- Barbaro's legacy includes his Derby win off a five week layoff and just one prep in 13 weeks, and that's not really a good thing for those of us who enjoy following the changing landscape of the Derby picture as the contenders knock heads during the prep season. It portends a future with less races and more guesswork on Derby Day. We've already heard Carl Nafzger say that his champion Street Sense will only make two starts prior to the Derby, and the colt has just started to stretch his legs with a half mile workout in 53 seconds. "He didn't blow much....He didn't blow any." [Daily Racing Form] We're looking at the Hutcheson, now at 7 1/2 furlongs on the Fountain of Youth undercard on March 3, and the Blue Grass on the Polytrack at Keeneland on April 14, and that's it.
And Barclay Tagg sounds as if he doesn't have too much in mind for Nobiz Like Shobiz, slated to make his sophomore debut in the Holy Bull on Saturday.
"He's a big, heavy horse and might need three races before the Derby, but I don't think with him it's absolutely necessary, especially since I already know he can go a mile and one-eighth and do it easily.....If something happens along the way and I have to miss a race, it wouldn't be a disaster. I might even keep him right here and give him his final prep in the Florida Derby. The five weeks to the Derby is never a concern. In fact I wouldn't be concerned if I had to go eight weeks." [Daily Racing Form]Barbaro technically started three times before the Derby, but remember that one of those was on the grass on New Year's Day.
Scat Daddy is also scheduled to run in the Holy Bull, but two prominent horses originally scheduled to run on Saturday at Gulfstream will not. English Channel will not face Miesque's Approval in the Canadian Turf Handicap, and will prep instead at the Fair Grounds for a trip to Dubai.
And Premium Tap will not meet Invasor in the Donn. He's been purchased by Saudi Arabian interests, and will ship there to run on Feb 10. But, if all goes well, he'll then go to Dubai and rumble with his Uruguayan rival in the World Cup.
1 Comment:
Every drill i can remember from Nobiz Like Shobiz this yera has been reasonably quick. That was NOT his modus operandi last year, if i remember correctly. I'm guessing he may be on the improve, as there's no reason for Tagg to be turning the screws on him right now.
Btw, i think we can look forward to a 4-race pre-Derby campaign by EZ Warrior. Baffert has said he wants to stretch him out one furlong at a time, which indicates he'll go San Vicente/San Rafael/Santa Anita Derby. He took pretty much the same path with Silver Charm, btw.
Post a Comment