Not much analysis has been necessary to describe the career of Analyze It thus far. The Chad Brown-trained son of Point of Entry has thoroughly dominated the three fields he’s faced, and on Saturday he’ll be heavily favored to win his prep for the Belmont Derby (G1), the $200,000 Pennine Ridge at 1 1/8 miles over Belmont Park’s inner turf.
Although he debuted too late — October 28 — to be under Breeders’ Cup consideration, it didn’t take long for Analyze It to be recognized as a special talent and arguably the early leader of his generation among U.S.-based turf runners. Winner by 6 1/4 lengths over next-out winners Blockade and Fast Boat in that Belmont debut at an inflated price of 13-1, Analyze It was odds-on when taking the Cecil B. DeMille (G3) at Del Mar by 4 1/4 lengths in late November and the April 6 Transylvania (G3) at Keeneland by 5 1/4 lengths on yielding ground.
“He got the race he needed,” Brown said. “He’s had plenty of time since and we hope he takes another step forward. All around, he’s a real special horse.”
Analyze It hasn’t scared too many good ones away from the Pennine Ridge, but connections of the opposition are wary of his presence.
“The only hindrance in the Pennine Ridge is that Analyze It is an absolute beast,” said Jonathan Thomas, trainer of Catholic Boy. “He’s a tremendous horse trained by a tremendous trainer, but that’s what happens when you run in New York in these races.
Winner of the With Anticipation (G3) at Saratoga and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), Catholic Boy hit the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail after a sterling win in the Remsen (G2) on dirt in late November. However, those plans were shelved after the son of More Than Ready finished second to Flameaway in the Sam F. Davis (G3) and a distant fourth to Audible in the Florida Derby (G1).
“We’re really pleased with our horse and where we stand,” Thomas said. “We’re trying to learn a little bit, and it gives us a look for the Belmont Derby, and to see if this is the direction we want to take.”
Untamed Domain has been a consistent presence in the division since last summer. Third to Catholic Boy in the With Anticipation, he bounced back to take the Summer (G2) at Woodbine in a photo and then rallied for second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, one length behind Mendelssohn.
The Animal Kingdom colt is winless in three starts this year. Third in the Dania Beach (G3) and sixth when trying dirt in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), he was most recently a dead-heat second in the American Turf (G2) over testing ground at Churchill Downs.
Hawkish was only fourth to multiple graded winner Maraud in the Palm Beach (G3) in his lone stakes attempt, but looked like a horse with a bright future last time with a convincing allowance tally at Aqueduct. Last-out maiden winner Irish Territory finished in between Catholic Boy and Untamed Domain in the With Anticipation last summer.
The field is rounded out by Grade 3 winner Archaggelos, Channel Cat, and Up the Ante.
