Amoss Plots Course for Triple Crown Series Hopefuls

One of the few Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots races that has eluded multiple training title-holding and defending meet champion trainer Tom Amoss is its apex event – the Grade II $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby. This season that could change for the New Orleans native as he has two promising graded stakes-placed charges aiming toward said event in G M B Racing’s Mo Tom and Rosemont Farm’s homebred Harlan Punch. Both graded stakes-placed in late November, the pair put in their first works back this weekend with Mo Tom negotiating a half-mile on Friday in 49.80 and Harlan Punch working the same distance Saturday in 50.20.

“We are starting to get started with a couple of the younger ones who have accomplished some and each had the same kind of work – easy half-miles,” Amoss said. “I’m obviously hoping they develop into nice 3-year-olds, but they have some tasks ahead. A lot of guys get excited about their horses this time of year, but it’s a long way off.”

Last out, Mo Tom was finishing fastest of all when third in the Grade II $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club. Running on a sloppy course and around two turns for the first time, the son of leading freshman sire Uncle Mo drove up the rail under Corey Lanerie to lose by 1¾ lengths. Harlan Punch, like his stablemate, filled out the trifecta in his graded stakes debut while a distant third in the Grade III $1,000,000 Delta Jackpot.

“Mo Tom worked well and so did Harlan Punch,” Amoss continued. “There’s a discussion going on between both the Rosemont and G M B camps as to how much racing they want to do before the Louisiana Derby, which is the goal of both horses. Whether or not we use two preps or one going into it is something the horses will tell us. Right now Harlan Punch is a mature two year old, while Mo Tom still has a lot of maturing to do.”

COMMANDING CURVE THRIVING SINCE ‘EQUIPMENT CHANGE’

West Point Thoroughbreds’ classic-placed Commanding Curve turned in a spritely work earlier this week, much to the surprise of onlookers and pleasure of trainer Dallas Stewart. A typically mid-range work horse, the 2014 Grade I $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby runner-up is rarely one to dazzle in the ante meridiem, but negotiated five furlongs in a best-of-37 1:00 flat on Wednesday morning.

“He’s just getting ready right now,” Stewart said. “He was just gelded. He really got down on it worked well. He’s about 30 days away from a race.”

As to whether or not the gelding made a difference for the son of Master Command, “he looks good and he’s healthy and obviously his works are better,” Stewart confirmed.

Commanding Curve, despite only winning two of 13 starts in his career, has over $600,000 in earnings. In addition to his bang-up effort in the Derby, he was a closing third in the Grade II $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby one race prior and was fourth in the Grade II $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes later on that year. In three 2015 efforts, he has one victory in allowance company and a pair of off-the-board results, including a seventh last out in the Grade I $600,000 Woodward Stakes behind Eclipse Award contender for champion older horse Liam’s Map.

BANNER WAVING IMPRESSES IN GRADUATION

“We were really pleased with that run,” Howard said. “Her first two races were good. She’s another filly we’ve always kind of felt good about. She ran a couple so-so races, but we backed off a little bit – which sometimes helps with young horses – and it seems she’s put it all together. We’ll take a wait and see approach with her right now.  She’s a very clean, sturdy kind of filly.”

After a third on debut at Indiana Downs, she was a game second at Churchill Downs going six furlongs and then ran eighth in a pair of maiden events at Keeneland and Churchill. The daughter of Speightstown hails from a famous family, with dam Freedom Flag being out of Grade I Alabama Stakes winner Runup the Colors and thus a half-sister to Grade II $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby winner Revolutionary.

STAKES HOPEFULS TOP WORK TAB

Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s graded stakes-placed Granny’s Kitten worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 for trainer Mike Maker. Fourth last out in the Grade III $100,000 Commonwealth Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27, the bay sophomore colt is entered to race next Saturday in the Listed $75,000 Woodchopper Stakes.

Cobra Farm and Gary Vandeweghe’s graded stakes-placed sophomore turf filly Fila Primera, a smart winner of a Nov. 28 local allowance for trainer Mike Stidham, worked a half-mile in 50 flat in preparation for her return to stakes action in next weekend’s Listed $75,000 Pago Hop Stakes.

Thomas Galvin’s nine-time winner and last out $50,000 Battle of New Orleans Stakes victress Adrianne G had her first work since said triumph – going four panels in 49.20 for trainer Bret Calhoun. The daughter of Indygo Shiner is entered innext Saturday’s $60,000 Pan Zareta Stakes.

Brittlyn Stable’s Sunbean put in his second work since returning to training for conditioner Ron Faucheux, negotiating a half-mile in an easy 51 flat.

Rosemont Farm’s Triple Crown Trail hopeful Harlan Punch, third last out in the Grade III $1,000,000 Delta Jackpot on Nov. 21 at Delta Downs, worked four furlongs in 50.20 for trainer Tom Amoss.

Source: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots