2017 Triple Crown

[Glimmerglass]

Getting caught up following two additional Derby points races in the US and 1 in Japan this past weekend …

From Golden Gate Fields
$200,000 El Camino Real Derby (G3)
Kentucky Derby points award, respectively: 10-4-2-1
1 Zakaroff (45-1 odds)
2 More Power to Him
3 Tribal Storm
4 Ann Arbor Eddie [crossed wire 2nd but stewards ruled he interfered and moved down]

Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo JPN
Kentucky Derby points award, respectively: 50-20-10-5
1 Epicharis
2 Adirato
3 Hypernova
4 Foggy Night

$500,000 Southwest S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park
Kentucky Derby points award, respectively: 10-4-2-1
1 One Liner
2 Petrov
3 Lookin At Lee
4 Silver Dust

As noted Classic Empire will not race in the Fountain of Youth in FL (March 4) with 50-20-10-5 Derby Points; he might instead go to the Tampa Bay Derby on March 11.

An interesting but complete unknown runner expected for the Fountain of Youth is Huracan Americo - imported from Peru (although FL born) he is a Group 1 winner there and a champion. A video of his win down in south:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYMQTbj8LHs

[Glimmerglass]

Interestingly the Japanese horse Epicharis, who effectively is guaranteed a slot for Derby day having won the Hyacinth Stakes and taking 50-points, is now going to run in the UAE Derby Mar 25th - that awards Kentucky points of 100-40-20-10, respectively. Go big - and ship far - or go home.

His replay in the Hyacinth Stakes (he is saddle cloth #2; no idea why the jock on #7 almost never asked his horse to go!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv_7OHNgT-Q

[Shammy_Davis]

All eyes on the Risen Star Stakes this Saturday. Can’t help but root for up and coming trainer Joe Sharp, but think this field is not pace driven so my handicapping 101 thinking is going to be tested.

https://www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/2017-five-questions-be-answered-the-risen-star

https://www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/2017-risen-star-stakes-cheat-sheet

[Glimmerglass]

Regarding Unique Bella and staying on Oaks trail or switch to Derby …

After the Feb. 5 Las Virgenes, Fernando Diaz-Valdes, racing manager for owner Don Alberto Stable, said, “I think it’s too early to say. I’m told I should go to the Kentucky Derby, when the time comes, but we’ll see.”

http://www.thedowneyprofile.com/more_racing_news/2017/02/23/unique-bella-still-on-the-oaks-trail-for-now.2479622

[Where_sMyWhite]

Mo Town is my pick for the Risen Star tomorrow but we’ll see… other quality colts in the field.

That’s why I love racing. The favorite (either better or personal ) doesn’t always win

[Glimmerglass]

It looks like for the Risen Star there maybe likely be three horses entered but not racing: So Conflated, Takeoff and It’s Your Nickel

[Shammy_Davis]

@Glimmerglass

It looks like for the Risen Star there maybe likely be three horses entered but not racing: So Conflated, Takeoff and It’s Your Nickel

If this is the case, I have to go with Guest Suite.

As an aside, when speaking of Unique Bella in the Kentucky Derby, imo you could get better odds for CA voting to leave the union and establishing a new country. Sounds like another case of an excited owner’s mouth getting ahead a great trainer’s sound thinking.

[Glimmerglass]

The Risen Star Stakes results, awarding Derby points 50–20–10–5, respectively.

1 - Girvin
2 - Untrapped
3 - Local Hero
4 - Guest Suite

I cannot say I know much about the Joe Sharp trained Girvin and off that modest win its hard to tell of he’ll be much of a Derby contender. With 50-points he’ll make the field for sure.

[mommy_peanut]

IWC is on target to run in the Fountain of Youth.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/220056/irish-war-cry-ticks-all-the-boxes-in-five-furlong-work

[Shammy_Davis]

@Glimmerglass

The Risen Star Stakes results, awarding Derby points 50–20–10–5, respectively.

1 - Girvin
2 - Untrapped
3 - Local Hero
4 - Guest Suite

I cannot say I know much about the Joe Sharp trained Girvin and off that modest win its hard to tell of he’ll be much of a Derby contender. With 50-points he’ll make the field for sure.

Nothing about this race excites me other than it being a win for Joe Sharp. Considering Local Hero set the pace and finished 3rd, all these colts need to be improving and 2 months is very little time. I do know from following the handicapping, no one thought much of Girvin. Maybe a little Rosie magic is required over the next couple months?

[Shammy_Davis]

Slow news on the preps. Conquest Mo Money? Undefeated $8.5K purchase headed to Sunland Derby that makes for interesting conversation for the moment.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/220094/conquest-mo-money-still-undefeated-sunland-derby-next

Still think the San Felipe might be the most interesting upcoming prep. Interested to see how Girvin places in polls.

[Glimmerglass]

And McCracken now with a slight ankle strain is not going to try the Tampa Bay Derby. Likely next and final start before Kentucky Derby (if healthy) is the Blue Grass Stakes in April. Ian Wilkes said:

“I’m just going to do what’s right by the horse. He’s taken us this far and taken care of me. So now I need to take care of him and not something stupid. But I really feel good, I think we’ll be fine.”

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/220115/mccraken-to-miss-tampa-bay-derby-with-ankle-strain

In the most recent Kentucky Derby future waging pool (ended 2/26) bettors made him 6-1 which was the 2nd favorite only bested by 5-1 on “all others”. Irish War Cry was at 7-1.

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[Glimmerglass]

This Saturday March 4th will feature two Derby points awarding prep races. Both will dole out 50-20-10-5 points, respectively, for 1st through 4th place finishers.

Entries aren’t done yet but a preview of likely runners …

Fountain of Youth (at 1 1/16 mile)
Gulfstream Park

Probable runners:
Irish War Cry
Practical Joke
Gunnevera
Three Rules
Beasley
Takaful
Huracan Americo
Made You Look
Talk Logistics

Gotham (at 1 1/16 mile)
Aqueduct

Probable runners:
El Areeb
So Conflated
True Timber
J Boys Echo
Gaetano
Action Everyday

A couple more runners for each respective race is likely

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

Hoping that the Triple Crown will have great races this year and that all the horses finish well. I don’t have any favorite this year, so far.

[Where_sMyWhite]

I think the FoY wil be interesting… Gotham also but, for me, not as high profile horses. I think how both fields perform will be telling in this step to Louisville.

[Glimmerglass]

They have 10 starters for Saturday’s Gotham Stakes.

Final entries and post positions
$300,000 Grade 3 Gotham at 1-1/16 mile Aqueduct.
Approx post-time is 4:50pm EST
http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/AQU030417USA-EQB.html#RACE8

PP. Horse. All carrying 116-lbs unless noted

1. J Boys Echo
2. Gaetano
3. Miggsy
4. El Areeb [with 123 lbs]
5. Glennrichment
6. True Timber
7. Apartfromthecrowd [with 121 lbs]
8. So Conflated [with 120 lbs]
9. Cloud Computing
10. Action Everyday

[Glimmerglass]

Field of 11 runners for Saturday’s Fountain of Youth which looks to be an interesting crowd

$400,000 Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at 1-1/16 mile Gulfstream Park
Approx post-time is 6:05pm EST
http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/GP030417USA-EQB.html#RACE13

PP. Horse. All carrying 116-lbs unless noted

1. Huracan Americo [with 122-lbs] - Edgar Prado gets the mount
2. Gunnevera [with 122-lbs]
3. Quinientos
4. Talk Logistics
5. Beasley
6. Practical Joke [with 122-lbs]
7. Three Rules [with 120-lbs]
8. Irish War Cry [with 122-lbs]
9. Made You Look [with 122-lbs]
10. Takaful
11. Lookin for Eight

[Shammy_Davis]

Girvin makes Haskin dozen but just barely.

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/kentucky-derby-dozen/archive/2017/02/28/derby-dozen-february-28-2017-presented-by-shadwell-farm.aspx

[Where_sMyWhite]

Will be interested in seeing the morning lines for both the Gotham and FoY…

I still like Irish War Cry but can’t say as I have a sound reason for that…

[Shammy_Davis]

FOY looks quite competitive. IWC looks formidable though.

https://www.americasbestracing.net/t…fountain-youth

Read a couple of handicapping articles that indicate that Girvin’s RS win is suspect based on the competition. No doubt my choice of Guest Suite was a one star hotel pick. Local hero’s pace was a little better than lethargic with Mo Tom looking exhausted at the finish. If I were the connections of Guest Suite, I would definitely be thinking about checking into a Motel 6 to get some rest and think about dropping him in class.

Looking back at the history of a race is fun and often informative.

https://www.americasbestracing.net/g…n-youth-winner