With a deep field of mostly unknown three-year-olds ready to
test Brethren in this year’s Sam F. Davis (G3), the question is: who exactly is
in this field and what is the talent level?
The answer is: There are several talented colts in here that could become major Derby contenders with a strong performance, and the field is
so deep that one runner who is five-for-six lifetime was made 15-1 in the
morning line by Horse Racing Nation.
Brethren, a half-brother to Super Saver, is the obvious star
in the field. He’s undefeated in two
starts and was last seen capturing a one-mile allowance race at Churchill Downs
over El Grayling and Justin Phillip, two runners that have failed to
distinguish themselves since. El
Grayling finished second to Shackleford in a Gulfstream allowance last weekend
and has had trouble getting to the winner’s circle in the allowance ranks while
Justin Phillip has been a total disappointment at the Fair Grounds.
On the Beyer scale, Brethren recorded an 84 both times out,
but now must deal with an outside trip from post position #10 and a field where
several have equal or higher Beyer figures in their past performances.
[Handicapper Mike Shutty likes a huge bomber in the Sam Davis. Who does he like? Click to watch his video.]
#8 Monzon (7-2)is the likely second choice off his 90 Beyer
figure and one-length win in the Count Fleet Stakes on New Year’s Day at
Aqueduct. He accomplished that win off a
layoff and has trained steadily for this effort. He is two-for-two over dirt surfaces.
#3 Washington’s Rules
has the look of a Derby trail improver. He broke his maiden on January 22 at Gulfstream with a fast closing run
and received an 88 Beyer figure for the effort. The gelded son of Roman Ruler is trained by Kenny McPeek, and enters off
a bullet workout of :59 3/5 at Gulfstream Park on February 5.
#2 Adulare finished third to Tapizar in a maiden race at
Churchill Downs, but broke his maiden with an 89 Beyer figure on January 2 at
Calder.
[Brethren has never run in a stake, but ranks #23 on the Top 250 Kentucky Derby 2011 contender poll. Is he overrated?]
The rest of the field is made up of colts that still have
upside potential. #7 Beamer, trained by
Carl Nafzger, finished a distant third to Soldat in the Gulfstream slop on
January 21, and is training well. #4 Too
Experience, is five for six lifetime, but has never run higher than a 75 Beyer
figure. And #5 Watch Me Go recently blew
away an allowance field at Tampa Bay by 8 lengths going 6 ½ furlongs.
The field also lacks a natural pacesetter, which could
create a slower pace and possibly favor Watch Me Go who is coming out of
sprints and may end up on the lead.
Past performances from the Daily Racing Form:
