KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT
JANUARY 24, 2008
by James Scully
Monday’s inaugural running of the Smarty Jones S. turned into a Holy Bull
memorial when his sons, LIBERTY BULL and ISABULL, distanced themselves from the
rest of the field nearing the conclusion of the far turn. The pair battled to
the one-mile finishing pole at Oaklawn Park, but Isabull could never draw even
with his rival, falling a neck short on the wire. Liberty Bull garnered his
first stakes victory
Trained by Tom Amoss, Liberty Bull was exiting a second, beaten 8 3/4
lengths, to Sok Sok (Trippi) in the six-furlong Sugar Bowl S. at Fair Grounds on
December 22. A maiden winner in the mud at Churchill Downs in mid-November, the
gray colt was making his first start around two turns in the Smarty Jones.
Liberty Bull earned only a 92 BRIS Speed rating and may not want much more
ground than a mile, but he showed plenty of heart and owns room for improvement.
Isabull, who wrapped up 2007 with a pair of sixth-placed efforts in allowance
races, turned in an encouraging seasonal debut. The Steve Hobby charge overcame
post 12 and a wide trip to finish a clear second.
GAYEGO (Gilded Time) captured Sunday’s San Pedro S. at Santa Anita, rallying
from just off the pace for a 2 3/4-length decision. Trainer Paulo Lobo indicated
a willingness to try two turns following the race, but the talented colt is
probably best suited for sprints. It’s interesting to note that Gayego finished
6 1/2 furlongs in 1:13, with the six-furlong split in 1:06 4/5 over the
lightning-fast Cushion Track. Despite the near world-record final time, the dark
bay colt received only a 99 Speed rating. They couldn’t run much faster on
asphalt.
In allowance and maiden events of interest, FIERCE WIND (Dixie Union) stamped
himself as one to watch with a resounding 5 1/4-length score at Gulfstream on
Monday. A 10 1/4-length maiden special weight winner at Calder in his previous
start, the Nick Zito-trained colt led from gate-to-wire in the 1 1/8-mile
allowance, improving to two-for-two in routes. Fierce Wind entered the stretch
drive with a two-length advantage and quickly drew off from 3-5 favorite
SOUTHERN TERMINUS (More Than Ready), who was exiting a sharp debut maiden
victory at Aqueduct for Todd Pletcher. Both horses gained valuable seasoning,
and both are likely headed to stakes company. Fierce Wind earned a 94 Speed
rating, but don’t be surprised to see his numbers increase significantly in the
future.
DENIS OF CORK (Harlan’s Holiday) remained perfect with a good-looking
allowance score at Fair Grounds on Saturday. Now two-for-two under David
Carroll’s tutelage, the bay colt caught a sloppy track while stretching out two
turns for the first time in the one-mile and 40-yard heat. He rated off slow
fractions and finished up nicely for the narrow win after traveling wide on both
turns. Denis of Cork earned a 107 BRIS Late Pace rating when closing from far
back in his career debut at Churchill in late November, and the Florida-bred
colt packs a formidable late kick.
FERRAGAMO (Vindication) made a favorable impression in his three-year-old
debut, taking a six-furlong allowance/optional claiming test at Oaklawn Park on
Sunday. Conditioned by Larry Jones, Ferragamo went right to the front and ripped
off early splits in :21 3/5 and :44 4/5 on a clear lead en route to a 4
3/4-length decision. While there’s no guarantee he’ll stretch out, the dark bay
colt owns the pedigree to handle longer distances. It will be interesting to see
whether he can keep moving forward.
Barclay Tagg sent out a pair of convincing maiden winners over the weekend at
Gulfstream, winning a sprint with JOCKEY RIDGE (Broken Vow) and a route with
ELYSIUM FIELDS (El Prado [Ire]). We’ll focus upon the latter. After placing in
all three starts last year, Elysium Fields broke through in a big way on
Saturday, winning by eight lengths under a hand ride from Eibar Coa. The bay
colt stalked the pace until being given his cue on the far turn, quickly turning
a small deficit into a clear lead in upper stretch, and Elysium Fields continued
to pour it on in the 1 1/8-mile race. His 90 Speed rating was surprisingly a
little low.
First-timer KENTUCKY BEAR (Mr. Greeley) looked like a colt with a future when
romping at Gulfstream on Monday. The Reade Baker runner sat just off the pace
before advancing to the lead in midstretch of the one-mile maiden race and
finished powerfully in deep stretch, recording a 6 1/2-length decision. He’s
closely related to multiple Grade 2 winner Top Secret (Afleet), who finished second in
the 1996 Spinster S. (G1) and earned nearly $1 million, and his connections are
likely fielding offers from perspective buyers. Curlin (Smart Strike) earned a
101 Speed rating and an 80-percent interest sold for a reported $3.5 million
following his impressive career bow at Gulfstream last February. Kentucky Bear
registered a 102 Speed rating.
Upcoming
Golden Gate Fields will host the California Derby this Sunday, but we have to
wait until February 2, when Santa Anita will host the Robert B. Lewis S. (G2)
and Gulfstream offers the Swale S. (G2), for the next graded races for
sophomores.
Top 10
1) COURT VISION — Bill Mott pupil will return in February 24 Fountain of
Youth (G2)
2) COLONEL JOHN — Ended last year with two promising efforts
3) TALE OF EKATI — Grade 2 winner is working well for Tagg at Palm Meadows
4) INTO MISCHIEF — Smart win in CashCall Futurity (G1)
5) MAJESTIC WARRIOR — March return means he’ll enter Derby lightly raced
6) PYRO — Juvenile (G1) runner-up leads Steve Asmussen contingent
7) WAR PASS — Speed
8) VISIONAIRE — Impressive allowance winner at Gulfstream
9) ETCHED — Unbeaten Godolphin runner looks very talented
10) EL GATO MALO — Smashing San Rafael S. (G3) victor figures to remain a major
presence in Derby preps