GULFSTREAM PARK NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 18, 2005
by Dick Powell
One of Todd Pletcher’s signature training jobs last year was his handling of
the brilliant, but brittle, sprinter Speightstown. Lightly-raced six-year-old
colts with only 10 lifetime starts do not fit the profile of champion sprinters
before the year begins. Usually, they are so unsound that one big race knocks
them out and sends them to the sidelines and that was the pattern of
Speightstown going into 2004.
He started his six-year-old season at Gulfstream on March 27 with a sharp win
in the Artax H. going seven furlongs in 1:22 and winning by 4 1/2 lengths.
Unlike other times in the past when he won a race, he came back with two
subsequent wins in Grade 2 company in the next 10 weeks and was now being
mentioned as an Eclipse candidate in the sprint division. Speightstown’s win in
the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G2) at Saratoga was sensational and, after stubbing
his toe in the Vosburgh S. (G1), he came back to win the Breeders’ Cup Sprint
(G1) and clinched the Eclipse Award for champion sprinter. He also helped
Pletcher clinch his first Eclipse Award as champion trainer.
To the surprise of no one, Pletcher is back with another blazing-fast
sprinter who may be able to overcome his soundness problems. FOREST DANGER
(Forestry) won his first three career starts last year, including two right here
at Gulfstream Park. His second start was a first level allowance event going
seven furlongs and left in his wake was Medallist (Touch Gold), who went on to
win the Dwyer S. (G2) at Belmont later in the summer.
Pletcher shipped Forest Danger north in April and he won the Bay Shore S.
(G3) by 7 1/2 lengths. Dr. Fager himself must have been worried in the deep
stretch that his long-standing Aqueduct track record for seven panels might go
down, but John Velazquez just hand rode Forest Danger to the wire and he missed
the mark by two ticks.
Next on the agenda was the Withers S. (G3) going a mile and Medallist was
able to exact revenge for his Florida defeat when he gunned to the front and
dueled with Forest Danger through insane fractions of :44 and 1:07 4/5 for six
furlongs. Forest Danger weakened and finished second in his first attempt at
going a mile and was sent to the sidelines for the rest of the year by Pletcher.
Off for 289 days, Forest Danger showed up in Monday’s 9TH race, a non-winners
of four other than optional claimer. On paper, it looked like a two-horse race
between Forest Danger and Primary Suspect (Hennessy), who had a sharp win over
the track here at the 6 1/2-furlong distance. Forest Danger went off as the 4-5
favorite, but Primary Suspect was close by at 6-5. Forget the rest.
When the gate opened, Velazquez and Forest Danger were able to quickly seize
command and cruised through the first half in :44.84 while maintaining a length
lead over Choose (Arch), who looked on paper that he might be able soften up
Forest Danger for Primary Suspect. When they turned for home and Primary Suspect
tried to make his move, Forest Danger just accelerated.
Velazquez hardly moved his hands while throwing in a 23.27 third quarter and
recorded six furlongs in 1:08.11. Despite no urging at all, Forest Danger won by
9 1/2 lengths and set a new track record of 1:14.44 for the oddball distance of
6 1/2 furlongs. Primary Suspect did hold on for second but you wonder what he’ll
be like in his next start after this crushing defeat. Does anyone remember White
Rammer after he was beaten by Seattle Slew in their three-year-old debuts at
Hialeah in 1977?
What Forest Danger possesses that very few sprinters own is natural quickness out
of the gate and a brutal middle move that destroys the opposition. His BRIS E2
Pace figure of 137 in last year’s Withers was the highest I have ever seen, and
it will be interesting to see what middle pace figures he will receive for
Monday’s St. Valentine’s Day score.
Pletcher now has Forest Danger in almost an identical position to where
Speightstown was last year. He can keep him sprinting in Kentucky and New York
or take the chance of making him as a stallion by trying the Metropolitan Mile
(G1) on Memorial Day at Belmont Park over eight furlongs. Either way, he has another
brilliant sprinter who will be fun to watch for the rest of the year and will be pointed
toward the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Pletcher’s home base of Belmont Park.
Wednesday (2/9)
1ST – FOR PETER’S SAKE (Scatmandu) was used hard on the lead in her first
start in 31 days and might be dangerous if stretched out to two turns with her
10-pound apprentice rider.
4TH – SUPER REVIEWER (Line in the Sand) had a rough trip for fourth in his
first start off the claim by Peter Walder and will be tough if he comes back
against starter allowance foes.
6TH – I’M STEPPEN OUT (Take Me Out) was making a strong move on the far turn
when she ran into traffic in her first start with Lasix against maiden
claimers.
8TH – UNBRIDLEDWOOD (Unbridled) ran well in his belated career debut for Bill
Mott, who never wins first time out anyway, so expect improvement next time out.
The sophomore half-brother to champion Paradise Creek and Grade 1 heroes Wild
Event and Forbidden Apple should also love the turf.
Friday (2/11)
5TH – NORTHERN CONCORDE (Concorde’s Tune) was outsprinted for the lead last
out and would up battling for the early advantage down on the inside over a track that was a
tick slow.
8TH – SAND SPRINGS (Dynaformer) is a Grade 2 winner who lost all chance when
she stumbled out of the gate and then was forced to rally wide into a very slow
pace.
10TH – BRICKELL (Deputy Minister) held well going three turns despite
breaking from post 11 and stalking a slow pace three wide.
Saturday (2/12)
6TH – WILLY O’THE VALLEY (Will’s Way) ran well in his turf debut going a mile
in fast time and should be much improved in his next start on the weeds.
8TH – GULCH APPROVAL (Gulch) was outkicked to the wire after dueling for the
lead to the deep stretch when making his first start in 126 days.
10TH – GALLOPING GAL (Victory Gallop) rallied strong up the inside after
trailing the field behind a slow pace.
Sunday (2/13)
6TH – STATUS (Kris S.) was bet down to favoritism but lost all chance when he
was very wide going into the first turn.
7TH – BIRD HARBOR (Boston Harbor) made her first start since flipping in the
gate last week and was forced to scratch. She chased a very fast John Ward Jr.
horse and only weakened in the deep stretch. She should improve next out in her
second start off a 91-day rest.
8TH – SICILIAN BOY (Senor Speedy) was off for 150 days, but a late rider
switch to Kieren Fallon made him attractive at long odds despite post 11. He
stalked the pace while on the outside and held well through the lane.
11TH – WIDE TO WRITE (Crafty Friend) finished up the track as the lukewarm
favorite after dueling for the lead while between horses. He was claimed back by
Bob Barbara despite the move up in class and will be worth watching.
Monday (2/14)
2ND – HENNESSY FLASH (Hennessey) chased the pace while down on the inside
when making his career debut against modest maiden claimers.
5TH – WINIKINS (Cozzene) made a wide rally from the back of the pack before
flattening out in the drive and should improve in his second start off the
layoff next time out.
8TH – FRENCH DRESSING (French Deputy) made one big run from the back of the
pack after trying to save ground from the outside post and should be tough the second time out with Lasix.