THOROUGHBRED BEAT
DECEMBER 28, 2006
by James Scully
Spin — Three years ago, Smarty Jones used the Pennsylvania Nursery S.
as a springboard to success, winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S.
(G1) after posting a 15-length score in the seven-furlong Nursery. The
Pennsylvania-bred colt was an exception to the rule — classic winners don’t
prep at Philadelphia Park during the winter — but another very promising
juvenile has come along in 2006. On December 18, HARD SPUN (Danzig) remained
unbeaten with a 7 3/4-length thrashing in the Nursery, improving to three for
three in his brief career with regular rider Mario Pino. The bay colt broke his
maiden on October 22, taking a Delaware Park maiden special weight by 8 3/4
lengths, and he captured the Port Penn S. by five lengths over a sloppy track at
Delaware in mid-November. The Larry Jones charge toyed with eight rivals at 1-5
odds in the Nursery, and Hard Spun has the same blue-collar appeal as Smarty
Jones because he hails from a smaller track with lesser-known connections.
There’s also a sentimental factor since he’s from one of the final crops of the
late Danzig, whose legendary impact doesn’t include a Kentucky Derby winner.
Futurity — STORMELLO (Stormy Atlantic) came back gamely along the
rail in deep stretch to win the December 16 Hollywood Futurity (G1), prevailing
by a neck over LIQUIDITY (Tiznow). Similar to 2005 Futurity winner Brother Derek
(Benchmark), Stormello captured the Norfolk Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) before turning
in a respectable effort (fifth) in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). He’s
talented enough to be a major force in the Kentucky Derby prep races in
California next year, but it’s difficult to envision him getting a classic
distance. Liquidity is one to follow in 2007. A non-threatening third in the 1
1/16-mile Real Quiet S. two starts back, the Doug O’Neill runner took a big step
forward in the Futurity, falling just short to a more seasoned opponent.
Grande Dahlia — GRANDE MELODY (Ire) (Grand Lodge) earned her first
stakes win in Hollywood Park’s closing-day feature, the Dahlia H. (G2), and the
three-year-old filly is the latest in a long line of good turf distaffers
trained by Patrick Biancone. Gorella (Fr) (Grape Tree Road [GB]), who won all
four starts, including the Beverly D. S. (G1), against female rivals in 2006, is
probably the best known, and Grande Melody could follow in her stablemate’s
hoofsteps next season. After making four starts abroad, the European import
opened her U.S. campaign with a stylish 4 1/2-length allowance score at
Keeneland. She closed from far back to hit the board in a listed stakes at
Hollywood next out and put it all together in the Dahlia, overhauling a quality
rival in Naissance Royale (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway) in deep stretch to win by the
slimmest of margins. Grande Melody will keep getting better and better.
Banned — The list of banned jockeys continues to grow, and it appears
to have something to do with a race at Great Lakes Downs last year. That must
have been some kind of betting coup. Racing officials won’t release any details,
leaving us to speculate wildly about all kinds of crimes committed by the banned
jockeys, and nobody will be surprised to see little come of the entire
investigation. For the time being, the banned riders are just getting dumped on.
World record in Cigar — The National Thoroughbred Racing Association
released 10 images for voters to choose between for “Moment of the Year,” and
Discreet Cat (Forestry) equaling Easy Goer’s track record in taking the Cigar
Mile (G1) at Aqueduct made the list. The thing is, Discreet Cat didn’t equal
Easy Goer’s track record. Easy Goer ran a mile in 1:32.40. Discreet Cat’s final
time was 1:32.46. Easy Goer still owns the track record. Anybody can understand
the difference.