Harry's Holiday tries to find his niche in mile feature
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Harry’s Holiday may be just another horse whose talent went wasted in chasing a Kentucky Derby dream.
His connections hope that’s not the case, and they’ll get their first chance to see how “the rest of the story” turns out Thursday. That’s when Harry’s Holiday will make his first start since finishing 16th of 19 runners at 44-1 in the May 3 Derby when he faces seven other 3-year-olds in the feature race, a $45,000, second-level allowance at a one-turn mile at Churchill Downs.
Harvey Diamond, a partner in Skychai Racing, is among the host of owners of Harry’s Holiday, whose best effort came in March when beaten a nose in the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park. The colt is based at the nearby Trackside training center with Mike Maker.
“He came out of the Derby with a little foot injury,” Diamond said. “He’s been in and out of training since then, so this summer Mike just gave the horse all the time he needed for the foot to grow out properly. It’s great now, so we’re hoping he comes back better than ever.”
Harry’s Holiday has had six workouts since Oct. 12, the latest an easy half-mile breeze Sunday.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Harry's Holiday. Exits the Kentucky Derby, which has turned out to be a key race, with five next-out winners and all 14 to run since earning a Beyer Speed Figure of at least 80. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Among the chief threats in his Thursday comeback are Rocket Time, a last-out winner at Keeneland for trainer Al Stall Jr., and For Goodness Sake, a two-time winner over the Churchill dirt for trainer Mike Tomlinson.
Two other allowances (races 4 and 8) are scheduled for Thursday. Race 4 is scheduled for five furlongs on the turf, but because of the snow that fell here Monday and the freezing temperatures that ensued, that race most likely will be moved to the main track, along with race 10, the only other scheduled grass event of the day.
First post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern, with the feature set for 4:36.
KEY CONTENDERS
For Goodness Sake (Last 3 Beyers: 75-76-82)
◗ He hasn’t been that close in his last three, although two of them came versus higher-class 3-year-olds in the Oklahoma and West Virginia derbies.
◗ His back-to-back romps at the end of the Churchill spring meet indicates he does his best running over this track.
Teniente Coronel (Last 3 Beyers: 88-74-78)
◗ This hot-and-cold son of Colonel John earned a lifetime-high Beyer Speed Figure in his $50,000-claiming romp on Breeders’ Cup Saturday, a lofty figure that represents a last-out, field-high best.
◗ He gets a stern class test here, and will be ridden by leading jockey Corey Lanerie.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Teniente Coronel. Trainer Paul McGee is 11-3-2-2 with a $2.36 ROI over the past five years going from claiming to allowance races with last-out winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Harry’s Holiday (Last 3 Beyers: 63-48-85)
◗ This colt, claimed for $30,000 in his career debut, wanted no part of the best of his class, and now that he’s been regrouped, it’s time to see what he can do when more realistically placed.
◗ His work pattern suggests he might need a race, and perhaps more distance, so tread cautiously here.
Rocket Time (Last 3 Beyers: 87-78-88)
◗ This talented gelding continues to be prudently managed, having knocked out his first allowance condition six weeks ago at Keeneland.
◗ His best efforts have come around one turn, and he’s favorably drawn toward the outer for the long run out of the Longfield Ave. chute.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Mac West. Trainer Wayne Catalano is 8-3-0-2 with a $3.32 ROI over the past five years going turf to dirt in routes in the second start following a layoff. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan