Denis of Cork |
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| Barbara D. Livingston |
2008 Prep Recap
| Date | Trk | Race | Chart | Distance | Time | BSF | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/19 | FG | Alw 40500n2l | Chart | 1m 40y | 1:42:4 | 82 | |
| 2/18 | OP | Southwest (G3) | Chart | 1m | 1:37:4 | 96 |  |
| 4/5 | HAW | Illinois Derby (G2) | Chart | 1 1/8 m | 1:49 | 88 | |
Analysis (by Steve Grabowski)
Strengths: He’s lightly raced so there’s plenty of upside to him. He returns to the scene of his debut maiden score and he has been working extremely well over the track, which gives him an edge over many of his Derby rivals. His sire was a Grade 1 winner going long and his dam’s sire, Unbridled, won the Kentucky Derby back in 1990. His jockey, Calvin Borel, won this race on Street Sense last year and is used to the hype surrounding the event.
Weaknesses: His winning streak came to an end last out in the Illinois Derby and history has shown that it’s difficult to overcome a lackluster effort in a final Kentucky Derby prep. He runs better from well off the pace and in such a big field he could find trouble as he commences his rally. He still hasn’t run very fast and will need a career best effort to have a say in the outcome.
Strategy: He is best when taken back and allowed to make one late run so he would probably be best positioned towards the outside to avoid traffic. While the pace doesn’t figure to be too quick, it should be contested and that will help his late kick.
Value: He figures to be in the neighborhood of 30-1, watch is a far cry from the even-money price at which he was offered in the Illinois Derby. A case can be made that he will be better in his return to Churchill and if the change in scenery does indeed perk him up then he will represent excellent value.
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Owners: M r. & Mrs. Wm. Warren Jr. |
Pedigree Profile (by Lauren Stich)
Sire Line: After winning the Blue Grass Stakes and Florida Derby, Harlan’s Holiday was the favorite in the 2002 Kentucky Derby but finished seventh. He was second in the Dubai World Cup at age 4 and won the Donn Handicap at 5. Harlan’s Holiday is off to a flying start as one of last year’s most exciting freshman sires. His sire, Harlan, was a stakes-winning sprinter by Storm Cat and another stakes-winning son of Harlan, Menifee, was a fast-closing second to Charismatic in the 1999 Derby and Preakness.
Female Family: Unbridled Girl did not win in two starts, but second dam, Sound Wisdom, was a stakes winner and is a full sister to stakes winner Private Persuasion. Three current 3-year-old colts trace to Kay Ho, Denis of Cork’s fourth dam: In addition to Southwest Stakes winner Denis of Cork, they are Sierra Sunset, who won the Rebel Stakes and was second in the Southwest, and Da’ Tara.
Pedigree Pattern: Harlan’s Holiday, along with damsire Unbridled and second damsire Pirate’s Bounty (Hoist the Flag), suggest Denis of Cork should handle 1 1/4 miles.