SPOTLIGHT PERFORMANCES
JANUARY 13
by James Scully
The spotlight shines in this column on recent performances that didn’t
receive much attention.
At Aqueduct on January 5, SEEKING THE GLORY (A.P. Indy) went right to the
front and dominated the rest of the way, recording a 5 1/2-length allowance
victory. Always well-regarded, the five-year-old hasn’t managed to stay sound
with a career stamped by layoffs, but he’s going in the right direction now for
trainer Michael Hushion, recording a six-length allowance score in his previous
outing in mid-December. Out of Grade 2 winner Seeking Regina (Seeking the Gold),
the New York-bred has earned BRIS Speed figures of 102 and 98 from his last two
starts and could prove to be a top-class sprinter this season if he can stay
healthy.
Another promising but lightly-raced older horse was on display Friday at
Gulfstream Park when WANDERIN BOY (Seeking the Gold) made short work of nine
foes in a nine-furlong allowance, leading nearly the entire way for a 3
1/2-length score under Pat Day. Trained by Nick Zito, the chestnut four-year-old
was making only his third career start and received another terrific Speed
figure of 101. Wanderin Boy should only keep improving.
DEAREST MON (Maria’s Mon) opened his three-year-old campaign with a sharp
half-length allowance victory at Gulfstream Saturday. The Richard Violette
Jr. charge came off a commendable maiden score at Aqueduct in late November and
rallied gamely here to catch Devil at Sea (Devil His Due), who was coming off a
10 1/4-length maiden win and appeared gone in upper stretch with a clear lead.
Dearest Mon earned a 98 Speed rating for the seven-furlong race and appears
well-suited for longer distances.
BANDINI (Fusaichi Pegasus) posted his first career win in impressive fashion
last Thursday at Gulfstream Park, drawing off in the final furlong for a 4
1/4-length score in his second career start. Following an eventful trip in his
career debut, the dark bay colt acted much more professional in this
seven-furlong contest, vying for the lead from the start and easily holding his well-respected rival, the favored Noble Causeway
(Giant’s Causeway), to second. The Todd Pletcher trainee is now on the Kentucky
Derby (G1) trail.
NEW HAVEN HARBOR (Boston Harbor) won at first asking for Neil Howard at Fair
Grounds on Monday, swooping from off the pace to easily capture the 5
1/2-furlong maiden special weight by three lengths. Bred for turf and dirt, New
Haven Harbor was extremely impressive here and appears to have a bright future.
TIZAKITTY (Distinctive Cat) returned from a brief freshening to run her
rivals into the ground in the January 5 Kalookan Queen H. at Santa Anita,
recording her first stakes win over the wet fast track by a length. Trained by
Bob Hess Jr., the four-year-old miss was a sharp two-length allowance winner in
her final 2004 start and appears to be getting and better. She may continue to
show more in the sprint ranks.