NEWS
Three-year-old division
heats up this weekend
Posted: Friday, July 30, 2010 10:36 AM
FIRST DUDE
PhotosByZ.com/Thoroughbred Times
by Phil Janack
As the Triple Crown fades in the rear-view mirror, the season’s second half for three-year-old males with championship aspirations begins in earnest this weekend.
On Saturday afternoon at Saratoga Race Course, Dwyer Stakes (G2) winner and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up Fly Down takes on nine opponents in the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2).
On Sunday, Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Super Saver and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Lookin At Lucky hook up again in the $1-million IZOD Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.
While prestigious races in their own right, both the Jim Dandy and Haskell lead to the $1-million Shadwell Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on August 28, the oldest stakes race for three-year-olds in the country and often a key factor in determining year-end honors.
“Everybody’s been beating each other. Somebody’s got to step up and prove they’re the best,” said trainer Dale Romans, who will saddle Preakness runner-up and Belmont third-place finisher First Dude in the Haskell. “It all starts here, right?
“I think everything’s going to work out perfect. You’re going to have both these races and you’re going to have the best of both races meet up in the Travers. It’s going to make for an exciting race.”
The Haskell, at 1 1/8 miles, also attracted Florida Derby (G1) winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Ice Box as well as late bloomers such as Trappe Shot, who has won four consecutive races, including the Long Branch Stakes on July 10 at Monmouth, and Grade 3 winner Afleet Again.
“It’s a great race with a lot of money and prestige, so you would expect to have the best horses in it,” Romans said. “To be the best, you have to beat the best.”
Saratoga’s hometown Travers prep, the Jim Dandy, features up-and-coming horses such as Pegasus Stakes (G3) winner Afleet Express, Hutcheson Stakes (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up A Little Warm, multiple Grade 1-placed winner Aikenite, and undefeated New York-breds Friend Or Foe and Stormy’s Majesty.
“I think it basically depends on who wins,” said Todd Pletcher, trainer of Super Saver and Aikenite. “If Lookin At Lucky or Super Saver win, they could take a huge step forward. I think the next two races will probably be what really clarifies [the three-year-old division race], if somebody can come back now and reel off a couple in a row.
“You’ve got these two fields at different tracks going this weekend, and likely the best of these two lots will come back in the Travers. These two races should really shed some light on the whole thing.”
Super Saver is owned by WinStar Farm, which won the Haskell with Bluegrass Cat in 2006 and Any Given Saturday in ’07.
“We’re excited about it,” said WinStar vice president and racing manager Elliott Walden. “We’re hoping we can come back in the Travers and that will be another opportunity to allow, hopefully Super Saver, but one horse to establish [himself] as the best three-year-old in the country. To this point, it’s a level playing field with the top two or three horses, so I think the rest of the year is going to decide that.”
Phil Janack is a Saratoga-based correspondent for Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
|
|
|
Posted by: Bill, Evansville, IN on July 31, 2010 at 12:23 PM
I think the second half of the season is much more interesting than the first part. Yeh, the Ky. Derby is the premier race, but most good colts having really developed yet. At this moment, who knows just how good Trappe Shot is. He's certainly well-bred.
Report Abuse 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: Mimi, San Antonio, TX on July 30, 2010 at 05:04 PM
Dale Romans and Todd Pletcher sure know what they're talking about! I know the Haskell's just the day after tomorrow but I can't wait! I bet Fly Down will win the Jim Dandy and meet up in the Travers with whoever wins the Haskell. First Dude is also such a gorgeous horse-it's impossible not to like him.
Good luck to all of them!
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
