Smarty Jones Stakes Racing Roundup

©2020 Calvin L. Carter. All rights reserved.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes us this Friday to Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas where SILVER PROSPECTOR will go to the starting gate as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the 13^th running of the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes. Post time is 4:52 p.m. ET.

Silver Prospector comes into this race with a 2-0-2 record in six starts for trainer Steve Asmussen including a win in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) last out. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

SILVER PROSPECTOR SILVER PROSPECTOR was well placed early on, shifted into the four path in the far turn, bid three wide down the lane, was under long drive and edged clear in the final stages. FINNICK THE FIERCE raced back early on along the outside, was in the five path entering the lane, made a bid down the lane, was three wide late, got up for place but did not have enough to the winner.

Silver Prospector tracked the leaders to the far turn when he made a move in the stretch and gutted out a three-quarter length victory over Finnick the Fierce.

Kentucky-bred Declaration of War, the sire of Silver Prospector, was a multiple Group Stakes winner in England that compiled a 7-1-2 record in 13 starts with $1,847,489 in career earnings.

At the age of two, Declaration of War was undefeated in two starts.

At the age of three, he was 2-0-0 in three starts with a win in the Diamond Stakes (Group 3).

At four, Declaration of War was 3-1-2 in eight starts with wins in the Heritage Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) and Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1). He finished second in the Coral Eclipse Stakes (Group 1) and third in both the QIPCO Sussex Stakes (Group 1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G3).

Silver Prospector has an C Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and that makes him competitive in this race.

Since winning the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2), Silver Prospector has been training well at the Fair Grounds and I look for him to run a good race.

A long shot I like is SHARED SENSE (12-1) who comes into this race with  0-2-0 record in three starts for trainer Brad Cox including a second-place finish at Churchill Downs last November. Here’s the chart call:

SHARED SENSE chased the pace early, shifted into the four path in the far turn and was no match for the winner in the stretch run.

Shared Sense ran just off the leaders and made a move on the far turn to secure a second-place finish to Blackberry Wine who has since become somewhat of a buzz horse for the upcoming Risen Star Stakes (G2) at the Fair Grounds of February 15.

Street Sense, the sire of Shared Sense, was a multiple graded stakes winner that compiled a 6-4-2 record in 13 starts with $4,383,200 in career earnings.

As a two year old, Street Sense finished third in both the Arlington-Washington Breeders’ Cup Futurity (G3) and the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (G1). He followed that with a win in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Stakes (G1) and was tabbed as the Eclipse Champion Two Year Old.

 Street Sense won his season debut as a three year old in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) en route to a 2¼ length win over Hard Spun in the 2007 Kentucky Derby.

Shared Sense has an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and he’s the best-bred horse in this herd of runners. He’s been training well at Oaklawn and a recent bullet work could have him ready to run a good race.

LYNN’S MAP (6-1) was scheduled to make his first start of the season in the LeComte Stakes (G3) last weekend but trainer Mark Casse scratched him from that race. Lynn’s Map comes into this race with a 2-0-1 record in three starts including a win last out. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

LYNN'S MAP was forced out badly at the start, went around the turn in the three path under tight restraint, tracked the pace on the outside, rounded the far turn in the four path, was asked outside the quarter-pole, chased the runner-up under a drive into the final sixteenth, gained determinedly on that foe late and got up under strong urging.

Lynn’s Map tracked the leaders on the outside to the far turn and then made a long drive in the stretch to run down Mr. Monomoy and win by a head at the wire.

Liam’s Map, the sire of Lynn’s Map, was a multiple graded stakes winner that compiled a 6-2-0 record in eight starts with $1,358,940 in career earnings.

Liam’s Map was unraced at the age of two.

At the age of three, he finished second in his maiden debut at Saratoga and then went on to win three races including the Harlan’s Holiday Stakes.

At the age of four, Liam’s Map compiled a 3-1-0 record in four starts with wins in the Woodward Stakes (G1) and Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1). He finished second in the Whitney Stakes (G1).

Lynn’s Map has a D Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® but his Behavior Index potentially makes him competitive in this race. Mr. Monomoy, who finished second to Lynn’s Map in his last race, recently finished third in the LeComte Stakes (G3).

SHOPLIFTED (3-1) is also trained by Asmussen. He comes into this race with a 2-1-0 record in 5 starts including a win in the Remington Springboard Mile. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

SHOPLIFTED allowed to settled while three wide on the backstretch, rallied four wide on the far turn then was in a log drive and dug in and proved best in the end.

Shoplifted tracked the leaders to the far turn and made his move in the stretch to win by a narrow head over Answer In.

Into Mischief, the sire of Audible, was a precocious colt and multiple graded stakes winner that compiled a 3-3-0 record in six starts with $597,080 in career earnings.

As a two-year-old, Into Mischief easily won his maiden debut by 2½ lengths at Santa Anita Park on October 21, 2007. He went on to finish second in the Hollywood Prevue Stakes (G3) and followed that with a win in the 8½-furlong CashCall Futurity (G1). His finish time of 1:40.82 was just a few ticks off of the record time of 1:40.74 set by Afternoon Deelites and the second fastest time of 1:40.78 set by Valiant Nature.

In his debut as a three-year-old in February 2008, Into Mischief finished second to Georgie Boy in the San Vicente Stakes (G2). He came out of that race with an injury to his right-hind foot and he was taken off the Triple Crown Trail.

After an extended break, Into Mischief returned to racing in October winning the Damascus Stakes by two lengths. In December, Into Mischief finished his racing season with a second-place finish in the Malibu Stakes (G1).

Into Mischief’s best runners on the Kentucky Derby Trail have been Audible, Goldencents, Practical Joke, Vyjack and Vicar’s in Trouble. Audible won the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) en route to a third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Goldencents won the Santa Anita Derby and finished 17^th in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Practical Joke finished second in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and fifth in the Derby. Vyjack finished third in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) and 18^th in the Derby. Vicar’s in Trouble won the Louisiana Derby and finished 19^th in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Harlan’s Holiday, the grandsire of Audible, won the Florida Derby (G1), Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Shoplifted has a low H Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® but his Behavior Index potentially makes him competitive in this race. He’s been training well and has room to improve in his first start of the season.

Honorable mention goes to Lykan (20-1) and Gold Street (5-1). Lykan has an A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® but he’s yet to live up to his breeding. However, a recent sharp work out could have him ready to take a big step forward in his first start of the season.

*****

A total of 35 races comprise the Road to the Kentucky Derby. In addition, there are seven races on the European road to the Kentucky Derby and there three races on the Japan road to Derby glory.

2019/2020 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Storm the Court, 22, Peter Eurton, $1,136,351

2. +Enforceable, 13, Mark Casse, $264,550

3. Anneau d’Or, 12, Blaine Wright, $381,000

4. Tiz the Law, 12, Barclay Tagg, $304,100

5. Shoplifted, 10, Steve Asmussen, $336,000

6. Maxfield, 10, Brendan Walsh, $300,000

7. Eight Rings, 10, Bob Baffert, $200,351

8. Silver Prospector, 10, Steve Asmussen, $197,351

9. Independence Hall, 10, Mike Trombetta, $165,000

10. Shotski, 10, Jeremiah O’Dwyer, $143,466

11. Dennis’ Moment, 10, Dale Romans, $137,800

12. Thousand Words, 10, Bob Baffert, $121,000

13. Authentic, 10, Bob Baffert, $60,000

14. +Scabbard, 6, Eddie Kenneally, $178,000

15. Wrecking Crew, 5, Peter Miller, $293,000

16. Ajaaweed, 5, Kiaran McLaughlin, $75,000

17. Finnick the Fierce, 5, Rey Hernandez, $66,200

18. Green Light Go, 4, Jimmy Jerkens, $210,000

19. Gouverneur Morris, 4, Todd Pletcher, $100,000

20. Answer In, 4, Brad Cox, $80,000

23. +Azul Coast, 4, Bob Baffert, $20,000

          + = Enforceable (Hip 76), Scabbard (Hip 802) and Azul Coast (Hip 1177) were colts we profiled at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

EUROPEAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Kameko, 14, Andrew Balding, $192,894

2. Innisfree (IRE), 14, Aidan O’Brien, $127,856

3. Victor Ludorum, 10, Andre Fabre, $250,958

4. Royal Donarch (IRE), 10, Aidan O’Brien, $115,813

5. Alson (GER), 4, J.P. Carvalho, $135,572

6. Shekhem (IRE), 4, Dermot Weld, $24,068

7. Year of the Tiger (IRE), 3, Aidan O’Brien $36,086

8. Armory (IRE), 2, Aidan O’Brien, $258,793

9. Iberia (IRE), 2, Aidan O’Brien, $25,389

10. Gold Maze (GB), 2, Jessica Harrington, $12,034

11. Mogul (GB), 1, Aidan O’Brien, $111,879

12. Ecrivain (FR), 1, Carlos Laffon-Parias, $69.202

13. Camorra (IRE), 1, Ger Lyons, $3,610

JAPAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Vacation (JPN), 20, Kenichi Takatsuki, $499,874

2. Dieu du Vin (JPN), 10, Yukihiro Kato, $159,609

3. Iolite (JPN), 8, Yoshinori Muto, $246,008

4. T’s Dunk (JPN), 4, Takashi Mizuno, $143,414

5. Shonan Mario (JPN), 4, Shizuya Kato, $96,526

6. Meisho Tensui (JPN), 2, Katsumi Miani, $255,394

7. Daimei Corrida (JPN), 2, Naoyuki Morita, $107,736

8. Aurora Tesoro, 1, Yoshihiro Hatakeyama, $99,395

LeComte Stakes Racing Roundup

©2020 Calvin L. Carter. All rights reserved.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes us to Louisiana, Saturday, where SCABBARD will go to the starting gate as the 7-2 morning-line favorite in the 76^th running of the $200,000 LeComte Stakes (G3) at the Fair Grounds Race Course. Post time is 6:55 ET.

Scabbard comes into this race with a 1-2-0 record in four starts for trainer Eddie Kenneally including fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Stakes (G1). Here’s the video and chart call:

SCABBARD settled four wide, angled in leaving the second turn and improved position.

Scabbard trailed early on, gained ground in the stretch run, but was clearly beaten by 7¾ lengths at the finish.

More Than Ready, the sire of Scabbard, was a multiple graded-stakes winner that compiled a 7-4-1 record in 17 starts with $1,026,229 in earnings. He won the WHAS-11 Stakes, Flash Stakes, Tremont Stakes (G3), Sanford Stakes (G2), Hutcheson Stakes (G2) and finished second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in route to a fourth-place finish in the 2000 Kentucky Derby (G1).

At stud, More Than Ready made quite a mark with in Australia with his sons Phelan Ready and Sebring who were champion 2-year-colts with over $2 million in career earnings. Some of his best runners in America have been the turf-sprinter Regally Ready with over $1 million in career earnings and Pluck, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Stakes (G2) and Summer Stakes (G3) with $727,290 in career earnings, and Verrazano.

Scabbard Has a C ClassicChampion Thoroughbred Profile® and he’s a colt we profiled (Hip 802) at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. His Behavior Index makes him competitive in this race, but he’ll need to improve his game in order to earn graded stakes honors.

A long shot I like is ENFORCEABLE (15-1) who comes into this race with a 1-1-2 record in six starts for trainer Mark Casse including a fourth-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs last November. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

ENFORCEABLE trailed the field early on, shifted into the four path in the far turn, rallied down the lane and was gaining in the late stages.

Enforceable ran dead last to the far turn when he swung to the outside and rallied to finish fourth only two lengths shy of victory.

Tapit, the sire of Enforceable, was a multiple graded stakes winner that compiled a 3-0-0 record in six starts with $557,300 in career earnings.

As a two-year-old, Tapit was undefeated in two starts including a win in the Laurel Futurity (G3).  Tapit was troubled by a lung infection for much of his three-year-old season but he did win the nine-furlong Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) in route to a ninth-place finish in the 2004 Kentucky Derby.

At stud, Tapit has sired numerous graded stakes winners including the Belmont Stakes (G1) champions Tapwrit (2017), Creator (2016) and Tonalist (2014).

A full brother to Mohaymen and a half-brother to New Year’s Day, Enforceable is a colt (Hip 76) we profiled at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and he has an A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®.

Enforceable has the breeding to win this race. He’s been training well at the Fair Grounds and he has room to take a big step forward in his first start of the season.

Another long shot I like is BANGO (20-1) who comes into this race with a 1-2-1 record in five starts including a second-place finish last out for trainer Greg Foley.  Here’s the chart call:

BANGO tracked the pace early, shifted into the three path in the turn and was no match for the winner in the stretch run.

Bango continued to show his competitiveness since finishing fourth in his maiden debut.

Congrats, a full brother to Flatter and the sire of Bango, did his best running at 8½ furlongs and farther. His most notable stakes wins were the 7½ furlong Ack Ack Handicap, the Alysheba Stakes and San Pasqual Handicap (G2), both at the 8½ furlongs, and he won 9-furlong San Antonio Handicap (G2). In addition, Congrats finished second in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and third in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), both at 10 furlongs.

As a stallion, Congrat’s best runners include Turbulent Descent, Jupiter Gold (AUS), Haveyougoneaway, Polar River, Pat On the Back, I’m Steppin’ It Up, Toasting, Bravo Watchman (AUS) and Top Decile to name a few. 

Foley has put a lot of condition into Bango by running him in sprint races and, since his last race, he’s been training well at the Fair Grounds.

With an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, Bango is the best-bred colt in this herd of runners and he should like the stretch out in distance. I look for him to run a good race in his first start of the season and, perhaps, upset at a nice price.

Trainer Steve Asmussen has three horses entered in the LeComte and SILVER STATE comes into this race as the 5-1 morning-line third choice. With a 1-1-0 record in two starts, Silver State comes into this race off a second-place finish last out. Here’s the chart call:

SILVER STATE was squeezed at the start, chased the pace early, made a bid three wide near the three sixteenths pole, was under a long drive and was out-nodded at the wire.

Silver State showed a lot of grit in his duel down the stretch with Necker Island.

Hard Spun, the sire of Silver State, was undefeated in three starts as a two-year-old, including wins in the Port Penn Stakes and Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes. As a three-year-old on the Derby trail, Hard spun was 2-0-0 in three starts including wins in the Le Comte Stakes (G3) and Lane’s End Stakes (G2).

Hard Spun went on to finish second in the Kentucky Derby (G1), third in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and rounded out his classic campaign with a fourth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

As a stallion, Hard Spun’s best runner on the Kentucky Derby trail was Wicked Strong who finished fourth in the 2014 Derby. His other top runners include: Le Romain, Hard Aces, Hard Not to Like, Someries, Gatting, King’s Spun, Promising Run, Questing and Hardest Core.

Silver State has a B Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and that makes him competitive in this race.

Silver State has been training well at the Fair Grounds and I look for him to take another step forward in his first start of the season.

SYCAMORE RUN (6-1) comes into the LeComte off an impression maiden debut win for trainer Joe Sharp. Here’s the chart call:

SYCAMORE RUN was hustled to the lead, set the clear pace, dictated terms in the two path through the turn, responded well when set down in upper stretch and held under strong urging while continuing on his inside lead throughout the drive.

Sycamore Run took command from the start and gradually extended his lead to win by an impressive 3½ lengths.

Street Sense, the sire of Sycamore Run, was a multiple graded stakes winner that compiled a 6-4-2 record in 13 starts with $4,383,200 in career earnings.

As a two year old, Street Sense finished third in both the Arlington-Washington Breeders’ Cup Futurity (G3) and the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (G1). He followed that with a win in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Stakes (G1) and was tabbed as the Eclipse Champion Two Year Old.

 Street Sense won his season debut as a three year old in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) en route to a 2¼ length win over Hard Spun in the 2007 Kentucky Derby.

Sycamore Run has a D Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® but his Behavior Index makes him competitive. He’s been training well at the Fair Grounds and two bullet work outs could have him ready to run a good race in his first start of the season.

Honorable mention goes to other Asmussen horses Excession (12-1) and Halo Again (15-1). Excession is a colt (Hip 855) we profiled at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and he has an A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®.

*****

A total of 35 races comprise the Road to the Kentucky Derby. In addition, there are seven races on the European road to the Kentucky Derby and there three races on the Japan road to Derby glory.

2019/2020 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Storm the Court, 22, Peter Eurton, $1,136,351

2. Anneau d’Or, 12, Blaine Wright, $381,000

3. Tiz the Law, 12, Barclay Tagg, $304,100

4. Shoplifted, 10, Steve Asmussen, $336,000

5. Maxfield, 10, Brendan Walsh, $300,000

6. Eight Rings, 10, Bob Baffert, $200,351

7. Silver Prospector, 10, Steve Asmussen, $197,351

8. Independence Hall, 10, Mike Trombetta, $165,000

9. Shotski, 10, Jeremiah O’Dwyer, $143,466

10. Dennis’ Moment, 10, Dale Romans, $137,800

11. Thousand Words, 10, Bob Baffert, $121,000

12. Authentic, 10, Bob Baffert, $60,000

13. +Scabbard, 6, Eddie Kenneally, $178,000

14. Wrecking Crew, 5, Peter Miller, $293,000

15. Ajaaweed, 5, Kiaran McLaughlin, $75,000

16. Green Light Go, 4, Jimmy Jerkens, $210,000

17. Gouverneur Morris, 4, Todd Pletcher, $100,000

18. Answer In, 4, Brad Cox, $80,000

19. American Theorem, 4, George Papaprodromou, $60,000

20. Finnick the Fierce, 4, Rey Hernandez, $58,200

21. +Azul Coast, 4, Bob Baffert, $20,000

22. +Enforceable, 3, Mark Casse, $64,500

          + = Scabbard (Hip 802), Azul Coast (Hip 1177) and Enforceable (Hip 76) were colts we profiled at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

EUROPEAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Kameko, 14, Andrew Balding, $192,894

2. Innisfree (IRE), 14, Aidan O’Brien, $127,856

3. Victor Ludorum, 10, Andre Fabre, $250,958

4. Royal Donarch (IRE), 10, Aidan O’Brien, $115,813

5. Alson (GER), 4, J.P. Carvalho, $135,572

6. Shekhem (IRE), 4, Dermot Weld, $24,068

7. Year of the Tiger (IRE), 3, Aidan O’Brien $36,086

8. Armory (IRE), 2, Aidan O’Brien, $258,793

9. Iberia (IRE), 2, Aidan O’Brien, $25,389

10. Gold Maze (GB), 2, Jessica Harrington, $12,034

11. Mogul (GB), 1, Aidan O’Brien, $111,879

12. Ecrivain (FR), 1, Carlos Laffon-Parias, $69.202

13. Camorra (IRE), 1, Ger Lyons, $3,610

JAPAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Vacation (JPN), 20, Kenichi Takatsuki, $499,874

2. Dieu du Vin (JPN), 10, Yukihiro Kato, $159,609

3. Iolite (JPN), 8, Yoshinori Muto, $246,008

4. T’s Dunk (JPN), 4, Takashi Mizuno, $143,414

5. Shonan Mario (JPN), 4, Shizuya Kato, $96,526

6. Meisho Tensui (JPN), 2, Katsumi Miani, $255,394

7. Daimei Corrida (JPN), 2, Naoyuki Morita, $107,736

8. Aurora Tesoro, 1, Yoshihiro Hatakeyama, $99,395

Sham Stakes Racing Roundup

©2020 Calvin L. Carter. All rights reserved.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes us to California this Saturday where AUTHENTIC will go to the starting gate as 8-5 morning-line favorite in the $100,000 Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. Post time is 4:30 p.m. ET.

Trainer Bob Baffert brings Authentic into this off a maiden debut win at Del Mar on November 9. Here’s the video and chart call for that race:

AUTHENTIC had speed off the rail then dueled outside rival, took the lead into the stretch, inched away under left-handed urging in mid-stretch and proved best.   

Authentic dueled with Absolute Unit to the far turn and pulled away in the stretch to win by 1½ lengths over runner-up Jeffnjohn’sthundr.

Into Mischief, the sire of Authentic, was a precocious colt and multiple graded stakes winner that compiled a 3-3-0 record in six starts with $597,080 in career earnings.

As a two-year-old, Into Mischief easily won his maiden debut by 2½ lengths at Santa Anita Park on October 21, 2007. He went on to finish second in the Hollywood Prevue Stakes (G3) and followed that with a win in the 8½-furlong CashCall Futurity (G1). His finish time of 1:40.82 was just a few ticks off of the record time of 1:40.74 set by Afternoon Deelites and the second fastest time of 1:40.78 set by Valiant Nature.

In his debut as a three-year-old in February 2008, Into Mischief finished second to Georgie Boy in the San Vicente Stakes (G2). He came out of that race with an injury to his right-hind foot and he was taken off the Triple Crown Trail.

After an extended break, Into Mischief returned to racing in October winning the Damascus Stakes by two lengths. In December, Into Mischief finished his racing season with a second-place finish in the Malibu Stakes (G1).

Into Mischief’s best runners on the Kentucky Derby Trail have been Audible, Goldencents, Practical Joke, Vyjack and Vicar’s in Trouble. Audible won the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) en route to a third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Goldencents won the Santa Anita Derby and finished 17^th in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Practical Joke finished second in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and fifth in the Derby. Vyjack finished third in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) and 18^th in the Derby. Vicar’s in Trouble won the Louisiana Derby and finished 19^th in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Harlan’s Holiday, the grandsire of Audible, won the Florida Derby (G1), Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Authentic has a F Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and his Behavior Index makes him competitive in this race.

AZUL COAST (5-2) also comes into this race off a maiden debut win at Los Alamitos Race Course for trainer Bob Baffert. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

AZUL COAST fanned five wide into the first turn, chased off the rail then five wide down the backstretch and into the second turn, came six wide into the stretch, rallied to the lead while drifting in under left-handed urging nearing the furlong marker, drifted to the inside and won clear.

Azul Coast was interfered with on the first turn by Jeffnjohn’sthundr who swung five wide. Azul Coast trailed the rest of the field to the far turn when he made a big move in the stretch to take command and win by an impressive four lengths.

Super Saver, the sire of Azul Coast, was a multiple graded stakes winner and Classic Champion Thoroughbred that compiled a 3-2-1 record in 10 starts with $1,889,766 in career earnings. In addition, he was my pick to win the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

As a two year old, Super Saver was 2-1-0 in four starts and finished his racing season with a win in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) making him, along with Street Sense and Nyquist, among a select group of two year olds to win a major end-of-year prep race that went on to victory in the Derby.

As a three year old, Super Saver compiled a 1-1-1 record in six starts with a third-place finish in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and a gutsy second-place finish to Line of David in the Arkansas Derby (G1) in route to victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

As a stallion, Super Saver’s top-five, leading runners include Runhappy, Inside Straight, Competitive Edge, Embellish the Lace and Hedge Fund.

Azul Coast has an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and he was a yearling (Hip 1177) we profiled at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Azul Coast has the breeding to win this race and time will tell if he can step up to earn graded stakes honors.

UNCAPTURED HERO (6-1) comes into this race with a 1-0-0 record in two starts including a maiden win at Del Mar on November 9. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

UNCAPTURED HERO dueled between horses then outside the runner-up, regained the advantage under some left-handed urging in upper stretch, fought back under hand urging while being flagged with the stick in the final furlong and gamely prevailed.

Uncaptured Hero dueled with Defense Wins right from the start and prevailed at the finish to win by a head.

Uncaptured, the sire of Uncaptured Hero, was a Canadian-bred, multiple graded stakes winner that compiled a 7-3-3 record in 18 starts with $1,065,147 in career earnings.

As a two-year-old, Uncaptured was 6-0-0 in seven starts with wins in the Clarendon Stakes, Vandal Stakes, Swynford Stakes, Iroquois Stakes (G3) and Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2).

At the age of three, he was 1-3-2 in eight starts with a win in the Canadian Classic Prince of Wales Stakes. He finished second in the Horseshoe Casino Spiral Stakes (G3), Wando Stakes and Matt Winn Stakes (G3). He finished third in the Smarty Jones Stakes (G3) and Delta Mile Stakes.

Uncaptured made three starts at the age of four and finished third in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2).

Uncaptured Hero has a D Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and his Behavior Index makes him competitive in this race.

Honorable mention goes to Zimba Warrior (6-1).

*****

A total of 35 races comprise the Road to the Kentucky Derby. In addition, there are seven races on the European road to the Kentucky Derby and there three races on the Japan road to Derby glory.

2019/2020 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Storm the Court, 22, Peter Eurton, $1,136,351

2. Anneau d’Or, 12, Blaine Wright, $381,000

3. Tiz the Law, 12, Barclay Tagg, $304,100

4. Shoplifted, 10, Steve Asmussen, $336,000

5. Maxfield, 10, Brendan Walsh, $300,000

6. Eight Rings, 10, Bob Baffert, $200,351

7. Silver Prospector, 10, Steve Asmussen, $197,351

8. Independence Hall, 10, Mike Trombetta, $165,000

9. Shotski, 10, Jeremiah O’Dwyer, $143,466

10. Dennis’ Moment, 10, Dale Romans, $137,800

11. Thousand Words, 10, Bob Baffert, $121,000

12. +Scabbard, 6, Eddie Kenneally, $178,000

13. Wrecking Crew, 5, Peter Miller, $293,000

14. Ajaaweed, 5, Kiaran McLaughlin, $75,000

15. Green Light Go, 4, Jimmy Jerkens, $210,000

16. Gouverneur Morris, 4, Todd Pletcher, $100,000

17. Answer In, 4, Brad Cox, $80,000

18. American Theorem, 4, George Papaprodromou, $60,000

19. Finnick the Fierce, 4, Rey Hernandez, $58,200

19. +Enforceable, 3, Mark Casse, $64,500

          + = Scabbard (Hip 802) and Enforceable (Hip 76) were colts we profiled at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

EUROPEAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Kameko, 14, Andrew Balding, $192,894

2. Innisfree (IRE), 14, Aidan O’Brien, $127,856

3. Victor Ludorum, 10, Andre Fabre, $250,958

4. Royal Donarch (IRE), 10, Aidan O’Brien, $115,813

5. Alson (GER), 4, J.P. Carvalho, $135,572

6. Shekhem (IRE), 4, Dermot Weld, $24,068

7. Year of the Tiger (IRE), 3, Aidan O’Brien $36,086

8. Armory (IRE), 2, Aidan O’Brien, $258,793

9. Iberia (IRE), 2, Aidan O’Brien, $25,389

10. Gold Maze (GB), 2, Jessica Harrington, $12,034

11. Mogul (GB), 1, Aidan O’Brien, $111,879

12. Ecrivain (FR), 1, Carlos Laffon-Parias, $69.202

13. Camorra (IRE), 1, Ger Lyons, $3,610

JAPAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Vacation (JPN), 20, Kenichi Takatsuki, $499,874

2. Dieu du Vin (JPN), 10, Yukihiro Kato, $159,609

3. Iolite (JPN), 8, Yoshinori Muto, $246,008

4. T’s Dunk (JPN), 4, Takashi Mizuno, $143,414

5. Shonan Mario (JPN), 4, Shizuya Kato, $96,526

6. Meisho Tensui (JPN), 2, Katsumi Miani, $255,394

7. Daimei Corrida (JPN), 2, Naoyuki Morita, $107,736

8. Aurora Tesoro, 1, Yoshihiro Hatakeyama, $99,395