Weekend Rewind: Gulfstream allowance ranks most impressive
Saturday and Sunday's races featured 2018 Kentucky Derby and Oaks preps, along with a few outstanding performances by older horses on both surfaces. But it's an event heading into the weekend that resonated most with me.
Here's my take:
Don’t Sleep on Noble Indy, Mississippi
While it may not have been in stakes action, one couldn’t help but be impressed by the display put on by Noble Indy and Mississippi in Gulfstream Park’s 9th race this past Thursday.
The duo went head and head, all the way around the track, as if in their own private match race, before Noble Indy edged away 3/4 of a length at the wire.
The splits were fast, and despite neither having very much conditioning, they both managed to finish strongly, getting their final 1/16th in :06.70. The final time was a sharp 1:42.52, with both colts hitting the wire several lengths in front of the third-place finisher.
This one ranks among the best 3-year-old races of the weekend despite only being an allowance.
After the race, trainer Todd Pletcher told the Daily Racing Form that he had no future plans for Noble Indy, but being that he is a talented 3-year-old in a future Hall of Famer's care, it's easy to imagine this one on the Derby trail soon.
Time for some “Regard”
Those who weren’t impressed with Instilled Regard, I really don’t know what to tell you.
After a top-notch finish in the Los Alamitos Futurity, despite his inexperience, he came to the Fair Grounds and dominated the way you want to see a young, top Derby prospect perform.
Breaking from post 10, he encountered a wide trip while also tracking a solid pace set by longshot Believe in Royalty. When that foe weakened, he made his move, and by the field hit the top of the stretch he was in the lead and drawing clear.
In the end, Instilled Regard won by an impressive 3 ¾ lengths. The time, 1:42.59 for the 1 mile & 70 yards, was nothing to get excited about, but that's usual for races at Fair Grounds.
Overall, this was the perfect beginning to Instilled Regard’s 2018 season. He won easily, ran professionally, and most importantly didn’t overdo it, which could help him peak at the perfect time.
Older Talent on Display
While Shining Copper impressed with a brave performance in the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale, and Mopotism finally got her first graded stakes victory in the La Canada, I would say the most impressive run by an older horse was that of Farrell in Oaklawn Park's Pippin Stakes.
Facing Terra Promessa at that one’s favorite track, Farrell wrested the lead away early and never gave it up.
Making her first start since November, she was no doubt a bit short, but she showed her class, despite setting a solid pace, while under constant pressure for the first six furlongs, and still prevailing against Ever So Clever’s late bid.
The performance was impressive and gritty, and it should set her up for future success. Connections are aiming for a run at the Grade 1 Apple Blossom later in the meet.
Not so on “Fire”
Saturday’s Jerome Stakes brought mixed reactions. Count me among those not impressed.
I understand the track was heavy, as it should be after frigid weather, snow and a quick thaw. But I still found Firenze Fire’s performance lacking.
He was much the best, especially to close into that dawdling pace, but he will have to face a lot stronger as the road to the Derby continues. Plus if he can’t get beyond being so one dimensional as to have to be nearly five lengths off such a slow pace, he's sure to hit a snag on the Derby trail.