stretch out, as his dam is by Cryptoclearance, who produced the Belmont Stakes-winning Victory Gallop, the Prince of Wales-winning Cryptocloser, and the Breeders’ Cup Classic-winning Volponi. Plus, he is a direct descendant of a Reine De Course mare in Qurrat-Al-Ain. Without a doubt, Algorithms has the makings of a successful racehorse and has already been incredibly impressive. I have a good feeling about him. He may make his next start in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) at Gulfstream Park on February 26.
4. Creative Cause: One of the top juveniles of 2011, this son of Giant’s Causeway looks to maintain his class as a three-year-old. He has raced primarily in southern California, other than his game third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs. He has never finished out of the money and his wins in the Best Pal Stakes (GII) and Norfolk Stakes (GI) were very impressive. By a prominent sire capable of producing distance horses in Giant’s Causeway and out of a grade one-winning mare who won four stakes races at one mile or longer, Creative Cause should have no problem with the Derby distance. Trainer Mike Harrington is pointing him towards the San Vicente Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita on February 19.
5. Liaison: One of the most quickly improving colts on the Derby trail, Liaison has only suffered one loss in his career. After finishing third in a Del Mar maiden special weight, he won his next three starts: a maiden special weight at Santa Anita, the Real Quiet Stakes at Hollywood Park, and the CashCall Futurity (GI) at Hollywood. In both the Real Quiet and the CashCall Futurity, Liaison held off late runs by Rousing Sermon. Though the other colt was closing impressively, Liaison was determined to hold him off and did so, also galloping out in front. This shows me that he does not want another horse to finish in front of him, which is obviously a very important characteristic. With the late Indian Charlie as his sire, many will doubt Liaison’s ability to get the Derby distance, but through his dam, he traces back to several Belmont Stakes (GI, 12F) winners, such as Victory Gallop, A.P. Indy, Seattle Slew, Secretariat, Native Dancer, Nashua, and Blue Larkspur. In fact, his dam directly traces back to the x-factor (large heart trait) carrier Blue Larkspur (as does Creative Cause’s dam). This colt is royally bred and has plenty of heart. This makes for a deadly combination. Shall he continue his awesome performances, he will likely climb higher on this list. Trainer Bob Baffert is pointing him towards the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita Park on February 4.
6. Rousing Sermon: This colt has become somewhat of a “wise guy” horse. With impressive closing rallies behind Liaison in his past two starts, Rousing Sermon has shown the potential to become a top colt on the Derby trail. He has already started six times and has not yet finished out of the money. After breaking his maiden and running third in two California-bred stakes, Rousing Sermon was victorious in the Bob Benoit California Cup Juvenile Stakes. He followed up that win with two impressive seconds to Liaison. By a young son of the outstanding sire Pulpit and out of an Awesome Again mare, Rousing Sermon’s pedigree features plenty of successful distance horses that produced horses capable of routing, such as A.P. Indy, Alydar, Northern Dancer, Nearco, and Blushing Groom. Rousing Sermon seems to be coming into his own and once he does, he will be difficult to hold off. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is pointing him towards the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita on February 4.
7. Out of Bounds: After his win in the Sham Stakes (GIII) over Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint champion Secret Circle, Out of Bounds found his position on many Kentucky Derby watch lists. He was very green in that race and took much urging from Garret Gomez to reach the front. His stride was very choppy, but since he is a very tall, green horse, that is understandable. Like Discreet Dancer, there are doubts about distance in his pedigree due to being sired by the brilliant miler Discreet Cat. However, he is a grandson of the distance-producing Unbridled’s Song and by being a son of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI)-winning Unbridled Elaine, he is a direct descendant of the 1956 Broodmare of the Year, Swoon. He clearly has plenty of talent and a royal pedigree, but he will need to mature a bit. Trainer Eoin Harty is pointing him towards the San Felipe Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita on March 10.
8. Hansen: The fields he faced in his first two starts may not have been as high quality as those at tracks like Saratoga, Santa Anita, or Belmont, but Hansen proved superior, winning them by an outstanding combined winning margin of 25 ½ lengths. Though many doubted him for running at Turfway Park instead of tracks such as the abovementioned ones, he was able to defeat top two-year-olds when it counted most: the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He proved very tough in that race and never gave up, holding off Union Rags to win by a head. In his sophomore debut, the Holy Bull Stakes (GIII), Hansen stumbled out of the gate before setting blazing fractions over a sloppy track. Algorithms blew right past him, leaving the 2011 Champion Two-Year-Old 5 lengths behind in second. Many doubt Tapit’s ability to produce a sophomore capable of routing, but the sire has produced Careless Jewel – winner of the Alabama Stakes (GI, 10F) at three, Concord Point – winner of the West Virginia Derby (GII, 9F) at three, Rattlesnake Bridge – runner-up in the Travers Stakes (GI, 10F) at three, Tapizar – winner of the San Fernando Stakes (GII, 8.5F) at four, and Zazu – winner of the Lady’s Secret Stakes (GI, 8.5) at three. Yet Hansen’s sophomore debut did not help his case for a successful sophomore routing career. He will need to learn how to relax, as setting fast fractions and lasting in the Kentucky Derby is a very difficult thing to do. Still, Hansen definitely has talent and when he’s on the top of his game, he is very difficult to pass. He may be seen next in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) on February 26.
9. Gemologist: In 2009, a WinStar Farm-owned and Todd Pletcher-trained colt won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GII) before winning the Kentucky Derby the next year. In 2011, a WinStar Farm-owned and Todd Pletcher-trained colt won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and looks to do the same as the 2009 victor. His name is Gemologist. The son of the two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI)-winning Tiznow is undefeated in three starts, all of which have come in Kentucky. In his Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes victory, Gemologist defeated the highly-touted Ever So Lucky. Another important aspect of his KJCS win was that it was against a large field at Churchill Downs, which gives him a somewhat similar experience to the Kentucky Derby. His pedigree hints that he will have no distance limitations, as his sire, Tiznow, was a successful router and has produced horses of the same ability. Also, he traces back to Native Dancer four times within his pedigree, three times through Northern Dancer. He clearly has sheer talent and an impressive pedigree, but he may need to step it up a notch to be highly competitive on the Derby trail, as his times are not exactly spectacular. His next start is unknown.
1o: Secret Circle: I am not giving up on this colt, who I have followed since his impressive maiden victory at Del Mar. After he won the Jack Goodman Stakes at Santa Anita easily, I saw him win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint in person. It was clear that he had some learning to do, as he desperately needed to learn how to relax. After all, he helped Trinniberg run the first quarter of the Juvenile Sprint in a breathtaking 20.96 seconds. Bob Baffert began working on teaching the colt to relax and took off the blinkers before Secret Circle made his two-turn debut in the Sham Stakes (GIII) at one mile. This time, he settled off the pace before taking the lead as the field turned for home. He ran well, but could not hold off the charge of Out of Bounds. It was a very good learning experience for him and I hope that Baffert will continue trying to route Secret Circle, as the colt is of course by the Pimlico Special (GI, 9.5F)-winning Eddington and out of a Dixieland Band mare. In addition, his fifth, sixth, and seventh dams are all Reine De Course mares. If Secret Circle can continue to learn, he may be able to be ranked higher on this list. Trainer Bob Baffert is pointing him towards the San Vicente Stakes (GII) on February 19. For more on why Union Rags is a top Derby contender, please read my Derby Hopeful article on him by clicking here.
The Kentucky Derby winner's enclosure awaits.
Photo by Mary Cage
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