NEWS
Kantharos, Danzon deliver at Churchill Downs
Posted: Saturday, July 03, 2010 7:02 PM
KANTHAROS
Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography
by Tim Nichols
Stonestreet Stables’ Kantharos established himself as horse to watch for the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) with a dominant performance on Saturday in the $108,200 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. (video)
The two-year-old Lion Heart colt lived up to expectations as he easily took the lead entering the stretch and pulled away to a 9½-length win under little more than a hand ride by jockey Robby Albarado.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Kantharos covered six furlongs on a track rated as fast in 1:09.89.
Kantharos stumbled out of the gate but quickly recovered and settled in third while Thewayitusedtobe led through an opening quarter in :21.81. Kantharos smoothly accelerated past two horses to take the lead through a half-mile in :45.62 and effortlessly pulled away to victory as the 7-to-10 favorite.
Kentucky Juvenile Stakes (G3) winner Lou Brissie finished second, a half-length in front of Speed Demon.
Kantharos, a $250,000 purchase by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. March sale of selected two-year-olds in training, entered off an equally impressive 11¾-length win in a five-furlong maiden race on a sloppy track at Churchill on May 13.
“He’s not made a mistake and his two races so far have been very exciting,” Asmussen said. “Hopefully, we can make some of the right moves with him because he has a tremendous amount of talent. He looked great coming down the stretch and it was such an exciting race.”
Bred in Kentucky by Hedberg Hall, Kantharos is a half brother to Grade 3 winner Ikigai. He is out of Contessa Halo, by Southern Halo.
While there was no doubt about the outcome of the Bashford Manor, Danzon captured the $116,200 Locust Grove Handicap (G3) by a scant nose one race earlier on Saturday. (video)
Claimed by trainer James Baker for owner Alfred Nuckols Jr. for $80,000 out of a June 4 win at Churchill Downs, Danzon rewarded their investment by surging from tenth in the field of 11 to win.
The seven-year-old Royal Academy mare covered one mile on firm turf in 1:37.02.
“It was the owner’s decision to claim the horse,” Baker said. “I asked, ‘Who?’ and he said it was her, and I said, ‘Let’s go for it.’ "
With Danzon advancing to sixth in early stretch, jockey Alex Solis found opening near the center of the course and cruised past five opponents, including runner-up Happiness Is, for the win.
Happiness Is tracked pacesetter War Tigress in second through a half-mile in :48.72 and six furlongs in 1:12.94 and nearly stayed on for the win.
C. S. Silk finished third, a neck behind Happiness Is.
Bred in Kentucky by Woodcote Stud, Danzon improved to ten wins, four seconds, and six thirds from 29 starts. She won the 2006 Prix Vanteaux-MTPA Office de Tourism de l’Ile Maurice (Fr-G3) when trained in France by Jean-Claude Rouget.
Out of the winning Kingmambo mare Zappeuse, Danzon hails from the family of French classic winner Danseuse du Soir (Ire) and Italian Group 1 winner Scintillo (GB).
For Equibase charts, click here.
Tim Nichols is Internet content editor for Thoroughbred Times
