We are three months into the 2012 racing season, and several of the Kentucky Derby prep races are in the books. Below, you will find the winners of each race, a brief analysis of what each horse has done since, as well as, the most likely race we will see them race in next.
JANUARY 7
Out of Bounds, Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita – One Mile
Jockey Garrett Gomez, Trainer Eoin Harty
Unfortunately, this horse has been sidelined and will miss the Kentucky Derby.
JANUARY 21
Mr. Bowling, Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds – One Mile and 70 yards
Jockey Robby Albarado, Trainer Larry Jones
He followed up this performance with a disappointing 11th place finish in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes. It seems he came out of the race in good order and is being prepped for the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on April 1.
JANUARY 29
Algorithms, Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park – One Mile
Jockey Javier Castellano, Trainer Todd Pletcher
Unfortunately, he has been sidelined and will miss the Kentucky Derby.
FEBRUARY 04
I’ll Have Another, Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita – 1 1/16 miles
Jockey Mario Gutierrez, Trainer Doug O’Neill
This was a surprise at 43-1 odds. He made it look easy and is training very well for the Santa Anita Derby on April 7. It will be interesting to see if he can follow up with another strong performance.
FEBRUARY 04
Alpha, Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct – 1 1/16 miles
Jockey Ramon Dominguez, Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin
He is 2 for 2 in 2012 after finishing a distant 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on November 6. He is getting ready to run in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 7.
FEBRUARY 04
Battle Hardened, Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs – 1 1/16 miles
Jockey Julien Leparoux, Trainer Eddie Kenneally
His follow up performance in the Tampa Bay Derby wasn’t as good. He finished 6th beaten 8 1/4 lengths. Don’t think we will see him in the Florida Derby as that would only put 21 days between races.
FEBRUARY 11
Thunder Moccasin, Hutcheson Stakes (G2) – 7 Furlongs
Jockey John Velasquez, Trainer Todd Pletcher
Great performance in this sprint race. Highly doubt we will see him participate in the triple crown races. It would be best for Pletcher to actually keep this horse restricted to sprints or even middle distances such as one mile.
FEBRUARY 18
Daddy Nose Best, El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields – 1 1/8 miles
Jockey Julien Leparoux, Trainer Steven Asmussen
Solid performance for this colt in Northern California. Instead of tackling the SoCal horses in the Santa Anita Derby, this colt is headed to New Mexico to run in the Sunland Derby at Sunland Park. Great path to take as the competition is easier and the purse is still $800,000.
FEBRUARY 19
Drill, San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita – 7 Furlongs
Jockey Martin Garcia, Trainer Bob Baffert
After five races without a win, this colt got back into the winner’s circle with a nice effort going seven furlongs. The question that lies ahead is, can he do this going 1 1/8 miles against a full field in the Santa Anita Derby?
FEBRUARY 20
Castaway, Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park – One Mile
Jockey Rafael Bejarano, Trainer Bob Baffert
It took six tries to break his maiden and just one to get his first stakes victory. It looks as if this colt will not be directed towards a marquee race such as the Louisiana Derby or Arkansas Derby. Instead, his most likely destination will be the Sunland Derby on March 25.
FEBRUARY 20
Secret Circle, Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park – One Mile
Jockey Rafael Bejarano, Trainer Bob Baffert
A winner in 5 of six races including three stakes races (two graded). After getting beat for the first time by Out of Bounds in the Sham, he has responded will great wins in the Southwest Stakes and Rebel Stakes. His most likely next race will be the Arkansas Derby on April 14. If Baffert feels that is too soon, we will most certainly see him in the Kentucky Derby on May 5.
FEBRUARY 25
El Padrino, Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds – 1 1/16 miles
Jockey Javier Castellano, Trainer Todd Pletcher
With Algorithms on the sidelines, this Pulpit colt takes over as the barns main threat for the Kentucky Derby. This was a strong performance getting up just in time to defeat Mark Valeski by a nose. The additional distance will only enhance his chances. Next up, a date with Union Rags in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on March 31.
FEBRUARY 26
Union Rags, Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park – 1 1/16 miles
Jockey Julien Leparoux, Trainer Michael Matz
You just knew it wouldn’t take long for this colt to get back on track. After losing to Hansen in the BC Juvenile, he was given a couple of months off before running in this race. He made it look extremely easy. He is now 4 for 5 in his brief career. The Florida Derby should have good depth and a full field. If he runs as per usual, we should see him get his picture taken one more time before the Kentucky Derby.
MARCH 03
Hansen, Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct – 1 1/16 miles
Jockey Ramon Dominguez, Trainer Michael Maker
After running a distant 2nd to Algorithms on a sloppy track in the Holy Bull Stakes, he came right back and easily won this race. It looks as if he will run in the Wood Memorial on April 7. It will be his first race going 1 1/8 miles. It will be a good indicator on going long distance as a front runner.
MARCH 10
Trinniberg, Swale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park – 7 Furlongs
Jockey Willie Martinez, Trainer Bisnath Parboo
This was his first win since breaking his maiden debut (four races). Not sure what is next for him. We should know over the next week or so whether they decide to keep him in sprints – middle distances or attempt the longer distances.
MARCH 10
Creative Cause, San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita – 1 1/16 miles
Joockey Joel Rosario, Trainer Mike Harrington
Never worse than 3rd in all seven career races. After two 3rd place finishes, this gray Giant’s Causeway colt got back into the winner’s circle with an impressive victory in this race. He stalked the lead and made his move as they turned for home. The additional distance in the Santa Anita Derby should go in his favor.
MARCH 10
Prospective, Tampa Bay Derby (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs- 1 1/16 miles
Jockey Luis Contreras, Trainer Mark Casse
Aside from a disappointing 13th place finish in the BC Juvenile, this colt has done everything asked of him. He won the Grey Stakes (G3) in October at Woodbine on the all weather surface. His move to Florida has been a good one. He won the Pasco Stakes, finished 2nd in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and won this race all at Tampa Bay Downs. Some might say the competition is not as good as other tracks, but you still have to like what you’ve seen so far from this colt. Not sure if Casse will quickly turn him around and run him in the Florida Derby.
MARCH 11
Howe Great, Palm Beach Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park – 1 1/8 miles (Turf)
Jockey John Velasquez, Trainer Graham Motion
I have this colt amongst the dirt runners for a couple of reasons. I believe Motion will attempt to run this colt on the dirt next time out, and should note that this race was 1 1/8 miles. The longest any Derby contender has run to date. He could emerge as a horse to beat leading up to the Derby.
MARCH 17
Secret Circle, Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park – 1 1/16 miles
Jockey Rafael Bejarano, Trainer Bob Baffert
MARCH 24
Went the Day Well, Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park – 1 1/8 miles
Jockey John Velasquez, Trainer Graham Motion
MARCH 25
Daddy Nose Best, Sunland Derby (G3) at Sunland Park – 1 1/8 miles
Jockey Julien Leparoux, Trainer Steven Asmussen
Click here to view all the remaining Derby prep races. Only a few weeks left!
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