Sunday, February 21, 2010

Eskendereya.... Impressive in Fountain of Youth!!!


Photo: Zbigniew/EquiSport Photos


How things can change in 10 days!
ESKENDEREYA leapfrogged to the top of my list with an impressive 8.5 length win in the Fountain of Youth and an eye popping 106 Beyer speed figure!! JACKSON BEND now has back to back second place finishes for Nick Zito, to improve his chances at making the Kentucky Derby starting gate. LOOKIN' AT LUCKY will now have to show some dirt experience to reclaim his top spot.
Has anyone seen if BUDDY'S SAINT made it back to the barn after the FOY? He finished a disappointing 9th, after a very rough trip in the first turn, but will return.
CONVEYANCE picks up 4 spots with a gate to wire win in the Southwest Stakes, as expected, over DUBLIN.
What is a CARACORTADO? He's made the top 10 with a score in the Risen Star.
CONNEMARA moves up with a win in the El Camino Real.
Todd Pletcher and Bob Baffert are feeling their oats with an unreal 9 of the top 13 ranked horses on the Trail...not counting Tiz Chrome on down the list for Baffert, Wow!
I'm pleased that some talent has finally showed up. I was beginning to think I might need a dart board to pick a winner. The Top 5 are pretty solid colts!

Rank Horse Sire Trainer Jockey Owner
1 ESKENDEREYA Giant's Causeway Todd Pletcher John Velazquez Zayat
2 LOOKIN' AT LUCKY Smart Strike Bob Baffert Garrett Gomez Pegram, Watson, Weitman
3 SUPER SAVER Maria's Mon Todd Pletcher Calvin Borel Winstar
4 DISCREETLY MINE Mineshaft Todd Pletcher Javier Castellano Paul Robsham Stables
5 DUBLIN Afleet Alex D. Wayne Lukas Robert Baker, William Mack
6 CARACORTADO Cat Dreams Michael Machowsky Paul Atkinson Blahut & Lo Hi Racing
7 CONVEYANCE Indian Charlie Bob Baffert Martin Garcia Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum (Zabeel Racing)
8 RULE Roman Ruler Todd Pletcher John Velazquez Winstar
9 JACKSON BEND Hear No Evil Nick Zito Jeramy Rose Jacks or Better, Robert LaPenta
10 INTERACTIF Broken Vow Todd Pletcher Kent Desormeaux Wertheimer & Frere
11 CONNEMARA Giant's Causeway Todd Pletcher Russell Baze Tabor, Magnier, Smith
12 D'FUNNYBONE D'Wildcat Rick Dutrow Edgar Prado Paul Pompa
13 DAVE IN DIXIE Dixie Union John Sadler Joel Rosario Ike & Dawn Thrash
14 AMERICAN LION Tiznow Eoin Harty Julien Leparoux Winstar
15 AIKENITE Yes It's True Todd Pletcher Alan Garcia Dogwood Stables
16 ODYSSEUS Malibu Moon Tom Albertrani Rajiv Maragh Padua Stables
17 NOBLE'S PROMISE Cuvee Ken McPeek Rafael Bejarano Chasing Dreams Racing
18 DROSSELMEYER Distorted Humor Bill Mott Kent Desormeaux Winstar
19 BUDDY'S SAINT Saint Liam Bruce Levine Jose Lezcano Kingfield Stables
20 MAXIMUS RULER Roman Ruler Clark Hanna James Graham D. Benge, C. Hanna, M. Bell
21 RON THE GREEK Full Mandate Thomas Amoss James Graham Jack Hammer
22 RANGER HEARTLEY Lost Soldier John Sadler Julio Garcia David Alpert & Herb Alpert
23 LENTENOR Dynaformer Michael Matz John Velazquez Roy & Gretchen Jackson
24 TIZ CHROME Tiznow Bob Baffert Garrett Gomez Lanni, Mercedes, Schiappa
25 VALE OF YORK Invincible Spirit Saeed by Suroor Ahmed Ajtebi Godolphin