NEWS
Tomcito seeks Lexington Stakes win, spot in Derby
Posted: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 5:16 PM
TOMCITO
Jockey Club del Peru photo
by Jeff Apel
The $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Keeneland Race Course is the final chance for Grade 1-placed Tomcito to earn a starting spot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 3.
The Street Cry (Ire) colt will take on ten other three-year-olds in the 1 1/16-mile race, which is the final opportunity for Derby hopefuls to bank graded stakes earnings. If more than 20 are entered in the Kentucky Derby, preference is given to horses with the highest career earnings in graded stakes races.
A multiple Group 1 winner in Peru, Tomcito has compiled $151,292 in graded and group stakes earnings, which ranks 29th among Kentucky Derby hopefuls. Trainer Dante Zanelli Jr. knows his colt must turn in a big performance in the Lexington Stakes in order to guarantee a starting spot at Churchill.
“I don’t have any pressure,” Zanelli said. “In all honesty, I have nothing to lose. So it’s time—we have to run.”
Tomcito finished third, 12 1/2 lengths behind leading Kentucky Derby contender Big Brown, in the Florida Derby (G1) in his previous start on March 29 at Gulfstream Park. The Florida Derby was the North American debut for Tomcito, who made his first five career starts in Peru.
Jet Set Racing Stable’s Tomcito closed his 2007 campaign with back-to-back wins in the Clasico Ricardo Ortiz de Zevallos (Per-G1) and Derby Nacional (Per-G1). The Street Cry (Ire) colt also finished second in the ’07 Clasico Polla de Potrillos (Per-G1) (Peruvian Two Thousand Guineas).
“He gets better and better every day,” Zanelli said. “His coat is better, the horse is training better. We’re really happy where we are right now.”
The Lexington Stakes also drew Grade 2 winner Salute the Sarge and Grade 2-placed stakes winner Atoned. Graded stakes-placed winners St. Joe, Racecar Rhapsody, and Riley Tucker also were entered.
With $258,940 in graded stakes earnings, Salute the Sarge is 17th on the Kentucky Derby list. The California-based Forest Wildcat colt has made two previous starts at 1 1/16 miles, finishing second in last year’s Norfolk Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park prior to posting an unplaced finish in the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Monmouth Park.
“We’re going to be kind of scratching our heads until Saturday, because I think he’ll get a mile-and-a-sixteenth,” trainer Eric Guillot said. “I don’t think the mile-and-a-sixteenth is going to be the trip. I think further along is going to be the question.”
Zayat Stables’ Riley Tucker enters off a second-place finish in the Central Bank Transylvania Stakes on April 4 at Keeneland. Bill Mott trains the Harlan’s Holiday colt, a runner-up in the 2007 Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3).
Jeff Apel is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor
The field, with horse (sire), jockey, weight, and trainer:
1. Atoned (Repent), Edgar Prado, 117, Todd Pletcher;
2. Salute the Sarge (Forest Wildcat), Michael Baze, 117, Eric Guillot;
3. Samba Rooster (Songandaprayer), Garrett Gomez, 117, Bob Baffert;
4. St. Joe (Trippi), Miguel Mena, 117, Darrin Miller;
5. Racecar Rhapsody (Tale of the Cat), Robby Albarado, 117, Ken McPeek;
6. Felon (Stephen Got Even), Julien Leparoux, 117, Mike Maker;
7. Behindatthebar (Forest Wildcat), David Flores, 117, Todd Pletcher;
8. Tomcito (Street Cry [Ire]), Jorge Chavez, 123, Dante Zanelli Jr.;
9. Big Glen (Cactus Ridge), Rene Douglas, 119, Frank Brothers;
10. Riley Tucker (Harlan's Holiday), John Velazquez, 117, Bill Mott; and
11. Red Sandy (Yes It's True), Jamie Theriot, 117, D. Wayne Lukas.
