Updated on 01/30/2013 6:00PM

Shanghai Bobby tops Experimental Free Handicap at 126 pounds

By Jay Privman
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Tom Keyser
Shanghai Bobby was given top weight of 126 pounds in the Experimental Free Handicap.

Shanghai Bobby, unbeaten at age 2 and the Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old male of 2012, on Wednesday was given top weight of 126 pounds in the Experimental Free Handicap, a weight-based ranking of the previous year’s 2-year-olds put out annually by The Jockey Club.

The Experimental weights are based on a theoretical race at 1 1/16 miles on dirt, the exact conditions of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which Shanghai Bobby won to complete a 5-for-5 season. He also won the Champagne and Hopeful.

He’s Had Enough, second in the BC Juvenile, and Violence, the unbeaten winner of the CashCall Futurity, are next among males at 123 pounds.

They are followed by George Vancouver, who won the BC Juvenile Turf, and Power Broker, winner of the FrontRunner Stakes and later fifth in the BC Juvenile, both at 121 pounds. George Vancouver never raced on dirt last year, though he did win against maidens on an all-weather surface at Dundalk in Ireland.

Itsmyluckyday, who sent Shanghai Bobby to the first defeat of his career last weekend in the Holy Bull, was assigned 112 pounds for his 2-year-old form.

Beholder, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, tops the filly version of the Experimental with 123 pounds. She was named the champion 2-year-old filly of 2012.

Executiveprivilege, second in the BC Juvenile Fillies after defeating Beholder two starts earlier in the Del Mar Debutante, is second on the filly list at 122 pounds.

Flotilla, who won the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Kauai Katie, fourth in the BC Juvenile Fillies after winning the Matron and Adirondack, are next on the list at 120 pounds. Like George Vancouver, Flotilla never raced on dirt last year.

Dreaming of Julia, third in the BC Juvenile Fillies while finishing in front of Kauai Katie, was weighted 1 pound below Kauai Katie at 119 pounds along with Tempted winner My Happy Face, a narrow loser to Dreaming of Julia in the Frizette, and Pure Fun, who won the Hollywood Starlet.

To be eligible for the list, a 2-year-old must have finished in the top four in a graded or listed stakes race in the continental United States in 2012. There were 125 males – and 117 females – eligible for the list.

Harlan’s Holiday, the sire of Shanghai Bobby, had the most males on the list, with five. City Zip and Malibu Moon had the most fillies on the list, with five each. Combining the two lists, Harlan’s Holiday, Kitten’s Joy, and Malibu Moon had the most representatives, with six each. Henny Hughes, the sire of Beholder, is among those tied for second overall, with five of his progeny making the lists.

Of the 242 juveniles weighted, 152 were bred in Kentucky.

The Experimental Free Handicap, put out in late January every year since 1935, was compiled this year by three racing secretaries from three regions of the country – Tom Robbins of Del Mar, Ben Huffman of Churchill Downs, and P.J. Campo of the New York Racing Association.

2012 Experimental Free Handicap: Colts and Geldings

Weight Horse Color Sire State Bred Top Beyer
126 Shanghai Bobby dk b/br Harlan's Holiday KY 94
123 He's Had Enough gr/ro Tapit KY 82
123 Violence dk b/br Medaglia d'Oro KY 92
121 George Vancouver b Henrythenavigator KY 87
121 Power Broker ch Pulpit KY 90
120 Overanalyze b Dixie Union KY 99
120 Uncaptured dk b/br Lion Heart ON 96
119 Capo Bastone ch Street Boss KY 78
119 Noble Tune dk b/br Unbridled's Song KY 84
118 Balance the Books b Lemon Drop Kid KY 84
118 Frac Daddy gr/ro Scat Daddy KY 91
118 Fury Kapcori b Tiznow KY 90
118 Joha dk b/br Johar KY 83
118 Normandy Invasion b Tapit KY 99
118 Rolling Fog gr/ro Posse FL 78
118 Spurious Precision dk b/br High Cotton FL 91
117 Dynamic Sky dk b/br Sky Mesa ON 90
116 Fortify dk b/br Distorted Humor KY 83
116 Goldencents b Into Mischief KY 93
115 Bern Identity b Bernstein KY 88
115 Dundonnell b First Defence KY 81
115 Know More b Lion Heart KY 82
115 Vegas No Show b Hard Spun KY 83
114 Delhomme b Dixie Union PA 94
114 Den's Legacy b Medaglia d'Oro FL 98
114 Dewey Square dk b/br Bernardini KY 85
114 Gabriel Charles b Street Hero KY 86
114 Gervinho b Unusual Heat CA 81
114 Java's War b War Pass KY 83
114 Rising Legend (GB) ch Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) GB 79
114 Scherer Magic dk b/br Doneraile Court IA 81
113 Brave Dave dk b/br Put It Back FL 88
113 Hightail dk b/br Mineshaft KY 90
112 Charming Kitten dk b/br Kitten's Joy KY 81
112 Itsmyluckyday dk b/br Lawyer Ron KY 81
112 Merit Man b With Distinction FL 92
112 Pataky Kid b Rockport Harbor OK 78
112 Really Mr Greely dk b/br Horse Greeley KY 98
112 Tesseron gr/ro Tapit KY 84
111 Amarish b Scat Daddy KY 86
111 Circle Unbroken dk b/br Broken Vow FL 80
111 Notacatbutallama b Harlan's Holiday NY 84
111 Positively b Distorted Humor KY 81
111 Really Sharp ch Sharp Humor KY 79
111 Shakin It Up dk b/br Midnight Lute KY 96
111 Sr. Quisqueyano b Exclusive Quality FL 82
111 Super Ninety Nine ch Pulpit KY 97
111 Two T's At Two B b Untuttable FL 85
110 Get Happy Mister b First Samurai CO 91
110 Newfound Zapper dk b/br Ghostzapper KY 79
110 Shining Copper ch Aragorn (IRE) KY 76
110 Vyjack b Into Mischief KY 96
110 Weekend Hideaway ch Speightstown NY 86
110 Whiskey Romeo b Forestry KY 87
110 Zeewat b Harlan's Holiday PA 81
109 Carried Interest ch Henny Hughes KY 90
109 Handsome Jack ch Bring the Heat FL 90
108 Archwarrior dk b/br Arch KY 83
108 Brown Almighty ch Big Brown KY 82
108 Carving dk b/br Any Given Saturday KY 88
108 Dry Summer ch Any Given Saturday KY 80
108 Maybe So dk b/br More Than Ready KY 88
108 Muppet Man dk b/br Corinthian KY 74
108 Onetwentyeight ch Discreet Cat FL 80
108 Z Big Apple ch Malibu Moon KY 93
107 Carson's Crown b Harlan's Holiday KY 74
107 Caught Napping (GB) dk b/br Sleeping Indian (GB) GB 78
107 Texas Bling dk b/br Too Much Bling TX 82
106 Admiral Kitten b Kitten's Joy KY 76
106 Avare b Johannesburg KY 87
106 Best of Birdstone dk b/br Birdstone AR 74
106 He's So Fine ch Purge KY 76
106 Heir of Storm b Wildcat Heir FL 75
106 Mylute gr/ro Midnight Lute KY 94
106 One Firm Cat dk b/br Cowtown Cat FL 73
105 Backstreet Hero b Street Hero KY 69
105 Bernie the Jet dk b/br Bernstein KY 80
105 Dirty Swagg b Street Hero KY 78
105 Keep the Canoli gr/ro Imperialism FL 68
105 King Henny ch Henny Hughes KY 76
105 Mr. Jawbreaker b Candy Ride (ARG) ON 64
105 Special Jo b Johannesburg KY 80
105 Stormin Monarcho b Monarchos KY 67
105 Tate's Landing dk b/br Orientate KY 77
105 The Drifter ch Seeking a Home LA 84
105 Triple Cross gr/ro Werblin FL 72
105 Uptown Boy ch Johannesburg PA 75
104 Amerigo Vespucci dk b/br Henrythenavigator KY 71
104 Darwin b Big Brown PA 73
104 Heaven's Runway b Run Away and Hide KY 82
104 Special Skills dk b/br Bernstein KY 72
103 Just Call Me Al b Redattore (BRZ) CA 74
103 Sonofasamurai b First Samurai KY 81
103 Will Take Charge ch Unbridled's Song KY 79
103 Worldventurer gr/ro Wimbledon TX 78
102 Capital City b City Place FL 76
102 Drum Roll b Majestic Warrior PA 74
102 In Harm's Way b Hook and Ladder NY 80
102 Mr. McCoy gr/ro Attila's Storm NM 67
102 Oxbow b Awesome Again KY 85
102 Pitch N Roll dk b/br Scipion PA 73
102 Purple Egg dk b/br Lion Heart KY 81
102 Show Some Magic ch Any Given Saturday KY 83
102 Summit County dk b/br Any Given Saturday KY 80
101 Fredericksburg ch Speightstown KY 74
101 He's a Rockstar gr/ro Rockport Harbor KY 63
101 I'm Wide Awake dk b/br Exchange Rate FL 75
101 Stormdriver b Discreet Cat LA 73
100 Buckleberry Grey gr/ro Unbridled's Song KY 77
100 Condiment ch Peppered Cat CA 75
100 D'nied Permission ch D'wildcat FL 70
100 Dancin Upside Down b War Chant KY 86
100 Estrickator b Intimidator PA 74
100 Hazardous ch Candy Ride (ARG) CA 81
100 Holiday Mischief b Into Mischief KY 66
100 James Jingle b Harlan's Holiday NY 76
100 Mac the Man b El Corredor KY 70
100 Mico Margarita ch Run Away and Hide KY 81
100 Ruler of Love b Peace Rules FL 82
100 Simon Eyes b Street Hero KY 83
100 Stoneridge Gold ch Weather Warning BC 72
100 Sunlover ch Sunriver NY 76
100 Under Review gr/ro Even the Score KY 73
100 Westernator dk b/br Intimidator LA 75
100 Z Maitre D b Awesome Again NY 65

2012 Experimental Free Handicap: Fillies

Weight Horse Color Sire State Bred Top Beyer
123 Beholder b Henny Hughes KY 108
122 Executiveprivilege b First Samurai KY 93
120 Flotilla (FR) dk b/br Mizzen Mast FR 84
120 Kauai Katie b Malibu Moon KY 100
119 Dreaming of Julia b A.P. Indy KY 90
119 My Happy Face gr/ro Tiz Wonderful KY 86
119 Pure Fun ch Pure Prize KY 89
118 So Many Ways b Sightseeing PA 80
117 Sign b Pulpit KY 82
117 Spring in the Air b Spring At Last ON 85
117 Unlimited Budget b Street Sense FL 80
117 Watsdachances (IRE) b Diamond Green (FR) IRE 81
116 Blonde Fog b Divine Park KY 86
115 Seaneen Girl ch Spring At Last KY 76
115 Summer of Fun dk b/br Include KY 80
114 Cue the Moon b Malibu Moon KY 77
114 Emollient b Empire Maker KY 98
114 Gal About Town ch City Zip KY 76
114 Heir Kitty b Wildcat Heir FL 77
113 Broken Spell ch Broken Vow KY 83
113 Flashy Ways ch Catienus KY 80
113 Scarlet Strike b Smart Strike KY 83
112 Miss Empire b Empire Maker KY 78
112 Mystic Love dk b/br Not For Love MD 82
112 Sweet Shirley Mae dk b/br Broken Vow KY 84
112 Tara From the Cape ch Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) KY 78
111 Blueeyesintherein dk b/br Magna Graduate KY 73
111 Moonwalk dk b/br Malibu Moon KY 74
111 Oscar Party b Dixie Union KY 69
111 Rose to Gold ch Friends Lake KY 82
110 Impossible Mary dk b/br Montbrook FL 78
110 Kitten's Point ch Kitten's Joy PA 83
110 Magical Moon b Malibu Moon MD 82
110 Salamera gr/ro Successful Appeal FL 82
110 Travesura ch Limehouse KY 75
110 Unusual Way b Unusual Heat CA 87
109 Birdlover (GB) ch Byron (GB) GB 72
109 Gold Edge ch Eddington KY 70
109 Pussycat Lips (IRE) b Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) IRE 74
108 Can't Explain ch Not For Love NJ 77
108 Every Way ch City Zip KY 77
108 Kitten's Dumplings b Kitten's Joy KY 78
108 Mariel N Kathy b Corinthian KY 78
108 Midnight Ballet dk b/br Midnight Lute KY 80
108 Significant Bling gr/ro Too Much Bling OH 68
107 Dancinginthecircle ch Divine Park KY 74
107 Discreet Marq gr/ro Discreet Cat NY 80
107 She's All Scat dk b/br Scat Daddy KY 64
107 Touch Magic ch Lion Heart KY 81
107 Truly Marie ch Hard Spun KY 86
107 Wishing Gate b Indian Charlie FL 74
106 Coconut Shrimp ch Giant's Causeway KY 79
106 Danalake b Friends Lake KY 70
106 Doubled gr/ro Exchange Rate KY 67
106 Dreaming of Sophia b Lewis Michael KY 74
106 La Song gr/ro Unbridled's Song KY 69
106 Lighthouse Bay ch Speightstown KY 73
106 Renee's Queen ch After Market KY 67
106 Speedinthruthecity dk b/br City Zip KY 82
106 Teen Pauline dk b/br Tapit KY 92
106 Unhedged ch Broken Vow FL 71
105 Always Kitten b Kitten's Joy KY 73
105 American Sugar dk b/br Harlan's Holiday KY 70
105 Butterfly Soul gr/ro Henny Hughes NY 75
105 Ek Haseena dk b/br Songandaprayer FL 77
105 Madame Cactus ch Cactus Ridge KY 77
105 Martha's Moon dk b/br Malibu Moon KY 69
105 Shrilanka b Pleasantly Perfect KY 64
105 Sittin At the Bar b Into Mischief LA 88
105 Somethingabouther b War Chant KY 72
104 Da Mi Basia Mille gr/ro Pure Prize MD 73
104 Flashy Gal dk b/br Smart Strike KY 76
104 Fully Living b Unbridled's Song KY 71
104 Heart of New York gr/ro Kitten's Joy NY 77
104 Mechaya b City Zip ON 93
104 Renee's Titan b Bernstein KY 79
103 Baby J b J Be K KY 84
103 Cloudy in Sandiego b War Pass KY 74
103 Flash Forward ch Curlin KY 70
103 Flattering Bea ch Flatter KY 66
103 Flattermewithroses dk b/br Flatter NY 78
103 Jewel of a Cat b Wildcat Heir FL 81
103 Liberated ch Curlin KY 66
103 Power Lady b Discreet Cat KY 74
103 Scammony dk b/br Tiz Wonderful KY 67
103 Seasoned Warrior b Majestic Warrior FL 83
103 Sister Ginger b Student Council KY 77
103 Sustained dk b/br War Front KY 76
102 Courtney's Hope ch Henny Hughes KY 66
102 Crumb dk b/br Graeme Hall FL 80
102 Custody b Broken Vow KY 61
102 Giant Cats Eye dk b/br Giant's Causeway KY 76
102 I'mclassyandsassy dk b/br Master Command KY 69
102 Quiet Success dk b/br Successful Appeal KY 63
102 Switch to the Lead b Songandaprayer KY 76
102 Tiny Bear b Private Vow LA 65
101 Cayllano b Bluegrass Cat KY 74
101 Cor Cor b Smoke Glacken FL 79
101 Fleet Dawn b Eugene's Third Son LA 67
101 Manuka Honey b Borrego KY 75
101 Ruby Lips ch Hard Spun ON 65
100 Back to Class ch Montbrook FL 64
100 Disco Barbie ch Pure Prize KY 74
100 Eddington's Note b Eddington KY 69
100 Effie Trinket dk b/br Freud NY 66
100 Fly Again b Fusaichi Pegasus KY 84
100 Hold Our Destiny dk b/br Midnight Lute KY 85
100 Kimono b Bernardini KY 100
100 Mr Hall's Opus b Officer KY 53
100 My Sonata b Noble Causeway PA 74
100 Nicki Starshine dk b/br Milwaukee Brew FL 75
100 Promise Me More dk b/br More Than Ready KY 69
100 Satin Gold b English Channel KY 78
100 Tilde gr/ro Swiss Yodeler CA 76
100 Vitameta b Street Sense KY 78
100 Wild for Love b Not For Love MD 53
100 Zip Cash Back ch City Zip KY 60
John Stevelberg 9 months ago
Wow they actually pay some poor guy or gal to come up with a truly useless piece of data.
Steve White 9 months ago
Does anyone know who the dual qualifiers are? I use that to eliminate horses to bet on in Kentucky Derby future betting?
Bruce Baudoux 9 months ago
I think if Aidan O'Brien is interested in winning a Kentucky Derby, this could possibly be his year with the BC Juvenile Turf winner George Vancouver who has also won on the polytrack. He looked sensational at Santa Anita in November and if he makes the transition from two to three like a good colt, don't be surprised to see him at Churchill in May. He is in the hands of the world's greatest trainer.
Wayne Crimi 9 months ago
I wish the DRF would provide a link to the PPs of the top 10 or more horses like it used to years ago in the print edition.
El Angelo 9 months ago
Is there a more pointless exercise than the Experimental Free Handicap? I mean, who cares?
Eddie Smith 9 months ago
I couldn't agree more... what a non-issue.
catinabox 9 months ago
This horse won't go a mile and quarter. If he gets 1 1/8 miles, I'll be surprised. I'm looking forward to seeing what He's Had Enough does on Saturday.
John 9 months ago
I have a feeling the Derby winner is one of these 2nd out runners we are going to see showing up in stakes races these coming 2 weeks . I think Baffert will take a leap forward after Saturday...........................he has a couple promising runners ! O Neil ran a maiden last weekend, named after his brother I think, finsihed like a freight train .Handsome Dennis, Ron Ellis had an impressive winner also, Treasury Bill .
chad mc rory 9 months ago
Is there something about the timing of this announcement that says... Duh?