Preakness Prepping - Thinking Outside the (Band)Box
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Zipse’s Kentucky Derby Daily – Day 48
Under
confident handling, the Hillwood Stable owned sophomore Bandbox cruised to
victory in the $75,000 Private Terms Stakes. Sent to post as a heavy favorite
under local star, Travis Dunkelberger, Bandbox stalked talented speedster Rush
Now to the top of the lane before reeling him in and pulling away to win by 1 ½
lengths in 1:37.25 for the flat mile. Rush Now finished second and was well
clear of the rest in the six horse field. The winner, a grey colt by Tapit out
of the Grand Slam mare Empty the Bases, paid $3.40 for the win.
Trained by
Rodney Jenkins, Bandbox began his career with three strong wins last year, including
impressive scores in the Charles Town Juvenile and Sleepy Hollow Stakes. In his fourth start, the talented New York
bred could not match strides with To Honor and Serve and Mucho Macho Man in the
Remsen, but was compromised by a horrible trip that day. He returned this year in
the seven furlong Miracle Wood Stakes three weeks ago, only to lose a thrilling
stretch battle to J J's Lucky Train. Bandbox, who is nominated to the Triple
Crown, has now won 4 of 6 lifetime, including 3 stakes victories.
In
opposition to so many that seem to go a little crazy this time of year, I
applaud his connections for not contracting Derby fever. They plan on showing a
little patience with their stable star. “He definitely won’t go the Derby
unless Ms. (Ellen) Charles insists and I know she won’t,” said Jenkins. While
the Derby may not be in the mix, the second leg of the triple crown is under
serious consideration.
“She’s the
best owner in the whole world. It’s great for her to have a horse like this.
We’re not going to rule the Preakness out. The horse is doing good. We might
give it a shot. We don’t know where we’re going next. I’ll discuss it with
her.”
If he does
head to Pimlico, for the middle jewel of the triple crown, he would try to emulate
local longshots like Oliver Twist and Magic Weisner who both turned in huge performances in the
Preakness to narrowly miss winning the classic race. Or who knows, maybe
Bandbox will do them one better. Crazier things have happened.
[I say Bandbox is better than his current #54 ranking on HRN's 2011 Kentucky Derby Contenders list, what do you think???]
Photo courtesy of Adam Coglianese/NYRA
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