The third-place finish by Rousing Sermon in the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 4 led to a pep talk between owner Larry Williams and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Rousing Sermon makes his second start of 2012 in Saturday’s San Felipe at Santa Anita, the final stakes prep for the Santa Anita Derby on April 7.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said that in light of Hansen’s easy victory in Saturday’s Gotham, he is now more inclined to bring his top Derby contender, Alpha, back in the Grade 1 Florida Derby here at Gulfstream Park on March 31 rather than await the Wood the following weekend in New York
With his stature back intact, champion Hansen left Belmont Park on Monday morning on a van bound for Kentucky, but the winner of Saturday’s Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct is expected to return next month for the $1 million Wood Memorial to be run over Aqueduct’s main track on April 7.
A new shooter to challenge Hansen in the $1 million Wood Memorial may emerge from Wednesday’s $67,000 first-level allowance feature for 3-year-olds going a mile and 70 yards over Aqueduct’s inner track.
With his victory in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate on Feb. 18, Daddy Nose Best became the first 3-year-old male in 2012 to win a graded stakes at nine furlongs on the main track.
Sham Stakes winner Out of Bounds came out of a workout at Hollywood Park on Monday morning with a fracture to his left front ankle, an injury that will require surgery and obviously removes him from the Triple Crown, trainer Eoin Harty said.
The Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby will be run on Saturday, Festival Day, and as many as 10 are expected for the 1 1/16-mile race
Midnight Transfer makes his graded stakes debut and first start around two turns in Saturday’s $300,000 San Felipe Stakes over 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita.
Hansen emerged from his three-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 3 Gotham Stakes “great, no worse for the wear,” according to trainer Mike Maker and in all likelihood last year’s 2-year-old champion colt will return to New York for the $1 million Wood Memorial on April 7
After two days of wagering, the mutuel field remained the favorite over Union Rags in Pool 2 of the 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, while the smashing victory in the Gotham Stakes by Hansen made him the solid third choice.
