David Grening's top 3-year-olds at Aqueduct on March 2
Top 3-year-olds at Aqueduct on March 2, 2015
With confirmation that FAR FROM OVER will skip Saturday’s Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham, EL KABEIR and OCEAN KNIGHT figure to vie for favoritism in the 1 1/16-mile race at Aqueduct. It seems like the Gotham may be the only Kentucky Derby prep that won’t feature a star from the Todd Pletcher barn, though he is expected to run the Mike Repole-owned maiden winners DONTBETWITHBRUNO and BLAME JIM.
On the 3-year-old filly front, WONDER GAL got back to work over the weekend after missing a few days with a cut that got inflamed.
1 - OCEAN KNIGHT
Pedigree: Curlin-Ocean Goddess, Stormy Atlantic
Last race: 1st in Sam F. Davis on Jan. 31 at Tampa Bay Downs
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 93/93
Target race: Gotham, Saturday, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Son of Curlin overcame difficult post and wide trip to gut out a neck victory in the Sam Davis, his first time going around two turns. Owns a win sprinting over the inner track at Aqueduct, so surface should not be an issue on Saturday. Scheduled to arrive Tuesday after completing Gotham preparations Saturday with a half-mile workout in 49.95 seconds at Palm Meadows in Florida.
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2 - EL KABEIR
Pedigree: Scat Daddy-Great Venue, Unbridled’s Song
Last race: 2nd in Withers on Feb. 7 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 93/95
Target race: Gotham, Saturday, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Really liked his half-mile workout Sunday, the way he rated kindly behind a workmate, took dirt and then cruised past. His gallop-out was exceptional. I think he should be the Gotham favorite.
:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays
3 - FAR FROM OVER
Pedigree: Blame-Alchemist, A.P. Indy
Last race: 1st in Withers on Feb. 7 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 96/96
Target race: Wood Memorial, April 4, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Trainer Todd Pletcher indicated earlier in the week that he was leaning toward skipping the Gotham and awaiting the Wood, and that plan was confirmed Sunday when the horse didn’t work, owing to a wet Palm Beach Downs track. A quarter-interest in the ridgling was sold to James Cavello and Sol Kumin.
4 - CLASSY CLASS
Pedigree: Discreetly Mine-Collegiate, Saarland
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 91/91
Last race: 3rd in Withers on Feb. 7 at Aqueduct
Target race: Gotham, Saturday, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Made an easy lead in the Withers but then was pounced upon by El Kabeir, making for a prolonged pace battle to which he eventually succumbed while finishing third. It was his first start in 10 weeks and he should benefit from the race. He had finished fourth in Remsen while contesting the pace and racing on the worst part of the track that day.
5 - TENCENDUR
Pedigree: Warrior’s Reward-Still Secret, Hennessy
Last race: 4th in Withers on Feb. 7 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 89/89
Target race: Gotham on Saturday at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Has twice been defeated by Far From Over, including a fourth-place finish to him at 32-1 in the Grade 3 Withers. Failed to change leads until late in that race, which have cost him some momentum. He is getting blinkers for the first time on Saturday.
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FILLIES
1 - CONDO COMMANDO
Pedigree: Tiz Wonderful-Yearly Report, General Meeting
Last race: 1st in Demoiselle on Nov. 29 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 90/96
Target race: Gazelle, April 4, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Did what she was supposed to do dispatching an overmatched field by 5 1/2 lengths in the Busher Stakes on Feb. 21. Figures to meet stronger competition in the Gazelle.
2 - WONDER GAL
Pedigree: Tiz Wonderful-Passe, Dixie Union
Last race: 3rd in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 81/81
Target race: Gazelle, April 4, at Aqueduct
COMMENT: Had a little setback in her training owing to a cut that took some time to heal. But she made it back to the work tab on Saturday and appears to be back on schedule for the Gazelle. Finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, one length behind winner Take Charge Brandi.
3 - ALLITERATION
Pedigree: Quality Road-Daily Special, Dayjur
Last race: 1st in maiden race on Feb. 6 at Aqueduct
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 72/72
Target race: Undecided
COMMENT: After finishing second sprinting in her debut, she successfully stretched out around turns. The final time was slow, perhaps owing to the nature of the track that day. No options in New York before the Gazelle so she may have to ship out of town.