Barn Tour: McPeek updates his stars and up-and-comers
It was a strange Breeders' Cup for Kenny McPeek. The trainer had one entry over the two days at Del Mar, Tiz the Bomb in the Juvenile Turf.
Ahead of that race, you probably recall, favorite Modern Games was initially scratched after the horse in the next stall, Albahr, reared and threw his rider. However, when it was determined Modern Games had been safely let out of the front of the gate and was not injured, he was cleared to run for purse money only.
Modern Games would go on to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Tiz the Bomb.
This put McPeek's colt in the unusual position of being a winner for bettors but not for his connections. The trainer said up next for Tiz the Bomb will likely be a switch to dirt for the Nov. 27 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs, a point-paying Kentucky Derby prep.
McPeek provided an update on Tiz the Bomb and others in his stable for HRN's Barn Tour feature.
Crazy Beautiful. The 3-year-old daughter of Liam's Map has put together a record of 8: 4-2-0 this year, and she finished second last out in the Valley View (G2) at Keeneland. McPeek said she will be pointed to the American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.
King Fury. The 3-year-old Curlin colt was third in the Fayette (G2) at Keeneland last out, bringing his record for the year to 6: 2-1-1. McPeek said the plan for him continues to be the Clark (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 26.
Envoutante. Last seen finishing fifth in the Spinster (G1) at Keeneland, the 4-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo is pointed toward the Falls City (G2) on Nov. 25 at Churchill Downs. Envoutante won the race last year by sixth lengths over Bonny South.
Juveniles
Tiz the Bomb. The son of Hit It a Bomb's won the Bourbon (G2) prior to the Breeders' Cup for his third win in a row, and then he finished second to Modern Games in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.
"We're going to nominate to the Kentucky Jockey Club here at Churchill. And we may very well run in the Kentucky Jockey Club."
The Grade 2 race on Nov. 27 offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 scale.
Rattle N Roll. The Connect colt won the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 9, earning 10 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, but he had to sit out the Breeders' Cup Juvenile after developing a hind foot abscess. "We're going to take our time with him. He's not going to be starting back right now," McPeek said. "We're going to probably point him toward some of the 3-year-old stakes during the winter."
Smile Happy. This Runhappy colt graduated on debut with a 5 1/2-length win, going 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland. He also is pointed to the Kentucky Jockey Club, McPeek said.
Sandstone. This Street Sense filly was an impressive winner of the black-type Rags to Riches by 10 3/4 lengths last out at Churchill Downs. She is pointed to the Golden Rod (G2) on Nov. 27, with 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points on the line.
Penny Saver. This daughter of Super Saver finished seventh in the Alcibiades (G1) and then bounced back with a 10 1/2-length win in an allowance race at Churchill Downs. She also is pointed to the Golden Rod, McPeek said.