Derby Top 12 | Horse Racing Free Tips

The TDN Derby Top 12 for August 4

There are now three remaining “Road to the GI Kentucky Derby” qualifying points races on the schedule, and six horses within this week’s TDN Derby Top 12 are slated to compete in two of those races this weekend.

1) TIZ THE LAW (c, Constitution—Tizfiz, by Tiznow)
O-Sackatoga Stable. B-Twin Creeks Farm (NY). T-Barclay
Tagg. Sales History: $110,000 yrl ’18 FTNAUG. Lifetime
Record: MGISW, 6-5-0-1, $1,480,300.
Last Start: 1st GI Belmont S., BEL, June 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Curlin Florida Derby, GP, Mar.
28; 1st GI Champagne S.; 1st GIII Holy Bull S. GP, Feb. 1; 3rd GII
Kentucky Jockey Club S., CD, Nov. 30
Next Start: GI Runhappy Travers S., SAR, Aug. 8.
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 272

Tiz the Law is decisively parked at the crop of the crop, with Nos. 2, 3, and 4 on this list more or less on even footing and everyone from No. 5 on back scrambling for a firm spot in the pecking order. Will 10 furlongs at Saratoga be the stumbling block for this $110,000 Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Sale graduate (cue the “graveyard of favorites” cliches)? Or will Saturday’s GI Runhappy Travers S. serve as yet another launch point for Tiz to widen the gap between him and his peers? Right now there are no soft spots evident on Tiz’s resume. He breaks adeptly from the gate and dictates the tempo even when he’s just stalking, and when this colt fully uncorks deeper into his races, it is with enough gusto to win by open lengths and with no one even close to him in the final furlong. Early in his career, Tiz had a knack for finding trouble and (mostly) overcoming it. As he’s matured, he and regular rider Manny Franco have instead learned to channel that keenness into a confident assertiveness that forces others to conform to Tiz’s menacing presence. Tiz the Law will be solidly favored on Saturday, but he’s no mortal lock. Yet if he does win, it will set up the highly unusual circumstance of the Derby fave already having won at 1 1/4 miles. Then, of course, with that all-important distance question answered, the focus will shift to how Tiz’s only loss to date was at Churchill Downs, the site of the Derby.

2) ART COLLECTOR (c, Bernardini—Distorted Legacy, by Distorted Humor)
O/B-Bruce Lunsford (KY). T-Thomas Drury Jr. Lifetime Record:
GSW, 8-4-1-0, $548,475.
Last Start: 1st GII Toyota Blue Grass S., KEE, July 11
Next Start: Runhappy Ellis Park Derby, ELP, Aug. 9
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 100

Art Collector goes in Sunday’s Ellis Park Derby as the horse to beat. But he’s not on the hunt for qualifying points (currently fifth with 100), so he needn’t be fully cranked when the true target is really four weeks later in Louisville. His 103 Beyer Speed Figure, 3 1/2-length breakout win in the GII Blue Grass S. was admirable for the sustained pressure Art Collector applied over nine furlongs before out-torqueing a very game Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) in the stretch. Yet until we see more stakes-quality horses run back from Keeneland’s July mini-meet, it will be hard to quantify how many performances over those five days were affected by a perceived bias that at times seemed to favor pace-pressers. Even if Art Collector did win under ideal circumstances, the overall body of work for this athletic-framed Bruce Lunsford homebred does not stamp him as a one-race wonder. He’s crossed the finish wire first sprinting on the turf, in in the slop, and on a dry track, and then scored by open lengths in both his route attempts. If you’re a firm believer in the “what have you done for me lately?” angle, it’s also worth noting that Art Collector and Tiz the Law are the only Top 12 contenders with perfect three-for-three records in 2020.

3) HONOR A.P. (r, Honor Code—Hollywood Story, by Wild Rush)
O-C R K Stable LLC. B-George Krikorian (KY). T-John
Shirreffs. Sales History: $850,000 yrl ’18 FTSAUG. Lifetime
Record: GISW, 5-2-3-0, $382,200.
Last Start: 2nd Shared Belief S., DMR, Aug. 1
Accomplishments include: 1st GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, June 6; 2nd GII San Felipe S., SA, Mar. 7.
Next Start: GI Kentucky Derby, CD, Sept. 5
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 140.

Honor A.P. ran second and earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure for his effort in the Shared Belief S. at Del Mar. But he never looked comfortable at 1-5 odds, and even before the race went off it had an aura of being one of those preps where the circumstances weren’t going to be ideal for this $850,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga acquisition. Honor A.P. has demonstrated he wants more ground, not less, and he was cutting back half a furlong to 1 1/16 miles from his nine-furlong GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby score. The dynamics of the four-horse Shared Belief meant he would have be closer to the pace than he preferred, but Honor A.P. had little choice but to work from the back of the pack after getting solidly bumped at the start by one Bob Baffert trainee while another darted to an uncontested lead. Jockey Mike Smith opted for the three path on both turns with Honor A.P. while race winner Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile) rode the rail all the way around. Honor A.P.’s so-so late surge to get second was visually amplified by Cezanne (Curlin) backpedaling out of contention. “I haven’t been able to get on him in the mornings [because of pandemic protocols] and I think that’s made a difference,” Smith said. “He’s just been going along there not doing much in the mornings. I need to be on him and get more out of him…. This distance is too short for him, too.” Except a tighter and mightier Honor A.P. in Louisville.

4) KING GUILLERMO (c, Uncle Mo—Slow Sand, by Dixieland Band)
O-Victoria’s Ranch. B-Carhue Investments, Grouseridge Ltd. &
Marengo Investments (KY). T-Juan Avila. Sales History: $90,000
RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP; $150,000 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record:
GSW & GISP, 5-2-1-1, $340,350.
Last Start: 2nd GI Arkansas Derby, OP, May 2
Accomplishments Include: 3rd Pulpit S., GP, Nov. 30; 1st
GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby
Next Start: GI Kentucky Derby, CD, Sept. 5
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 90.

King Guillermo shipped from his Florida base to Churchill Downs last week, settling into the next phase of his purposely planned (yet still unconventional) quest to win the Derby off a 127-day gap between starts. Regret won the 1915 Derby off a 259-day break, and Sir Barton won the 1919 Derby off a 238-day rest. Since 1929 (when more complete records began being kept), the longest winning layoff has been 42 days, equaled by Needles in 1956 and Animal Kingdom in 2011. This bay colt won the GII Tampa Bay Derby off a 97-day respite back in March, registering a 49-1 shocker that was both visually impressive and the third-fastest clocking of that stakes in 40 runnings (99 Beyer). Trainer Juan Carlos Avila then shipped him to Oaklawn, where King Guillermo ran a gutsy second in the faster division of the split GI Arkansas Derby, responding to a very aggressive ride from the far turn home. If heavy favorites in the remaining prep races start to wilt in the August heat, Avila’s “less is more” Derby training plan could end up looking pretty shrewd come the first Saturday in September and not as strange as when he first publicly announced it in May.

5) COUNTRY GRAMMER (c, Tonalist—Arabian Song, by Forestry)
O-Paul P Pompa Jr. B-Scott & Debbie Pierce (KY). T-Chad Brown. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-2-0-1, $117,320.
Sales History: $60,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP; $450,000 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Last Start: 1st, GIII Peter Pan S., SAR, July 16
Next Start: GI Runhappy Travers S., SAR, Aug. 8.
Equineline PPs. Derby Points: 50

Country Grammer has the most realistic chance of upsetting Tiz the Law in Saturday’s Travers. This colt’s stalking/grinding win in the GIII Peter Pan S. on opening day at Saratoga (95 Beyer) caught the eye because of the deft, corner-cutting move turning for home executed by jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. And when a fresh threat emerged in deep stretch, Country Grammer was emboldened by the challenge, digging in and ripping back the lead before edging away to a neck victory under confident handling. Trainer Chad Brown said post-race that his colt seems suited to longer distances, and he also noted that Country Grammer just didn’t seem to care for the Belmont Park surface, over which he trained only okay and finished third in a contentious June 4 allowance. This is a fresh face within the Top 12 who is two-for-two over nine furlongs by a sire who won the 1 1/2-mile GI Belmont S. Now he’s stretching out again over a racing strip he seems to relish for a trainer who generally doesn’t wheel horses back this quickly–look out.

6) THOUSAND WORDS (c, Pioneerof the Nile–Pomeroys Pistol, by Pomeroy)
O-Albaugh Family Stables & Spendthrift Farm. B-Hardacre Farm (Fl). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $1,000,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 7-4-1-0, $327,000.
Last Start: 1st Shared Belief S., DMR, Aug. 1
Accomplishments Include: 1st GIII Robert B. Lewis S., SA, Feb. 1; 1st GII Los Alamitos Futurity
Next Start: GI Kentucky Derby, CD, Sept. 5
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 83.

Which is the real Thousand Words? The million-dollar Keeneland September purchase who reigned as the No. 1 kingpin on this list for most of the winter and wired the Shared Belief S. with a 104 Beyer on Saturday? Or the well-backed Pioneerof the Nile bay who lost two important preps in March and April by a combined 41 lengths? In the Shared Belief, Thousand Words broke professionally and assumed command at the head of the four-horse field, dictating a moderate tempo while not seriously pressured until the top of the lane. Stablemate Cezanne briefly seized the lead, but Thousand Words clawed it back in workmanlike fashion, responding to repeated urging while the top two threats, Cezanne and Honor A.P., both seemed sapped in deep stretch. The victory wasn’t exactly a display of dominance, but Thousand Words didn’t need to tower over his foes to be considered a legitimate threat for the Derby. He’ll be heading to Churchill on the upswing with a bit of last-race momentum on his side.

7) UNCLE CHUCK (c, Uncle Mo—Forest Music, by Unbridled’s Song)
O-Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY). T-Bob Baffert.
Sales History: $250,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $120,000.
Last Start: 1st GIII Los Alamitos Derby, LRC, July 4
Next Start: GI Runhappy Travers S., SAR, Aug. 8
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 20.

Uncle Chuck, undefeated in a pair of West Coast two-turn efforts, will get an immersion in the deeper end of the Derby prep pool when he travels cross-country for Saturday’s 10-furlong Runhappy Travers S. at Saratoga. This colt’s form got a boost this past weekend when stablemate Thousand Words, who had finished second to Uncle Chuck in the July 4 GIII Los Alamitos Derby, came back to wire the Shared Belief S. at Del Mar at 9-1 odds. This Bob Baffert trainee has fired three straight training bullets at Del Mar, but don’t overlook the in-race stamina seasoning Uncle Chuck got when he raced over the Los Al strip. At 1,380 feet, it’s the longest in North America.

8) SHARED SENSE (c, Street Sense—Collective, by Bernardini)
O/B-Godolphin LLC (KY). T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-3-2-0, $322,112.
Last Start: 1st GIII Indiana Derby, IND, July 8
Next Start: Possible for Runhappy Ellis Park Derby, ELP, Aug. 9
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 20.

Shared Sense broke through the Kentucky Derby relevance barrier with a track-record win in the nine-furlong GIII Indiana Derby July 8, but the race in his past performance block that might end up being the truer benchmark for where he belongs in the Kentucky Derby picture is his second-place effort two starts back behind Art Collector. Shared Sense was 6 1/2 lengths behind that fast-rising foe back on June 13 in an allowance/optional claimer. Has he improved enough in the last two months to be on even terms with the No. 2-ranked contender? This Street Sense homebred for Godolphin could get a shot at a rematch if he’s entered in Sunday’s Runhappy Ellis Park Derby. Shared Sense breezed a half mile in :50.40 (54/75) on Sunday at Churchill Downs.

9) AUTHENTIC (c, Into Mischief–Flawless, by Mr. Greeley)
O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Fred
Hertrich III, John D. Fielding & Golconda Stables. B-Peter E. Blum
Thoroughbreds LLC (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $350,000
yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-4-1-0,
$1,011,200.
Last Start: 1st GI TVG.com Haskell Invitational S., MTH, July 18
Accomplishments include: 2nd GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, SA, June 5; 1st GII San Felipe S., SA, Mar. 7; 1st
GIII Sham S., SA, Jan. 4.
Next Start: GI Kentucky Derby, CD, Sept. 5
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 200.

It’s not often that a Derby contender wins a million-dollar race yet gets downgraded within the Top 12 pecking order. But that’s the case with Authentic’s GI Haskell S. victory. Even though he got the job done and earned a 100 Beyer, he left the overall impression of needing to step up his game if he’s to withstand intensified pace pressure in a 20-horse field going 10 furlongs. Authentic was 3-5 against a field of six and secured an easy lead through tepid fractions. He was home free by three lengths at the eighth pole, but caved in the final furlong before being reawakened by a desperate flurry of right-handed stick work from jockey Mike Smith to salvage a nose victory. In the aftermath of the Haskell, both Smith and trainer Bob Baffert referenced focus issues that included Authentic gawking around, shying from shadows, and “playing” when he should have been working. Authentic has considerable pace-pressing talent, but also a history of tardy breaks and losing concentration in the stretch. Smith said he intentionally rode Authentic assertively for about a pole past the finish as a schooling measure that might pay off next time. Baffert suggested blinkers could be next.

10) ENFORCEABLE (c, Tapit—Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union)
O-John Oxley. B-Clearsky Farm (KY). T-Mark Casse. Sales History:
$775,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP,
10-2-2-2, $367,150.
Last Start: 4th GII Toyota Blue Grass S., KEE, July 11
Accomplishments Include: 1st GIII Lecomte S., FG, Jan. 18; 3rd GI
Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, KEE, Oct. 5, 2nd GII Risen Star S.
Div. 1, FG, Feb. 15.
Next Start: GI Kentucky Derby, CD, Sept. 5
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 43.

If the Derby were run today, Enforceable would be about 30-1. But he would still be tough to exclude from exotics because both his stamina-centric pedigree and running style suggest that when pace and trip circumstances align, the tools are there for this colt to run right by everybody in the stretch over 10 furlongs. Even though the race record of this expensive KEESEP buyback isn’t stellar (2-for-10 with only a MSW and the GIII Lecomte S. to his credit), do you really want to toss out a Mark Casse-conditioned horse who will have had six weeks of training over the Churchill surface by race day? Especially if the race ends up being front-loaded with sacrificial speed? Enforceable seemed to be fighting a significant first-flight bias at Keeneland while adrift on both turns when fourth in the Blue Grass S. behind duelers who finished 8 1/2 lengths clear of the pack. He breezed five-eighths on Saturday in 1:02.60 (14/19), starting two lengths behind a fellow Tapit-sired maiden workmate, then finishing about a half-length to the good at the wire before continuing in front through a six-furlong gallop out of 1:15.80.

11) SOLE VOLANTE (g, Karakontie {Jpn}—Light Blow, by Kingmambo)
O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone & Limelight
Stables Corp. B-Flaxman Holdings Limited (KY). T-Patrick
Biancone. Sales History: $6,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP; $20,000 2yo ’19
OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-4-1-1, $323,310.
Last Start: 6th GI Belmont S., BEL, June 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GIII Sam F. Davis S., TAM, Feb. 8,
1st Pulpit S., GP, Nov. 30, 2nd GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay
Derby, TAM, Mar. 7.
Next Start: GI Kentucky Derby, CD, Sept. 5
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 30.

Sole Volante will be up against the grain of conventionality as he points to the Derby as the lone remaining Top 12 contender still based in Florida: he’s a gelding who generally trains over the turf at Palm Meadows, he’s cutting it close for eligibility points (currently 19th on the cutoff list with 30), and he’ll be sporting a 78-day layoff line by the time the first Saturday in September rolls around. Yet the son of Karakontie had a solid-enough early-career foundation of turf and dirt races (all at 7 1/2 furlongs or longer)–replete with Beyers in the 90s range (four times)–to think that he should be able to bounce back off a summer freshening better than some of his peers. Sole Volante is a light-framed stayer who probably won’t require a ton of work to get race ready over the next 4 1/2 weeks. Even though his Breeders’ Cup Mile-winning sire’s sweet spot was eight furlongs, his dam’s only win in England was in a 14-furlong race, so the 10-furlong Derby is theoretically within his scope.

12) MAX PLAYER (c, Honor Code—Fools in Love, by Not For Love)
O-George E. Hall & SportBLX Thoroughbreds Corp. B-K&G
Stables (KY). T-Linda Rice. Sales History: $150,000 RNA yrl ’18
KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 4-2-1-1, $273,500.
Last Start: 3rd GI Belmont S., BEL, June 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GIII Withers S., AQU, Feb. 1
Next Start: GI Runhappy Travers S., SAR, Aug. 8.
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 40

This first-crop Honor Code colt ($150,000 KEESEP RNA) currently rates as a “work in progress” type of sophomore, and Saturday’s Runhappy Travers S. should provide a clearer read on where he stands and where he’s headed, progression-wise. He has yet to run a poor race (2-1-1 from four starts). But one of those wins was a Parx maiden against only five rivals and the other was in the Feb. 1 GIII Withers when he pressed a tiring favored pacemaker into submission through moderate fractions. Max ran third in the Belmont S. behind Tiz the Law, and that effort was credible considering this inexperienced colt was coming off a 4 1/2-month layoff. But now that five horses have run back out of the Belmont, that race doesn’t look as strong on paper as did six weeks ago: Four Belmont starters have come back and lost next-out graded stakes, while one returned to win an allowance at Colonial Downs.

The post The TDN Derby Top 12 for August 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The TDN Derby Top 12 for July 14

Now 55 days out from the first Saturday in September, the GI Kentucky Derby totem pole continues to have an East-West hydra-like split at the top. But a Kentucky-based new shooter arrived on the scene over the weekend to add some spark and intrigue to the rankings. As the cadence quickens, the plot thickens.

1) TIZ THE LAW (c, Constitution—Tizfiz, by Tiznow)
O-Sackatoga Stable. B-Twin Creeks Farm (NY). T-Barclay Tagg. Sales History: $110,000 yrl ’18 FTNAUG. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 6-5-0-1, $1,480,300.
Last Start: 1st GI Belmont S., BEL, June 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Curlin Florida Derby, GP, Mar. 28, 1st GI Champagne S., 1st GIII Holy Bull S., GP, Feb. 1, 3rd GII Kentucky Jockey Club S., CD, Nov. 30
Next Start: GI Travers S., SAR, Aug. 8.
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 272.

Tiz the Law has been confidently carrying the burden of No. 1 favoritism since Mar. 11, and the 5-for-6 divisional kingpin arrived in Saratoga Monday morning in preparation for the GI Travers S. on Aug. 8. A win in the Midsummer Classic would mark one year to the date since this New York-bred broke his maiden at the Spa, and his only lifetime loss was a trip-troubled third in the slop at Churchill Downs last November. This $110,000 SARAUG Constitution colt ended his juvenile season as an overachiever with a knack for finding tight spots and pockets of traffic while still managing to win. But at age three Tiz emerged as a stronger, faster, more tactically agile racehorse, and he’s been well tuned in his training, with a minor foot bruise back in February as the only several-day setback in his regimen. Partnering with jockey Manny Franco, this assertive stalker has learned how to put himself in position to apply pressure as a menacing presence just behind the leaders, and with five open-length victories by margins of at least three lengths Tiz has yet to hook up with anybody who can seriously run with him inside the eighth pole. In a year filled with COVID-19 concerns and asterisks because of all the changes to the Triple Crown schedule, Tiz the Law has remained a constant, shining presence, handling just about any challenge thrown his way.

2) HONOR A.P. (r, Honor Code—Hollywood Story, by Wild Rush)
O-C R K Stable LLC. B-George Krikorian (KY). T-John Shirreffs. Sales History: $850,000 yrl ’18 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-2-2-0, $362,200.
Last Start: 1st GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby June 6. Accomplishments Include: 2nd GII San Felipe S., SA, Mar. 7.
Next Start: Shared Belief S., DMR, Aug. 1.
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 120.

While Tiz the Law merits the No. 1 ranking based on his impressive overall resume, Honor A.P. looms as the sophomore whose untapped potential is the most tantalizing. This $850,000 FTSAUG ridgling’s GI Santa Anita Derby score on June 6 serves as the measuring stick for the California-based contenders because it was a 2 ¾-length, grind-’em-down victory notable for both Honor A.P.’s long reach and the ease with which he covered that ground. Trainer John Shirreffs has said repeatedly this first-crop son of Honor Code has the mental makeup to handle the rigors of a 20-horse Derby field, and the 1 1/16 miles Shared Belief S. at Del Mar Aug. 1 will be his final prep prior to Louisville. On Sunday, Honor A.P. worked seven furlongs in 1:29.20 (1/2) at Del Mar as part of a three-way team. He started about a length behind two maiden juvenile workmates and was asked to slip through at the rail, which he did without strenuous effort. Track clockers had Honor A.P. going from the five-furlong pole to the wire in 1:03.30, edging away from his overmatched mates before continuing on for another quarter-mile on his own.

3) AUTHENTIC (c, Into Mischief—Flawless, by Mr. Greeley)
O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Fred Hertrich III, John D. Fielding & Golconda Stables. B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds LLC (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $350,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGSW & GISP, 4-3-1-0, $411,200.
Last Start: 2nd GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, SA, June 5. Accomplishments Include: 1st GII San Felipe S., SA, Mar. 7; 1st GIII Sham S., SA, Jan. 4.
Next Start: GI Haskell S., MTH, July 18.
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 100.

Authentic is New Jersey-bound after breezing a solo five-eighths in :59.80 (4/88) at Del Mar July 11 in prep for the GI Haskell S. on Saturday. He’ll be solidly favored based on the list of probables for Monmouth’s calling-card race, and one of the big questions for this $350,000 KEESEP Into Mischief bay is whether or not he wants (or needs to) transition into an effective stalker in order to maintain his spot in the overall pecking order. Authentic started his career 3-for-3, winning near the lead in a MSW sprint then wiring graded stakes fields in his first two route attempts. But in the Santa Anita Derby, this colt broke tardily and outward, then tried to press the pace while three wide on both turns. He ended up second behind No. 2-ranked Honor A.P., but likely gained more from that experience than is evident on paper. Trainer Bob Baffert has won the Haskell eight times, and in aiming for a ninth he has worked Authentic no fewer than five times in the six-weeks span between races, including bullets at both a flat mile and six furlongs.

4) ART COLLECTOR (c, Bernardini—Distorted Legacy, by Distorted Humor)
O/B-Bruce Lunsford (KY). T-Thomas Drury Jr. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-4-1-0, $548,475.
Last Start: 1st GII Toyota Blue Grass S., KEE, July 11
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 100.

Art Collector cruised into the GII Blue Grass S. having crossed the wire first by open lengths in three straight races against allowance/optional claiming company. He soared out of Saturday’s Keeneland feature 3 1/2 lengths the best after a tenacious stretch duel that earned a 103 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest by any 3-year-old at a mile or longer this year. This athletic Bruce Lunsford homebred by Bernardini broke with the pacemakers, applied pressure from third behind dueling leaders, and when the favored filly Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) put away rail-running Shivaree (Awesome of Course), Art Collector gamely latched onto her and ratcheted up the pressure. From the quarter pole to the sixteenth pole both rivals dug in, but in the final half a furlong Art Collector torqued into another gear the leading GI Kentucky Oaks points-earner couldn’t match. The Keeneland mini-meet did produce fast times on both surfaces, and while Saturday’s dirt races were not outright dominated by speed (one wire winner, five pace-pressers, one midpack stalker), being in the hunt near the front did yield discernable advantages. The Aug. 9 Ellis Park Derby is a next-race possibility according to trainer Thomas Drury Jr., but another start before the Derby is not a requirement considering Art Collector has bankrolled 100 Derby qualifying points (tied for third).

5) KING GUILLERMO (c, Uncle Mo—Slow Sand, by Dixieland Band)
O-Victoria’s Ranch. B-Carhue Investments, Grouseridge Ltd. & Marengo Investments (KY). T-Juan Avila. Sales History: $90,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP; $150,000 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 5-2-1-1, $340,350.
Last Start: 2nd GI Arkansas Derby, OP, May 2
Accomplishments Include: 3rd Pulpit S., GP, Nov. 30, 1st
GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby
Next Start: GI Kentucky Derby, CD, Sept. 5
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 90.

We’re approaching the seven-week mark to the Derby, and already King Guillermo is shaping up as the most intriguing under-the-radar contender despite his high ranking on this list. In an already unconventional season because of the coronavirus, his connections are taking an even more unusual prep path to the Derby, with a projected 127-day gap between starts. This second-deadline (June 3) Triple Crown nominee owns only two tries against graded stakes company, but both were crackerjack efforts. This Uncle Mo bay ($90,000 RNA at KEESEP; $150,000 OBSAPR) forced the issue on the front end at 49-1 odds to win the third-fastest GII Tampa Bay Derby in the race’s 40 runnings, then he ran a tenacious second in the stronger/faster division of the split GI Arkansas Derby. After some down time on a Florida farm, he got back to business July 4 with a bullet (1/118) :47.11 half-mile breeze at Gulfstream. On July 11, he was clocked over the same distance in :48.03 (8/101). Trainer Juan Carlos Avila posted on Twitter afterward that the King came out of his work in “excellent” shape, with a five-furlong work planned for this coming Saturday.

6) UNCLE CHUCK (c, Uncle Mo—Forest Music, by Unbridled’s Song)
O-Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $250,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $120,000.
Last Start: 1st GIII Los Alamitos Derby, LRC, July 4
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 20.

Uncle Chuck’s adept dismantling of the four-horse GIII Los Alamitos Derby July 4 pairs up nicely with his seven-length maiden romp back on June 12. In his maiden win over a mile, this $250,000 KEESEP Uncle Mo colt wired the field after breaking a step slowly. Stepping up to stakes company at Los Al, Uncle Chuck broke alertly, was rated wide into the first turn, settled comfortably on the backstretch, then took dead aim at the leader, blowing by as he pleased. Roused for the stretch run–at 1,380 feet, the longest in North America–Uncle Chuck had plenty left, gamely swatting away a fresh challenge from stablemate Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile), a sophomore who was once so highly regarded that he spent the bulk of last winter atop this Top 12 list. Hand-ridden in the final stages, Uncle Chuck scored by four decisive lengths. This colt boasts speed and precocity on the bottom side of his pedigree and two-turn potency up top. For a more detailed dissection of Uncle Chuck’s family line, see colleague Chris McGrath’s deep-dive analysis from last week.

7) SHARED SENSE (c, Street Sense–Collective, by Bernardini)
O/B-Godolphin LLC (KY). T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-3-2-0, $322,112.
Last Start: 1st GIII Indiana Derby, IND, July 8
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 20.

Shared Sense emerged as a late arrival on the Derby scene with his off-the-pace, track-record (.17 seconds off the old mark) score in last Wednesday’s GIII Indiana Derby, which for the first time was carded at nine furlongs. His stock inched upward again on Saturday thanks to a company-line boost from three-peat winner Art Collector, who came back out of their 1-2 finish in a June 13 Churchill Downs allowance to annex the Blue Grass S. at Keeneland. The Indiana Grand win by this homebred for Godolphin wasn’t so much a “Wow!” performance, but it underscored that this is a sophomore going the right way on the progression arc with more than a few hints at distance ability lodged within his pedigree (Street Sense out of a Bernardini mare). “He’s a tough horse,” trainer Brad Cox said, “On the dry dirt, that’s where he gets his best races. I tried him on the grass. His physical makeup, how he travels, I thought he might like the grass. He didn’t really go for it. And his last race at Churchill was a really good race. That race didn’t set up at all for him and he ran a big race. He’s just a horse I think will get better with distance and race.”

8) DR POST (c, Quality Road—Mary Delaney, by Hennessy)
O-St. Elias Stable. B-Cloyce C. Clark (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $200,000 wlg ’18 KEESEP; $400,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW & GISP, 4-2-1-0, $261,635.
Last Start: 2nd GI Belmont S., BEL, June 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st Unbridled S., GP, Apr. 25
Next Start: GI Haskell S., MTH, July 18
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 60.

Dr Post, the Belmont S. runner-up, now has two four-furlong breezes under his belt since his graded stakes debut, and last week was deemed a “likely” Haskell S. starter by trainer Todd Pletcher (entries Wednesday). If you discount his career debut, when this Quality Road colt bobbled at the break at 1-2 odds and ran fourth in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint, Dr. Post has paired back-to-back wins at Gulfstream over seven furlongs and 1 1/16 miles with his nine-furlong second behind the No. 1-ranked sophomore in the land. Although this $400,000 KEESEP and $200,000 KEENOV colt was not in the same league as Tiz the Law on June 20, Dr Post did win the “race within the race,” finishing ahead of some fairly accomplished contenders. If noted speedsters Authentic and Ete Indien (Summer Front) both show up for the Haskell and go too fast to last, Dr Post will be primed to pounce.

9) ENFORCEABLE (c, Tapit—Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union)
O-John Oxley. B-Clearsky Farm (KY). T-Mark Casse. Sales History: $775,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP,
10-2-2-2, $367,150.
Last Start: 4th GII Toyota Blue Grass S., KEE, July 11
Accomplishments Include: 1st GIII Lecomte S., FG, Jan. 18; 3rd GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, KEE, Oct. 5, 2nd GII Risen Star S. Div. 1, FG, Feb. 15.
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 43.

True to form, Enforceable ($775,000 KEESEP RNA) took the overland route home in the Blue Grass S., rallying from tenth to get necked in a photo for third while never threatening Art Collector and Swiss Skydiver, who were 8 1/4 lengths clear of the pack. “He ran well,” trainer Mark Casse said post-race. “I don’t think there is any secret out there that there has been a pretty good speed bias and we had to run against it. We ended up fairly wide turning for home and it probably cost us third. But I just wanted a positive race and him finishing. I talked to Mr. [owner John] Oxley beforehand and told him we don’t have to win, we just want a good race. Now what we want is for him to come out of this race and do well and we’ll figure out one more. I was proud of him [Saturday]. He broke well, and that’s something we worked hard on because he hadn’t been breaking very well. It was a real positive race.”

10) SOLE VOLANTE (g, Karakontie {Jpn}—Light Blow, by Kingmambo)
O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone & Limelight Stables Corp. B-Flaxman Holdings Limited (KY). T-Patrick Biancone. Sales History: $6,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP; $20,000 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-4-1-1, $323,310.
Last Start: 6th GI Belmont S., BEL, June 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GIII Sam F. Davis S., TAM, Feb. 8, 1st Pulpit S., GP, Nov. 30, 2nd GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, TAM, Mar. 7.
Next Start: Uncommitted.
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 30.

Sole Volante, a light-bodied stayer with a grass-on-grass pedigree (Karakontie {Jpn} out of a Kingmambo mare), figures to be a forgotten horse on the Derby trail after his no-punch sixth in the Belmont S. He reportedly didn’t like the track that day according to trainer Patrick Biancone, and no next-race plans have been publicly announced. But still, if this $6,000 KEESEP and $20,000 OBSAPR gelding ends up in the Derby, the prospect of a hot pace coupled with his smooth way of going and keen mind make him one of those dark-horse outsiders who figures as a logical long shot.

11) MAX PLAYER (c, Honor Code—Fools in Love, by Not For Love)
O-George E. Hall & SportBLX Thoroughbreds Corp. B-K&G Stables (KY). T-Linda Rice. Sales History: $150,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 4-2-1-1, $273,500.
Last Start: 3rd GI Belmont S., BEL, June 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GIII Withers S., AQU, Feb. 1
Next Start: GI Travers S., SAR, Aug. 8.
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 40.

Trainer Linda Rice said last week that after considering either Thursday’s GIII Peter Pan at Saratoga or Saturday’s Haskell at Monmouth, Max Player is instead going to wait another three weeks and “point right to the Travers.” This Honor Code colt ($150,000 KEESEP RNA) gained a foothold within the Top 12 after a “best of the rest” third in the Belmont S. At 14-1 odds, Max was no true threat to Tiz the Law, but his performance has to be viewed through the prism coming off of a 4 1/2-month layoff (primarily due to pandemic postponements). Max broke his maiden in start number two at Parx, then stretched capably to nine furlongs in the Feb. 1 GIII Withers, pressuring a tiring favored pacemaker into submission through moderate fractions. Rice has described this colt as a slow but steady learner, and if he can build that Belmont third into a breakthrough Travers performance, he could blossom into a “live” horse for the first Saturday in September.

12) CEZANNE (c, Curlin—Achieving, by Bernardini)
O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael B Tabor, Derrick Smith & St Elias Stable. B-Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc & St Elias Stables LLC (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $3,650,000 2yo ’19 FTFMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $57,000.
Last Start: 1st Allowance/Optional Claiming, LRC, July 2.
Next Start: Uncommitted.
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 0.

Cezanne advanced his record to 2-for-2 with a July 2 first-level allowance/optional claiming score over a mile at Los Alamitos. But considering this $3.65 million FTFMAR sales topper was 1-to-10 in the betting against only four rivals, he did not deliver an emphatic enough performance to retain his previous No. 8 placement. He stalked in third, quickened when cued to go after his stablemate entering the far turn, then passed that rival five-sixteenths out. Through the stretch, Cezanne had to be kept to task under both right- and left-handed stick work, and he could not decisively put away the longest shot on the board, a pesky closer who had required 10 starts to break his maiden for a $50,000 tag. The winning margin was an eroding 1 3/4 lengths (85 Beyer). By contrast, this Curlin bay’s debut was much more visually impressive: In that June 6 sprint, Cezanne fought all the way amid a four-way go, then dug in and opened up to win without being fully extended (90 Beyer).

The post The TDN Derby Top 12 for July 14 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The TDN Derby Top 12 for June 23

We’re now 75 days out from the GI Kentucky Derby. Although the TDN Derby Top 12 and the Churchill Downs official leaderboard for Derby qualifying points rarely mirror each other, the first four horses in this week’s rankings just so happen to line up with the hierarchy in the points standings.

1) TIZ THE LAW (c, Constitution—Tizfiz, by Tiznow)
O-Sackatoga Stable. B-Twin Creeks Farm (NY). T-Barclay Tagg. Sales History: $110,000 yrl ’18 FTNAUG. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 6-5-0-1, $1,480,300.
Last Start: 1st GI Belmont S., BEL, June 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Curlin Florida Derby, GP, Mar. 28, 1st GI Champagne S., 1st GIII Holy Bull S., GP, Feb. 1, 3rd GII Kentucky Jockey Club S., CD, Nov. 30
Next Start: GI Travers S., SAR, Aug. 8.
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 272.

Tiz the Law has not only held his form for the better part of a year, but he keeps evolving to the point where it now looks like this $110,000 SARAUG Constitution bay truly knows he’s toying with some fairly accomplished competition. It’s on to the GI Travers S. at Saratoga after trainer Barclay Tagg announced Sunday that Tiz exited his 3 3/4-length GI Belmont S. romp in fine shape physically and with good levels of energy, attitude and appetite. Per usual, Tiz was fast off the mark in the one-turn, nine-furlong first leg of the Triple Crown, but was quickly gathered in hand by jockey Manny Franco to allow the two main speed threats to come through along the inside. The New York-bred was a coiled, pace-pressing presence through honest splits in his three-path run up the long Belmont Park back straight, and Tiz’s reeling in of the top two after six furlongs in 1:09.94 seemed a foregone conclusion as he drew within range at will. His distinctive white blaze came over the top off the turn, then Tiz deftly slipped into a higher, unmatchable gear when prompted to dig in. Franco kept after his colt assertively, but the leaders had nothing left to give and the all-out closers weren’t in the same league. Just like in each of Tiz’s five wins to date, victory was assured by the eighth pole. Tiz earned a 100 Beyer for the effort, which didn’t at all look like it scraped the bottom of his stamina reserves.

2) HONOR A.P. (r, Honor Code—Hollywood Story, by Wild Rush)
O-C R K Stable LLC. B-George Krikorian (Ky). T-John Shirreffs. Sales History: $850,000 yrl ’18 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-2-2-0, $362,200.
Last Start: 1st GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby June 6. Accomplishments Include: 2nd GII San Felipe S., SA, Mar. 7.
Next Start: Uncommitted. Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 120.
Eleven days after his strong, stalking score in the GI Santa Anita Derby, Honor A.P. ($850,000 FTSAUG) returned to the work tab last Wednesday for an easy half-mile breeze in :53.40. After the work, trainer John Shirreffs told TDN he has circled “in pencil” the 1 1/16 miles Shared Belief S. at Del Mar Aug. 1 for this Honor Code ridgling’s next race. “His mental aspect is the really big strength for him. He doesn’t get upset easily. He’s not a nervous horse,” Shirreffs explained when asked about Honor A.P.’s chief attributes. “He takes everything in stride. So that’s a big plus. And the other thing is his way of going really helps him. He gets over the ground so easily. He doesn’t hit the ground hard. He’s light on his feet.” After the Santa Anita Derby, jockey Mike Smith said, “It seems the farther you go with him the better. He’s just got that big long, beautiful, powerful stride.” Shirreffs also trained Honor A.P.’s dam, Hollywood Story. She earned $1.1 million and was a Grade I victress at nine furlongs.

In an exchange of text messages with TDN last week, trainer Bob Baffert said the only solid next-race commitment for any of his top 3-year-olds is the GI Haskell S. for Authentic. Baffert has won that stakes eight times, and has been second with the only two entries he’s had in it the past four years. Mike Smith will replace Drayden Van Dyke, per a June 18 story in Sports Illustrated. Forwardly placed horses traditionally have an advantage at speed-centric Monmouth, so the Haskell should play to the chief strength of this $350,000 KEESEP Into Mischief bay. Progression-wise, Authentic likely got more out of his Santa Anita Derby second (pressed the pace three wide on both turns after an awkward break) than his coast-to-coast score in the GII San Felipe S. back in March. Luckily for Authentic, time is on his side for the pandemic-altered Classics: He’s a May 5 foal who has had focus issues, like veering out erratically while soaring solo through the stretch in the GIII Sham S. back in January. He’s also had stutter-step starts in each of his last three races. A couple more months of maturity can only help.

4) KING GUILLERMO (c, Uncle Mo—Slow Sand, by Dixieland Band)
O-Victoria’s Ranch. B-Carhue Investments, Grouseridge Ltd. & Marengo Investments (KY). T-Juan Avila. Sales History: $90,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP; $150,000 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 5-2-1-1, $340,350.
Last Start: 2nd GI Arkansas Derby, OP, May 2
Accomplishments Include: 3rd Pulpit S., GP, Nov. 30, 1st
GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby
Next Start: GI Kentucky Derby, CD, Sept. 5
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 90.

King Guillermo was a mystery horse when he wired the GII Tampa Bay Derby at 49-1 off a three-month layoff. But his prolonged and determined second in the stronger/faster division of the split GI Arkansas Derby cemented has status within the Top 12. Now he’s slipping back under the radar, with no published workouts since that last start on May 2 and some relaxation time on a Florida farm. After the Arkansas Derby, trainer Juan Carlos Avila had stated a preference to train straight up to the Kentucky Derby. This Uncle Mo bay ($90,000 RNA KEESEP; $150,000 OBSAPR) has 90 qualifying points on the “Road to the Derby” leaderboard, good enough for fourth place right now in the standings.

5) ENFORCEABLE (c, Tapit—Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union)
O-John Oxley. B-Clearsky Farm (KY). T-Mark Casse. Sales History: $775,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP,
9-2-2-2, $367,150.
Last Start: 5th GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby, FG, Mar. 21
Accomplishments Include: 1st GIII Lecomte S., FG, Jan. 18; 3rd GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, KEE, Oct. 5, 2nd GII Risen Star S. Div. 1, FG, Feb. 15.
Next Start: GII Toyota Blue Grass S., KEE, July 11
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 33.

Enforceable ($775,000 KEESEP RNA) is heading from trainer Mark Casse’s training center in Ocala to the GII Blue Grass S. at Keeneland, where he’ll attempt to rebound off a fifth-place finish in the Mar. 21 GII Louisiana Derby. On a National Thoroughbred Racing Association conference call last week, Casse likened the Florida-based comeback to the way he got 2016 juvenile champ Classic Empire to the winner’s circle after a series of setbacks early in that colt’s sophomore season. “You’ll remember a few years back, we had Classic Empire, and I think everybody kind of thought we were nuts [when] I said I was going to get him ready [for the Triple Crown]. And if you remember, we ran him right off of our place and won the Arkansas Derby. Our plan is to do the same here with Enforceable.” (Classic Empire, by the way, then ran fourth in the Kentucky Derby despite a horror trip and was second, beaten only a head, in the GI Preakness S.) Enforceable, whose forte has been closing from well off the pace, will have a jockey switch for the Blue Grass, with Joel Rosario replacing Julien Leparoux.

6) THOUSAND WORDS (c, Pioneerof the Nile—Pomeroys Pistol, by Pomeroy)
O-Albaugh Family Stables & Spendthrift Farm. B-Hardacre Farm (Fl). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $1,000,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-0-0, $235,500.
Last Start: 11th Oaklawn S., OP, Apr. 11
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Los Alamitos Futurity, LRC, Dec. 7, 1st GIII Robert B. Lewis S., SA, Feb. 1
Next Start: Possible for GIII Los Alamitos Derby, LRC, July 4
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 25.

Either the July 4 GIII Los Alamitos Derby or the July 11 Blue Grass S. will be the next start for Thousand Words, trainer Bob Baffert told TDN last week. The bet here is that this $1-million KEESEP bay goes in the Los Al Derby. Thousand Words won the GII Los Alamitos Futurity over that track last December. Plus it’s an easier ship from Santa Anita, and the race has only lured four and five starters in each of the past two runnings (with Baffert trainees winning both). Thousand Words reigned as the No. 1 kingpin on this list for most of the winter, then dropped precipitously after a punchless, no-excuse fourth in the Mar. 7 San Felipe S. His stock fell further after a beaten-fave 11th over a sealed track in the Oaklawn S. Apr. 11, but that day he truly looked like a horse who wasn’t comfortable with the wet footing, backpedaling from kickback 3 1/2 furlongs out. With the GI Kentucky Derby advanced to Sept. 5, he’s now back in play as a second-wind candidate. Thousand Words fired two consecutive training bullets earlier this month. Then he worked six furlongs in 1:13.20 (4/10) on Saturday while drawing well clear of older workmate Once On Whiskey (Bodemeister), who, coincidentally, won the 2018 Los Al Derby.

7) DR POST (c, Quality Road—Mary Delaney, by Hennessy)
O-St. Elias Stable. B-Cloyce C. Clark (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $200,000 wlg ’18 KEESEP; $400,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW & GISP, 4-2-1-0, $261,635.
Last Start: 2nd GI Belmont S., BEL, June 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st Unbridled S., GP, Apr. 25
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 60.

It’s been an uncharacteristically quiet season on the Derby trail for trainer Todd Pletcher in 2020, but his best chance could be arriving late on the scene in the form of Dr Post, who ran a capable second behind Tiz the Law in the Belmont S. This Quality Road colt ($200,000 KEENOV, $400,000 KEESEP) is now 2-1-0 from four starts, and he owns a better-than-it-looks score in the $75,000 Unbridled S. at Gulfstream that was notable for his grinding determination despite being blocked on the turn and again into the stretch. Dr Post’s sire was a four-time Grade I winner, thrice at nine furlongs and once in the one-turn Met Mile. His dam, Mary Delaney (Hennessey) was a front-running force in sprints 13 years ago who won a Grade II over seven furlongs. Pletcher said on Sunday next-race options are either the Haskell or Travers.

8) CEZANNE (c, Curlin—Achieving, by Bernardini)
O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael B Tabor, Derrick Smith & St Elias Stable. B-Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc & St Elias Stables LLC (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $3,650,000 2yo ’19 FTFMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $30,000.
Last Start: 1st Maiden Special Weight, SA, June 6.
Next Start: Uncommitted.
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 0.

Trainer Bob Baffert joked in a Sports Illustrated story last week that recent maiden-breaking stablemates Cezanne (the $3.65 million FTFMAR Curlin-sired sales topper) and Uncle Chuck (Uncle Mo, $250,000 KEESEP), were “walk-ons” taking the place of the barn’s recently sidelined or retired Derby prospects. But “pretty good walk-ons,” Baffert was quick to add. He told TDN via text message last week there were “no real plans” yet for a next race for both colts. Cezanne, who breezed an eighth in :10 flat prior to last year’s auction, earned a 90 Beyer for winning his debut at 6 1/2 furlongs, in which he battled in the two path amid a four-way go for the lead, then dug in off the turn to open up to a 2 1/4-length win.

9) BASIN (c, Liam’s Map—Appenzell, by Johannesburg)
O-Jackpot Farm. B-Cottonwood Stables LLC (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $150,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 6-2-2-1, $471,000.
Last Start: 2nd GI Arkansas Derby, OP, May 2
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Runhappy Hopeful S., SAR, Sept. 2, 3rd GII Rebel S., OP, Mar. 14
Next Start: GII Toyota Blue Grass S., KEE, July 11
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 50.

Basin, last summer’s GI Hopeful S. winner, could be primed to pounce third off the layoff if he starts as expected in the Blue Grass S. Trainer Steve Asmussen told DRF.com last week that the prospect of some extra time between starts and a desire to keep this $150,000 KEESEP bay in two-turn races as the chief reasons he did not enter the Belmont S. on Saturday. After not starting between September and March because of a right hind ankle issue, this Liam’s Map colt has been third and second behind two Bob Baffert-trained winning faves in Oaklawn stakes. Most recently Basin was five lengths in the wake of now-sidelined Charlatan (Speightstown) in the division of the Arkansas Derby that produced faster internal fractions but a slower final eighth and final time. Basin is a May 12 foal, so his next start will be the first after his actual third birthdate.

Sole Volante’s non-threatening sixth in the Belmont S. was blah enough to derail him a few pegs within the Top 12, but a solid overall race resume saves this light-bodied deep closer from complete banishment off the list. Coming off a three-month layoff, this $6,000 KEESEP and $20,000 OBSAPR Karakontie (JPN) gelding had a winning allowance prep at Gulfstream 10 days prior to his trip to New York. But he never looked in it to win it on Saturday despite getting a robust pace that should have greatly aided his off-the-tailgate style. Trainer Patrick Biancone previously described Sole Volante as having the mind and athletic prowess to be able to adapt to different racing surfaces. But Biancone told DRF.com on Sunday the gelding didn’t handle the track at Belmont. Sole Volante’s second in the GII Tampa Bay Derby is quite a bit better than it looks on paper considering he closed from 11th on a day when the six dirt races at Tampa were all won by forwardly placed speedsters.

Yes, Max Player’s third in the Belmont S. does have a “picked up the pieces” aura to it. But he’s a fresh face coming off a 4 1/2-month layoff, and that still was a pretty nice sustained run he uncorked from the back of the pack. It included a bit of maneuvering for position entering the turn and then having to switch outside charging into the lane. The honest pace established by the frontrunners certainly set up that type of move, but neither second-place finisher Dr Post nor Max Player were seriously threatening Tiz the Law. But what happens in the “race within the race” can be beneficial too, and this $150,000 KEESEP RNA will be a better Derby candidate for the experience. Trainer Linda Rice told TDN‘s Christie DeBernardis last week that Max was “a bit of an enigma” at age two whose progress over time has been “slow and steady.” On Sunday, Rice said a decision on a next start would be a week or 10 days away.

12) STORM THE COURT (c, Court Vision–My Tejana Storm, by Tejano Run)
O-Exline-Border Racing LLC, David Bernsen, Susanna Wilson & Dan Hudock. B-Stepping Stone Farm (Ky). T-Peter Eurton. Sales History: $5,000 yrl ’18 FTKFEB; $60,000 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Colt & GISW, 7-2-0-2, $1,235,451.
Last Start: 6th GI Arkansas Derby, OP, May 2
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, SA, Nov. 1, 3rd GII San Felipe S., SA, Feb. 9
Next Start: GIII Ohio Derby, TDN, June 27
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 32.

The 2-year-old champ and 45-1 upset winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile has been luckless in three starts as a sophomore and will venture to Thistledown for the GIII Ohio Derby this Saturday in search of a turnaround. This $60,000 OBSAPR bay (bought for $5,000 as a FTKFEB yearling) was only peripherally involved when fourth in the GII San Vicente S. and wasn’t in the bridle when third behind heavyweights Authentic and Honor A.P. in the San Felipe S. He loomed but never fired when sixth in the stronger/faster division of the Arkansas Derby, and trainer Peter Eurton told DRF.com last week that blinkers would come off at Thistledown for the first time since Storm the Court ran third in the GI American Pharoah S. at Santa Anita last September. “He’s matured enough now,” Eurton said. For a $500,000 race, the Ohio Derby is currently lacking a headline horse and Storm the Court might end up being it. In six career races, this Court Vision colt has never started favored.

The post The TDN Derby Top 12 for June 23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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