The
first four furlongs of the Timely Writer
were run in “Slow MO-tion” as Uncle Mo
merely toyed with this field of Derby wannabes before exploding with a burst of
speed in the final two furlongs (and continuing in the gallop out). This turned into nothing more than a
public workout that served it’s purpose of taking the moss off the “Mo” as he
prepares for his next race which will be in the Florida Derby, if Pletcher has
his way, or the Wood Memorial which is owner Mike Repole’s preference. Unfortunately, no matter where he goes,
the competition will run scared leaving a small field. His only real test will have to wait
until when the gates open in the Kentucky Derby.
The
prep of the weekend honors has to go to the San Felipe at Santa Anita.
A full field produced the fastest early pace in a prep race to date
which left the early battlers completely spent as they were eased in the
end. Alonso Quinonez wisely held Premier Pegasus in reserve until the “all clear” was given at the
mid-turn. At that point, PrePeg got to work picking up the
pieces and then some. Taking
nothing away from the winner, the late move was visually deceptive in that the
front runners were falling back as fast as Premier
Pegasus was moving forward.
His BRIS pace and final speed ratings earned in this race (First Call = 89; Second Call = 98; Late
Pace = 98; Final 100) would put him among the second tier contenders in a
typical Derby field. It will be
very interesting to see how much he moves up in the Santa Anita Derby. If
he does, we have a legitimate Derby win contender on our hands.
Comma To The Top ran an impressive race in that he
was involved in the white hot pace but clearly finished best of all the front
runners. Afraid this effort was
probably a top for the season and not sure he can move forward off what had to
be an energy zapper. Jaycito was a disappointment, in my
opinion. With that wicked pace, he
should have been really rolling in the stretch. Unlike Comma To The
Top, he has plenty of room to move forward in the Santa Anita Derby.
What
can you say about the Tampa Bay Derby
other than it doesn’t deserve much consideration and receives a big down grade
from HRN. Brethren looked weak and Free
Entry never showed up leaving the door open for two bombers to complete the
exacta. If any of these go in the Kentucky Derby, none will finish in the
top half of the field.
Alright
let’s take a closer look at these preps and update our quality rating:
Gulfstream
Park - TIMELY WRITER STAKES 1 MILE
Winner:
Uncle Mo (RANKED #1 – HRN DERBY
CONTENDERS)
Beyer
Speed Rating: 89
BRIS
Pace/Final Pars: First Call = 94; Second Call = 104; Final = 104
Actual
Pace/Final: First Call = 54; Second Call = 65; Final = 95
Track
Bias: None
Tough
Trips: None
Impressive
Effort: None
HRN Pre-Race Grade = C-
HRN
Post-Race Grade = B
Notes: Essentially Uncle Mo gets the “B” rating for what
turned out to be a public workout.
What impressed me most is that his BRIS Late Pace figure came back as a
125. You might see a couple of
horses each year that can produce that kind of number. Really hoping he can get tested in the
Wood/Florida Derby but afraid the Derby will be his next real test.
Santa Anita – G2 SAN FELIPE 1 1/16 Miles Dirt
Winner:
Premier Pegasus (RANKED #4 – HRN
DERBY CONTENDERS)
Beyer
Speed Rating: 96
BRIS
Pace/Final Pars: First Call = 94; Second Call = 104; Final = 104
Actual
Pace/Final: First Call = 105; Second Call = 107; Final = 100
Track
Bias: None
Tough
Trips: None
Impressive
Effort: Comma To
The Top
HRN Pre-Race Grade = B+
HRN
Post-Race Grade = B+
Notes: There has not been a Derby
prep to date that was run faster early.
That pace was white hot and closers naturally picked up the top three
spots. Premier Pegasus was wisely reserved early before making a powerful
move from mid-turn to mid-stretch and was clearly the best though a bit of
optical illusion was at play. Comma To The Top actually put in the
most impressive effort having finished best of all the front runners after
being a part of the suicidal pace.
Does he have anything left after that effort?
Tampa Bay – G2 TAMPA BAY DERBY 1 1/16 Miles Dirt
Winner:
Watch Me Go (RANKED #46 – HRN
DERBY CONTENDERS)
Beyer
Speed Rating: 83
BRIS
Pace/Final Pars: First Call = 94; Second Call = 104; Final = 100
Actual
Pace/Final: First Call = 81; Second Call = 89; Final = 95
Track
Bias: None
Tough
Trips: None
Impressive
Effort: None
HRN Pre-Race Grade = C+
HRN
Post-Race Grade = D+
Notes: Brethren and Free Entry
disappointed big time leaving the door wide open for two bombers to complete
the Exacta. None of these will be
in the gate at Churchill Downs on the first day in May (unless it’s on the
Derby undercard!). Will be
interesting to see where Brethren
goes next. One of the least
impressive preps of the year.
You have to see the amazing offer that DISH is
offering to Horse Racing Nation fans. Check out the ad on our home
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Check back
on Friday when we preview the G2 Rebel and the face off between The Factor and Sway Away, the one-two finishers ahead of Premier Pegasus in the San Vincente.
GO
FAST AND WIN!
Mike