By Bill Finley
Last week was once again all about Mohaymen (Tapit), who looked like there's no limit to his potential when winning the
GII Fountain of Youth S. He continues to stay on top of this poll and virtually every other Derby poll out there and for good reason–he looks like the perfect package. It will be a relatively quiet weekend, as only the GIII Gotham S. at the Big A will bring together serious Derby contenders. That race should answer some questions about a number of horses looking to climb their way up the polls.
1. MOHAYMEN (c, Tapit—Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union)
O-Shadwell Stable. B-Clearsky Farm (Ky). T-Kiaran McLaughlin.
Sales history: $2,200,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP.
Last Start: 1st, GII Fountain of Youth S., GP, Feb. 27
Accomplishments Include: 1st, GII Holy Bull S., GP, Jan. 30
1st GII Remsen S., AQU, Nov. 28; 1st GII Nashua S., AQU, Nov. 4
Next Start: GI Florida Derby., GP, April 2
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
Sorry, but we are running out of superlatives for the gray son of Tapit. Every time he steps onto the racetrack, he makes his competitors look like they come from an inferior species. The GII Fountain of Youth was more of the same. Some believed that trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, knowing there were bigger goals ahead, did not have Mohaymen (Tapit) fully cranked up–and maybe he didn't. It mattered not, as he had no problem posting an easy win, by 2 1/4 lengths. His jockey situation is an interesting one as McLaughlin wanted Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride the colt in his debut Sept. 19 at Belmont. But Ortiz chose to instead ride Upstart (Flatter), who finished fifth that day in the GII Pennsylvania Derby at Parx. So McLaughlin went with Junior Alvarado, who has never ridden in a GI Kentucky Derby.
2. NYQUIST (c, Uncle Mo—Seeking Gabrielle, by Forestry)
O-Reddam Racing LLC. B-Summerhill Farm (Ky). T-Doug O'Neill.
Sales history: $400,000 2yo '15 FTFMAR; $230,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP; $180,000 Wlg '13 KEENOV.
Last Start: 1st, GII San Vicente S., SA, Feb. 15
Accomplishments Include: 1st, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, KEE, Oct. 31; 1st, GI Front Runner S., SA, Sept. 26; 1st, GI Del Mar Futurity, DMR, Sept. 7; 1st GII Best Pal S., DMR, Aug. 8
Next Start: GI Florida Derby, GP, Apr. 2
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
Like everyone else, owner J. Paul Reddam is anxiously looking forward to the 1-versus-2 showdown in the GI Florida Derby, as his colt Nyquist (Uncle Mo) will take on Mohaymen (Tapit). Nyquist is an undefeated champion, yet he will be cast as the inferior horse–and Reddam knows it. “A lot of the pundits don't have a lot of faith in our horse,” he said. “I think they're a little bit confused by him. That's ok by me. I know we will be the underdog. It's like we're the visiting team. That will be kind of fun. This is going to be a tricky race from the gambling perspective. I'm thinking Mohaymen will be 1-2 and we'll be 8-5.” When asked if he would have preferred an easier prep for the GI Kentucky Derby, Reddam replied, “It's been our plan all along to go to the Florida Derby and it turns out it was Shadwell's plan, too. Everyone is going to stick to their plan. So, something is going to have to give. The horses will settle things on the racetrack.”
3. MOR SPIRIT (r, Eskendereya–Im a Dixie Girl, by Dixie Union)
O-Michael Lund Petersen. B-Elkstone Group LLC (PA). T-Bob Baffert.
Sales history: $650,000 2yo '15 FTFMAR; $85,000 Ylg '14 FTKOCT.
Last Start: 1st, GIII Robert B. Lewis S., Feb. 6, SA
Accomplishments Include: 1st, GI Los Alamitos Futurity, LRC, Dec. 19
Next Start: Undecided
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
Andrew Caulfield on Mor Spirit
Mor Spirit (Eskendereya) appears to back on track after he was pulled up early in a Feb. 23 workout. On Sunday, the 3-year-old worked five furlongs in :59 4/5 at Santa Anita and did so without a hitch. Trainer Bob Baffert said the horse will be on a work schedule that will have him ready for the GII San Felipe Mar. 12, but has yet to fully commit to that race. The other option is to sit the San Felipe out and go for the GI Santa Anita Derby. Baffert will likely make his decision after Mor Spirit's next work. Either way, with Nyquist (Uncle Mo) heading to Florida, Mor Spirit looks like he's the head of the class among the horses that will prep for the Derby at Santa Anita.
4. EXAGGERATOR (c, Curlin—Dawn Raid, by Vindication)
O-Big Chief Racing. B-Joseph B. Murphy (Ky). T-Keith Desormeaux.
Sales history: $110,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP.
Last Start: 2nd, GII San Vicente S. ,SA, Feb. 15
Accomplishments Include: 1st, GIII Delta Downs Jackpot, DED, Nov. 21; 1st, GII Saratoga Special S., SAR, Aug. 16
Next Start: GII San Felipe S., SA, Mar. 12
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
Matt Bryan, the owner of Exaggerator (Curlin), knows this business isn't easy–even if he's making it look that way. Bryan has been a Thoroughbred owner for a bit less than four years. Spending modest amounts of money at the sales (he bought GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Swipe (Birdstone) for $5,000), his Big Chief Racing LLC has already won the GII Risen Star S., the GIII San Juan Capistrano S. and the GIII Delta Downs Jackpot, and Swipe has made $608,330. “Every day we pinch ourselves,” Bryan said. “Our success has been unprecedented compared to what other people have spent and have never had the success we have had. (Trainer) Keith (Desormeaux) is an incredible horseman. I don't think people realize how good he is. I hope we help get him into the Hall of Fame some day.” Putting things in perspective, Bryan noted that Mohaymen (Tapit) cost 440 times more than Swipe did at the sales. In Exaggerator, Big Chief has another horse who could put a lot more money into Bryan's bank account.
5. GUN RUNNER (c, Candy Ride {Arg}—Quiet Giant, by Giant's Causeway)
O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC & Three Chimneys Farm. B-Besilu Stables. T-Steve Asmussen.
Last Start: 1st, GII Risen Star S., FG, Feb. 20
Next Start: GII Louisiana Derby, FG, Mar. 26
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
Andrew Caulfield on Gun Runner
The Winchell family, which owns Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}), is due for some good luck in the GI Kentucky Derby. The first horse Vern Winchell ever bought, Donut King, was entered in the 1962 Kentucky Derby, but was withdrawn after coming down with an infection in his left front leg. According to reports, Winchell wanted to run anyway, while trainer Ron McAnally did not. Donut King had won the Wood Memorial. Over the years, the Winchells have started eight horses in the Kentucky Derby and none of them have finished in the money. The list includes Tapit (Pulpit), who finished ninth in 2004. Now a superstar sire, he may have been done in by a sloppy track that afternoon at Churchill Downs. Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC is a partnership between Verne Winchell's son Ron and his widow, Joan.
6. GREENPOINTCRUSADER (c, Bernardini—Ava Knowsthecode, by Cryptoclearance)
O-St. Elias Stable, MeB Racing Stables LLC & Brooklyn Boyz Stable. B-Oakbrook Farm (Ky). T-Dominick Schettino.
Sales history: $575,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP.
Last Start: 2nd, GII Holy Bull S., GP, Jan. 30
Accomplishments Include: 1st, GI Champagne S., BEL, Oct. 30
Next Start: Undecided
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
Co-owner Anthony Bonomo reports that it's not set in stone that Greenpointcrusader (Bernardini) will go next in the GII Louisiana Derby. The GI Wood Memorial, he says, is also under consideration. “It will either be the Louisiana Derby or the Wood and right now we're not looking at one over the other,” he said. “It will be decided by [trainer] Dominick [Schettino]. We'll let him figure it out. I like to let my trainers make the decisions. That way we can blame them when we lose.” Bonomo, who runs under the name of Brooklyn Boyz Stable, is as New York as they get and has been a member of the NYRA Board, but he says that won't sway anyone to point the colt for the Wood Memorial. “This decision is going to come down to what's the best place for him to run and what the trainer decides,” he said. “I am not going to let sentiment get in the way.”
7. BRODY'S CAUSE (c, Giant's Causeway—Sweet Breanna, by Sahm)
O-Albaugh Family Stable. B-Gabriel Duignan, William Arvin Jr & Petaluma (Ky). T-Dale Romans.
Sales: $350,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP.
Last Start: 3rd, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, KEE, Oct. 31
Accomplishments Include: 1st, GI Breeders' Futurity, KEE, Oct. 3
Next Start: GII Tampa Bay Derby, TAM, Mar. 12
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
Though his horse has plenty of time to get ready for the GII Tampa Bay Derby, trainer Dale Romans took the unusual step of shipping the horse from his base at Gulfstream Park to Tampa Bay Downs Wednesday. “It's a little different surface at Tampa and I wanted him to train on it first,” Romans said. “It's more of a safety issue than anything. I think that if he trains over that track he'll be better prepared on race day. I haven't run that many at Tampa. I've had some luck running there on the turf, but I found it's a tough place to ship a dirt horse into and that's why we're going over there early.” Romans has won with three of the 17 runners he has entered during his career at Tampa. All three of his winners there have come in stakes races. Romans reports that Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway) will likely work at Tampa on Sunday.
8. MO TOM (c, Uncle Mo—Caroni, by Rubiano)
O-GMB Racing. B-Hargus & Sandra Sexton & Silver Fern Farm. T-Tom Amoss.
Sales history: $150,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP.
Last Start: 3rd, GII Risen Star S., FG, Feb. 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st, GIII LeComte S., FG, Jan. 16; 1st, Street Sense S., CD, Nov. 1
Next Start: GII Louisiana Derby, FG, Mar. 26
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
Though he finished third aboard Mo Tom (Uncle Mo) in the GII Risen Star Stakes, jockey Corey Lanerie believes he should have won the race. Lanerie had to take up sharply in the stretch when Bistraya (Haynesfield) came over into his path. “I was upset that he didn't win because I thought I was on the best horse,” Lanerie said. “He was rolling and that other horse was stopping. He fell right into my path, stopped my momentum completely. On the other hand, I was really happy that he didn't throw in the towel on me. He overcame it in a few strides, starting running again and the galloped out really good. He galloped out in front like he thought he won. It was really impressive that he didn't quit because you know a lot of times you're not going to have a smooth trip in the Derby.”
9. MALIBU SUNSET (c, Bernardini–One Stormy Mama, by Storm Cat)
O-Gary & Mary West. B-Mike Abraham. T-Bob Baffert
Sales history: $240,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP; $190,000 RNA '13 FTKNOV
Last Start: 1st, Allowance, SA, Feb. 28
Next Start: Undecided
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
He's light on experience, but apparently loaded with talent. After he won his debut Jan. 31 at the Fair Grounds by 10 1/2 lengths in 'TDN Rising Star' fashion for trainer Wayne Catalano, Malibu Sunset (Bernardini) was turned over to Bob Baffert. For Baffert, he won an allowance race at Santa Anita last Sunday by a deceiving 1 1/2 lengths. Jockey Flavien Prat merely let him gallop through the lane after he had put away the competition. Should he make it to the GI Kentucky Derby, Malibu Sunset will have to answer the question of whether or not a horse who did not compete at two can win America's toughest horse race.
10. SHAGAF (c, Bernardini–Muhaawara, by Unbridled's Song)
O/B-Shadwell Stable. T-Chad Brown
Last Start: 1st, Allowance Race, GP, Jan. 29
Next Start: GIII Gotham, AQU, Mar. 5
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
Saturday's GII Gotham should determine whether 'TDN Rising Star' Shagaf (Bernardini) is a serious GI Kentucky Derby threat or not. The Gulfstream route to Churchill Downs was not available to Chad Brown because Shadwell Stable also owns Mohaymen (Tapit) and he's committed to Florida, so the trainer picked New York. The Gotham is far from an easy spot as it includes GIII Withers S. winner Sunny Ridge (Holy Bull), Conquest Big E (Tapit) and a handful of other serious horses. With Shagaf having posted a 78 Beyer in his last start, believers in those numbers may be looking elsewhere Saturday.
11. ZULU (c, Bernardini–Temporada, by Summer Squall)
O-Stonestreet Stables LLC, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith. B-Ron Magers & Robert Marcocchio. T-Todd Pletcher
Sales history: $900,000 2yo '15 FTFMAR; $400,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP
Last Start: 2nd, GII Fountain of Youth S., GP, Feb. 27
Next Start: Undecided
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
He was no match for Mohaymen (Tapit) in the GII Fountain of Youth S., but it was nonetheless a good stakes debut for 'TDN Rising Star' Zulu (Bernardini). He was clearly second best while finishing four lengths in front of the third-place finisher, Fellowship (Awesome of Course). He may not be ready to beat Mohaymen, but you might be able to say the same thing about every 3-year-old on the planet. A bit of a late-developer for Todd Pletcher, the Bernardini colt proved he belongs on the trail to the GI Kentucky Derby. Pletcher said earlier this week he hasn't picked out Zulu's next start. Like Nyquist (Uncle Mo), he will be eligible for a $1-million bonus if he wins the GI Florida Derby, as he was sold at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale.
12. SMOKEY IMAGE (c, Southern Image–Special Smoke, by Free House)
O-Irvin Racing Stable. B-C Punch Ranch, Inc. T-Carla Gaines.
Last Start: 1st, Cal Cup Derby, SA, Jan. 30
Accomplishments Include: 1st, Golden State Juvenile S., DMR, Oct. 30; 1st, I'm Smokin S., DMR, Sept. 4; 1st, Cavonnier Juvenile S., SR, Aug. 16; 1st, Everett Nevin S., OTP, July 5
Next Start: GII San Felipe S., SA, Mar. 12
Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs
A GI Kentucky Derby win aboard Smokey Image (Southern Image), or anyone else, would give Victor Espinoza a unique place in Derby lore, as he would become the first jockey to win the race three years in a row. Espinoza won in 2014 with California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) and last year with American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile). Four other jockeys have won the Derby in consecutive years, Calvin Borel, Eddie Delahoussaye, Ron Turcotte and Jimmy Winkfield. A Derby win would also be Espinoza's fourth, tying him with Bill Shoemaker. Only Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack have won more. Both won the race five times.
Click sire's name for Progeny PPs; dam name for Stakes-Winning Pedigrees; last race for video replay.
ON THE BUBBLE:
Cherry Wine (Paddy O'Prado): He missed the GII Fountain of Youth S. after spiking a temperature and will now be pointed for the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Park Mar. 19. “The fever was bad news when it comes to the Fountain of Youth but not for the Kentucky Derby,” trainer Dale Romans said.
Conquest Big E (Tapit): Will need to show a lot more in the
GIII Gotham than he did in the GII Holy Bull to remain in the Derby picture.
Collected (City Zip): Worked Saturday at Santa Anita, going four furlongs in :48 3/5. No word on where he is running next.
Destin (Giant's Causeway): Pletcher has yet to pick out the next start for winner of GIII Sam F. Davis S., though GII Tampa Bay Derby would make sense.
Danzing Candy (Twirling Candy): Warmed up for the GII San Felipe S. with a six furlongs workout last Saturday in 1:13.
Flexibility (Bluegrass Cat): Is back on the work tab after disappearing from it for a month. May be playing an unwinnable game of catch-up with the rest.
Frank Conversation (Quality Road): Connections still planning on going to GII UAE Derby, though owner Reddam says most believe horse should stay on synthetic surface and pick up what could be easy money in the GIII Spiral S.
Forevamo (Uncle Mo): Late-comer to the Derby picture, he will have something more to prove in the GII Louisiana Derby.
Rally Cry (Uncle Mo): Don't overlook this horse in the GIII Gotham S.. He had a terrible trip when beaten by Shagaf (Bernardini) last out and never had a chance.
Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft): GIII Southwest S. winner needs to do it again in GII Rebel S. to crack the Top 12.
Sunny Ridge (Holy Bull): Will they change their minds about the Derby if he wins the GIII Gotham S.?
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
