Zipse: Banishing is one to follow on Kentucky Derby trail
Placing too much emphasis on times can be a losing proposition when handicapping the races, but when a maiden winner runs faster than a good-looking stakes winner on the same card, it makes sense to take notice.
Such was the case over the holiday at Fair Grounds. Jace’s Road ran away from his competition in the Gun Runner Stakes to win by 5 1/2 lengths. In winning the same race that Epicenter won the year before with style, the son of Quality Road has rightly moved up the Kentucky Derby rankings for trainer Brad Cox. But he was not the fastest 2-year-old to run at the New Orleans oval on Dec. 26.
That honor would fall to Banishing, who a few races earlier on the card finished off his maiden win in 1:44.80 for the 1 1/16 miles, which was .05 seconds faster than Jace’s Road needed for the same distance.
The difference in time was marginal, but it is worth noting that this came in Banishing’s second career start. Jace’s Road, meanwhile, was running for the fourth time in the Gun Runner. For Banishing's effort, the Ghostzapper colt trained by Brendan Walsh earned a solid Beyer Speed Figure of 90 for the maiden-breaking performance.
A handsome chestnut with an eye-catching blaze, this Godolphin homebred has the pedigree to be a good one. With Awesome Again and A.P. Indy as his grandsires, he is bred to run all day. It should come as no surprise then that Banishing was not entered in a sprint to begin his career.
That debut came on Nov. 13 at Churchill Downs, where he was under pressure before they even began when he drew the far outside 12 post for the one-mile race. He did not help his chances when he broke a bit awkwardly. From there he got a wide trip and ran a bit greenly. He was able to make his presence felt but could not sustain his momentum. He did keep trying late, though, while floating out in the lane.
It was a debut that would earn zero national attention, but for a horse meant for two turns and in the hands of a patient trainer, the fourth-place finish, beaten less than three lengths, was a promising debut. Things were not very smooth for his first start, but that would change in his next one.
That came six weeks later in New Orleans, where he again was part of a field of 12. This time he stretched out to 1 1/16 miles and added Lasix. Sent off as the 2-1 favorite and breaking from the 2 hole, Banishing was involved right from the start.
He established the lead on the rail heading into the first turn, which was a far different position than in his debut. From there he was pressured throughout. It briefly looked like Banishing would be swallowed up on the final turn, but he had a strong response when asked by rider Brian Hernandez Jr.
The stretch run was all Banishing as he quickly spurted clear from the big field and continued to pour it on down the stretch to win by 8 1/2 widening lengths on the Fair Grounds wire.
As I alluded to earlier, comparing times often can be meaningless, but in this case, I think there is much to be impressed by in this big, well-bred colt, who is just learning what it means to be a racehorse. It was a strong performance for Banishing and one that promises better things ahead.
As many good offspring as Ghostzapper has had, it's a bit surprising that the 2004 horse of the year has yet to sire a classic winner. Banishing could be the one to make it happen.
The Kentucky Derby trail is a long one, and you never know about a horse until he faces quality competition. But so far, I love what I see from Banishing. In the hands of one of the most underrated trainers in the nation, I am expecting big things.