Two notable performances - one very good and one great.
Upstart is legit. Track was slow all day (all meet, really), and the time stacks up very well with the one turn mile of the 75k OCs (some expensive horses in there). Did it from the 8 post with that short run to the first turn. Dusted a really nice horse in Frosted, and did if off a layoff - not Violette\'s strong suit. If healthy, he\'s there in May.
But the run of the day was Khozan. So good in fact I wonder if the timer malfunctioned (wouldn\'t be the first time). 8 tenths faster than Barbados in the Hutcheson, well over a second quicker than the filly race (that included the Ynez winner), and more than 3 seconds faster than the cheap claimers.
Those other three races fit well together, but you don\'t expext that effort first time out, from a horse giving four pounds to the stakes victors. Oh yeah, and he did it from the 14 hole, coasting to the wire. Pletcher didn\'t give him much of a look in the paddock - stood over with Porch Pounder. Only suspicious thing was that the place horse was just three back.
Interested to see what they do with him. A half to Royal Delta, cost a cool million - expectations must be high, but wow.
Algorithims, Verrazano, Social Inclusion, Khozan?
Brilliant!
Upstart - Nothing to fault and will forever love him for letting Carpe Diem by in BC Juvenile.
Frosted - Very patient owners may not be KD quality but expect continued improvement somewhere other than South Florida.
Acceptance Favorite toss of tournament players but who expected a Fresno also ran? Seems I recall a NorCal shipper made for a big score during last years NHC.
Alert Bay Five wins in a row.
Upstarts 105 Beyer very strong but with no other 2 turn dirt route to compare it to. GP surface definitely not playing it\'s usual glib self which is probably by design(maintenance)Too many complaints of horses getting jarred up from hard surface.
Upstart stays up with top 3yr old Derby prospects with a big fig in the TG 0 range.
Miff agreed on Upstart. He ran a big race BC Day when 3-4 wide most of the trip from a bad post AND coming off a second straight top effort in his 2YO campaign. Those two 0\'s you mentioned.
There was a 70% chance of rain yesterday here and it was supposed to be from 10AM-2PM. It never happened but no doubt the Track Maintenance Team had done some precautionary preparation. Upstart is LEGIT. I had the 1 but was totally impressed with the winner and the 1 should not be discarded. Only 4 works in 8 weeks and sat 2-3 lengths behind a half in 48+ and 1:12+. Not typical GP fractions but the winner was too much for him....
104 Beyer for him. That $1M price tag now looks cheap!!!
Getting back to his two year old top, after a layoff, says significant forward move next out, no?
That would seemingly put him in rarified air, for a sophomore.
Tavasco,
The breeding for the first three are suspect compared to Khozan. That really matters not now. Holding together while playing foundation catch-up is the issue.
flighted
Flighted Iron Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tavasco,
>
> The breeding for the first three are suspect
> compared to Khozan. That really matters not now.
> Holding together while playing foundation catch-up
> is the issue.
>
> flighted
You make a excellent point. I posted before even looking at the breeding. I\'ve just been expecting a new shooter to emerge from GP in January and the month is nearly at an end so I may have over reacted.
Then I looked a little closer. There was a second horse in that MSW race, literally, Wisecracker. Both with the same Sire and one with Delta Princess on the bottom. Khozan may not even be pointed to Kentucky or dirt. Although the pull must be very strong.
Your point about keeping them together (sound) is the key. We have so many special (fast) colts, as of now, no new shooter is needed but welcome. This spring is shaping up to be an exceptional and exciting one. The top tier have not even run as 3 y/o\'s. yet. Wowzer!
Plus - I\'m anticipating an import or two this year.
The top tier have not even run as 3 y/o\'s. yet. Wowzer
Tavasco,
Had to aquaint myself with this years crop. Normally in the past i\'ve been more engaged. I\'m somewhat intrigued by Bolo. Haven\'t seen his TG #\'s,but seems
to qualify as \" fast enough at two\" albeit grass races. He\'s been lighting it up
in the AM on dirt at SA. Plenty of stamina both sides( especially on top ).
Flighted
Off topic with respect to GP 3 year olds, but curious as to whether TG has any numbers on Michael De Kock\'s potential Derby entry, Mubtaahij. Desert to the Derby possibility? This trainer has conquered several other big money races and this could be his first Derby entrant, to my knowledge; seems bred to run all day and then some.
Ace
I\'m impressed so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt8PLSSLhyE
OK so I\'m impressed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOAkQNsY1Rk
Covello\'s Majestic Affair won with ease again. Congrats to the connections. Can\'t figure out the pedigree. Daddy was a sprinter but by Harlan\'s Holiday. Damsire showed well in the classics.
Plans to go longer, JC?
Thanks so much for the message.
It\'s very exciting to have one like this in the stable.
He\'s a tiny little thing so we will keep him sprinting. He\'s not a two turn type
Goal is the Bay Shore on Wood Day at Big A.
He got a 91 Beyer and with the wide trip and the 6 extra pounds he covered, he might have paired his big TG fig from the Winkfield.
Hopefully Mozambique Gold tomorrow at Gulfstream and Testa Rossi on Sat at Tampa can complete the trifecta for the stable this week!
Thanks again.
Jim
Cha Ching @ GP
Congratulations!
Clement\'s Hard Not To Like @ Tampa should help your price. The Red Head will need to be on her game. Good Luck Man - Hat Trick Hat Trick.
thanks alot
win and a claim there so that was nice
I know we are now if offically, very greedy territory but could we go for the trifecta with the Red Head tomorrow....lol
thanks again
That was ugly, scary and surprisingly the stewards got it right.
Testa Rossi - What a beauty!
Congratulations - Way To Go.
Who do you like in the Superbowl?
Seahawks by 20+. wish I could get a bet down from here in freezevill.
No, I don\'t have a rooting interest.
I think you need to person-to-person Frank D.
Congrats to Jimmy C, hat trick with two stakes.
In the Supe, not betting, do not have hot or cold feelings for either side;
hoping for a game that might keep me awake for 4 hours.
Thanks Richie. Really appreciate that. Kind of pinching myself this morning to make sure it\'s real.
Thanks again.
Happy super bowl day.
Another big win for him. 12 length score against optional claimers. 4 seconds clear of the maiden fillies. 2 on the older cheap claimers.
Looks to be following Constitution\'s path to the Florida Derby. Will make handicapping really interesting if he joins Itsaknockout and Upstart there (though I\'d bet on the Wood for the latter).
I\'d wager itsa goes to Louisiana .
I\'m still impressed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc5Lmuyrfms
These are two serious Triple Crown nominated 3 year olds, finishing 11 lengths clear of the rest. They rank very well on all the numbers on chef-de-race.com. They seem like dirt horses and have the right style - go early and keep going. The Godolphin barely won this one on the outside but I like the runner-up best, he has heart he almost fought back to win on the inside. I now have Las Vegas futures action on him booked at 90-1. I just need him to be in the gate on May 2nd. The UAE Derby on 3/28 will be a race to watch, I say.
Ace,
Mr. Covello speaks to the appearance of derby horses, well the one you like from Meydan wins the looks a champion hands down, from what I was able to see. Once these imports start coming over for the Kentucky Derby, if they ever do, I suspect the race will be changed forever. Similar to the modern Ryder Cup!
The other horse (winner) resembles Sea Biscuit? Go Figure.
Ajkreider,
Pardon the brevity of that statement. It wasn\'t meant to challenge you. I remember reading something along the lines where Pletcher was trying to keep his
colts apart as long as possible. With ITSA being put up he probably gained enough points and solidified his derby position. Re Upstart: from reading it seems they are going to the Wood. I haven\'t discounted him yet. There was some bumping,but he did gut it out the last 110 yards better than the rest.The Wood will be the tell-tale. As of right now I\'m leaning to FFO as i think we\'ve not seen his best.
Good luck,
Flighted iron
Just read in the DRF Pletcher plans to run Itsa in the Fla Derby.