Saturday 3YO Stakes: What to Look For

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We have an interesting assortment of 3-year-old stakes this weekend, even though the Whirlaway and WEBN Stakes came up pretty thin. Will the Derby winner be in the Robert Lewis (gr. III) or Risen Star (gr. III)? We could have a much better idea once certain questions are answered.

First off, it’s important to remember that winning these two races is not a prerequisite for winning on the first Saturday in May. In fact, the last you want is for a horse to run a peak effort (in other words, freak) in early February. So, look for a horse to run a bang-up race without breaking any records or winning by the length of the stretch. This is only Step 1 in what is a long, grueling road; one that has already claimed one major player (Saratoga Sinner) and possibly another (Square Eddie).

The Robert Lewis will feature the one-two finishers of the CashCall Futurity (gr. I), Pioneerof the Nile and I Want Revenge, along with the rising star with the big knockout punch, Shafted.

But there will be a price horse who is capable of springing the upset if he can answer one question:

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/article/49106.htm

[two gun sid]

1. Finally. a 3YO colt with some talent emerges.

Friesan Fire, a Larry Jones trainee, drew off in the stretch of the Risen Star at Fair Grounds and was much the best.

http://www.drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesIndexAction.do?TRK=FG&CTY=USA&DATE=20090207&RN=9

[jakefrep]

3. I'm rooting for this horse or Old Fashioned to win the Derby

I think Larry Jones deserves as much after what happened in 2008 with Eight Belles.

[two gun sid]

4. I can't root against Cowboy Jones...

he's such a class act and he certainly deserves all the recognition a Derby win would give him. He has been an outstanding trainer his whole career. Good guys should finish first more often in this sport.

[Justpat]

5. I think Old Fashioned is a way better horse.

He does everything so easy.

And he should love the Derby distance.

[two gun sid]

6. Hi, Justpat! Hope all is well....

See you guys had a winner today. Congrats!

I'm looking forward to seeing OF on Monday. I just read an interview with Jones and he was glowing about Old Fashioned. Any other 3YO's that are catching your eye?

[aaronbees]

7. He's the one I like so far...

along with Baffert's horse Pioneerof The Nile.

My top 10 on my Road to the Roses contest are:
1) Old Fashioned
2) Pioneerof the Nile
3) Papa Clem
4) Midshipman
5) Friesan Fire
6) Stardom Bound
7) Patena
8) Capt. Candyman Can
9) The Pamplemousse
10) Giant Oak

I didn't like how Vineyard Haven looked a couple days ago in Dubai. It still feels like a wide-open run to Derby day.

[Justpat]

8. I wonder if VH really needs lasix

or did the trip to Dubai knock him out?

That race was pretty sad. They paid 12million for him. I hate Bobby Frankel but that sob is the luckiest person in the world.
He owned that horse himself. He must be laughing his butt off now.

[two gun sid]

12. I was going to go off on a Frankel rant...

about how he's more crooked than lucky, how any half competent horseman could win a lot of money with the stock Frankel is blessed with, how much of a prick he is and how he is a horrible ambassador for the sport, but, that would be wrong.

I'll just say that he's a fuckstick.

[Justpat]

13. LOL. n/t

[aaronbees]

16. Maybe Frankel knew something about VH our Dubai friends...

did not. Or maybe Vineyard Haven just needed a race. I hope he stays healthy and continues on the Derby trail. I hate seeing good 2-year-olds disappear during their 3-year-old year.

I'm looking forward to the Southwest Stakes later today. I think Old Fashioned will win but there are a couple colts who could pull the upset.

[two gun sid]

2. Boys next for Stardom Bound

ARCADIA, Calif. - Stardom Bound picked up in 2009 right where she left off in 2008 by scoring an impressive win in the Grade 1, $300,000 Las Virgenes Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, but now the stakes will get far more intriguing.

Immediately following the race, Michael Iavarone, the co-president of the IEAH Stable partnership that now owns Stardom Bound, said she would make her next start against males in the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 4, which is a prep to the Kentucky Derby on May 2.

"I think that's what the racing fans want, to put her against the boys in the Santa Anita Derby," Iavarone said. "I don't know what else she has to prove against the girls. She is special. Real special."

The victory was the fourth straight for Stardom Bound, who completed her 2008 campaign with a victory here in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies for trainer Christopher Paasch. That win secured her an Eclipse Award as the champion 2-year-old filly of 2008. Stardom Bound has won three straight at Santa Anita, including the Oak Leaf Stakes, which is another reason Iavarone thinks it's worth taking a shot against the colts on this track.

"This is her racetrack," he said.

http://drf.com/news/article/101548.html

[two gun sid]

9. No Melting Chocolate Candy in El Camino

Chocolate Candy sweetened trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's Triple Crown hopes on Valentine's Day with the colt's first graded stakes win in the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields.

Under a vigorous hand ride from Russell Baze, Chocolate Candy dug in late when challenged on his inside by the improving Massone to register a half-length victory Feb. 14 in the 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-olds. He was sent off at odds of 1-2.

It was a taxing effort for Chocolate Candy, who raced wide and took a narrow lead on the far turn, then gained control from the retreating Axel Foley to open up a clear advantage in upper stretch. Stablemate Rendezvous, ridden by Roberto Gonzalez, first challenged Chocolate Candy, who repelled that bid near the eighth pole only to face another threat from Massone, advancing when shifted to the inside at the furlong pole by jockey Frank Alvarado.

Baze angled Chocolate Candy toward the inside, allowing the favorite to pick up Massone, who continued to finish well and was nearly on even terms in deep stretch. But the winning son of Candy Ride found more, outfighting Massone to the wire for a narrow victory. The final time was a sharp 1:50.54 on Golden Gate's Tapeta racing surface.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/article/49231.htm

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10. General Quarters Pulls Sam Davis Upset

Thomas McCarthy’s General Quarters pulled a shocker and threw his name into the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) mix, as he stalked the pace, took over rounding the far turn, and pulled away for a convincing 3 1/2-length score in the $221,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) (VIDEO) for 3-year-olds at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 14.

Racing under the handling of James Lopez with blinkers off for the first time, General Quarters received a perfect stalking trip in back of pacesetter A.P. Cardinal, who posted reasonable fractions of :23.91, :47.77, and 1:12.25. Lopez guided the Sky Mesa colt away from the rail as they advanced on the final turn and took over approaching the quarter-pole.

Holding a 2 1/2-length advantage at the eighth-pole, General Quarters continued to draw away in the final furlong and was never seriously challenged while going off at odds of 14-1. Sumo, a 33-1 longshot, was a clear runner-up under Rene Douglas, three lengths better than third-place Musket Man.

The final time for 1 1/16 miles on the main track was 1:43.54.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/article/49228.htm

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11. Southwest Starts Old Fashioned's Season

Unbeaten Old Fashioned, at the top of many early prognostications for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), makes his 2009 debut in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park Feb. 16.

A field of 11 is entered for the one-mile dirt test for 3-year-olds. Old Fashioned is the clear standout. The Southwest starts an important three-race series for sophomores at Oaklawn that continues with the $300,000 Rebel (gr. II) at 1 1/16 miles March 14, and the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) at 1 1/8 miles April 11.

Trainer Larry Jones got off to a good start on the road to the Kentucky Derby with Friesan Fire, a son of A.P. Indy who has already won the Risen Star (gr. III) and Lecomte (gr. III) at Fair Grounds. But most observers feel Jones' best Kentucky Derby hope is Fox Hill Farm’s Old Fashioned.

Jones hopes Old Fashioned can follow in the footsteps of Smarty Jones (2004), Afleet Alex (2005), and Lawyer Ron (2006), who dominated the Arkansas series for 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail. Like those winners, Old Fashioned is blessed with good speed and stamina.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/article/49225.htm

[Justpat]

14. Can't wait to see it.

Wait a minute - how will I see it? TVG doesn't carry OP, I believe?

I'll have to check out their web site.

[two gun sid]

17. Old Fashioned wins the Southwest Stakes at OP!

That horse can break like a fucking rocket. They went to the half in :45. That is racehorse time.

[Justpat]

18. The chart said he was fully extended

but it looks like he won easy.


Nice.

[two gun sid]

20. I liked the fact that he was able to lay off the leader...

a little bit and stalk him. That speed horse wasn't as cheap as I thought but OF still took control. Very nice horse. Seems intelligent and I loved the way he broke. He knows what his job is.

Now I'm gettin' Derby Fever!

[aaronbees]

19. He looked good

... sitting right off a fast pace like that and finishing well. He may have "extended" himself but he looked in charge once he did so. Probably a good opening race to have for his year. I'm impressed.

[two gun sid]

22. He is a nice horse.

[trumad]

15. I won't make an early prediction until after the Florida Derby....

;-)

[two gun sid]

21. I look forward to your prediction...

have you seen any horse that interests you?

Why doesn't cboy4/Upton ever post in the racing threads?

[trumad]

23. I think they accidentally posted in one thread about BB taking Steroids...

They thought it was the other BB.

[cboy4]

25. You're really stepping up the homophobic slur attacks.

I like that.

It means my comment pointing out your many failures in life, and I mean many with a capital "M" really got to you.

[cboy4]

24. I don't post in racing threads because it's not a real sport.

It's a hobby, much like bowling and croquet.

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26. OK. Just know you are always welcome here, cboy4....

maybe you might even like the excitement and beauty of racing if you gave it a chance. We always need new fans. Up to you though.

Peace

[madinmaryland]

27. Are you still going on about that?

:wtf:

LOSER!