San Felipe a proving ground for Jaycito
San Felipe a proving ground for Jaycito
Steve AndersenMar 07, 2011
San Felipe a proving ground for Jaycito
”What’s Todd going to do?” That simple question has trainers and owners of a number of 3-year-olds in a state of flux as they ponder the status of trainer Todd Pletcher’s 2-year-old champion, Uncle Mo, and his undefeated stablemate, Sam Davis Stakes winner Brethren, for this Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby.
Mr. Commons is a promising 3-year-old trained by John Shirreffs, who knows how to win the Derby and other big races.
Trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole’s first choice for Uncle Mo’s 3-year-old debut is Saturday’s $100,000 Timely Writer at Gulfstream Park. The question is whether the track’s racing secretary, Dan Bork, can find enough 3-year-olds willing to take on the champ to make the race go.
Dialed In lost a battle Sunday at Gulfstream Park, one his trainer Nick Zito hopes will help him win the ultimate war, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7. Dialed In finished second, a half-length behind his uncoupled, 4-year-old stablemate Equestrio in Sunday’s fourth race at Gulfstream Park.
The Factor, who has won two starts at Santa Anita in electrifying fashion this winter, is being pointed for the $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 19, trainer Bob Baffert said on Sunday.
Uncle Mo turned in his final work in preparation for his much anticipated 3-year-old debut by breezing an easy half-mile in 48.82 seconds under jockey John Velazquez early Sunday morning at Palm Meadows. The question now remains where Uncle Mo will run, not when. The first preference is Saturday's Timley Writer at Gulfsream Park.
Stay Thirsty came out of his 3 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct in good order and is tentatively scheduled to return to south Florida on Tuesday for his next probable start in the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on April 3, his connections said Sunday.
Archarcharch was one of a handful of Rebel Stakes probables who hit the track for workouts on a chilly Sunday morning at Oaklawn Park. He breezed six furlongs in 1:13.40 in his first drill since winning the Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 21.
Positive Response, a Northern California invader sent away the 2-1 choice, dominated from the outset while the rest of the favorites largely disappointed Saturday night in the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park.