Prospect Watch: Thunder Code takes on pricey Baffert duo
What do John Shirreffs, Bob Baffert, and Bill Mott all have in common? As of last May, they’ve all won the Kentucky Derby, and they’ll each saddle promising juveniles on Saturday, October 26.
Across the country at Belmont Park, Keeneland and Santa Anita, exciting 2-year-olds are set to take the stage in high-quality maiden special weight flights. Let’s review eight of the most intriguing prospects among the entries this Saturday:
Santa Anita Race 4: Maiden Special Weight (6 ½ furlongs)
#2 Thunder Code
Could the third time be the charm for John Shirreffs’ promising colt? A son of Honor Code out of the Grade 1-winning mare Tarlow, Thunder Code has knocked heads with some quality runners in his first two starts. In his debut sprinting 5 ½ furlongs at Del Mar, Thunder Code came charging from off the pace to finished third behind American Theorem, subsequent runner-up in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1). Then, in a 6 ½-furlong dash at Santa Anita, Thunder Code battled for the lead through blazing fractions before finishing second behind the fast winner Great Power. Take note, Thunder Code pulled 6 ¾ lengths clear of third-place finisher Three Footer, who returned to win his next start. With a better setup on Saturday, Thunder Code should contend for victory.
#7 Ra’ad
Purchased for $500,000 as a 2-year-old in training, Ra’ad is a son of Twirling Candy out of a mare by three-time graded stakes winner Suave, a generally stamina-oriented pedigree that bodes well for Ra’ad’s long-term success over classic distances. Eight gate works since August 10 suggests Ra’ad might have issues breaking alertly, but Baffert has given hot apprentice jockey J.C. Diaz, Jr. the mount, and it’s worth noting Diaz and Baffert have gone 6-for-13 (46%) together over the last two months.
Shell out a million dollars for a yearling, and you’re bound to wind up with a well-bred prospect. Certainly the pricey colt Thousand Words brings a high-profile pedigree to his debut. A son of Pioneerof the Nile (sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah) out of the three-time graded stakes-winning sprinter Pomeroys Pistol, Thousand Words was acquired for seven digits by the partnership of Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm. Now conditioned by Baffert, known for his prowess at sending out ready-to-win first-time starters, Thousand Words has turned in some quick workouts in recent weeks, including a bullet half-mile in :46 4/5 on September 29. Expect Thousand Words to vie for favoritism with hot jockey Flavien Prat in the saddle.
Belmont Park Race 1: Maiden Special Weight (1 1/16 miles)
#1 Forza Di Oro
A sluggish start severely compromised Forza Di Oro’s chances in his debut going a mile at Belmont last month as he dropped a half-dozen lengths behind the pack early on. But despite this obstacle, Forza Di Oro rallied to reach contention in the homestretch before ultimately settling for second behind Ajaaweed, who returned to finish fourth in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. A son of Speightstown out of the Hard Spun mare Filare l‘Oro (already the dam of two-time Grade 3 winner Silver Dust), Forza Di Oro has come back to post some sharp workouts, including a half-mile in :47.23 on October 20. Expect this Mott trainee to show improvement in his second career start.
#2 Will Sing for Wine
The Irish-bred mare Miss Singhsix wasn’t exactly a superstar as a racehorse, but she did compile an admirable record against graded stakes company, most notably winning the 2010 Obeah Stakes (G3). Her first three named foals haven’t accomplished much, but perhaps her fourth foal — Will Sing for Wine — will turn out better. Trained by James Ryerson, this son of champion Will Take Charge has posted some solid workouts over the training track at Belmont Park, working a bullet five furlongs in 1:01 on October 20. Ryerson rarely wins with first-time starters (only three of his last 50 have prevailed per Brisnet), but Will Sing for Wine has an appealing stamina-oriented pedigree that could be well-suited to the distance of Saturday’s maiden test.
Keeneland Race 5: Maiden Special Weight (6 furlongs)
#1 Descent
A half-brother to the three-time graded stakes-winning sprinter Pretty N Cool, Descent was purchased for $300,000 as a yearling by Winchell Thoroughbreds, which will race the son of Honor Code in partnership with Willis D. Horton. Steve Asmussen has assigned go-to jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. to ride Descent, who has only two official workouts on his record. It’s hard to know what to expect from this first-time starter, though his most recent move (a half-mile in :48 2/5 from the Keeneland starting gate) suggests he has some talent.
#5 Carmichael
Carmichael’s immediate family is stacked with Grade 1 winners. His sire, First Defence, won the Forego(G1). His dam, Lazy Slusan, nabbed the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (G1) and Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G1) during an accomplished career, and one of her previous foals — Last Full Measure — claimed victory in the Madison Stakes (G1). This doesn’t ensure that Carmichael will follow suit as a Grade 1 winner, but he’s turned in a steady string of workouts at Keeneland for trainer Victoria Oliver, and with his classy sprint-oriented pedigree, he might fire a big shot on debut.
#9 My Man Flintstone
My Man Flintstone hails from a productive family. His dam, Amusingly, has already produced a half-dozen foals, all of them winners of multiple races. In fact, My Man Flintstone’s full brother Dangerfield (by leading sire Into Mischief) won the 2016 Oak Tree Juvenile Stakes and later placed in the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3) and Los Alamitos Cash Call Futurity (G1). My Man Flintstone is bred to be a fast, win-early type, and he’s certainly shown a lot of speed in morning workouts. Trainer Kenny McPeek only wins at a 5% rate with first-time starters, but My Man Flintstone has been working up a storm at Keeneland and appears ready to roll on Saturday.