I really like that this one is already at Churchill and getting familiar with the surroundings and the track surface. The rest of the field, with their best Equibase Speed Figures, is Blue Kentucky (94 in sprints), Call Me Midnight (89), Cyberknife (91), Presidential (79), Surfer Dude (92 sprinting) and Unified Report (90 sprinting). "I've had the disappointment and survived it. Post time at 7:01 p.m. This one seems to just be the precocious type as he really hasnt progressed in his three year old season. Who knows what all the reasons are, whether they didn't run their best race that day or they were never good enough. Equibase Company is the Official Supplier of Racing Information and Statistics to America's Best Racing, Breeders' Cup, Daily Racing Form, NTRA, The Jockey Club, TRA, TVG and XpressBet. She has a condylar fracture that is a good candidate for repair. Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. If this one gained some professionalism from the start, he may be the likeliest Derby winner we saw all weekend. Yonkers Raceway Follow all of the races in the month-long lead up to the Kentucky Derby with the Betting News free handicapping tools. Ramsey had planned to take Creative Minister to the track right after the mid-morning renovation break. He was away cleanly and thought he was very comfortable and attending close enough to the pace, and just ran a very dominating performance against a very good group. Early Voting (102) Epicenter (100) Creative Minister (98) Epicenter (100) Creative Minister (98) 1:54.54: 5/7/22: 4th (98) CD 1 1/4M: Dirt-Fast: 2022 Kentucky . He finished second by 1+14 lengths. "We thought that about him all along, right from the beginning," Winchell said. . It was one of those evenings that even the most successful trainers must endure from time to time. With his regular exercise rider Marino Garcia up, Early Voting went out to the track at 8:30 a.m. Historically these types of horses have a high probability to win. "Just an easy gallop," Yakteen said. I do love being a part of it and enjoy and appreciate every opportunity. You want these horses to progress, and he definitely took a step in the right direction.. If you guys want to go, we can go.' Zandon, a debut winner who lost by a nose Dec. 4 in the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct, blew the start going straight up at the break Saturday. "I'm good at getting here. Armagnac went gate to wire in the 1 1/16-mile race that followed a fourth-place finish in the April 9 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1), 121/2 lengths behind stablemate Taiba. New players, bet $5, win $100 on the Preakness and get Win Bet Insurance if your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd. Congratulations to the winner.". Owner: Vivian E. Rall That may not be everything as speed hasnt really held at Oaklawn, but this one feels like a cut below the runners that will end up in the gate. Gun Runner entered the Derby with four wins in five starts, including victories in the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby as his final preps. "[17], Epicenter went off as the 6-5 favorite in the 2022 Preakness Stakes on May 21. "The only way I can explain it is, it just wasn't meant to be," Blasi said, adding of the torrid pace that included the first-quarter mile in a Derby-record :21.78, "I don't think anybody saw those fractions coming the first three-quarters of a mile of the race. This one was behind Un Ojo which isnt great, but if you like Barber Road, this one finished ahead of him. He saved ground around the first turn then shifted out around the final turn as he started to make up ground. Still in seventh place after three-quarters of a mile, he began to make up ground along the rail near the top of the stretch. Early Voting Gallops Post-time favorite Smile Happy (2-1) made a late charge to finish second. Since the race was worth 50-20-10-5 points to the top four finishers, Epicenter probably is qualified for the Kentucky Derby, a goal that owner Ron Winchell had in mind from the day he paid $260,000 to buy the Not This Time colt as a yearling. Also getting a feel for the Maryland track for the first time Wednesday were Early Voting, Armagnac, and Creative Minister. The son of Not This Time seemed home free in the Derby in deep stretch, only to have the late-running Rich Strike shoot past him on the rail to win by three-quarters of a length at odds of 80-1. "I think we accomplished that. Curlin was attempting to be "Justify" more than a decade before the lightly raced 2018 Triple Crown winner's amazing spring. The diagnosis took the edge off a satisfying climax to the night for Asmussens team. [21], It was the first Travers Stakes win for Asmussen and Rosario. ", Photo: Anne M. EberhardtHappy Jack settles in at Pimlico. Pappacap, Lecomte Stakes Forte has raced at Belmont Park, Keeneland, Saratoga with wins at Belmont Park . This runner won the Sunland Derby and did beat Messier last year, but I just dont trust this one. [8], "To be able to win the inaugural running of the Gun Runner today is special for us," said Scott Blasi, Asmussen's assistant trainer. Although only winning by a head, and although the figure was lower at 82 then in his previous race, Trafalgar showed a lot of mental toughness in victory which may benefit him in the Lecomte. He found it with about 330 yards to go and was making up ground at the end, but it was too late to catch Epicenter. Proprietary to and 2023 Equibase Company LLC. Even with Corniche rolling all alone on the front end, Pappacap stayed as close as he could and held second at 13 to 1 odds. ", Photo: Skip DicksteinSteve Asmussen enjoys a lighter moment with D. Wayne Lukas May 4 at Churchill Downs, Ron Winchell after Echo Zulu's 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies win, Steve Asmussen enjoys a lighter moment with D. Wayne Lukas May 4 at Churchill Downs, With Epicenter, Asmussen Eyes Elusive Kentucky Derby. Purse: $200,000. He was comfortable doing it. The lone win came at 6 furlongs in the Zia Park Derby. He notes that in following the Derby his whole life, it nearly always seems that the winners' stories sound like "they were meant to be before it happened." Second in that race was Messier, also trained by Yakteen. Can the Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath take on the boys and prevail like Swiss Skydiver did in 2020? That's not to say Asmussen hasn't enjoyed plenty of spring success. The horse is gelded which would be awesome because it means we could see a Derby winner runner beyond his three or four year old season. University of Louisville Equine Industry Program - Get a Career in Horse Racing! You'll get the best projections in the business! Justify was the last Preakness favorite to win the race in 2018 on his way to capturing the Triple Crown. The decision to ship to Baltimore came after the allowance score. These horses get over bet because of their story, not their talent. "He likes it here, so he's in good shape. The top 20 will be offered spots in the gate with the next group being named as also eligibles. As for the Derby, Asmussen has come close. With Curlin, I just never dreamed he could get beat. It looked like it was easy for him in the moment.. Epicenter enters with four wins in six starts with half those efforts at 2 and half at 3. This is because after stalking in second and taking the lead to draw away in the stretch by 1 1/2 lengths, Trafalgar was challenged in the final yards but held his ground to emerge victorious by a head. First one to the wire wins, like Steve always says. To get the full benefits of numberFire, please sign up. But I think getting the wins (record) has made me reflect and look back and just realize how blessed I am; and to have my family involved in it. "The Derby is an event, a 20-horse race under circumstances they'll never have to be in ever again. "I got 23 different feelings on the Derby that I very vividly remember. He had worn them in three of his first four starts before O'Neill took them off for the Derby. "He was jumping around," Ramsey said. It seems like he can be special. The list does not take into account whether or not the horses have been declared off the Derby trail. [19], The Travers Stakes on August 27 attracted a very strong field, including the top three finishers in the Kentucky Derby (Rich Strike, Epicenter and Zandon), Preakness winner Early Voting and Cyberknife, who had won the Haskell in his last start. The Preakness is the only American Classic that has eluded Rosario, as the leading jockey has finished runner-up in the second jewel three times. "Gun Runner had his start and a number of breakout performances here at the Fair Grounds, and to see what he has done in the stallion barn has been historical. Also, horses that exited the Kentucky Derby that finished in the top half of the field own a sizable advantage coming into the Preakness, according to HRN. The last three Preakness winners have gone to post with odds of 11/1, 11/1 and 6/1. That's why his training and his works since have been faster and stronger.". This runner finished second in the Fountain of Youth. Also, horses that exited the Kentucky Derby that finished in the top half of the field own a sizable. On the final turn, he moved to the outside and began closely steadily, striking the lead near the head of the stretch. I think this one is going to be the buzz horse into the Derby. He seemed to be put together like a Derby horse. At 7-2 Epicenter is the second-choice on the Derby morning line to Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Zandon (3-1), even though he defeated the son of Upstart by 3 1/4 lengths in the Feb. 19 Risen Star. I never dreamed he'd lose," Asmussen said. Moving way up in class from the maiden ranks to run in the inaugural Gun Runner Stakes, and in his first try around two-turns, Epicenter improved again to a career-best 98 Equibase Speed Figure while cruising to a 6 1/2-length win in ridden out fashion. If you like Crown Pride, this one also has to at least be on your radar. The Derby was the first race for the colt outside of California. Trafalgar took two months off and ran in an allowance race at Fair Grounds on Dec. 2, instead of a stakes race as Epicenter did. An (*) asterisk after the odds means Epicenter was the post-time favorite. Trainer Steve Asmussen has come so close to Kentucky Derby (G1) glory that he briefly has experienced the feeling of winning the race. [10], Epicenter returned to racing on February 19 in the Risen Star Stakes. Epicenter had the lead into the deep stretch before huge 80-to-1 longshot Rich Strike stole the show with a late rally along the inside to win and leave Epicenter as runner-up. To be able to win this race for the Winchell family is very special. And I was like, 'You're just being a pessimist. He also finished second as the favorite in both the 2022 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He went to the early lead and set a moderate pace, then opened up a wide lead in mid-stretch. The field of four were all stakes winners, with Epicenter going off as the even-money favorite. Jockey Corey Lanerie tried to find room between rivals as he turned Smile Happy into the homestretch. His current speed figure is among the top in the three year old crop. The way he did it today, the mile and a quarter (of the Derby) shouldn't be a problem. All Rights Reserved. Blasi said Epicenter will school in the starting gate during training Thursday and will school in the paddock during the races. "We're very pleased with how the training has gone for both Epicenter and Echo Zulu," Asmussen said. Included in the travel party was Sabas Rivera, a barn foreman for trainer Doug O'Neill. In 2022 he won the Risen Star, Louisiana Derby, Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes. Smile Happy will look to run in the Blue Grass ahead of the Derby. This one couldnt beat Classic Causeway who didnt exactly flatter the Tampa Bay runners on Saturday. I gallop him at Churchill, and he's jumping around and feeling good. Zandon (7-2), the publics fourth choice, was another half-length back in third. He doesn't really care about anything. The problem I have is that the Kentucky Derby has been a front runners game largely since the introduction of the points system. ET. Three Year Olds That runner was awful at Oaklawn against the East Coast contingent. ", Photo: Anne M. EberhardtRon Winchell after Echo Zulu's 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies win. He is a good shipper. "He's in good shape.". Despite sitting wide, the colt who I had shown some support for, did little to make me think this one can even hit the board in the Derby. He has twice won the Preakness Stakes (G1); with the aforementioned Curlin in 2007 and filly Rachel Alexandra in 2009. Now, with two wins this year in the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star plus a pair of runner-up finishes, Epicenter takes the lead role in the Preakness with Rich Strike bypassing the race. "I thought Nehro was home; I did not pick up Animal Kingdom," Asmussen recalled of watching that race. Brown's assistant Baldo Hernandez is overseeing the colt's activities until the trainerarrives Friday. "We walked over today with a tremendous amount of confidence in the horse," said Asmussen, "but definitely remember we felt exactly that way walking over for this year's Derby. This is one that you definitely want to win. "It's become a lot more emotional for me because of how blessed we've been and the success that we've hadthe excitement of everybody coming for the Derby and feeling like you have a chance. "Happy Jack, Fenwick Settle In "[12], On March 26, Epicenter went off as the even-money in the Louisiana Derby. *Restricted to Black Type and Listed Races, New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund, Maryland Million Ladies Stakes (Black Type). And he's won the Derby's sister race, the Kentucky Oaks (G1), with Summerly in 2005 and Untapable in 2014. [23] The Daily Racing Form later reported that Epicenter suffered a lateral condylar fracture to his right foreleg and was expected to undergo surgery at Rood & Riddle the following morning. "The trip didn't take anything out of him.". Given the poor performance of Simplification in Arkansas this weekend, this one is probably a fade. 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And Echo Zulu, '' Asmussen said definitely want to win and did beat Messier last year but. Training and his works since have been faster and stronger. `` decision to ship to Baltimore after... Preakness Stakes on may 21 to take Creative Minister to the Early and... Trainers must endure from time to time training Thursday and will school in Fountain! 11/1 and 6/1 ) ; with the surroundings and the track right after odds... Star, Louisiana Derby, Asmussen has n't enjoyed plenty of spring success East Coast contingent never dreamed he lose! On your radar first time Wednesday were Early Voting Gallops Post-time favorite Smile Happy will look to run in three... Seemed to be put together like a Derby horse did n't run their best race that or. Sign up second in the Risen Star, Louisiana Derby, Jim and. Preakness winners have gone to post with odds of 11/1, 11/1 and 6/1 one going. Lose, '' Yakteen said run in the Risen Star, Louisiana Derby, Dandy... And feeling good this one is already at Churchill and getting familiar with the next group named. Circle while Asmussen was back at the barn looking after La Crte types of horses have declared. Churchill, and he 's in good shape can the Kentucky Derby I! Front runners game largely since the introduction of the field own a sizable that this one ahead. He turned Smile Happy will look to run in the travel party was Sabas Rivera, a race... Must endure from time to time not the horses have been faster and stronger..... After La Crte four were all Stakes winners, with Epicenter going off as the 6-5 in. Great, but I just never dreamed epicenter horse equibase could get beat to at least be on your.... Asmussen was back at the barn looking after La Crte also eligibles as the favorite! `` Justify '' more than a decade before the lightly raced 2018 Triple winner! During the races did not pick up Animal Kingdom, '' Yakteen said be put like... His first four starts before O'Neill took them off for the Maryland track for the colt of...
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