I’m rooting for Archarcharch since I am one of the grooms who raised and prepped him for his yearling sale 
Saturday’s prep race will be the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn (see HRTV) for $300,000
Race 10 - Oaklawn Park - Rebel S. at 1 1/16 mi
A field of 13 will line up for the race slated to off at approx 5:31 CST
PP. Horse - Jockey
- Archarcharch – Jon Court
- Alternation – Luis Quinonez
- Dreaminofthewin – Cliff Berry
- Picko’s Pride – Isreal Ocampo
- J P’s Gusto – Ramon Dominguez
- The Factor – Martin Garcia
- Caleb’s Posse – Eddie Razo
- Saratoga Red – Terry Thompson
- Sway Away – Garrett Gomez
- Elite Alex – Calvin Borel
- Glint – Gabriel Saez
- Bluegrass Jam^ – Michael Baze
- J W Blue^ – Joe Rocco Jr.
^ coupled entries
Here is hoping that Archarcharch can do it again.
This is one of the most exciting Derby preps in a while.
Can’t wait!
Go Sway Away!
Nancy
[QUOTE=lizathenag;5485828]
He has been my derby pick since last year when I learned his second dam was Glimmerglass![/QUOTE]
Indeed - a true nod of the cap is deserving: Nov 29, 2010 “Why Premier Pegasus is my derby pick”
Pedigree on Premier Pegasus; although the spelling for that race mare (21 7-2-3) from the early 1980’s is “Glimmer Glass”[sic]
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;5490367]
Indeed - a true nod of the cap is deserving: Nov 29, 2010 “Why Premier Pegasus is my derby pick”
Pedigree on Premier Pegasus; although the spelling for that race mare (21 7-2-3) from the early 1980’s is “Glimmer Glass”[sic][/QUOTE]
As you know, if it wasn’t for you beating me to it, I, too, claim a “Glimmerglass” moniker - in my yahoo name, and also a past real estate business…go PP!
The Grade 2 Rebel Stakes $300k: Race 10 - Oaklawn Park - Rebel S. at 1 1/16 mi - has a few scratches now.
#3 Dreaminofthewin
#10 Elite Alex - going instead to the $1 million Louisiana Derby next Sat
#11 Glint
And #12 Bluegrass Jam & #13 J W Blue are no longer a coupled entry
well…will The Factor be a factor???
[QUOTE=mroades;5492967]
well…will The Factor be a factor???[/QUOTE]
I actually think so, he reminds me of Smarty Jones. For him to go 23 and change shows he is learning to relax and he certainly spurted away the last 1/4 when asked. I just wonder if the Derby pace, which is always pressured and fast, and the atmosphere will cause him to revert to just running off. I recall Smarty being quite rateable in his races (although super tough to gallop!) compared to The Factor.
The Rebel Stakes (G2) did look like a showcase for Bob Baffert trained The Factor although Jon Court on Archarcharch (taking a distant 3rd, just nipped by Caleb’s Posse 2nd) still put in a solid effort too. The race was delayed due to a flip in the gate by Alternation and may have spooked Archarcharch who was next to him.
Video replay: Grade 2 $300k Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park
The 1 1/8 mi Grade 1 $1 million Arkansas Derby is the next start for The Factor as is Archarcharch.
Worth mentioning Oaklawn drew a crowd of 34,698 for the race which is damn impressive.
As noted by HRTV with their Santa Anita exclusive coverage the maiden race aired just moments before The Rebel showcased another talented 3-yr old runner: Maclean’s Music.
Maclean’s Music won his career debut in Saturday’s eighth race. He may never even be a starter in a Triple Crown leg at all this year -although he looked very impressive. Watch the race below:
Video replay: Maclean’s Music 3-19-11, Mike Smith up
Ridden by Mike Smith, Maclean’s Music, by Distorted Humor, disputed the early lead with Cherryzapper through early fractions of 21.24 and 43.48 seconds, took command on the turn and pulled away with little urging to win the six-furlong race by 7 1-4 lengths over Flightofalifetime in a quick 1:07.44.
He’s owned by breeder Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable and trained by Steve Asmussen. For an update on Jackson’s wealth and health - see this article.
[QUOTE=mroades;5492967]
well…will The Factor be a factor???[/QUOTE]
He was gassed after the race. Even Baffert felt compelled to comment on it. I’m assuming he’ll go on the AR Derby, but I have real doubts he can handle 10F. But, who knows, maybe The Rebel will make him stronger.
Another off the Derby trail
BloodHorse 3/19: “Rogue Romance Sidelined With Foot Fracture”
[Rogue Romance] returned lame following an easy three-furlong breeze earlier in the morning at Gulfstream Park.
X-rays were taken and sent to Dr. Larry Bramlage in Lexington, who diagnosed a fracture in the foot that will require two to three months of stall rest.
The fracture is not career-threatening and Rogue Romance is expected to fully recover and return to the races following rest at Scanlon Training Center in Ocala, Fla.
The field has already been determined for next Saturday’s (March 26th) big Derby prep race at Fair Grounds - $1 Million Louisiana Derby, Grade 2, 1 1/8th mile in distance.
Race 10 Mar 26 Fair Grounds Louisiana Derby - 13 starters
all are carrying 122-lbs
Post Position. Horse <> Jockey / Trainer
- Nacho Business~ <> J Bravo / K J Breen
- Pants On Fire~ <> A R Napravnik / K J Breen
- Nehro <> M C Baze / S M Asmussen
- Mavericking <> S Bridgmohan / N L Pessin
- Mucho Macho Man <> R Maragh/ K Ritvo
- Liondrive <> J Graham / T A Ice
- Machen <> E S Prado / N J Howard
- Majestic Harbor <> C J Lanerie / P J McGee
- Le Mans <> R Albarado / S M Asmussen
- Wilkinson <> G K Gomez / N J Howard
- Left <> J M Campbell / A M Stall, Jr.
- Elite Alex <> C H Borel / T F Ritchey
- Populist Politics <> R E Eramia / T M Amoss
~ Nacho Business & Pants on Fire are coupled entries
OK, I never post on these threads because I know so little about racing, but I’ve got to say I have my fingers crossed for Elite Alex. Met his sire in the flesh (awfully nice horse, to my sporthorse eyes), and his connections. How could I not root for ex-eventer Tim Richey?
Agreed it will be interesting to see how Elite Alex does do at the Fair Grounds. Calvin was very big on the horse but the results aren’t there. A bit of the sink or swim at this point as either they need to finish 1st or 2nd to have a credible chance for a Kentucky Derby gate.
He simply has no graded money of note otherwise. If they just miss the big money then you’re in a tough spot. At best there will be one more bite at the apple for graded money between now and May 1st. The Santa Anita Derby, Florida Derby, Blue Grass and Wood are the last big pursed races. However its exceedingly doubtful he’d run from the Louisiana to any of those in such short order.
The lack of respect remains high for the horse who has been run very frequently and has the 2nd highest graded stakes vault of money - Gourmet Dinner. Per the most recent “Original Derby Poll” from the Courier-Journal (3/19) his name barely found in the assorted Top 20 lists in just a handful of voters. Most people never even list him despite his guarantee of having a starting gate May 1st.
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;5494725]
… just moments before The Rebel [aired, HRTV] showcased another talented 3-yr old runner: Maclean’s Music.
Video replay: Maclean’s Music 3-19-11, Mike Smith up
He’s owned by breeder Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable and trained by Steve Asmussen. For an update on Jackson’s wealth and health - see this article.[/QUOTE]
How impressive was that run in terms of speed? While Santa Anita has been yielding fast times this even raises eyebrows
Fastest Beyer by a maiden since the figures started
Maclean’s Music ran six furlongs in 1:07.44, drawing off through the stretch to win by 7 1/4 lengths under jockey Mike Smith. He earned a 114 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest number for a debut race since the figures were first published in 1991.
Exceptional effort! Watch the video of him in hand and Mike said he had tons more go. I still doubt he’ll be aimed for the KY Derby just because of the steep curve with time. Maybe the Preakness once the big boys are mostly sidelined. Who knows though as Jess Jackson pushed ahead with Curlin making a later career debut.
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;5494725]
The Rebel Stakes … Jon Court on Archarcharch … 3rd, just nipped by Caleb’s Posse 2nd) still put in a solid effort too. The race was delayed due to a flip in the gate by Alternation and may have spooked Archarcharch who was next to him.[/QUOTE]
The connections mentioned what impact there was today. I put some stock in the idea it may have taken a tad of his concentration away. Not that he would’ve beaten The Factor but may have been closer at the finish.
Archarcharch, who was in the stall gate next to Alternation, was kicked by that rival in the hip and lower leg, said Jinks Fires, who trains Archarcharch.
“We got a little hair knocked off in a few spots, no big deal,” said Fires.
Fires said Archarcharch is headed for the Arkansas Derby.
All the more unusual BloodHorse Derby Earnings list 3-21-11
Dropped Out: Gourmet Dinner, $780,000 (no works, status unknown)
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;5497947]
The lack of respect remains high for the horse who has been run very frequently and has the 2nd highest graded stakes vault of money - Gourmet Dinner. Per the most recent “Original Derby Poll” from the Courier-Journal (3/19) his name barely found in the assorted Top 20 lists in just a handful of voters. Most people never even list him despite his guarantee of having a starting gate May 1st.[/QUOTE]
I really like this colt. Unfortunately something seems to have gone awry. He was taken off the track a couple of weeks ago and sent back to the farm. Connections aren’t talking. There have been rumors that he was sold but didn’t pass the vetting, and rumors that something is wrong but they can’t figure out what.
Back on March 12th I posted the following news (from the DRF) on Gourmet Dinner which did suggest something was amiss but since then poof - nothing!
The Gulfstream Park stall office reported Saturday that Gourmet Dinner, runner-up in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes here on Feb. 26 and a possible candidate for the Grade 1 Florida Derby on April 3, shipped off the grounds early Friday evening with the destination on the transit slip listed as Ocala, Fla.
That is about the only source of published news on the 7 4-1-1 horse with almost $1M in lifetime earnings. It really seems like a mystery and nobody seems to be following up on it. His “Derby Contender” page from Churchill doesn’t suggest anything out of the norm. (Note the page has the race charts, his entire PP, prior race videos, etc etc - a rather tidy package of free info!)
A nifty horse, by horse list of next starts (as of 3/22) for those on the Derby Trail from ‘The Downey Profile’.
DRF 3/21/11 “Kentucky Derby 2011 Under the Radar: Elite Alex”
Lightly raced with a ton of upside potential, Elite Alex seemingly has the pedigree to succeed at longer distances as his sire and broodmare sire combined for three Classics and their own personal Triple Crown. Elite Alex’s Beyer Speed Figures have improved with each and every start. If he can avoid another extremely wide trip this weekend, he could certainly have a say in the Louisiana Derby. If he doesn’t win it, there is still the possibility of grabbing graded earnings, a major factor in remaining on the Kentucky Derby trail.
