2013 Triple Crown Trail

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Awesome Feather may return to training by month's end

McPeek sees benefit in Casper's Touch's loss

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - One day after watching one of his top Kentucky Derby prospects, Casper’s Touch, suffer through a horrendous trip in his 3-year-old debut at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, trainer Ken McPeek was calm and composed discussing the unfortunate circumstances that led to the colt’s second-place finish as the even-money favorite in the nine-furlong, entry-level allowance event

With Julien Leparoux aboard, Casper’s Touch steadied back off the leader entering the clubhouse turn, raced very rankly while lacking racing room in the run down the backstretch, then was bumped soundly by Shadow Warrior near midstretch before finishing gamely to be second behind Shackleford.
KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS: Track all the 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail
“It was a terrible trip – what are you going to do,” said McPeek. “The race was really a prep for the Fountain of Youth, and he did show how tough he is to come on and finish second when having every right to be fourth after getting hit as hard as he did in the stretch. Fortunately he came back without a nick on him and cleaned up his feed tub in an hour. The race was a stepping-stone, and even though we did not win, I was pleased with it.”
If all goes according to plan, Casper’s Touch will get a chance to avenge that setback, as trainer Dale Romans said Shackleford is also being pointed for the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on Feb. 26.

Brethren to start year with Sam Davis at Tampa Bay

Monday, February 7, 2011

2 more Pletcher 3-yos to look out for on the TC trail

1) Travelin Man (Trippi - West Side Dancer by Gone West) - Very nice pedigree and great tail-female line. Next Start: Feb. 26th G2 Hutcheson (7f)

2) Cal Nation (Distorted Humor - She's A Winner by AP Indy) - half to Bluegrass Cat and same family cross as Brethren (Distorted Humor - Supercharger by AP Indy), Supercharger is full sister to She's A Winner. Next Start: Hutcheson, FOY, Gotham???

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Female Families and the KY Derby

Family 4, possibly dating back to the Layton Violet Barb mare, is one of the more prolific lines in thoroughbred history. Seventeen horses from this group, dating from 1895 (Halma) to 2001 (Monarchos), have won the Kentucky Derby. Five members each from the branches of 4-m (Magnolia) and 4-r (Cub Mare) have been successful, with two representatives from 4-d (Manganese) and 4-n (St. Marguerite), and one each from 4, 4-c (Maniac) and 4-e (Fair Helen).

My #1 horse right now, To Honor And Serve, comes out of family 4-r (Cub Mare) who also produced Monarchos. Here's your Derby winner!! LOL! I hope so 'cuz I've been on this guy since last October and I love his pedigree. His sire, Bernardini, also comes out of family 4 (4-m, Magnolia).

My #2 horse right now is Elite Alex and he comes out of the 4-d family (Manganese).

A strong branch in modern times is Family 8 (Bustler Mare). Four members each from 8-c (Woodbine) and 8-f (Remembrancer Mare) and three from 8-h (Atalanta) have taken the Belmont Trophy. The earliest member was Vito in 1928 and continues through to 2007 with Rages to Riches. Additionally, Better Than Honour, the only mare to have produced two Belmont Stakes winners is included in the 8-f group.

My #4 horse, Tapizar, comes from family 8-c (Woodbine).

So, as of today (02/06/11) my top 10 horses are as follows:

1) To Honor And Serve
2) Elite Alex
3) Sway Away
4) Tapizar
5) Dialed In
6) Casper's Touch
7) Machen
8) Rogue Romance
9) Brethren
10) Wilkinson/Bench Points