Good Magic the clear division leader after Haskell win

In the wake of Justify's retirement, a new division leader emerged Sunday with Good Magic's win in the Haskell Invitational.

Tenfold won the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga in a shaky effort when veering out in the stretch, and Hofburg defeated cupcakes in the Curlin Stakes a day earlier.

In the Haskell, it was both about who Good Magic beat (at least three high-class horses) and how he beat them (in a professional manner).

First of all, the son of Curlin broke well enough, although he went a bit wide on the first turn. Roaming Union went straight to the lead, while Bravazo settled on the inside just behind Good Magic. Lone Sailor followed along on the inside as well in fifth.

Roaming Union opened in 23.15 and 46.83, fairly swift for a nine-furlong race. Of course, Good Magic already survived the Kentucky Derby pace set by the talented sprinter Promises Fulfilled and Justify. Then he dueled Justify in the Preakness. So Roaming Union's pace presence did not seem like a huge obstacle.

Good Magic made his move around the far turn, and basically won the race at this point as he opened up by three lengths. Bravazo tried to catch up, but he spun his wheels in the lane. Lone Sailor appeared to flatten out, as did Core Beliefs on the rail.

Clearly, Good Magic won the “right” way as he retained his margin over Bravazo, and a longer gap followed between Bravazo and Lone Sailor. A thinned-out field is normally a good indication in dirt racing that the winner ran fast.

Compare Good Magic’s stretch run, where he switched leads well and ran in a straight path down the stretch, to how Tenfold finished in the Jim Dandy.

If Good Magic competed in the Jim Dandy, the antics of Tenfold coming out late would allow Good Magic to open up with the same margin he did on Bravazo. 

Furthermore, it is arguable Tenfold only passed Good Magic in the Preakness because the latter did the dirty work in challenging Justify for the lead early on. Tenfold only took advantage of the situation. 

As for Hofburg, he faced almost nothing in the Curlin Stakes. 

Sure, Hofburg made a nice move on the far turn and won by a good margin, but who did he face?

Also, a close observation of the stretch run reveals jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. actually hit him hard more than once. Hofburg did not canter home. He was in a drive. 

Yet, the general consensus is that Hofburg won in a powerful manner. Hofburg still lacks a race that proves he can overcome adversity versus a top field. 

At least Good Magic showed himself capable of threatening Justify in the Kentucky Derby. Plus, he looked Justify in the eye at Pimlico, and in the process did enough pace damage to make Justify look weak toward the end.

Good Magic also handled Flameaway, the runner-up in the Jim Dandy, in a more convincing fashion than Tenfold when he won the Blue Grass Stakes (G2).

In fact, if Justify did not exist, Good Magic arguably would be the horse gunning for a Triple Crown last month. This logic can be applied to a lot of horses over the years, however.

There are a number of great races Good Magic can pick up before his career ends. The Travers is a logical next step, but one could easily see this horse capturing races such as the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) if allowed to face older before the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Then, perhaps Good Magic can make amends at Gulfstream for his disappointing Fountain of Youth (G2) effort back in March if the connections try the Pegasus World Cup next year.

While star horses do not race as long as they used to, Good Magic’s immediate future looks bright. With Justify’s retirement and Audible’s disappearance, he should find a way to light some fire under the division in the latter half of 2018.