On the other hand, this year's sophomore class provided some thrills, as Larry Jones-trained Friesan Fire demonstrated some potential in winning the G3 LeComte at Fair Grounds, and the Lion Heart-filly Pumpkin Shell took the Busanda with flair at Aqueduct. I was particularly pleased to cash a WP ticket on Pumpkin Shell ($26.80 win, $10.80 place) as I had hailed her last July before her first start at Saratoga. She’s well-bred for distance, so I hope we see her on a trajectory for the G1 Oaks. According to the DRF, trainer David Donk plans to run her in the Busher Stakes on February 22. Friesan Fire is on track for the February 7 Risen Star. Also looking forward to another Larry Jones trainee, Old Fashioned who apparently will start in the G3 Southwest at Oaklawn on February 16.
Fantastic news early this week that Proud Spell hated life on the farm and thus is back in training for a four-year-old campaign. Dare we dream of a match-up sometime this year with Zenyatta, preferably on dirt, say in the G1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn?
Meanwhile, in Australia the two-year-olds are getting cranking in advance of their Triple Crown races, beginning with the G1 Golden Slipper on April 4 at Rosehill. On Saturday at Gold Coast, massive longshot Phelan Ready ($85.50 win) swept by previously-undefeated filly Paprika to win the A$2 million Magic Millions Classic, and it was beautiful! He’s another promising offspring of More Than Ready who has cranked out some impressive turf horses in Australia over the past two years, including last year’s Magic Millions Classic victress Augusta Proud and G1 Golden Slipper and G1 Sires Produce winner Sebring. What I also like about Phelan Ready are his connections, father-son trainers Bruce and Jason McLachlan, his jockey Jason Holder, and the fact that (you knew this was coming) he is a descendent, through his dam, of Foolish Pleasure. His dam Nancy Eleanor, winner of the G3 Adelaide Guineas, is by Blevic, and is also a half-sister to the very talented Baughurst.
I guess I should have put Old Fashioned in my stable but I forgot so thanks for letting us know his next start.
ReplyDeleteI thought Just Jenda ran really well in the Tiffany Lass + I thought Patena was a strong second in the LeCompte.
ReplyDeleteNice score on Pumpkin Shell!
Myself? I would never poke fun at Jeff Siegel's ability to analyze a horse or a race. He's about as sharp as they come, in my mind, and has been for decades.
ReplyDeleteValerie,
ReplyDeleteCatch my comment on A.P. Cardinal in your last post.
The time of the San Pasqual isn't bad considering CAL's a better turf horse, took all the heat, was headed and came back so gamely.
How about Larry Jones? I thought he was gonna retire. Not any time soon with his stock!
Dana,
I agree with you about JUST JENDA and PATENA...that either means we're genius or ready for a padded cell :-)!!!
Val and Ray,
Disagreement is what this game was built on. Val, keep your comments coming. Ray, I agree that Siegel is very sharp. That doesn't mean he's always right, just usually right.
No offense taken. I suppose it’s a matter of perception. To my eye, Cowboy Cal certainly didn’t look like the second coming of...well, Curlin, for lack of a better example these days. Maybe it’s the ProRide, but their action looked labored, especially as they drifted out into the middle of the track. I admit, I’m also slightly prejudiced against Cowboy Cal by that hideous G1 Blue Grass last year. Plus, there’s something just so wrong about an obvious turf horse being lauded for running on that abomination we’ve come to know as “dirt.” If he comes back later this year to win the Stephen Foster, Woodward or Jockey Club Gold Cup on REAL dirt, then I’ll respect Cowboy Cal. Urgh, aren’t I the purist? LOL! Just cranky with this winter weather, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI missed the Just Jenda race—I’ll have to go back and watch the replay. Totally agree about Patena, though—loved the way he closed. His name throws me, as I suspect they misspelled it...as opposed to Patena (“a grassy expanse in the hill region of Ceylon”), perhaps they meant Patina (the greenish appearance bronze sculpture takes on with age) considering his dam is Handpainted.