ROAD TO THE TRIPLE CROWN
MARCH 2, 2005
by James Scully
SUN KING (Charismatic), who wrapped up his juvenile campaign with third-place
finishes in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Champagne S. (G1), returned to
the races with a dominant performance at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, capturing
a one-mile, one-turn allowance by 5 3/4 lengths. The Nick Zito-trained colt
settled into a good stalking position while fifth early on the backstretch and
began to close the gap on the far turn, swooping past his rivals into the
stretch and quickly opening up with style. He earned a 107 BRIS Speed rating.
Sun King turned in probably the most impressive performance from a Kentucky
Derby (G1) prospect this year, but it’s still early in the season and Saturday’s
race came around only one turn. However, he easily handled a couple of nice
prospects, runner-up SURVIVALIST (Danzig) and third placer MONARCH LANE (Maria’s
Mon), and did so in striking fashion. The first race back is just the starting
point for Zito, and Sun King showed that he’s going to be much better at three.
Who could have asked for anything more?
By a multiple classic winner, Sun King will likely continue to be effective
around two turns. The March 19 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) is next for the dark bay,
and his final prep could come in the April 16 Blue Grass S. (G1).
Zito also struck Saturday with the lightly regarded ANDROMEDA’S HERO
(Fusaichi Pegasus), who overcame a nightmarish trip to prove best by 2 1/2 lengths
in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa. Critics will cite the slow final time and Speed
figure (92), but there was plenty to like about his performance.
Andromeda’s Hero didn’t break his maiden until his second career start at
Calder in late December and didn’t do much running when tackling winners for the
first time in a seven-furlong allowance race at Gulfstream in early February. He
didn’t appear comfortable in the early stages last out while stuck on the rail
and raced erratically through the stretch, swinging wide before angling back to
the inside in deep stretch. The green colt disappointed his supporters with the
fourth-place finish, but the experience clearly benefited him on Saturday.
Hung out to dry in post 12, Andromeda’s Hero figured to get caught wide in
the 1 1/16-mile Sam Davis and acquiesced by traveling in about the seven-path
through the first bend. The rival to his immediate inside wanted to get out
approaching the backstretch and slammed into the backside of Andromeda’s Hero,
knocking his hind legs out momentarily, and the well-built chestnut then
retreated to near the back of the pack with Rafael Bejarano. The adventurous
journey continued as Bejarano found trouble entering the far turn, checking
Andromeda’s Hero, and the duo didn’t find an unobstructed path until midstretch.
Once he got out for clear sailing, Andromeda’s Hero took off, catching
the leader and flying past just before the finish line. It looked like the
race was almost too short for him, that Andromeda’s Hero was just finding his
best stride at the end of 8 1/2 furlongs following an extremely wide and
tumultuous trip.
Andromeda’s Hero will need to get a lot better to catch up with some of his
talented stablemates, but this race was an ideal performance to build upon. The
potential is there and the improving colt looms as an intriguing prospect.
We finally get the chance to see the two-year-old champ make his seasonal bow
this weekend, and DECLAN’S MOON (Malibu Moon) will do so around two turns in the
1 1/16-mile Santa Catalina S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The Maryland-bred gelding
appears to be training great for Ron Ellis, but he’ll have to get by a couple of
promising opponents in SPANISH CHESTNUT (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) and GOING WILD
(Golden Missile) to remain unbeaten.
The Fountain of Youth S. (G2) highlights Saturday’s card from Gulfstream Park
and a largely unproven field, including BANDINI (Fusaichi Pegasus), HIGH FLY (Atticus)
and DEFER (Danzig), is expected for the 1 1/16-mile contest.