Beer: Aqueduct horses to watch for week of April 4
Mike Beer's horses to watch at Aqueduct for the week of April 4, 2018.
Mike BeerApr 04, 2018
Mike Beer's horses to watch at Aqueduct for the week of April 4, 2018.
TimeformUS Speed Figure Report for week ending April 1, 2018
Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of April 2, 2018
Trip Notes for graded stakes ran March 31 from Gulfstream Park and Golden Gate.
I had noted in the weekly Derby Watch chart I do with colleague Mike Watchmaker that AUDIBLE reminded me quite a bit of Always Dreaming in terms of being a late developer who blossomed in Florida, and he furthered that impression by winning the Florida Derby, the same race Always Dreaming took last year in his final start before capturing the Kentucky Derby. They have different running styles, but both are coming to hand when it matters most for Pletcher.
This victory made GRONKOWSKI the points leader after the seventh and final leg of the European Road to the Derby series, which was inaugurated this year by Churchill Downs and offered a carve-out that is separate from the main Road to the Derby races. Gronkowski thus secured a spot in the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby on May 5, and so this analysis is solely dedicated to his performance in this race and his chances in five weeks.
I’m usually dismissive of the UAE Derby winner since the competition is often substandard, but MENDELSSOHN already had proven at age 2 that he was a high-class colt, and his win here – in his dirt debut while earning the strongest Beyer Speed Figure on the prep trail – stamps him as a legitimate win candidate five weeks hence, especially when considering he’s trained by arguably the best trainer in the world and ridden by arguably the best jockey in the world. These are top-class connections.
Selections for Monday's card at Sha Tin.
If ISOTOPE (#5) can run back to her September win at Belmont, she’ll have a major say in the outcome of this race. Her two performances since then seem disappointing at first glance, but I don’t think circumstances were in her favor.
TimeformUS handicapper David Aragona highlights some contenders on Saturday’s card at Aqueduct.