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Triple Crown Weekend Prep Report Card: Upping The Ante For Kentucky Derby Points

The stakes got a lot bigger last Saturday for horses on the road to the Triple Crown with the Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La. The nine-furlong race is the first of seven contests that will offer 85 Kentucky Derby qualifying points (50-20-10-5 to the first four finishers), virtually assuring the winners will get into the Derby field.

The Kentucky Derby Championship Series also has eight races worth 170 points (100-40-20-10) and one race offering 34 points (20-8-4-2).

At Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif., the $100,000 El Camino Real Derby handed out 17 points to the top four finishers (10-4-2-1) and the winner gets free entry into the G1 Preakness Stakes.

A number of very good horses have come out of the Risen Star (formerly known as the Louisiana Derby Trial Stakes, including the one-two finishers in 2019: War of Will, who would win that year's Preakness, and Country House, who was awarded the G1 Kentucky Derby via disqualification of Maximum Security for interference.

Three years earlier, the Risen Star was won by Gun Runner, who would go on to win the G2 Louisiana Derby, finish third in the Kentucky Derby, and take seven of his final eight career starts, capped by the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic and G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

The El Camino Real Derby's heyday was back in the 1980s and '90s, when a trio of Preakness winners were victorious in the race (Tank's Prospect in 1985, Snow Chief in '86 and Tabasco Cat, who also won the Belmont Stakes, in '94). Two El Camino winners went on to finish second in the Kentucky Derby: Casual Lies in 1992 and Cavonnier in '96.

The race has had little impact on the Triple Crown since Golden Gate went to the Tapeta synthetic surface in 2007.

Following is a glance at the Risen Star and El Camino Real Derby, along with my grades for the winners, which are based on how the horses looked, what Beyer Speed Figure they received, historical significance of the race and perceived quality of field.

Feb. 13 Risen Star Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Louisiana Downs

The three horses who finished within a length of each other in the G3 Lecomte Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Fair Grounds on Jan. 16 were back: Midnight Bourbon won the Lecomte, with Proxy second and Mandaloun third. The late-running Senor Buscador, winner of the Springboard Mile last out at Remington Park in Oklahoma Dec. 18, was a new addition to a mostly local lineup of 11 starters.

Midnight Bourbon and jockey Joe Talamo did not get the lead as they did in the Lecomte, usurped by Rightandjust, who crossed over from the outside post and went pretty quickly for the opening quarter mile (:23.65). Midnight Bourbon raced off Rightandjust's right flank, about a length ahead of Mandaloun and Florent Geroux, who were three wide throughout but more engaged than in the Lecomte after the addition of blinkers by trainer Brad Cox. Proxy, with John Velazquez up, was a close fourth for the opening half mile, running in spurts and slipping back going into the far turn after a second quarter mile in :24.80 and a third quarter in :24.29 (for half-mile and six-furlong splits of :48.45 and 1:12.74).

Mandaloun winning the Risen Star, Florent Geroux aboard

Midnight Bourbon poked his head in front of Rightandjust inside the quarter pole but Mandaloun quickly was alongside and began to edge away from the Lecomte winner. The fourth quarter went in :24.76 and Mandaloun ran his final furlong in :12.89 for a final time of 1:50.39 on a fast track.

Proxy ran an uneven race but finished with interest out in the middle of the track, closing from four lengths back after six furlongs and two lengths back at the furlong pole to draw within a 1 ¼ lengths of the winner. If the son of Tapit out of the multiple G1 winner Panty Raid (by Include) puts it all together he will be a tough customer in a rematch with Mandaloun.

The winner received a 98 Beyer Speed Figure, a big improvement from the 89 he got in the Lecomte and the third successive improved figure since his debut at Keeneland last fall. The blinkers, along with more racing experience, have turned Mandaloun into a very legitimate Kentucky Derby prospect for owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms and for Cox, who also has 2020 2-year-old male champion Essential Quality and Oaklawn's Smarty Jones winner Caddo River in his quiver.

Grade: B+

Feb. 13 El Camino Real Derby, 1 1/8 miles, Golden Gate Fields

Michael McCarthy-trained Rombauer was the 6-5 favorite while making his first start since a fifth-place finish behind Essential Quality in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland last November 6. He was entered and scratched from the G3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Jan. 30, reportedly at the request of the owners/breeders, John and Diane Fradkin, who preferred the El Camino Real Derby.

This was the Twirling Candy colt's first race over a synthetic surface, though he began his career on turf, winning his debut last July going a mile at Del Mar, then finished sixth in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf. He then ran a good second on dirt to Get Her Number in the G1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita Sept. 26. Then came the Breeders' Cup, in which Rombauer broke from the 13 post in a 14-horse field, was 13 lengths back after a half mile, weaved through traffic and gained steadily in the short stretch at Keeneland to be beaten 6 ¼ lengths.

Rombauer and Kyle Frey defeat Javanica in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields

In the El Camino Real, Rombauer dropped back to last under Kyle Frey as It's My House set steady fractions of :24.00, :47.81 and 1:12.20 for six furlongs. Frey made a wide move on the turn and was up in the final yards to beat the filly Javanica by a neck, completing the distance in 1:51.64 after a mile in 1:38.56. Javanica, a Godolphin homebred by Medaglia d'Oro trained by Eoin Harty, was finishing second for the fourth consecutive stakes, beginning with the Glorious Song Stakes at Woodbine last October.

Rombauer received an 84 Beyer Speed Figure, compared to an 85 for his Breeders' Cup effort. This was not a particular strong field (the only two stakes winners won races restricted to California-breds) but a good stepping stone for Rombauer to prepare for much tougher competition down the road.

Grade: C

The only upcoming weekend Kentucky Derby points race is the Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse that is part of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Previously:

Feb 9 Triple Crown Weekend Prep Report Card

Feb 2 Triple Crown Weekend Prep Report Card

Jan 26 Triple Crown Weekend Prep Report Card

Jan. 18 Triple Crown Weekend Prep Report Card

Jan. 3 Triple Crown Weekend Prep Report Card

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TDN Oaks Top 10 for February 18

Last week's major development was the win by Clairiere (Curlin) in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, where she won a hard-fought decision over Travel Column (Frosted). With the victory, she has jumped up to the No. 2 spot in our rankings. She also becomes the third daughter of Curlin to make it into the Top 10 and a fourth, Millefeuille (Curlin), is knocking on the door for the Bill Mott stable.

The other big change this week is that Dayoutoftheoffice (Into Mischief) drops out. While the connections say that the GI Kentucky Oaks is still in their plans, it's noteworthy that the filly has not had a published work since Jan. 24. Once she returns to the worktab, we'll put her back on the list.

1) VEQUIST (Nyquist—Vero Amore, by Mineshaft)
O-Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable & Swilcan Stable. B-Swilcan Stables (KY). T-Robert E. Reid, Jr. Sales History: $120,000 RNA ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly & MGISW, 4-2-2-0, $1,235,500.
Last Start: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, KEE, Nov. 6
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Spinaway S., SAR, Sept. 6, 2nd GI Frizette S., BEL, Oct. 10
Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 24

The clear leader of this division until proven otherwise. Trainer Butch Reid says that all systems are go as he prepares for her 3-year-old debut in the GII Davona Dale S. Feb. 27 at Gulfstream. “She's doing real well and I'm really happy with her,” he said. “She came out of that last breeze [five furlongs in :59.65] good. It was a little faster than I wanted her to go but she handled it well and has been eating up since. All the major work is done, she's where I want her and we're ready to go for the race. We have kept it light with her. We have had three five-eighths works. She can be a bit of a finicky eater so we've been trying to keep her in her feed tub and keep the weight on her because she has a long, tough road ahead of her. This first race will be a nice stepping stone and we expect her to run well.”

2) CLAIRIERE (Curlin–Cavorting, by Bernardini)
O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $270,492.
Last Start: 1st GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13
Accomplishments Include: 2nd GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Next Start: Possible for GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 54

Daughter of Curlin moved way up with her win in the Rachel Alexandra, which has been a productive prep for the Kentucky Oaks. Three Rachel Alexandra winners have gone on to win the Oaks since 2014. The top Oaks threat from the powerful Steve Asmussen barn, she didn't get her career started until winning an Oct. 25 maiden at Churchill Downs and followed that up with a second-place finish in the GII Golden Rod S., where she was beaten by Travel Column. Having turned the tables on her rival, she looks best of the Fair Grounds-based horses heading to the Kentucky Oaks. She is the first foal out of Cavorting, winner of the GI Ogden Phipps S., the GI Personal Ensign S. and the GI Test S.

3) MALATHAAT (Curlin–Dreaming of Julia, by A.P. Indy)
'TDN Rising Star' O-Shadwell Stable. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $1,050,000 ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-0, $172,150.
Last Start: 1st GII Demoiselle S., AQU, Dec. 5
Accomplishments Include: 1st Tempted S., AQU, Nov. 6
Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10

The Davona Dale will be a big test for the undefeated daughter of Curlin, who reeled off wins late last year in the Tempted and the GII Demoiselle S. There is a lot to like with her, starting with her breeding and the fact she comes from the Todd Pletcher stable. But she definitely has something to prove, as she has yet to post a particularly fast Beyer number and probably hasn't faced Grade I-level competition as of yet. Her dam Dreaming of Julia was runner-up in the 2013 Davona Dale before winning the GII Gulfstream Oaks by 21 3/4 lengths (video).

4) ZAAJEL (Street Sense–Asiya, by Daaher)
O/B-Shadwell Stable (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $84,140.
Last Start: 1st GIII Forward Gal S., GP, Jan. 31
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10

Like Malathaat, a product of the potent Pletcher-Shadwell Stable team. She broke her maiden at first asking in December, winning by 7 1/4 lengths at Gulfstream and followed that up with a win in the Forward Gal S. at seven furlongs. Appears to have a world of ability but has plenty to prove, starting with her ability to go two turns. With two top 3-year-old fillies from the same owner, Pletcher will need to figure out a way to keep them apart. Shadwell is well positioned to win its first Kentucky Oaks. Pletcher will be after his fourth win in the race.

5) TRAVEL COLUMN (Frosted–Swingit, by Victory Gallop)
'TDN Rising Star' O-OXO Equine. B-Mr. & Mrs. Bayne Welker, Jr. & Denali Stud (KY). T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $850,000 ylg '19 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP,
4-2-1-1, $269,184.
Last Start: 2nd GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28, 3rd GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE, Oct. 2
Next Start: Possible for the GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 32

After finishing second in the Rachel Alexandra, she slips down a few notches on the list. Then again, there was nothing particularly disappointing about her performance. She was beaten by a good one in Clairiere, and that filly got a perfect ground-saving trip under Joe Talamo. An $850,000 yearling purchase at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, she is by Frosted out of a Victory Gallop mare and should have no problem getting the Oaks distance of nine furlongs. Can Brad Cox win his third Oaks over the last four years?

6) SIMPLY RAVISHING (Laoban–Four Wishes, by More Than Ready)
O-Harold Lerner, Magdalena Racing & Nehoc Stables.
B-Meg Levy (NY). T-Ken McPeek. Sales History: $50,000 ylg '19 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-3-0-0, $414,200.
Last Start: 4th GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE,
Oct. 2, 1st P.G. Johnson S., SAR, Sept. 3
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 13

Through Feb. 17, she has had just two half-mile breezes this year for trainer Kenny McPeek. That could mean she won't have her first race for a couple of weeks, but McPeek should have plenty of time to get her ready for the Oaks. She was last seen running fourth in the Golden Rod behind Travel Column and Clairiere, a race that looks better now that those two have jumped up and run well this year. Coach (Commissioner), the third-place finisher in that race, also ran well in her 2021 debut, finishing second in the Martha Washington S. Simply Ravishing's best performance came when she won the GI Darley Alcibiades S.

7) KALYPSO (Brody's Cause–Malibu Cove, by Malibu Moon)
O-David A. Bernsen, Rockingham Ranch & Chad Littlefield. B-Spendthrift Farm (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $240,000 ylg '19 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP,
5-2-2-1, $245,600.
Last Start: 2nd GIII Las Virgenes S., SA, Feb. 6
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Santa Ynez S., SA, Jan. 3, 1st Anoakia S., SA, Oct. 18, 2nd GI Starlet S., LRC, Dec. 5
Next Start: Possible for GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, Mar. 7
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 18

The California contingent isn't holding up well. None of them have turned in fast Beyer numbers and Las Virgenes S. winner Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) has been sent to the sidelines with a minor problem. The group also lost Grade I winner Princess Noor (Not This Time). Bob Baffert has a couple of contenders in this division and it looks like Kalypso is the best of this bunch. She picked up a graded stakes win in the GII Santa Ynez S. and ran creditably when second in the Las Virgenes. Is 0-for-2 around two turns.

8) SLUMBER PARTY (Malibu Moon–Devilish Lady, by Sweetsouthernsaint)
'TDN Rising Star' O/B-Gary and Mary West Stables (KY). T-Kelly Breen. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $25,800.
Last Start: 1st MSW, GP, Jan. 24
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 0

The 'TDN Rising Star' has a lot of potential, but also has some catching up to do after her impressive maiden win in her debut. Trainer Kelly Breen has yet to lay out a schedule to get her to the Oaks and says that the Davona Dale is not in the plans. But he's certainly high on the homebred owned by Gary and Mary West. “The sky is the limit for this filly,” Breen said. “She's a nice, fast horse.” Her dam, Devilish Lady (Sweetsouthernsaint) was claimed for $16,000 but went on to win the GIII Azalea S.

9) CURLIN'S CATCH (Curlin–Catch the Thrill, by A.P. Indy)
O-Breeze Easy, Inc. B-Sam-Son Farm (ON). T-Mark E Casse. Sales History: $180,000 yrl '19 KEESEP; $430,000 2yo '20 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-1-0, $103,454.
Last Start: 1st Suncoast S., TAM, Feb. 6
Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10

The third Curlin on the list and an Ontario-bred, Curlin's Catch made the list after winning the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs for trainer Mark Casse. Casse could have kept her at Tampa Bay but has decided instead to give her what will be a serious test in the Davona Dale. Casse has another possible starter in the Oaks. Also a daughter of Curlin, Souper Sensational will look to get back on track after finishing sixth in the Rachel Alexandra.

10) THE GRASS IS BLUE (Broken Vow–Shine Softly, by Adebaran)
O-Louis Lazzinnaro LLC. B-Phillips Racing Partnership (KY). T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $20,000 yrl '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-3-0-1, $121,978.
Last Start: 1st Busanda S., Aqu, Jan. 24
Accomplishments Include: 3rd Anne Arundel County S., Lrl, Dec. 26
Next Start: Possible for Busher Invitational S., AQU, Mar. 6
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10

Romped in her first start, a $20,000 maiden claimer at Monmouth, for trainer John Stephens before showing up in the Chad Brown barn in her next start. She won that day, as well, in a Keeneland allowance race. She continues to improve and did her best running to date when winning the Busanda S. at Aqueduct. Remains in New York and will likely take that route to the Kentucky Oaks. Blinkers seemed to have helped her in the Busanda.

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Four Stakes Wins Propel Diego Saenz To Jockey Of The Week Honors

Jockey Diego Saenz won four stakes races at Delta Downs on their richest program of the year to earn Jockey of the Week honors for the week of Feb. 8 through Feb. 14.

The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

Under jockey Diego Saenz and riding for trainer Tom Amoss and owners Maggi Moss and Greg Tramontin, No Parole was an easy winner in the Premier Day Sprint. No Parole covered the 5-furlong distance in 57.37 the fastest clocking of the season at that distance.

Trainer Bret Calhoun gave Saenz a leg up on Southern Beauty in the Premier Day Matron. Saenz roused her to the lead turning for home in the five-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares. The win was the fourth of the day for Saenz.

Eclipse award-winning trainer Brad Cox teamed with Saenz on Australasia in the Premier Day Starlet for 3-year-old fillies at one mile. Under Saenz, Australasia set the early pace and then took off to win by 7-1/4 lengths.

Riding for trainer Ronnie Averett in the Premier Day Bon Temps Starter, Saenz and Wild Mallory won the five-furlong test in front-running style.

Saez, who was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, has been riding professionally since 2004 primarily on the Louisiana circuit. He has won numerous riding titles at Delta Downs and currently sits in second place.

Lifetime to date, he has won 2,326 races and more than $47 million purses.

Saenz out polled fellow riders Eric Cancel who was leading jockey by number of wins and won a stakes at Aqueduct, Florent Geroux who won two stakes races at Fair Grounds, Gerard Melancon who won three stakes at Delta Downs and Flavien Prat who won a stakes race at Santa Anita.

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Saudi Cup Post Positions: Charlatan Drawn ‘Just Perfect’ Near Outside, Knicks Go ‘Right In The Middle’

The post positions have been drawn for Saturday's second running of the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. To be contested over a one-turn 1 1/8 mile course on the dirt track, the Saudi Cup drew a field of 14 including a featured American-trained match-up between Grade 1 winners Knicks Go and Charlatan.

Knicks Go, winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup in his last two outings, drew post five for trainer Brad Cox. The Korea Racing Authority-owned colt will be ridden by Joel Rosario.

“We like it, it's right in the middle,” said Dustin Dugas, assistant trainer. “He's a speed horse, it's a long way till they get to the turn, Joel (Rosario, jockey) will have a lot of ground to work at before he gets to the turn.”

Charlatan, last-out winner of the G1 Malibu over seven furlongs, draw further to the outside in post nine for trainer Bob Baffert. He will be piloted by jockey Mike Smith.

“I spoke to Bob (Baffert, trainer) earlier and he said anything, six, seven, eight or nine would be perfect,” said assistant Jimmy Barnes. “The one turn mile and an eighth would just be perfect.”

Three other American interests in the race include: Max Player (Post 4, Steve Asmussen), Tacitus (Post 7, Bill Mott), and Sleepy Eyes Todd (Post 8, Miguel Angel Silva).

The full field is as follows:

Chuwa Wizard
Bangkok
Great Scot
Max Player
Knicks Go
Global Giant
Tacitus
Sleepy Eyes Todd
Charlatan
Military Law
Simsir
Mishriff
Derevo
Extra Elusive

Comments from other entrants' connections:

Bangkok (IRE) – (Drawn 2) – Anna Lisa Balding, assistant trainer: “It will be difficult but we'll do as well as we can.”

Chuwa Wizard (JPN) – (1) – Keita Tosaki, jockey: “He is a versatile horse and can run from any position. So the inside draw may help us.”

Derevo (GB) – (13) – See Great Scot

Extra Elusive (GB) – (14) – Roger Charlton, trainer: “I'm happy with the draw for Extra Elusive in stall 14. He hasn't run on the dirt before, and he's probably a horse who doesn't like to be crowded that much, so I think that gives him and Hollie (Doyle, jockey) a good shot down the outside. I'd certainly prefer stall 14 to stalls one or two or three, so so far we're happy and we're going to give it our best shot on Saturday.”

Global Giant (GB) – (6) – Isa Salman Al Khalifa of owner Al Adiyat Racing: “It definitely would be amazing. He has been improving with every start but he would have to run the race of his life to be competitive. It is an honor to be involved. The two winners for Bahrain at last year's Saudi Cup was the highlight of my racing life so far.”

Great Scot (GB) – (3) – Abdullah Mushrif, trainer: “Very happy. More happy with Great Scot from 13. It will be hard for Derevo but inshallah we will win, it's my dream.”

Max Player (USA) – (4) – Steve Asmussen, trainer: “Would have preferred the outside.”

Military Law (GB) – (10) – Musabbeh Al Mheiri, trainer: “Not too bad. In three, four or five would be good, but 10 is not bad. He can't go too fast anyway (early). When you have luck, God gives it to you.”

Mishriff (IRE) – (12) – Thady Gosden, assistant trainer: “We were hoping for a fairly wide draw. The American horses have far more gate speed than ours, so we're very happy with that.”

Simsir (IRE) – (11) – Fawzi Nass, trainer: “It's post 11. It's OK. I'll let Adrie (de Vries, jockey) deal with it.”

Sleepy Eyes Todd (USA) – (8) – Miguel Angel Silva, trainer: “I wanted to be more outside, but it's great. It's not perfect but it's great. We are next to Charlatan, so that is good. We are very excited. We didn't want to be inside so this is good, we are more to the outside.”

Tacitus (USA) – (7) – Neil Poznansky, assistant trainer: “He has Johnny V (Velazquez) on him and the whole backside to work a trip on him.”

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