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KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT FEBRUARY 18, 2015 by James Scully The February 16 Southwest (G3) was postponed due to freezing conditions at Oaklawn Park, leaving the February 14 El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields as the lone scoring race last weekend. The Southwest has been moved to Sunday, February 22, one day after the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park and Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds. Those races kick off the "Championship Season" portion of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, offering points on a 50-20-10-5 scale to the top four respective finishers, but the Southwest will retain its original points' value (10-4-2-1). El Camino Real Derby Metaboss (Street Boss) swung extremely wide into the stretch and offered an eye-catching rally to mow his rivals down in the 1 1/8-mile El Camino Real Derby, scoring by a widening 2 1/2-length margin over the Tapeta surface. The El Camino Real Derby is one of only two scoring races this year on a synthetic track along with the March 21 Spiral Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park, and both races are guaranteed destinations for three-year-olds with turf form. Metaboss was making his first attempt on a synthetic track and the Jeff Bonde-trained colt relished the turf-friendly Tapeta -- no surprise considering that his only poor showing in five career starts came on dirt. Street Boss has developed into a nice turf sire and it's easy to label Metaboss as an up-and-coming turf performer. Metaboss netted only a 93 BRIS Speed rating, but I wouldn't like his chances on dirt even if he earned a big number. Runner-up Cross the Line (Line of David) is bred for dirt and could prove more versatile given his forwardly-placed run style. He's raced exclusively at Golden Gate for Jerry Hollendorfer, winning a maiden special weight and the January 17 California Derby in advance of the El Camino Real Derby, and his BRIS Speed ratings are increasing. Cross the Line could continue to show more next time if he ships for the Spiral. Upcoming A blockbuster weekend is on tap with the rescheduled Southwest joining the Fountain of Youth and Risen Star. Upstart (Flatter) and Frosted (Tapit), the 1-2 finishers from the January 24 Holy Bull (G2), are the top contenders in the eight-horse Fountain of Youth and will provide a litmus test for Gorgeous Bird (Unbridled's Song) and Itsaknockout (Lemon Drop Kid), impressive January allowance winners who will be making their stakes debut for Ian Wilkes and Todd Pletcher, respectively. Those looking for a Fountain of Youth longshot may want to consider Frammento (Midshipman), at least for the minor awards. I liked his runner-up effort at Gulfstream in mid-December and the Nick Zito-trained colt has turned in two fast works since a non-threatening sixth in the Holy Bull; I'm expecting an improved showing Saturday with the addition of blinkers. The Risen Star features 10 sophomores, including the top three finishers from the January 17 Lecomte (G3). War Story (Northern Afleet) recorded a commendable second that afternoon given a poor start and rough stretch drive in which he was bumped hard by third-placer Tiznow R J (Tiznow), and Saturday's 1 1/16-mile distance is a perfect fit for the Tom Amoss-trained gelding. Imperia (Medaglia d'Oro) is the probable Risen Star favorite in his first start of 2015. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the colt is bred for the main track (out of the multiple Grade 1-winning Cocoa Beach) but made his first four starts on turf, including a Grade 3 victory. He made a seamless transition to dirt in the November 29 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), rallying to be a head second, and expectations are high this spring. Mike Smith picks up the mount on Imperia. Bluff (Tapit) takes a steep jump from a maiden special weight win to graded stakes, but the Larry Jones-trained colt looms as a Risen Star wildcard given how spectacularly he performed last time. Another runner of interest is Keen Ice (Curlin), who ships in for Dale Romans following a well-beaten fifth in the Holy Bull. The confirmed closer should find Fair Grounds more conducive to his run style and figures to offer value.
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