Da Big Hoss finds tough spot for small purse in Sycamore
LEXINGTON, Ky. – You’d think a horse coming off a two-length triumph in a $600,000 race would be an overwhelming favorite when running back for a fraction of that amount – but hold that thought. The twisted economics of Kentucky racing must be taken into account.
Da Big Hoss is only one of a handful of plausible winners Thursday at Keeneland in the Grade 3 Sycamore Stakes, a $100,000 race that pales in comparison – purse-wise, anyway – to what was offered last month when the former claimer captured the $600,000 Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs.
Keeneland is not yet reaping the financial rewards of “historical racing” machines, which Kentucky Downs has used for four years to fuel purses at its abbreviated race meets. That mostly explains why the Sycamore offers a comparatively puny purse while attracting an arguably stronger field.
And so it is that Da Big Hoss, breaking from post 1 with Joe Rocco Jr. back aboard, will face a host of stakes-seasoned veterans in a terrific renewal of the Sycamore, a 1 1/2-mile, three-turn turf race carded as the eighth of nine Thursday races. Among the more capable contenders is Holiday Star (post 8, Edgar Prado), the 2014 Sycamore winner for Augustin Stable and trainer Graham Motion.
The most intriguing starter in a field of 11 surely is the longshot Kalamos (post 10, Abel Lezcano), whose owner and trainer, Edward “Bo” Boerjan, bought him for a mere $3,000 at auction last fall at Keeneland. Kalamos won the $150,000 Old Friends Stakes last month at Kentucky Downs at 50-1 for Boerjan, a 61-year-old semi-retired pipe fitter who trains the 6-year-old horse on his farm in Fort Wayne, Ind.
One race earlier, the highly regarded Watershed figures as a heavy favorite for Godolphin Racing and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin when trying the allowance ranks for the first time. The 3-year-old Bernardini colt was away tardily in his first two career starts – a maiden victory and a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop, both in August at Saratoga.
First post Thursday is 1:05 p.m. Eastern, with the Sycamore set for 4:57.
Key contenders
Da Big Hoss (Last 3 Beyers: 97-93-91)
* Claimed for $50,000 in June by trainer Mike Maker on behalf of the Skychai Stable of Harvey Diamond and Jimmy Shircliff, this 4-year-old colt has reached an obvious peak, having won the restricted John’s Call at Saratoga before hitting his Kentucky Downs jackpot.
Holiday Star (Last 3 Beyers: 89-87-83)
* Victory here last fall in the Sycamore under Rosie Napravnik serves as a reminder of what this Pennsylvania-bred can do when bringing his ‘A’ game for Motion, who also ships in Divine Oath for this engagement.
Divine Oath (Last 3 Beyers: 94-88-95)
* West Point Thoroughbreds color-bearer stands to benefit from his last start at Parx Racing after getting a short break that followed a busy winter and spring traversing the continent.
Patrioticandproud (Last 3 Beyers: 92-91-90)
* Wins have eluded him for much of the last couple of years, but this 6-year-old gelding has the class and tactical ability to loom a major threat here for Mark Casse, the meet’s leading trainer.
Thatcher Street (Last 3 Beyers: 85-90-86)
* Sleeper type was second in the Old Friends Stakes and has come to hand in recent months for Ian Wilkes after floundering for too long in the maiden ranks.