Banishing owns right talent and pedigree for Ky. Derby trail

At Fair Grounds on Monday, Banishing not only won the second start of his career in an eye-catching manner, but he also sports the type of pedigree that will let him run long routes effectively. Given the stakes action later on the card, his win can seem like an afterthought.

But when thinking about the talent shown in his maiden romp and his long-winded bloodlines, it becomes easy to get excited about Banishing’s chances to make a splash on the Derby trail. Here is a full recap of his maiden special weight performance and detailed notes on his pedigree.  

In race 7 of Fair Grounds’ opening-day card, Banishing made the second start of his career in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight. Under Brian Hernandez Jr., Banishing broke sharp and went to the lead while taking various pressure through the first half-mile.

In the first quarter, Notion tried to press Banishing and then faded. More Than Five then took up the pressing role through the backstretch. Banning did not seem bothered though as he set initial fractions of 23.64 and 47.73 seconds.

Banishing began to open up when More Than Five became tired and no one else tried to challenge him. He led by 1 1/2 lengths through six furlongs in 1:13.96. In the stretch run, Banishing put on the afterburners to close strongly for an 8 1/2-length win while completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.80.

For his winning maiden effort, Banishing earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form, and a 104 TimeformUS Speed Figure. Later on the card, Jace’s Road completed the Gun Runner Stakes for aspiring Derby runners in 1:44.85 with a matching 90 Beyer Figure and a 111 on TimeformUS.  

Banishing and Jace’s Road both earned raw 107 TimeformUS Speed Figures. Because of the slow six-furlong fraction in Banishing’s maiden win, TimeformUS probably adjusted down his final figure to only a 104.

Numbers aside, Banishing and Jace’s Road are likely equal to each other, at least when Banishing uses Lasix. Can Banishing perform the same way without Lasix? Banishing could finish only fourth in his career debut at Churchill Downs without the medication, but most horses use their first start as a learning experience and he ran at the shorter one-mile distance. Given those facts, it is not clear whether he needs Lasix to run.

Banishing’s pedigree indicates he will thrive at nine or 10 furlongs.

For one, his dam line is filled with route winners in the first few generations. Banishing’s first dam Dowager won her only start in a one-mile maiden race. Dowager’s dam Marietta won the 2007 Iowa Oaks (G3) and Arlington Oaks (G3). As for Banishing’s third dam Minister Wife, she took the 1994 Demoiselle Stakes (G2) at nine furlongs. 

Now to discuss the males in the family. Banishing’s sire Ghostzapper can create either sprinters or routers. His recent stakes route winners include Moira, the reigning Queens Plate winner, and Fearless, the winner of the Birdstone Stakes and Brooklyn Stakes (G2) at marathon distances earlier this year.

Banishing’s damsire A.P. Indy has been known for a long time as a great route influence. Most horses with his blood tend to route well.     

In other words, Banishing is bred for longer routes on top and bottom. And he already is proven at a 1 1/16 miles, the distance of the Lecomte Stakes (G3), the upcoming Derby prep race at Fair Grounds. If the connections want to ship him to Gulfstream, the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) is also the same route distance. 

Again, though, Banishing remains unproven without Lasix. Bettors do not want to go crazy wagering on this horse if he makes his next start on the trail and his odds are short. Perhaps a better path for Banishing is to enter an allowance race without Lasix and see how it goes.

Regardless, Banishing looks like an exciting runner in this crop who already outran the final time of the Gun Runner on the same card. If the Lasix factor is not important to this colt performing his best, then he should improve and likely will make a big impact on the Fair Grounds path to the Kentucky Derby.