DerbyTrail
04-07-2006, 02:36 PM
Up now on Derby Trail: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/derbytrail
Saturday's three important sophomore stakes will go a long way toward determining the starting grid for the 132nd Kentucky Derby as hopefuls grapple for graded earnings in the Wood Memorial, Illinois and Santa Anita Derbies
The august Aqueduct prep, named for New York racing patriarch Eugene Wood who founded the Jamaica Racecourse, has produced the second most Derby winners behind the Bluegrass. Derby preps tend to be cyclical as producers of those that will wear a rose blanket, and this 9f test has produced half of the Derby winners since 2000 with Fusaichi Pegasus (2000, 1st), Monarchos (2001, 2nd) and Funny Cide (2003, 2nd) having made Ozone Park their last stop before Louisville.
Saturday, bad weather could adversely affect the 82nd Wood, and the field had already undergone surprising changes by the time P.J. Campo drew entries Thursday. Like Now (temperature) and Showing Up (hoof bruise), long considered likely here, both opted out. In addition, with rough weather anticipated Friday and early Saturday, Tom Albertrani's Deputy Glitters (Tampa Bay Derby) could scratch and move to next Saturday's Bluegrass.
As a result, Gotham runner-up Keyed Entry could end up as lone speed against a field of 10 that lean toward stalking and off the pace style trips. Excluding Bellamy Road's outrageous track-record equaling performance (Riva Ridge) last year (120), the Beyer par for the Wood since 1990 is 105.67. Of the colts and gelding entered here, only Keyed Entry (105), Deputy Glitters (102), Greeley's Legacy (103) and Bob and John (102) have run route figs that appear fast enough for Wood laurels.
82nd Wood Memorial (Gr. I) $750,000; 1 1/8 miles; All 123 (4:45pm, ABC)
1. Jazil (F. Jara/McLaughlin) 10-1: $725,000 Shadwell colt matched wits with Corinthian this trip in Feb. ALW before bleeding episode in Fountain (7th) and evacuation from Sunshine State. Gets cozy launch point and return to Fernando for swing at Derby earnings, and needs to step up in third start of form cycle. Liked this petite Seeking the Gold bay from the outset, and believe board hit likely.
2. Platinum Couple (J. Santos/Lostrito) 30-1: NY bred broke maiden on AQU main in Nov. before 4/1-1-1-1 winter campaign on the inner including annex of Damon Runyan. Late runner looks to be developing, but style inappropriate today and waters appear too deep.
3. Keyed Entry (E. Prado/Pletcher ) 5-2: Victor in epic Hutcheson speed duel with First Samurai couldn't reach Like Now in two turn debut (Gotham) last. Should get lead and can be rated accordingly by Edgar, but will have company if Deputy Glitters stays in. Nine panels still an issue; worked but once since Gotham and sheets pattern (-1, 1) suggests classic 0-2-X reaction possible. While pace says yes, instincts say no at short tab.
4. Deputy Glitters (J. Lezcano/Albertrani) 7-2: Homebred Deputy Commander bay exchanged decisions with Bluegrass Cat (TB Derby, Davis) at Oldsmar, but appeared ordinary before snowbirding. Lost in the equation is colt's trip over the surface in the Huntington and fact his sheet nums were solid from the get-go. Will scratch if it comes up mud, but figures prominently from the outset if he sticks.
5. Niagara Causeway (I. Enriquez/Sticka) 30-1: Giant's Causeway colt from Left Coast found best purchase on Santa Anita lawn. Unknown quantity was distant 7th when testing Cali toughies in Santa Catalina, and seems a curious visitor to these proceedings. Adds blinks, and won't dismiss after witnessing Sam's Ace 4th in FL Derby, but would be a big surprise anywhere above bottom of deep exotics.
6. Greeley's Legacy (E. Coa/Weaver) 6-1: Son of Mr. Greeley from Weaver had slow start to career, but found AQU inner to his liking this winter. Saved ground chasing top trio in the Gotham, but appears to have enough tactical foot to be involved in any scenario here. Bred to run on with outstanding Prince John mare Deceit and champion Discovery mare Conniver as 2nd and 4th dams. A potential increasing force towards Louisville and a logical part of the play here.
7. Bob and John (G. Gomez/Baffert) 2-1: Second Seeking the Gold progeny here found some trouble in the San Felipe starting badly and then tripping wide. Last two Sham heros to visit Wood were Empire Maker, whose own style mirrored this three time winner, and Master David, second between Tapit and Eddington in 2004. Baffert successfully sent Congaree to Wood four years ago, so silver fox knows what it takes. Pair up to recent hits board; new top gains honors.
8. Marco's Tale (N. Arroyo Jr./Araya) 15-1: Araya plenty cagey, and Tale of the Cat son made this trip 3X during winter building 2-0-1 mark. Cut below on figs but not the most impossible price to use underneath.
9. Scanlon's Song (R. Dominguez/?)20-1: Paragallo declared this to be his Wood winner back in January, but like rest of the activity around his barn, things haven't gone as planned. Very impressive cracking condition in debut, but drew poorly and would need big speed boost to win here. Late running style another negative with questionable pace.
SELECTIONS
1. Greeley's Legacy
2. Bob and John
3. Jazil
4. Keyed Entry
5. Deputy Glitters
Santa Anita and Illinois Derby Previews to follow later today/Saturday morning..
Saturday's three important sophomore stakes will go a long way toward determining the starting grid for the 132nd Kentucky Derby as hopefuls grapple for graded earnings in the Wood Memorial, Illinois and Santa Anita Derbies
The august Aqueduct prep, named for New York racing patriarch Eugene Wood who founded the Jamaica Racecourse, has produced the second most Derby winners behind the Bluegrass. Derby preps tend to be cyclical as producers of those that will wear a rose blanket, and this 9f test has produced half of the Derby winners since 2000 with Fusaichi Pegasus (2000, 1st), Monarchos (2001, 2nd) and Funny Cide (2003, 2nd) having made Ozone Park their last stop before Louisville.
Saturday, bad weather could adversely affect the 82nd Wood, and the field had already undergone surprising changes by the time P.J. Campo drew entries Thursday. Like Now (temperature) and Showing Up (hoof bruise), long considered likely here, both opted out. In addition, with rough weather anticipated Friday and early Saturday, Tom Albertrani's Deputy Glitters (Tampa Bay Derby) could scratch and move to next Saturday's Bluegrass.
As a result, Gotham runner-up Keyed Entry could end up as lone speed against a field of 10 that lean toward stalking and off the pace style trips. Excluding Bellamy Road's outrageous track-record equaling performance (Riva Ridge) last year (120), the Beyer par for the Wood since 1990 is 105.67. Of the colts and gelding entered here, only Keyed Entry (105), Deputy Glitters (102), Greeley's Legacy (103) and Bob and John (102) have run route figs that appear fast enough for Wood laurels.
82nd Wood Memorial (Gr. I) $750,000; 1 1/8 miles; All 123 (4:45pm, ABC)
1. Jazil (F. Jara/McLaughlin) 10-1: $725,000 Shadwell colt matched wits with Corinthian this trip in Feb. ALW before bleeding episode in Fountain (7th) and evacuation from Sunshine State. Gets cozy launch point and return to Fernando for swing at Derby earnings, and needs to step up in third start of form cycle. Liked this petite Seeking the Gold bay from the outset, and believe board hit likely.
2. Platinum Couple (J. Santos/Lostrito) 30-1: NY bred broke maiden on AQU main in Nov. before 4/1-1-1-1 winter campaign on the inner including annex of Damon Runyan. Late runner looks to be developing, but style inappropriate today and waters appear too deep.
3. Keyed Entry (E. Prado/Pletcher ) 5-2: Victor in epic Hutcheson speed duel with First Samurai couldn't reach Like Now in two turn debut (Gotham) last. Should get lead and can be rated accordingly by Edgar, but will have company if Deputy Glitters stays in. Nine panels still an issue; worked but once since Gotham and sheets pattern (-1, 1) suggests classic 0-2-X reaction possible. While pace says yes, instincts say no at short tab.
4. Deputy Glitters (J. Lezcano/Albertrani) 7-2: Homebred Deputy Commander bay exchanged decisions with Bluegrass Cat (TB Derby, Davis) at Oldsmar, but appeared ordinary before snowbirding. Lost in the equation is colt's trip over the surface in the Huntington and fact his sheet nums were solid from the get-go. Will scratch if it comes up mud, but figures prominently from the outset if he sticks.
5. Niagara Causeway (I. Enriquez/Sticka) 30-1: Giant's Causeway colt from Left Coast found best purchase on Santa Anita lawn. Unknown quantity was distant 7th when testing Cali toughies in Santa Catalina, and seems a curious visitor to these proceedings. Adds blinks, and won't dismiss after witnessing Sam's Ace 4th in FL Derby, but would be a big surprise anywhere above bottom of deep exotics.
6. Greeley's Legacy (E. Coa/Weaver) 6-1: Son of Mr. Greeley from Weaver had slow start to career, but found AQU inner to his liking this winter. Saved ground chasing top trio in the Gotham, but appears to have enough tactical foot to be involved in any scenario here. Bred to run on with outstanding Prince John mare Deceit and champion Discovery mare Conniver as 2nd and 4th dams. A potential increasing force towards Louisville and a logical part of the play here.
7. Bob and John (G. Gomez/Baffert) 2-1: Second Seeking the Gold progeny here found some trouble in the San Felipe starting badly and then tripping wide. Last two Sham heros to visit Wood were Empire Maker, whose own style mirrored this three time winner, and Master David, second between Tapit and Eddington in 2004. Baffert successfully sent Congaree to Wood four years ago, so silver fox knows what it takes. Pair up to recent hits board; new top gains honors.
8. Marco's Tale (N. Arroyo Jr./Araya) 15-1: Araya plenty cagey, and Tale of the Cat son made this trip 3X during winter building 2-0-1 mark. Cut below on figs but not the most impossible price to use underneath.
9. Scanlon's Song (R. Dominguez/?)20-1: Paragallo declared this to be his Wood winner back in January, but like rest of the activity around his barn, things haven't gone as planned. Very impressive cracking condition in debut, but drew poorly and would need big speed boost to win here. Late running style another negative with questionable pace.
SELECTIONS
1. Greeley's Legacy
2. Bob and John
3. Jazil
4. Keyed Entry
5. Deputy Glitters
Santa Anita and Illinois Derby Previews to follow later today/Saturday morning..