ABSTRACTION (c, 4, Pulpit): Lightly-raced My Meadowview Farm homebred disappeared following a troubled third (bumped start, checked clubhouse turn, wide move far turn, etc.) behind Code West in the GIII Matt Winn S. at Churchill Downs last June (video). Was super impressive in his runaway Fair Grounds maiden win Mar. 13 and also overcame some adversity to annex the Federico Tesio S. as the heavy chalk at Pimlico Apr. 27; anxiously awaiting his return to the worktab.
ALL IN BLUE (c, 3, More Than Ready): Razor sharp debut winner at Belmont July 4 (video) failed to land a blow in either of his next two attempts in the GII Sanford S. July 21 or the GI Hopeful S. Sept. 2, both at the Spa. Starlight colorbearer may need a switch to grass to put it all together.
BAND OF JOY (h, 5, Bowman’s Band): Promising turf sprinter couldn’t have endured a worse trip before finishing up like a rocket (final eighth clocked in :10.84) when third in an optional claimer at Gulfstream Jan. 19 (video), his first attempt for Todd Pletcher after being purchased privately by Paul Pompa Jr. It would be an awfully quick turnaround, but he’s nominated for the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Feb. 1.
BARDSTOWN (r, 3, Stormy Atlantic): Highly-touted $400k KEEAPR graduate turned in a very promising rally to finish second in his six-furlong debut at Del Mar Aug. 25 (video) before hitting the sidelines. Looking forward to seeing this chestnut back in action as a sophomore; from the Bob Hess Jr. barn.
BEE BRAVE (GB) (f, 4, Rail Link {GB}): European invader stormed home powerfully from last off a lengthy layoff in her U.S. debut for trainer Simon Callaghan in a first-level Santa Anita allowance going a mile on the lawn Jan. 18 (video), her first attempt since posting a narrow debut win at Ayr back in August 2012. Stakes-quality runner.
CALISTOGA (f, 4, Speightstown): Couldn’t have been more impressive in a pair of powerful front-running tallies at Gulfstream last term Jan. 12 & Mar. 7. Slightly favored in a field of 13 in the GIII Eight Belles S. on the GI Kentucky Oaks undercard (video), the chestnut was surprisingly placed toward the back of pack while racing on the outside after exiting from stall 13. She made a huge middle-move to reach contention while parked extremely wide on the far turn, and understandably ran out of gas late to finish a good fourth. Produced by a winning full-sister to GI Kentucky Derby hero Giacomo (Holy Bull) and a half-sister to MGISW Tiago (Pleasant Tap), the Donald Dizney colorbearer continues to train up a storm for Bill Mott at Payson Park.
CANDY BOY (c, 3, Candy Ride {Arg}): C R K Stable homebred finally put it all together at fourth asking with a powerful maiden win going two turns at Hollywood Nov. 22, then held on for runner-up honors behind champion Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}) following a well-documented dramatic middle move in the GI CashCall Futurity Dec. 14 (video). Legit GI Kentucky Derby hopeful for John Sadler.
CANDY DANDY (c, 3, Candy Ride {Arg}): Immediately caught the eye with a jaw-dropping debut win over a salty group at Churchill Downs June 30 (video)--including subsequent GIII Sapling S. hero Dunkin Bend (Dunkirk) and recent GII Holy Bull S. runner-up Conquest Titan (Birdstone)--but failed to live up to the billing with a disappointing fifth as the even-money chalk in the GII Saratoga Special S. Aug. 11. Had a chip removed since and has been training steadily for SteveAsmussen at the Fair Grounds.
CAN’THELPBELIEVING (IRE) (c, 3, Duke of Marmalade {Ire}): Turned in a serious late rally (final eighth in :11.58) to get the money going long at third asking with blinkers/Lasix added at Gulfstream Jan. 11 (video). Very promising grass runner for the always dangerous Graham Motion barn.
COACH INGE (c, 3, Big Brown): Nothing seemed to go right after an early bobble for this Repole/Pletcher representative as the 7-5 chalk in his seven-furlong Gulfstream unveiling Dec. 19 (video). Made a menacing sweeping move on the far turn before running out of gas in the stretch to finish a well-beaten fourth; should move forward nicely with that one under his belt.
CONSTITUTION (c, 3, Tapit): Had every right to pack it in after rushing up into hot fractions after missing the break, but battled on gamely in the stretch to earn his diploma at first asking going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Jan. 11 (video). Produced by a stakes-placed half-sister to GI Forego S. hero Emcee (Unbridled’s Song), the $400k FTSAUG graduate tops a very long list of promising sophomores for Pletcher.
DANCE WITH FATE (c, 3, Two Step Salsa): Along with colleague Brian DiDonato, I’ve been a big fan/supporter of the 2009 G2 Godolphin Mile hero’s first crop of runners. Trained by Peter Eurton, Dance With Fate showcased his ability with a pair of runner-up finishes at the top level last term, and he recently took his game to another level with a switch to grass, closing smartly into slow early fractions in an $80k optional tagger at Santa Anita Jan. 24 (video).
DANZA (c, 3 Street Boss): An eye-catching rallying third from along the fence in his second career start when last seen in the GII Saratoga Special S. Aug. 11 (video), the Eclipse colorbearer is currently on the comeback trail at Palm Meadows.
No comments:
Post a Comment