Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Solid debuts for Justify's owners
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They know how to get a horse to the Kentucky Derby and then some. On Saturday, Justify's owners -- WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing -- saw a pair of well-bred debut winners on both coasts that could lead them back in the 2019 Kentucky Derby.
Bulletin, a $250,000 son of City Zip, was first up. The Todd Pletcher trainee won Gulfstream Park's $75,000 Hollywood Beach Stakes by a widening seven lengths. Granted, it was a turf race, but this one looks eligible to switch surfaces based on breeding.
The chestnut colt is out of Woodman mare Sue's Good News and appeared to have a long type of dirt stride. The late Woodman produced, among others, classic winners Hansel and Timber Country.
It's a positive that Pletcher had Bulletin with his top string at Saratoga before shipping him back to Florida to prepare for the 5 1/2-furlong Hollywood Beach. The final time was 56.95 seconds after Bulletin led the way after the first call.
“I had a lot of confidence in the horse starting in a stake here," said jockey Eric Cancel. "He had a good work for the race, so I had a lot of faith in him. He shot out of the gate and after that he didn’t have any competition."
Checking the Derby Radar boxes for Bulletin:
Broke maiden on major circuit
Connections with Derby experience
Sire known for two-turn runners
Pricey purchase or homebred
Later Saturday, in Santa Anita Park's first race, trainer Bob Baffert unveiled Improbable, another campaigned by WinStar, China Horse Club and SF Racing. He now resides in Justify's old stall, always an indication Baffert believes a horse to be special.
Another by City Zip, this one cost $200,000 and ran like it in what's likely a strong maiden race. We'll find out down the road, of course, but Improbable chased down $600,000 purchase Stretford End to win by a neck. The final time for six furlongs was 1:10.44.
Improbable is out of the A.P. Indy mare Rare Event, another router that further indicates this one will go longer, too.
Checking the Derby Radar boxes for Improbable:
Broke maiden on major circuit
Connections with Derby experience
Sire known for two-turn runners
Pricey purchase or homebred
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