Monday Evening Wrapup

Watching the Hopeful today, I must say, I have a new 2-year-old favorite—Majestic Warrior, who roared from far, far back to overtake Maimonides and then Ready’s Image to win. What a way for Bill Mott to top off a stellar Saratoga meet! Majestic Warrior paid $15.00 for the win. I am such a sucker for deep closers, and, boy, he sure qualified as that today—and what gigantic strides! He’s out of multiple grade 1 winner Dream Supreme (winner of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at four), by multiple grade 1 winner A.P. Indy—how could you go wrong there?

First Edgar Prado fractures his right ankle (out at least 6 weeks), and now Rafael Bejarano is hospitalized with possible rib and back injuries. Best wishes to both of them for speedy recoveries!

In the Pennsylvania Derby, I was frankly shocked with 5-1 Timber Reserve coming out on top, just ahead of 22-1 Exchanger ($339.00 exacta), with Zanjero and Slew’s Tizzy completing the $49,061.60 superfecta. Holy cow! Cable Boy set quick early fractions with Timber Reserve right with him until the final turn when the John Kimmel-trainee took the lead and held against the oncoming Xchanger who got no respect coming out of the G1 Haskell. The result tied the stakes record, in Timber Reserve’s second race of the year. Maybe there is something to this lightly-raced thing? Then again...nah!

Speculation continues about where Street Sense will go next, but with word that Lawyer Ron is likely headed to the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, I would find it highly unlikely that Nafzger would head there. I’m still rooting for the Mass Cap.

A heads-up of note: 2-year-old Acacia, a full-sister of Zanjero, makes her debut on Friday at Arlington (race 6).

My Sunday Results (which were pretty darn good, I must say—surprising myself, but I think I am getting the hang of this handicapping stuff):

Race 1: Taupo ($5.40 win); Blue Bay ($4.00 show).
Race 2: Grasshoppa ($22.80 win)
Race 3: Speedy Sandy ($3.40 win); Trouble in Tahiti ($6.60 place); Sarah Mony ($3.00); $2 tri ($84.00)
Race 4: Dixie Marrone ($14.60 win); Straight Laced ($6.20 place); $2 exacta ($107.20)
Race 5: Miami Sunrise ($3.80 win); Flight Captain ($3.40 show)
Race 6: Thunder Anees ($16.40 place)
Race 7: Elite Squadron ($12.20 win); Cherokee Country ($3.00 place); Front Court ($3.00 show); $2 tri ($136.20)
Race 8: Peace Rock ($6.30 win); One Royal Affair ($6.00 place); $2 exacta ($43.20)