Get the Energy

- Informed Decision was a 26-1 bombshell in the 4th at Gulfstream with John Velazquez in his debut for trainer Jonathan Sheppard. She's a three-year old filly by Monarchos. The Derby champ's stud fee is down to $6,000 for 2008; it was $25,000 in 2003. His third crop are the two-year olds of 2008, but he's yet to have a graded stakes winner. You know it's not a good sign when the best they can come with on the Stallion Register page is: New 3YO SW, & Ohio Derby Runner-up Moyer's Pond.

In Friday's 8th race, John Ward, who trained Monarchos, has a first-timer by the sire that John Oxley paid $280,000 for at Keeneland's April two-year old sale. Get the News is out of Sermonette, a Danzig half sister to Pulpit. A couple of gaps in his workouts indicates that all has not gone according to plan, but he comes off a solid string of drills including two bullets. Monarchos hits at a very respectable 13% with first time starters and Prado hops aboard, so this one may be worth checking out on the tote, and, of course, in the paddock if possible.

- Who says Frank doesn't have a plan for Gulfstream? Yodelaheehoo! (Hat tip to this reader.)