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| Two high class colts went postward in the $750,000 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. In two of the past three years, the winner of the Florida Derby has gone on to win the Kentucky Derby. Barbaro did it in 2006 and Big Brown accomplished the feat in 2008. The Grade I race over 1800 metres, had Quality Road, the winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes, and Dunkirk, a $3,700,000 yearling, who was going for graded earnings for the first time after winning his first two career starts. There was a third runner, Theregoesjojo, who had beaten Quality Road in an allowance race early in the year. Seven sophomores answered the starter’s call. Danger To Society was a late scratch and will take his chances in the Wood Memorial on April 4 at Aqueduct. Another to get out of the lineup was Europe, a Todd Pletcher charge, who was expected to be the pacemaker for Dunkirk, the better fancied Pletcher pupil. Quality Road sat second and struck the front approaching the final turn. Dunkirk lay sixth and was, at least, seven lengths off. Circling the field and charging three-wide as the field straightened for home, Dunkirk headed Quality Road. The last word had not been spoken. John Velasquez, rider of Quality Road, asked for a response. A duel ensued. Quality Road found another gear. With 100 metres to run, Quality Road began edging away. Dunkirk had no arrows left in his quiver. Theregoesjojo, in contention until the bend, was squeezed when trying to get thru between Quality Road and Dunkirk, took back and retreated. Kent Desormeaux, rider of Theregoesjojo, lodged an objection against John Velasquez for interference. The objection was overruled. An Elsusive Quality colt, Quality Road is out of Kobla by Strawberry Road. Quality Road was the second choice at 12-10. The 1800-metre Florida Derby was run in 1 47.72. Jockey John Velasquez said, “I was just biding my time. He relaxed. I did not think the objection was needed. I saw no merit.” Trainer Jim Jerkens outlined future plans for his colt. “The Derby is only five weeks away. We are going to Churchill. He sat nice for John (Velasquez) and did not give him any trouble. He rated.” Todd Pletcher was plainly disappointed with the result. “The track favored speed. If I had known that the track had a strong bias, I would have taken Dunkirk to the Wood Memorial. All kinds of track records were broken.” On Sunday, another Derby was run. It was the $900,000 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park in New Mexico. Mike Smkith and Kelly Leak came from behind to win going away. Kelly Leak returned $6.60 and ran the 1800-metre race in 1 50.02. Kelly Leak is a son of Runaway Groom. Winning trainer Mike Machowsky talked about his ward. “It was a good win. Mike Smith did a great job of riding the horse all the way around, particularly down the stretch. Kelly Leak ships well and handled the track well. He has not been nominated to the Triple Crown. Lone Star Derby in Texas is an option. Another possibility is Belmont’s Peter Pan Stakes.” Two Derby winners are no more. Lil E Tee won the 1992 Kentucky Derby. Pat Day was aboard. Lil E Tee, was 20 and was euthanized because of complications from an intestinal problem. Arazi was the overwhelming favorite in the Derby in 1992. The first Pennsylvania-bred colt to win the Derby, Lil E Tee earned $1.437,506. Lynn Whiting trained and Cal Partee owned Lil E Tee. Lil E Tee sired 20 stakes winners. Mula Gula, a multiple stakes winner, was Lil E Tee’s most prominent offspring. Lil E Tee was by At The Threshold out of Eileen’s Moment by For The Moment. Alysheba has been euthanized. The pensioned star who was 25, fell in his stall. Winner of the 1987 Run for the Roses, Alysheba was ridden by Chris McCarron and trained by Jack Van Berg. Alysheba also won the Preakness and the Super Derby in Louisiana. He suffered a narrow loss in the 1987 BC Classic. Ferdinand won the race. Alysheba was voted the best three year-old in 1987. In 1988, Alysheba was voted the top four year-old and won six Grade I races. The Alydar colt won the BC Classic, the Santa Anita Handicap, the Iselin Hasndicap, the Woodward Stakes, the Meadowlands Cup and the Charles Strub Stakes. Alysheba’s mother was Bel Sheba who is by Lt. Stevens. Jack Van Berg paid tribute. “He stuck out like a diamond in a rock pile. He was so smart that he knew what he was doing all the time.” Several important races for three year-olds are coming up. Hawthorne hosts the Illinois Derby. There is the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday. Oaklawn Park will stage the Arkansas Derby. Aqueduct has the Wood Memorial. Keeneland will have the Blue Grass Stakes. There are 19 berths that need to be filled. The Kentucky Derby has a 20-horse limit. The only criterion is graded earnings. The Derby in Mumbai is a race I am looking forward to. Set Alight checks with a reputation to defend. She has given every indication she can beat the boys. Sources:Blood Horse, NTRA, TV reports |
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