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The ThoroughbredZone Derby Top 12
Week of March 23rd
Something new this year, we have listed in order, Breeding, Original Purchase Price, Month of Birth and Running style E-Early Speed, S-Stalker, R-Rally Sierra Sunset off due a fractured ankle..A little blurb as who, what, when and why the dud tossed at
1) (2) Pyro- Pulpit - Wild Vision - By Wild Again, Homebred, February (S/R) - Pyro takes over the number 1 spot on our
2 (5) Denis of Cork - Harlan's Holiday - Unbridled Girl - By Unbridled, Purchase Price $120,000, February (R) Denis Of Cork did not even race this week, but moves up to number 2. Sierra Sun and Liberty Bull winners of the Rebel GII and The Winstar Derby this past weekend, both of whom he defeated in the Southwest Stakes. Their wins move his stock up, proving so far that Denis of Cork has defeated two quality horses. In particular, the way Sierra Sunset won the Rebel; he looked solid in doing so. He has demonstrated a strong late kick in all three of his win so far. He was able to come some 18 lengths out in winning the Southwest Stakes GIII, which is not the easiest of tasks at
3) (-) Georgie Boy- Tribal Rule – Ippodamia By Peterhof, Hombred, The California bred Georgie Boy gallops all the way to the number 3 spot after not being on the original Derby 12. His first try at 2 turns was a smashing success. The GI Del Mar Futurity winner proved he is a bit more then a long striding sprinter. He was impressive Saturday in winning the San Felipe GII. The final time was in 1:42.35 on the synthetic surface. He was able to swing wide, catch Gayego, and go by him with his big ground-covering stride. He looked quiet strong as he past the wire in what is so far one of the most impressive prep wins I have seen to date. Gayego looked strong, but Georgie Boy just gobbled up the ground with his big stride and went by him. The most promising part of the win was the way he galloped out. On top of all this, Georgie Boy failed to change leads at any point. His breeding is not as flashy as some of the others, but he looked sharp in victory and going longer looks to be well with in his realm. The Santa Anita Derby or The Arkansas Derby are possible for his final start. A trip over a dirt surface would be a plus.
4) (3) El Gato Malo - El Corredor - One Bad Cat - By Mountain Cat, Purchase Price $95,000 February (E/S) El Gato Malo is a versatile speedy
5(4) Colonel John -Tiznow - Sweet Damsel - By Turkoman March, Homebred, (S/R) Winstar is back again with another
6)(6) Cool Coal Man - Mineshaft - Coral Sea - By Rubiano, Purchase Price $200,000, May (S/R/E) Cool Coal Man the Fountain Of Youth GII winner is the second of 3 Nick Zitos trained horses in the ThoroughbredZone top 12. He is a late May foal and he is one of the furthest behind in the maturation process at this point, but as he gets closer to his birth day in May he could be coming into his own. He is also a winner over the Churchill Downs strip. Has raced 7 times, and that is a lot compared to others in the top 12 and is also a winner at a mile and an eighth at Gulfstream, but he will need to continue to improve, Of course the question with him as others will be is he fast enough, getting a mile and a quarter looks to be with in his grasp. He is a stalker type runner who can even run on the lead if need be. There are not too many trainers better and getting horses ready to run their best the first Saturday in May then Nick Zito
7)(7) Fierce Wind - Dixie Union - Post Parade - By A.P. Indy, Purchase Price $90,000 (S/R) The third Nick Zito trainee in the top 12 is Fierce Win. He has won three straight including a gutsy win in the Sam Davis fending off Big Truck and Smooth Air. He has shown the ability to win running on the lead in his last three races. The Sam Davis was his best win to date, but will have to show he can improve off the race. A winner at a mile and eighth and has solid breeding for going a mile and a quarter. He will have to show he is faster as he did drift a bit in the Sam Davis. Still early and he gets the benefit of the doubt at this point and looks to be horse on the move forward.
8)(-) Big Truck- Hook And Ladder – Just A Ginny By Go For Gin, (S) Big Truck pulled off the big upset outlasting the game Atoned in the Tampa Bay Derby GIII on Saturday, although the bigger story of that race was the dreadful effort put fourth by War Pass. Big Truck has put back-to-back efforts together at Tampa Bay Downs, finishing second to Fierce Wind in The Sam Davis. Big Truck is the second of two Barclay Tagg horses to be in the
9) (8) Visionaire - Grand Slam - Scarlet Tango - By French Deputy, Purchase Price $300,000, February (R) The Gotham winner came from way back to nail Texas Wildcatter at the wire in a long sustained drive. He was the only horse doing any real running there late. He also ran an admirable third in the Risen Star behind Pyro and Z Fortune. Trained by Michael Matz of Barbaro fame has another
10)(9) Elysium Fields - El Prado - Dreams - By Silver Hawk, Purchase Price $275,000 (S/R) Barclay Tagg pops up with the Fountain of Youth runner up Elysium Fields. He ran quiet well as he almost got to Cool Coal Man in the Fountain of Youth GII. He was able run closer to the pace then he has shown in his previous races where he rallied from further back to get into contention. Since the addition of blinkers, he has been closer to the leaders in his races. Bred more for grass then dirt, but has not any issues with the dirt. This one is on the improve with a trainer who knows how to get the most out of his young horses. It looks like Tagg could have a
11) 12) Big Brown - Boundary - Mien - By Nureyev, Purchase Price $60,000, (E) The hottest horse on the trail so far is this guy, Big Brown. He has smashed his competition in his two starts of his career although they were widely spaced apart. His last was a blockbuster effort at
12) (13) Atoned- Repent – Amidst By Icecapade- (S) Dogwood Stables We wanted to get Atoned into the top 12 somehow, so we added one spot this week, Atoned debuts at number 13 and could be higher, and in time could very move up even more if he can progress over the next few weeks. He came off the bench to run a big race in the Tampa Bay Derby GIII finishing second to Big Truck. Atoned who had not raced since finishing second in the Remsen in November to Court Vision. The break had no ill effects as he ran a strong race. His grandsire Icecapade is by the legendary Nearctic who is by the legendary Nearco. Atoned has regal blood for sure. The question might be how well will he run next time after such a big effort off the layoff? We think giving the proper time off and the foundation he has as a two year old he should be able to move forward off this effort.
Will The Real War Pass
As we know, War Emblem had a similar fate in the Belmont Stakes when stumbling out of the gate. He chased into contention before flatting out. He race was lossed at the start. There was speculation early in the week he had a fever, but connections adamantly said the horse was 100% for race and they would have not put him in there if he were not. The only real way to know was to be in the barn. I would find it hard to believe myself. Anyway,
We can chalk up the poor effort to one of two things. He was not 100% for whatever reason. Some might even want to blame the track, but im not certain how it could make him run that poorly. And the other reason is plain and simple as what happened to War Emblem in the Belmont Stakes. He could not get to the lead, thus his chances all but eliminated. After the pinch, he was never able to settle either. He was faced with a situation he had never been in before. The situation led to the bad effort. It would be unwise for a horse who was atop many polls at the top
Others That Could Be Heard From
Adriano winner of the Lane’s End at Turfway sticks his nose in the Derby
Week of March 17th
Something new this year, we have listed in order, Breeding, Original Purchase Price, Month of Birth and Running style E-Early Speed, S-Stalker, R-Rally
1) (2) Pyro- Pulpit - Wild Vision - By Wild Again, Homebred, February (S/R) - Pyro takes over the number 1 spot on our Derby 12. He snags the top spot after our 1st week as War Pass threw a big dud in the Tampa Bay Derby. Therefore, Pyro is the new leader of the pack. He has done everything right so far as a 3 year old. Winner of the Risen Star GII and Louisiana Derby GII has made a claim to the top 3 year old in the country. Showed a bit of a new dimension by being closer to the pace in the Louisiana Derby then in his other races and that is a good thing. So far, he has progressed nicely as a 3 year old. As a February foal also has an age advantage, as he is a little further along then others at this point. As the distances continue to get longer, he looks like he will not have an issue with it. Must prove he is fast enough. In addition, another plus is the fact he broke his maiden in his first race at Churchill Downs. He has certainly looked good in his last two wins, but it is adios to the Fairgrounds. Blue Grass Stakes last and final race before the trip to The Kentucky Derby.
2 (5) Denis of Cork - Harlan's Holiday - Unbridled Girl - By Unbridled, Purchase Price $120,000, February (R) Denis Of Cork did not even race this week, but moves up to number 2. Sierra Sun and Liberty Bull winners of the Rebel GII and The Winstar Derby this past weekend, both of whom he defeated in the Southwest Stakes. Their wins move his stock up, proving so far that Denis of Cork has defeated two quality horses. In particular, the way Sierra Sunset won the Rebel; he looked solid in doing so. He has demonstrated a strong late kick in all three of his win so far. He was able to come some 18 lengths out in winning the Southwest Stakes GIII, which is not the easiest of tasks at Oaklawn Park. He continued to draw off after getting to the leader. The lightly raced colt will need to show he can improve off his last efforts. He could regress, or he could improve. Has the benefit of being a February foal and has solid distance credentials. He might have the most upside of any horse yet with only three career starts. Original plans were to go The Rebel GII, but that has been nixed. He is being pointed to the Wood Memorial. He is another who is a winner over the Churchill Downs strip, broke his maiden there at first asking. As the distances get longer will that explosive late kick be as effective. We think it can be.
3) (-) Georgie Boy- Tribal Rule – Ippodamia By Peterhof, Hombred, The California bred Georgie Boy gallops all the way to the number 3 spot after not being on the original Derby 12. His first try at 2 turns was a smashing success. The GI Del Mar Futurity winner proved he is a bit more then a long striding sprinter. He was impressive Saturday in winning the San Felipe GII. The final time was in 1:42.35 on the synthetic surface. He was able to swing wide, catch Gayego, and go by him with his big ground-covering stride. He looked quiet strong as he past the wire in what is so far one of the most impressive prep wins I have seen to date. Gayego looked strong, but Georgie Boy just gobbled up the ground with his big stride and went by him. The most promising part of the win was the way he galloped out. On top of all this, Georgie Boy failed to change leads at any point. His breeding is not as flashy as some of the others, but he looked sharp in victory and going longer looks to be well with in his realm. The Santa Anita Derby or The Arkansas Derby are possible for his final start. A trip over a dirt surface would be a plus.
4) (3) El Gato Malo - El Corredor - One Bad Cat - By Mountain Cat, Purchase Price $95,000 February (E/S) El Gato Malo is a versatile speedy California horse who has never run poorly as of yet. Also broke a track record The San Rafael GIII at a mile over the new speed favoring Santa Anita surface. He ran a game second to Colonel John in the Sham GIII. West Point Stable has been on a hot streak lately and it looks like that roll will continue. In his four career races, he has shown three dimensions in his running style, as he has shown the ability to go the front, stalk and rally. He has yet to try a dirt track, so that is something that could be an issue, another February foal who is further ahead in the maturation process at this point then others. A concern is his breeding. Getting the distance might be an issue as the distances increase. For those wondering what his name means, it translates to bad cat in English.
5(4) Colonel John -Tiznow - Sweet Damsel - By Turkoman March, Homebred, (S/R) Winstar is back again with another Derby threat in Colonel John. He was game in victory in his last over El Gato Malo in the Sham GIII. A son of Tiznow who himself was a bit of a late bloomer; so far Colonel John is doing quite well. He should do well in the distance department. He has a stalk/rally type running style. He is another horse who has yet to encounter a dirt track. At this point one does not know how much of a factor this will be for the synthetic surfaces horses. No real reason to think he will not run well on it, but the fact remains he has not yet.
6)(6) Cool Coal Man - Mineshaft - Coral Sea - By Rubiano, Purchase Price $200,000, May (S/R/E) Cool Coal Man the Fountain Of Youth GII winner is the second of 3 Nick Zitos trained horses in the ThoroughbredZone top 12. He is a late May foal and he is one of the furthest behind in the maturation process at this point, but as he gets closer to his birth day in May he could be coming into his own. He is also a winner over the Churchill Downs strip. Has raced 7 times, and that is a lot compared to others in the top 12 and is also a winner at a mile and an eighth at Gulfstream, but he will need to continue to improve, Of course the question with him as others will be is he fast enough, getting a mile and a quarter looks to be with in his grasp. He is a stalker type runner who can even run on the lead if need be. There are not too many trainers better and getting horses ready to run their best the first Saturday in May then Nick Zito
7)(7) Fierce Wind - Dixie Union - Post Parade - By A.P. Indy, Purchase Price $90,000 (S/R) The third Nick Zito trainee in the top 12 is Fierce Win. He has won three straight including a gutsy win in the Sam Davis fending off Big Truck and Smooth Air. He has shown the ability to win running on the lead in his last three races. The Sam Davis was his best win to date, but will have to show he can improve off the race. A winner at a mile and eighth and has solid breeding for going a mile and a quarter. He will have to show he is faster as he did drift a bit in the Sam Davis. Still early and he gets the benefit of the doubt at this point and looks to be horse on the move forward.
8)(-) Big Truck- Hook And Ladder – Just A Ginny By Go For Gin, (S) Big Truck pulled off the big upset outlasting the game Atoned in the Tampa Bay Derby GIII on Saturday, although the bigger story of that race was the dreadful effort put fourth by War Pass. Big Truck has put back-to-back efforts together at Tampa Bay Downs, finishing second to Fierce Wind in The Sam Davis. Big Truck is the second of two Barclay Tagg horses to be in the Derby 12, the other being Elysium Fields. Big Trucks win was a game effort refusing to let Atoned get the win. He covered the 1 1/16 in 1:44.25 over a fast strip. Big Truck will look to stretch out in his upcoming race. How far he will be willing to go is not known at this point. His sire Hook and Ladder was a fine sprinter, but his dam sire Go for Gin was a Kentucky Derby winner. Horse has made a move in the right direction.
9) (8) Visionaire - Grand Slam - Scarlet Tango - By French Deputy, Purchase Price $300,000, February (R) The Gotham winner came from way back to nail Texas Wildcatter at the wire in a long sustained drive. He was the only horse doing any real running there late. He also ran an admirable third in the Risen Star behind Pyro and Z Fortune. Trained by Michael Matz of Barbaro fame has another Derby candidate in Visionaire. His breeding sort of indicates that a 1 ¼ might not be his forte, but has so far done well winning at a mile and the mile and sixteenth Gotham with long rallies. He will have to stretch his rallying style to a mile and an eighth and a mile and a quarter for him to be a legitimate threat. The way he was going looked like he should be okay. As is the biggest question as with most is if he is fast enough. He is on the right track with Matz guiding the ship.
10)(9) Elysium Fields - El Prado - Dreams - By Silver Hawk, Purchase Price $275,000 (S/R) Barclay Tagg pops up with the Fountain of Youth runner up Elysium Fields. He ran quiet well as he almost got to Cool Coal Man in the Fountain of Youth GII. He was able run closer to the pace then he has shown in his previous races where he rallied from further back to get into contention. Since the addition of blinkers, he has been closer to the leaders in his races. Bred more for grass then dirt, but has not any issues with the dirt. This one is on the improve with a trainer who knows how to get the most out of his young horses. It looks like Tagg could have a Derby candidate here in Elysium Fields if this one continues to move forward. And if things do not work out, he will be sure to try the weeds down the road. Florida Derby next.
11) (-) Sierra Sunset – Bertrando – Toot Sweet By Pirates Bounty, Purchase Price $40,000, February (S) Another new face on our list is this guy, Sierra Sunset. Denis of Cork in the Southwest Stakes back in February passed Sierra Sunset, however Denis of Cork skipped the Rebel and Sierra Sunset was the big benefactor of that move. Sierra Sunset settled nicely early and drove well clear in winning the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on Saturday March 15th. The final time for the 1 1/16 race was 1:44.88. Sierra Sunset has already run 11 times making him the most experienced runners so far of this years Derby hopefuls on out list. He is another California bred and has developed nicely over the late winter and spring so far. How good is he is something we will have to find out yet? Denis of Cork is our number 2 horse and he finished behind him in the Southwest Stakes. Sierra Sunset seems to be getting better. Sierra Sunset will aim for the Arkansas Derby as his final prep before the Kentucky Derby.
12) Big Brown - Boundary - Mien - By Nureyev, Purchase Price $60,000, (E) The hottest horse on the trail so far is this guy, Big Brown. He has smashed his competition in his two starts of his career although they were widely spaced apart. His last was a blockbuster effort at Gulfstream Park where he earned a big speed figure winning by 12 3/4 lengths winning easily as he never really was asked for much. IEAH Stables thought very highly of this colt and forked over almost 2 million dollars for him after his maiden win. He is bred for grass, and that was the plan, but the big win on dirt has made him a hot prospect for the Kentucky Derby. Dick Dutrow is his trainer, but has had limited success with younger horses, however he might have a real runner here if can keep him together. He has been plagued by quarter cracks, thus only two lifetime starts. His feet could become and issue again as quarter cracks can be a chronic issue. If he overcomes this, and moves forward, he could make some big noise down the road. Connections will take a crack at the Florida Derby next.
13) (-) Atoned- Repent – Amidst By Icecapade- (S) Dogwood Stables We wanted to get Atoned into the top 12 somehow, so we added one spot this week, Atoned debuts at number 13 and could be higher, and in time could very move up even more if he can progress over the next few weeks. He came off the bench to run a big race in the Tampa Bay Derby GIII finishing second to Big Truck. Atoned who had not raced since finishing second in the Remsen in November to Court Vision. The break had no ill effects as he ran a strong race. His grandsire Icecapade is by the legendary Nearctic who is by the legendary Nearco. Atoned has regal blood for sure. The question might be how well will he run next time after such a big effort off the layoff? We think giving the proper time off and the foundation he has as a two year old he should be able to move forward off this effort.
Off The Derby 12
War Pass goes from the top dog not in the Derby 12. He was dismal Saturday in the Tampa Derby finishing a disappointing last, must rebound in Wood big time to be considered a factor, He’s gone for now, but might not be forgotten if he can bounce back, and he very well could, Smooth Air-Others with big efforts knock him out, Z Fortune did not run as well as some thought in the Southwest.
Others That Could Be Heard From
Gayego ran a solid second to Georgie Boy in the San Felipe, Tale of Ekati had a bad break in the Louisiana Derby and could very well rebound, bred wonderfully, Tomicito kicked butt in Peru against older. Florida Derby is the target. Speedy Bob Black Jack Ran decent in the San Felipe, , Yankee Bravo was making some ground up in his first try on dirt in the Louisiana Derby GII, Giant Moon disappointed in the Gotham, will need to step it up, Liberty Bull Took the Winstar Derby at Sunland Park, finished behind Denis of Cork in Southwest, Texas Wildcatter just missed staying on to win Gotham, will need to show he is a stayer, Court Vision a distant third in the Fountain of Youth GII, will need to kick it up,War Pass Has to bounce back with a big effort in the Wood Memorial, Z Fortune-Will have to bounce back after poor Rebel effort, Go Go Shoot if they opt to stretch this one out has raw speed, Bayshore possible next
Tips For A Suburbanite's First Time Trip To The Big A On A Wet Day
12/18/06
Go down to the Port Authority in New York. On your way you can pick up a 5 dollar umbrella.
After that go buy a cup of coffee and a NY Post, or a Form (should have the form scoped out already) for your trip in on the A Train. Just don't stare at anyone. You can either look tough or rock back and forth mumbling. Don't want to read about it on the local News. Once you get to Aqueduct to you can take that walk from the subway, or squeeze on the bus with same people trying to snag the early Mike Luzzi/Jose Espinoza double for the past 10 years. Some powerful insight on those buses. Just think of it as a poor mans Siro's Seminar.
Once you get in...Let the good times roll. If you need company...You have some choices. The Rastas will be more than glad to help out. They will give you some solid pedigree info. No turf during the cold months though, but they do dirt as well. You can also get smoked up with them to. So regardless of you are winning or losing. You won’t give a rats ass if you get nipped at the wire and lose a $300 early double. However you might think the walls of the building are moving or watching the race seems like it 15 min long. Other then that..should be A OK.
If that’s not for you, don't worry. Options abound at the great Big A. You can hang out in the "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons room. You will see some great old timers in there. Some even saw Man O' War race. The stories are great. The good ole days. Ain't like it used to be and so on. The smell could be a bit much. Some are going 2 days with out a Depends change. I ask who cares? These guys are great. Last time I was there I was doing the track announcing for them. I was yelling at the top of my lungs in this one dude’s ear. Dudes wanted Shoe Info. Who knew? Man that got me tired. Also made some coffee runs. Dude tipped me a nickel. I refused it.
Still have not found the perfect group? You can make yourself at home wandering the granstand level. Where some of the strangest, vile and some what sharpest people ever roam freely for hours upon hours staring and yelling at TV Monitors. Some can even recite Shakespeare, or go into an in depth discussion on Evolution, yet they can't even tie their shoelaces, let alone tell you when the Breeder's Cup is. You can mingle with the ticket picker uppers, they are an interesting breed. They scan the floor, hoping, praying to find a winner. It's a maniacal quest that never ends. One warning, this is not a social group, so I would back off these guys.
Still no luck? It doesn't end there. Let’s see some horses! This is what going to the track is all about, right? Hang outside with your umbrella that was made by a 4 year old in a sweat shop in Pang-Hi China who is making 3 dollars a week and working 70 hours. Scan the paddock for that sharp looking colt or filly. Detecting sweat will be a bit difficult considering the rain. Here you can chat it up with some so called physical cappers. Hear gthe latest gossip. See if the trainer is sporting a tie. Or just wait to see which horse takes a dump last and run to the windows.
Watching the race outside has it advantages to. They run right by you, so you can see it. The flip side is when a can or bottle gets thrown in disgust by a dude who blew is last $5 on a 75/1 Candlin/Espinoza 7,500 claimer. Heads up is a commonly yelled phrase.
If you are of the solitary kind, Don't fret. It's a paradise for those who roam alone. Examples swearing jockeys names use of the word Pig alot and loud, why did he wait so long? Things like that. You will fit right in. Constant talking to oneself is key. You will look like a tracky. Keep as many forms and papers visible under the arms and back pocket. Have a look of utter disgust and agitation at all time, as if you are one more loss away from going ballistic. Make sure your hair is a little messed up to. No one would even consider bothering you for anything. This assures a care free day at the races.
Hope this helps. Good luck and cash some winners.
Make sure after you leave, all this is left at the track. You could get locked up in real society with this behavior.
(This is a satirical attempt at humor; The Big A is not that bad place at all. I would encourage one to go there for a day at the races or for that matter any track!)
