Weekend Rewind: McKinzie looks like future star in Sham Stakes
More than anything else, this weekend was about the newly turned 3-year-olds, as they took their first steps toward the 2018 Kentucky Derby. On the East Coast was the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Florida's Gulfstream Park, and to follow was the West Coast's Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita.
McKinzie shines in Sham
In his prior starts, McKinzie showed blazing early speed that left his opponents reeling. This time, with blinkers off, we saw the colt relax beautifully off a moderate pace before making a three-wide move to secure his victory.
The 3 1/2-length win was not only visually impressive, but statistically as well. Beyer assigned it a 97, while it earned an impressive 114 Equibase figure, and earned a 104 (a career-best for McKinzie) Bris rating.
This would make three big efforts in three tries for the son of Street Sense, which could mean two things:
A. Too much too soon, in his progress, which could mean a dip or plateau in his performances is soon to come.
B. We are looking at a potential superstar who's only scratching the surface of his true talent.
History says that option A is the more likely, but given his pedigree, trainer Bob Baffert and the growth he displayed in the Sham, I’m going with option B.
‘Mask’ed crusader
In the Mucho Macho Man, Mask was tasked with facing the impressive Dak Attack, who entered the race unbeaten in two starts. However, Mask showed just how dominant he could be when given an uncontested lead through easy splits, as he powered home six and one quarter lengths the best.
The effort earned him a 91 Beyer Speed Figure, and a 103 Equibase Speed Figure. Neither will scare anyone off, but it sets him up nicely for a progression that could see him peak on Kentucky Derby Day.
Busy weekend for Pegasus contenders
While the 3-year-olds took the lead this weekend in the afternoon, several Pegasus World Cup probables took to the track in the mornings to continue their preparations for the world’s richest race.
After leaving torch marks on the track from last week’s six-furlong bullet in 1:10.60, likely Pegasus favorite Gun Runner, returned with another bullet, albeit, slower than last week’s.
The son of Candy Ride was sent out for another six furlong move, which he coverd in 1:13.20, which was the fastest of two works at the distance.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Stellar Wind also put forth a serious move, covering five furlongs in 1:01.50, in company with graded stakes winner Shagaf, at Palm Meadows training center.
On the other end of the spectrum, likely longshot, Seeking the Soul worked a very lackadaisical five furlongs for trainer Dallas Stewart.
The clockers caught the Grade 1 Clark Handicap winner in 1:03 flat for the move.