It was a pretty good weekend for racing fans. Gio Ponti (photo, right), the 2009 Champion Turf Horse, put a halt to his losing streak by winning the grade 1 Man o’War Stakes at Belmont Park and 3-year-old starlet Blind Luck took the Delaware Oaks (gr. 2) over a sloppy track.Looking ahead, we have Santa Anita Derby (gr. 1) winner Sidney’s Candy leading the contenders into Saturday’s Swaps Stakes (gr. 2) at Hollywood Park and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Blind Luck is headed to Saratoga for the Alabama (gr. 1). The August 21 Alabama may be one of the more anticipated races during the Spa meeing with other major league 3-year-old fillies such as Mother Goose (gr. 1) winner Devil May Care and Prioress Stakes (gr. 1) winner Franny Freud also headed to Saratoga.
Trainer Bob Baffert saw his Preakness winner Luckin at Lucky work Saturday at Santa Anita covering six furlongs in 1:12.60. As reported in Daily Racing Form, Lookin at Lucky suffered a minor setback following the Preakness with a fever, but Baffert said they are back on track for the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. 1) August 1 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Kentucky Derby (gr. 1) presented by Yum! Brands winner Super Saver is also training for the Haskell in Todd Pletcher’s barn as well as sentimental favorite Uptowncharlybrown and Preakness runner-up First Dude.
First Dude will also bring sentimental support to the Haskell as owner Jack Dizney as pledged 1% of his graded stakes earnings to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, the industry’s leading veterinary research organization.
However, the sophomore class of 2009 took a hit this weekend when trainer Bill Mott said Belmont winner Drosselmeyer will take a break from training for at least 60 days due to a foot concern. It is conceivable Drosselmeyer could return in time for the Breeders’ Cup, but it will likely be his first start after the long vacation presenting a large hurdle in front of an already daunting task. If the Breeders’ Cup Classic features Zenyatta, Quality Road, Rachel Alexandra and a late blooming 3-year-old star or two, it becomes a worse option and a doubtful path for Drosselmeyer and his connections.
One of those potential late blooming 3-year-old made an appearance this weekend at Monmouth Park. Trappe Shot (photo left) looked very impressive winning the $175,000 Long Branch Stakes, the local preparation for the Haskell. In his first start around two turns, Trappe Shot stopped the clock in 1:43.48 for the 1 1/16 miles. It was also good enough to earn him his second consecutive 105 Beyer Speed Figure having also achieved that number in a June 5 allowance victory at Belmont Park.
Super Saver (Kentucky Derby, 104) and Lookin at Lucky (Preakness, 102) have only achieved triple-digit Beyer numbers once to help put Trappe Shot’s two recent races into perspective. In any event, Trappe Shot may be one of the most exciting new challengers to Triple Crown winners in the Haskell since Lost Code took on Derby and Preakness winner Alysheba and Belmont winner Bet Twice in 1987.
But perhaps some of the best news we heard this weekend was regarding the recovery of Global Hunter. Just a few strides after winning the American Handicap (gr. 2T) at Hollywood Park July 4, Global Hunter dislocated his right front fetlock, a life-threatening injury for a thoroughbred.
However, he was rushed to Alamo Pintado Medical Center in Los Olivos, Calif where he underwent four hours of surgery the following day according to Bloodhorse.com. Trainer A.C. Avila told Bloodhorse that a plate and 16 screws were inserted to stabilize and repair the joint and Global Hunter is currently “doing fantastic.”
Best news of all.
3 comments:
Loved this report, Brock.
I really did like Fanny Freud a week ago and think she'll be a factor in the coming months. She looks good.
I thought Gio Ponti's performance in the Man o'War was the most impressive of the weekend; as I've remarked in other discussions, I thought it was a thing of beauty.
It's tough losing Drosselmeyer and I hope the connections won't try and catch up with the Breeders' Cup crowd. After a 60-day layoff, I can't help but think he'll hit a stone wall called Quality Road, Zenyatta, et al. I know you've also made your thoughts known on this.
Even without Drosselmeyer, the Haskell is shaping up into a real brawl with the likes of Lookin At Lucky, who's back full tilt now, Uptowncharliebrown, First Dude, and the newest kid on the block, Trappe Shot. I have to plead a little ignorance because I wasn't really following Trappe Shot and only caught the highlight of his race on TVG's "The Finish Line" last night. I'm always excited when new and talented horses arrive on the scene to stir the pot.
As for the Breeders' Cup later in the Fall, I was mentioning on an earlier post, that I think Lookin At Lucky can be a key player. Yes, he's only three-years-old, and the older male division is stronger this year, not to mention Zenyatta and Rachel, but as you know, LAL has loads of talent and he's a mature, professional horse who's already gone through a lot of adversity, yet never has put in a bad race.
But first things first. What a great summer!
Brock,
The site looks great...almost as good as TRAPPE SHOT looked in the Long Branch last Sat.
He was kind enough to let Garcia rein him in the first 1/2 mile and take dirt, showed his quickness by sneaking inside when the rail opened on the backstretch, came back to Garcia to idle around the turn, then responded like really good horses do when set down for the drive.
I can't recall Garcia even hitting him...that was a very easy win. TRAPPE SHOT is as talented as they come.
However, he stumbled at the start and I absolutely believe that injures a horse. I can't see him taking another successful step up in the Haskell at less than 100%. He'll take money making the other entrants a better price.
I have to say I haven't jumped off the Lookin at Lucky wagon just yet. But I am very excited to see a horse like Trappe Shot that seems likely to add some very stout competition to this 3yo class.
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