ROAD TO THE TRIPLE CROWN
FEBRUARY 23, 2005
by James Scully
GREATER GOOD (Intidab), who wrapped up his two-year-old campaign with a 1
3/4-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2), returned to
the races Saturday at Oaklawn Park with a victory in the one-mile Southwest S. The Bob Holthus-trained colt missed the break, spotting his
rivals at least a couple of lengths, but the late runner closed strongly in the
final quarter-mile to win by three parts of length. He earned a 95 BRIS Speed
rating for his third stakes win.
Greater Good remains a top candidate for his next scheduled start in the
March 19 Rebel S. (G3), where he figured to be no better than the third choice
to AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet) and ROCKPORT HARBOR (Unbridled’s Song). The
former finally returned to the worktab following a four-month absence last week,
but the unbeaten Rockport Harbor has unfortunately suffered a foot bruise,
derailing his training temporarily. Rockport Harbor’s Rebel status is now in
doubt for trainer John Servis, but enough time remains for him to make the race
if his foot heals quickly.
Greater Good owns a stakes victory going two turns at Churchill Downs and has
captured three of his last four starts, but he doesn’t own a favorable pedigree
for 1 1/4 miles. However, he won’t need to outrun his breeding to win his
remaining prep races. The bay colt is a proven two-turn horse and he’s got the
benefit of a tightener over his more highly publicized rivals. He didn’t beat
much on Saturday, but Greater Good carried his juvenile form forward with a
positive performance.
The Southwest was the only three-year-old stakes of note over the weekend,
but a spectacular allowance winner surfaced last Wednesday at Santa Anita.
GOLDEN SHINE (Touch Gold) rolled to a 7 1/2-length win in the 1 1/16-mile event,
unleashing a quick turn of foot to overhaul the pacesetter on the far turn
before cruising in hand to the wire under Rene Douglas. The David Hofmans charge
earned a 100 Speed rating over the drying out track.
Golden Shine had been away since breaking his maiden by four lengths last
July at Hollywood and now owns a 3-2-0-0 mark. He’s bred to run all day on both
sides of his pedigree and is an exciting new Kentucky Derby (G1) prospect on the
West Coast. The late bloomer is expected to make his stakes debut in the March
19 San Felipe S. (G2).
In other Triple Crown news, Stonerside Stable has acquired a controlling
interest in Whirlaway S. winner SORT IT OUT (Out of Place) and transferred the
colt to Bob Baffert. Three years ago, Baffert pulled off a late-season marvel
when taking over the training of War Emblem following the nearly black colt’s
victory in the Illinois Derby (G2). His previous connections spoke about
skipping the Kentucky Derby and pointing to the Preakness S. (G1) following that
race, but Baffert immediately began to point his new runner toward the Kentucky
Derby, where War Emblem stormed right to the front and led wire to wire at 20-1.
One more slow week remains for three-year-olds before the first Saturday in
March, which features the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Swale S. (G3) at Gulfstream
and the Santa Catalina S. (G2) at Santa Anita.