Chocolate Candy

2009 Prep Recap

Date	Trk	Race	Chart	Distance	Time	BSF	Video
1/17	GG	California Derby	Chart	1 1/16m	1:43	86
2/14	GG	El Camino Real (G3)	Chart	1 1/8m	1:50	91
4/4	SA	Santa Anita Derby (G1)	Chart	1 1/8m	1:49	94

Profile by Michael Hammersly

Strengths: He gives every indication furlongs nine and 10 will be right up his alley. He's proven at the top level, finishing third in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity last Dec. 20 (behind top contenders Pioneerof the Nile and I Want Revenge). After gamely winning the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby, he finished smartly to be second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, again to Pioneerof the Nile, in an effort reminiscent of Real Quiet's final Kentucky Derby prep. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has yet to win a Derby but has won two Kentucky Oaks (Lite Light, Pike Place Dancer) and surely knows how to handle a top horse.

Weaknesses: Like nemesis Pioneerof the Nile he will be making his first start on dirt, so that's a question mark. He has pedigree to help - sire Candy Ride was a Grade 1 winner going 1 1/4 miles on dirt in the Pacific Classic and second dam In Memory is a half-sister to Triple Crown winner Affirmed.

Strategy: He will bide his time, then start to get involved at the midway point to land a position from which to spring his late run. A big field can cause problems with that, but if he can maneuver his way through he can be scary.

Value: He's something of the wise-guy horse. Many are saying he's very close to Pioneerof the Nile and I Want Revenge in ability but figures to be a much higher price. Anything 12-1 or higher would have appeal.

Pedigree Analysis By Dan Illman

Dosage Profile:  7-1-11-1-0
Dosage Index:  2.08
Center of Distribution:  0.70
Auction:  Homebred

Sire - The undefeated Candy Ride was a champion miler in his native Argentina, but he really opened eyes with his facile score in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles at Del Mar.  Candy Ride earned a monstrous 123 Beyer Speed Figure in the Pacific Classic while leaving the good handicap horse Medaglia d'Oro in the wake of his brilliance.  Candy Ride won at distances ranging between six furlongs and 1 1/4 miles, and he scored on both turf and dirt. 
From his first crop, Candy Ride has sired the exciting sprint prospects Capt. Candyman Can and Evita Argentina, and the solid turf miler Jack Spratt.

Dam - Crownette, a $190,000 juvenile purchase by Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, won the Santa Ysabel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. She has already foaled Crowning Storm, the third-place finisher of the Grade 3 Affirmed Handicap at 1 1/16 miles. 
Chocolate Candy's second dam, the unplaced Alydar mare In Memory, is a half-sister to Alydar's eternal rival, Triple Crown champion Affirmed.

Outlook:  The brilliance of Candy Ride coupled with the staying power of the female family makes Chocolate Candy's pedigree a most interesting one. Chocolate Candy has already proven himself at nine furlongs, and he acts like another eighth wouldn't hurt.  He still must show he can win on dirt, but the class in the female family indicates that anything is possible.