2015 Kentucky Derby Dozen – Maiden Winners
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Photo:
Eclipse Sportswire
In the third of a
three-part series of 2015 Kentucky Derby prospects, we’ll review twelve youngsters who have graduated the maiden ranks and
could be horses to watch in the upcoming graded stakes. In Part I, we reviewed stakes
performers. Part II focused on allowance and
non-graded stakes horses.
There are
no shortage of maiden winners to profile, but which ones to choose? It’s
easy to get caught up in the hype over a colt that crushes the position by many
lengths.The level of competition, distance, surface and final time are
important factors to consider in evaluating last out maiden winners. With that, and of course pedigree in mind,
let’s take a look at colts who earned their initial victory between September 2014
and January 2015.
BLAME
GAME (Blame - La
Pascua (SWI), by Caerleon)
Race record: 1-1-0-0 ($21,600)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Alto Racing
Breeder: Stone Farm
Auction: 2013 KEESEP $200,000
Outlook: in his debut at Gulfstream, Blame
Game sat just off of the early pace, went four wide and galloped home by 3 ¼
lengths, getting six furlongs in an average 1:11.40. A professional debut, to be sure, and not
especially remarkable. What is
remarkable is that this colt has the pedigree to run all day. Despite the heavy international turf
influences through his distaff line (when was the last time you saw a
Swiss-bred in a pedigree?), Blame Game and his half siblings seem to prefer the
dirt. He’s a half brother to the stakes
veteran sprinter/miler HOT HOT MAMA,
the middle-distance stakes winner PASCAL
(by Menifee) and that one’s stakes placed full sister La Bomba.
Another half sister bore American Derby hero Cozzetti. Blame Game’s Swiss-bred dam is a French-winning
stakes mare and she owns the only other blacktype in two distaff
generations. Blame Game’s third dam is
the blue hen OLMEC, the grand dam of
European Champions DANCING BRAVE and
JOLYPHA. Blame Game is just one of the many talented
colts in the Pletcher barn and we can expect to see Blame Game step into Stakes
Company somewhere in the country in the near future.
Race record: 3-1-0-2
Trainer: Larry Jones
Owner: Fox Hill Farms
Breeder: Diamond A
Racing
Auction: 2013 FTSAUG $600,000
Outlook:
This late-April foal finished third in two starts before wowing fans
with an eight length score at the Fairgrounds, getting six furlongs in
1:10.08. The Fairgrounds track record is
1:10.03 and has stood for thirteen years.
Exodus is a half brother to Whitney Invitational (G-1) hero CROSS TRAFFIC (by
Unbridled’s Song) and stakes placed runners Into My Soul
(by Pleasantly Perfect) and Bianco Tartufo (by
Unbridled’s Song). Their dam is a multiple Grade One sprinter, whose resume
includes victories in the Ballerina Handicap and Santa Monica Handicap. The
interesting thing about Exodus’ pedigree is that it carries only one strain of
Northern Dancer bloodlines and none of Mr. Prospector or Seattle Slew. Exodus could have a say in the Louisiana
stakes for three year olds.
FAR
FROM OVER (Blame - Alchemist, by A.P. Indy)
Race record: 1-1-0-0 ($36,000)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Black Rock Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Alexander
Groves Matz
Auction: 2013 KEESEP $550,000
Outlook: Maiden winners at Aqueduct in the
winter don’t usually inspire springtime Derby dreams. However, when the names Pletcher
and Mott are involved, the dreams are expected. Far From Over won his debut on
December12. He was briefly headed by Net
Gain (trained by Mott), who had made up ground from fourth place, but Far From
Over came back at the wire. It was more
than six lengths back to the third place finisher. The time for the 1 mile 70 yards was 1:43.11,
which was the second-fastest time for that distance in the racing week. For comparison, El Kabeir won the Jerome in
1:44.69. Far From Over has one of the
best pedigrees of this class of newly-turned three year olds. He has the pedigree to get 1 ¼ miles
comfortably. Far From Over is a half
brother to the listed winner Burj
Dubai (by Distorted Humor) and to And Why Not
(by Street Cry), who placed in five stakes races, including the Spinaway (G-1)
and Delaware Handicap (G-1). Far From
Over’s dam was third in the 1 1/8 mile Anne Arundel Stakes
(G-3). She’s a full sister to Turnback
the Alarm Handicap heroine ALTESSE. Far From Over’s second dam is ALDIZA, who won graded events from 6 ½
furlongs to 1 1/8 miles. Far From Over is inbred to the blue hen COURTLY DEE through full sisters
Althea, the second dam of Blame’s sire Arch, and Aishah, who is Far From Over’s
third dam. Far From Over is currently with the Pletcher string at Palm Beach
Downs.
MARCH (Blame - Lifeinthefastlane, by
Unbridled's Song)
Race record: 2-1-1-0 ($50,000)
Trainer: Chad Brown
Owner: Robert LaPenta
Breeder: Lakland Farm
Auction: 2012 KEENOV $320,000
Outlook: March was second in his November
debut while sprinting and won his second start by a neck over Dontbetwithbruno
when stretching out to 1 mile 70 yards at Aqueduct. It was eight lengths back
to the rest of the field. By Horse of the Year Blame, March is a half brother
to Bay Shore Stakes (G-3) hero EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY
(by Forestry). There’s little blacktype in March’s Claiborne-bred immediate
female family, however, this is the distaff line of the Grade 1 winning sire SEEKING THE GOLD,
Champion Juvenile Filly QUEEN OF
THE STAGE, Remsen hero FAST PLAY
and REVIEWER,
sire of the legendary RUFFIAN.
March has the pedigree to develop into classic contender.
NET
GAIN (Include -
Triple o' Five, by Elusive Quality)
Race record: 3-0-1-0 ($19,350)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Owner: WinStar Farm
Breeder: Lane
Thoroughbreds
Auction: 2014 OBSAPR $325,000
Outlook:
Who would expect WinStar Farm and Bill Mott to team up with an
Iowa-bred? Net Gain finished fourth at
six furlongs and a mile in a pair of maiden races before being nosed out for
the victory by a tenacious Far From Over.
Net Gain’s sire INCLUDE was a
nine furlong specialist who also stretched his legs to 1 3/16 miles to win the
Pimlico Special. His stakes offspring to win at classic distances include
Brooklyn Handicap hero Redeemed and American Oaks (G-1) winner Panty Raid. Net
Gain is a half brother to the stakes winning miler CAT FIVE' O (by Pleasantly
Perfect). Their dam is a half sister to
a couple of stakes placed runners and Net Gain’s second dam is Spinaway (G-1)
heroine STORMY PICK. So why the
hefty price tag? He worked a furlong in 10.1 at the April Two Year Old
sales. Net Gain’s pedigree is nice, but
not spectacular, and its a little light on the bottom for getting 1 ¼ miles,
yet there’s some quality there and he’s one who could be a factor in the
upcoming Derby preps.
Race record: 1-1-0-0 ($36,000)
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Owner: Stonestreet Stables
Breeder: Thor-Bred
Stables
Auction: 2014 OBSMAR $320,000
Outlook: Ocean Knight made headlines at the
OBS March Two Year Olds in Training Sale when he breezed the fastest two
furlongs of the sale in :20.3. Flash forward to mid-December when Ocean Knight
made short work of a herd of maidens running six furlongs at Aqueduct in a
sharp 1:11.94, while being geared down. Ocean Knight’s sire two-time Horse of
the Year Curlin is making his mark as one of the best studs in America. Ocean Knight’s dam is a half sister to the
stakes winning sprinter LIBBY'S HALO
(by Halo’s Image) and stakes placed Mister
Alimony (by Skip Trial). Ocean Knight’s
pedigree is borderline for 1 ¼ miles, but the swift colt could lead them on a
merry chase in the preps for the Kentucky Derby. Ocean Knight is currently
stabled at Palm Meadows, Florida.
Race record: 2-1-0-1 ($43,000)
Trainer: Linda Rice
Owner: Chester & Mary Broman, Sr.
Breeder: Dell Ridge
Farm
Auction: 2013 KEESEP $200,000
Outlook: Beaten a neck for second by March in
their debut, On Tap came back to conquer a full field of maidens by a measured
¾ length going six furlongs at Aqueduct. The pretty gray colt is a half brother
to the turf stakes placed runners Magnificent
Shirl (by Heatseeker) and Fantastic Song
(by Lemon Drop Kid). Their dam is a stakes winning turf miler and a half sister
to Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Champ PERFECT SHIRL, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
hero SHAKESPEARE and his full
sister, the multiple stakes winning turf router LADY SHAKESPEARE. On Tap’s
second dam is Flower Bowl Handicap heroine LADY
SHIRL. Note a pattern here? This is a family of turf routers, yet On Tap
is talented enough to win a dirt sprint. He should have the lungs to handle 1 ¼
miles. Sometimes a turf horse can
conquer a lesser field of dirt horses, so the next test for On Tap will likely
be against stakes quality runners. The
colt is stabled at Belmont Park.
Race record: 1-1-0-0 ($24,000)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: Peter Blum
Thoroughbreds, LLC & Unbridled's Song Syndicate
Auction: 2013 FTKOCT $199,260; 2013 KEEAPR $390,000
Outlook:
Outlash is a late-May foal. On
January 4, he won his debut by a head, from post 11 at Gulfstream Park, running
seven furlongs. Outside posts aren’t the
places to be at Gulfstream, and Outlash was three wide the entire way. Outlash is a half brother to the G-3 stakes
placed For Greater Glory. Outlash’s dam is a half sister to Ashland
Stakes (G-1) winner WELL
CHOSEN, the dam of TELLING,
who won back-to-back editions of the Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap (G-1). Yes,
I know the caution that no horse who hasn’t run as a two year old has won the
Kentucky Derby in forever. However, that
doesn’t mean one won’t, or that he can’t finish in the money – take a look at
Curlin. If he has the talent, Outlash
could possibly target the Preakness or Belmont Stakes. Either way, keep an eye
on him.
Race record: 1-1-0-0 ($21,600)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: Hargu &,
Sandra Sexton & Silver Fern Farm
Auction: 2013 KEESEP
$130,000 (RNA); 2014 OBSAPR $725,000
Outlook: Overcontrol galloped to a 4 ½ length
debut victory at Gulfstream Park on December 27 in a 6 ½ furlong event. He was born the day after I’ll Have Another
won the Kentucky Derby. Overcontrol’s dam is a stakes winning sprinter and his
second dam, FORTUNATE CARD won the
restricted Desert Vixen Stakes at Calder.
Otherwise, Overcontrol’s pedigree is pretty light on blacktype. So why was he so expensive? The bay colt
worked a furlong in :10.01 at the sales. You know we’ll see him in upcoming
stakes at Gulfstream this winter.
Race record: 1-1-0-0 ($33,600)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Arnold
Zetcher
Breeder: Joe Allen
& Michael Stinson
Auction: 2013 KEESEP $300,000
Outlook: The highly anticipated son of the undefeated
stakes veteran PEPPER’S PRIDE made
his winning debut at Santa Anita in September.
Breaking from post 13, Punctuate made a move
from far back to grab the lead in deep stretch to win the 6 ½ furlong race by 1
½ lengths. Peppers Pride, who
went 19-19 in her career, won from 5 ½ furlongs to 1 1/6 miles. She’s a daughter of the underachiever Desert
God, who is a half brother to the blue hen BETTER
THAN HONOR, dam of Champion Filly RAGS
TO RICHES and her Belmont Stakes winning brother JAZIL. Peppers Pride is a
sprinter/miler. As a broodmare sire, Desert God gets mainly sprinters, however,
one runner was second in a 1 ¼ mile listed stakes. Punctuate is the first of the “superstar
mares” offspring to race. Zenyatta’s son
Cozmic One and Rachael Alexandra’s son Jess’s Dream are both training towards
their debuts. Punctuate has been breezing at Santa Anita.
UNRIVALED (Super Saver - Safely, by Unbridled)
Race record: 5-1-2-1
($42,520)
Trainer: Marya K. Montoya
Owner: Waldorf Racing Stables
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Auction: 2013 $60,000 (RNA)
Outlook: The son of freshman sire Super Saver
started to compete in mid-July in sprints, but it wasn’t until December 23 when
Unrivaled put it all together, easily outclassing a full field of maidens going
a mile at PARX. Yes, the time was a yawn inducing 1:43.52, however, Unrivaled
galloped to a 15 length win, little more than a paid gallop. So what’s so
special about this colt? He’s an April foal whose pedigree suggests that
Unrivaled should improve with maturity and could handle classic distances. His
dam is a full sister to HONEST MAN,
who hit his best stride as a four and five year old, with victories in the
Mineshaft Handicap at 1 1/6 miles and the 1 1/8 miles Philip H. Iselin Stakes,
both Grade 3 events. Unrivaled’s second dam OATH won the Spinaway (G-1) and she’s a half sister to Champion
Juvenile WAR PASS. Unrivaled may be
tested against stakes horses next time out.
VICI (War Front - Viva, by Pulpit)
Race record: 2-1-0-0 ($25,450)
Trainer: Albert Stall, Jr.
Owner: Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider
Breeder: Claiborne Farm
& Adele B. Dilschneider
Auction: None
Outlook:
This Claiborne Farm homebred made a strong move from tenth to fourth
place, beaten only 1 ½ lengths in his 6 ½ furlong debut. In his second start,
Vici was given more distance to work with and stayed closer to the pace. The
result was a 1 ½ length victory at the Fair Grounds. As one would expect from a Claiborne-bred, Vici has a royal pedigree.
His dam won or placed in three starts before suffering an injury in her last
race. Only one of her babies has lived up to its lofty breeding. Luster (by Touch Gold) placed in the Dogwood
Stakes (G-3). Viva’s half siblings include the stakes winning sires EASTERN ECHO and ROAR. She’s also a ¾ sister to the stakes winner and multiple Grade
1 placed YELL. Viva’s half sisters bore the sires CONGRATS and FLATTER. Vici’s second dam
is the multiple graded stakes winner WILD
APPLAUSE and his third dam is the blue
hen GLOWING TRIBUTE, dam of Kentucky
Derby winner SEA HERO, grand-dam of
Champion European sprinter MOZART
and many other stakes winners. Vici,
short for the Latin vincere (to
conquer), could live up to his name in the Louisiana preps for the Kentucky
Derby.
Special Mention:
CROSS THE LINE (Line
of David - Beer Baroness, by Mr. Greeley)
Race record: 4-2-1-1
($83,920)
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Owner: Hollendorfer, Todaro, Live Your Dreams
Racing Stable, Sigband et al.
Breeder: Lynn B. Schiff
Auction: 2013 FTKJUL $55,000; 2014 BESMAR $95,000
(RNA)
Outlook:
This large-bodied colt hit the board in two sprints before stretching to
a mile and putting away a maiden field by 4 ½ lengths at Golden Gate. Cross the Line is a half brother to RIA ANTONIA,
winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (via DQ) and who placed in the Santa
Anita Oaks and Juddmonte Spinster. Cross
the Line should comfortably travel 1 1/8 miles and given his size, could handle
going farther. UPDATE: Cross The Line captured the California Derby by 1 ¾ lengths
on January 17. He’ll target the El
Camino Real Derby on February 14.
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