KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT
FEBRUARY 28, 2008
by James Scully
Sunday’s Fountain of Youth (G2) was another episode in the bizarre. The same
thing happened in the Risen Star (G3), when PYRO (Pulpit) suddenly jettisoned
past the entire field in the stretch, and it continued with an upset by FIERCE
WIND (Dixie Union) in the Sam F. Davis and a surprising performance by DENIS OF
CORK (Harlan’s Holiday) in the Southwest S. (G3). Throw in the monstrous effort
by EL GATO MALO (El Corredor) in the San Rafael (G3) and GEORGIE BOY’s (Tribal
Rule) trouncing of INTO MISCHIEF (Harlan’s Holiday) in the San Vicente S. (G2),
and it’s all very confusing.
Are these races answering any questions about the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
COOL COAL MAN (Mineshaft) gets credit for winning the Fountain of Youth,
earning his first stakes victory with a half-length decision, and the Nick Zito-trained
colt favors the Gulfstream strip. He’ll make his final Kentucky Derby prep over
the track in the March 29 Florida Derby (G1).
Runner-up ELYSIUM FIELDS (El Prado [Ire]) turned in a good showing in his
first start versus winners. An eight-length maiden special weight victor on
January 19, Elysium Fields chased the pace down the backstretch and came back
again after being passed in midstretch by Cool Coal Man, shifting course to the
outside late while whittling an about two-length deficit. He owns room for
improvement.
COURT VISION (Gulch), the 4-1 second choice, raced ridiculously far back
during the early stages. Perhaps Garrett Gomez was under strict instructions to
drop out of contact with the rest of the field; why else would he be 1 1/2
lengths back of 11th-place ANAK NAKAL (Victory Gallop) after a half-mile? The
Remsen (G2) winner offered a solid finish, passing a lot of horses over a
speed-friendly track to finish a clear third, and the well-bred colt is eligible
to move forward off the race.
Z HUMOR (Distorted Humor) rebounded some from a disappointing fifth as the
6-5 favorite in the Sam Davis eight days earlier. The Grade 3 winner dueled on
the lead before faltering last time, but Z Humor was taken a hold of on Sunday
and got shuffled back to ninth at the half-mile mark. He closed wide to be
fourth, 2 1/4 lengths back of stablemate Court Vision. The speedy colt might not
be a 1 1/4-mile horse this spring, but he was taken out of his running style on
Sunday and responded with a commendable effort.
It’s difficult to get a gauge on the Fountain of Youth, and there’s still
plenty of doubt surrounding the overall quality of the field. The timer was
malfunctioning during the race, and the top two finishers sat a perfect trip
close to a moderate pace. Cool Coal Man benefited from the rail draw, saving
ground a couple of lengths back before pouncing near the conclusion of the far
turn, and he appeared ready to leave Elysium Fields in his wake in the final
furlong. Then he suddenly started coming back to his rival. We don’t know
whether he got complacent or tired, but it was similar to his last win over
allowance rivals (also from the rail) when he appeared ready to blow past GOLDEN
SPIKES (Seeking the Gold) in midstretch but instead had to work hard for the one-length
score.
I’d love to see Cool Coal Man make his final prep elsewhere, but it’s
a similar situation to 2005, when Zito was loaded with Derby prospects
(eventually starting a record five entries) and decided to keep High Fly and
Noble Causeway at Gulfstream (which both colts liked) for the Florida Derby.
Cool Coal Man registered only a 100 BRIS Speed rating on Sunday. The big horse in the barn, WAR PASS (Cherokee Run), ran one race later.
The Barclay Tagg
stable appears poised to make an impact in the coming weeks. His main Kentucky Derby hope, Futurity (G2) winner and Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile (G1) fourth-placer TALE OF EKATI (Tale of the Cat), will make his 2008
debut in the March 8 Louisiana Derby (G2), which is setting up to be a dandy,
and Tagg has gotten results from Elysium Fields and BIG TRUCK (Hook and Ladder)
recently. The latter recorded a career-best when finishing second
at long odds in the Sam Davis, and Elysium Fields firmly established himself as
a Kentucky Derby candidate in the Fountain of Youth. He overcame post 9 and a
bumping incident on the first turn to finish a clear second, 5 3/4 lengths
better than Court Vision.
Elysium Fields earned a career-best 99 Speed rating. Court Vision, who earned
a low number (90) when capturing the Remsen in late November, received only a 93
in the Fountain of Youth.
KENTUCKY BEAR (Mr. Greeley) was bet down to 4-1 off his smashing maiden win
at Gulfstream, but he was no factor in his second career start and wound up
seventh. Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) winner Anak Nakal, who was making his seasonal
debut for Zito, never got involved from off the pace and checked in eighth. MAKE
THE POINT (Menifee) faltered badly after contesting the pace, tiring to 11th,
and MONBA (Maria’s Mon), the 7-2 favorite, wound up last. Monba was checked hard
on the first turn and exited the race with a gash on his leg.
Unbeaten champion War Pass made his first appearance of the season one race
later, and his four rivals were better suited for a $25,000 claimer than an
allowance. As a result, it might as well been a walkover. War Pass did what was
expected in the paid workout, running very professionally en route to a 7
1/2-length decision, but this race did little to change opinions surrounding the
multiple Grade 1 hero. It was a one-turn, elongated sprint. His detractors don’t
think he’ll get the 1 1/4-mile Derby distance under pressure. His supporters
believe he’s going wire-to-wire.
I was a little surprised to see War Pass, who received a 114 figure when
winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), earn only a 100 Speed rating on Sunday.
I know he wasn’t asked for his best by Cornelio Velasquez, but I just assumed he
would register a number much higher than Cool Coal Man.
FERRAGAMO (Vindication) rolled to a good-looking 1 3/4-length score in
Saturday’s six-furlong Mountain Valley S. at Oaklawn Park. Two-for-two this year
for Larry “Cowboy” Jones, the once-beaten colt owns the pedigree to stretch out
in distances but appears better suited to sprinting right now.
CASINO DRIVE (Mineshaft) won’t be in the Kentucky Derby, but it would be
something if he could make the Belmont S. (G1). He impressively captured his
debut in Japan on Saturday, rolling to a 11 1/2-length win, and his
connections nominated him to the American Triple Crown. His older
half-siblings, Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold), have won
the last two runnings of the Belmont, and Casino Drive would be quite a story if
he could make it to New York in June.
Upcoming
Saturday’s Sham S. (G3) will feature a field of seven, including San Rafael
winner EL GATO MALO and CashCall Futurity (G1) runner-up
COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow). The Craig Dollase-trained El Gato Malo is perfect from
three starts, winning the San Rafael by 6 1/4 lengths last out, and he’ll break
from the rail with David Flores. Real Quiet S. winner Colonel John will be
making his first appearance of the year for Eoin Harty.
Top 10
1) PYRO — Risen Star winner is the one to beat in Louisiana Derby
2) DENIS OF CORK — Southwest winner looks like the latest Arkansas sensation
3) COLONEL JOHN — Excited to see him return in Saturday’s Sham
4) TALE OF EKATI — Tagg runner will make 2008 bow in Louisiana Derby
5) WAR PASS — Looked good in allowance return; how far can he carry his
speed?
6) COURT VISION — Ridiculous trip in Fountain of Youth; look for improvement
next out
7) MAJESTIC WARRIOR — Needs a good showing in deep Louisiana Derby
8) EL GATO MALO — Talented but we’ll have to see how far he can run
9) GIANT MOON — Richard Schosberg pupil is the one to beat in Gotham (G3)
10) COOL COAL MAN — Must give him his due for Fountain of Youth score