The Billy Morey-trained Positive Response, winner of the Gold Rush and the California Derby, had an easy 48.40-second half-mile work Sunday at Golden Gate as part of his preparation for the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 12.
“He just went an easy half-mile,” said Morey, who had regular rider Julien Couton aboard. “He remains sharp and is doing really good. He’ll have one more work, next Sunday, probably five-eighths of a mile. That work, obviously, will be very important.”
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Six years ago, Bellamy Road thrust himself into the role of Kentucky Derby favorite with a dazzling 17 1/2-length victory in the Wood Memorial over Aqueduct’s main track. On Saturday, one of his sons will attempt to take an initial step onto the Triple Crown trail when he runs in the $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes over Aqueduct’s inner track.
J P’s Gusto, a four-time stakes winner as a 2-year-old last year, is likely to make his 2010 debut in the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes over seven furlongs on Feb. 20, trainer David Hofmans said.
Hofmans said he is considering the Grade 2 San Vicente or the $250,000 Southwest Stakes over a mile at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 21, but is leaning toward the San Vicente. Sunday, J P’s Gusto worked three furlongs in 36.40 seconds, although Hofmans timed him in 1:13.40 for six furlongs.
Kinsale King works half-mile
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Things didn’t go exactly as trainer Nick Zito had planned for his top 3-year-old prospect Dialed In. But they turned out even better than he could have expected Sunday at Gulfstream Park after Dialed In rallied from far back to register an impressive 1 1/2-length victory over Sweet Ducky in the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The 3-year-old competition leading to the Kentucky Derby will begin in earnest Sunday with the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Racing fans can start speculating, as they do annually, whether the sport will produce a superstar and possibly even a Triple Crown winner.
Prominent horse owner Mike Repole has expressed interest in buying a percentage of Major League Baseball’s New York Mets from the team’s current owners, Fred and Jeff Wilpon, who reportedly could face millions of dollars in losses related to the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Yankee Passion is likely headed to the Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest at Oaklawn Park following his flashy seasonal debut win at the track on Thursday. He won a six-furlong allowance in a rapid 1:10.88 in his first start since August, and for the effort he earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 79.
“I’m pretty sure we’re going to point him to the Southwest,” said Larry Jones, who trains Yankee Passion.
Rogue Romance is among the top male 3-year-old prospects in Florida this winter, and Kathmanblu is one of the best 3-year-old fillies there, but both horses are likely to ship to Fair Grounds for their first dirt start of 2011, trainer Ken McPeek said Thursday. McPeek has penciled in Rogue Romance for the Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 19, and Kathmanblu is tentatively being pointed to the Rachel Alexandra, formerly called the Silverbulletday, on the same program.
