Notes - Feb 18

- My laptop is as dead as can be, not a sign of life. So I'm using this little IBook that the girls have, and it's a pretty cool little laptop. Except that Formulator doesn't work on Macs. Otherwise I'd probably consider it. Well?

It's tough competing with this crew for computer time, so posting will be erratic at best for the next couple of days until we come home. Whatsmore, I don't have Formulator, and Cal Racing doesn't work on this thing. But while I have a few moments....

Turf War was 2-1 in the Southwest Stakes, as the bettors seemed to ignore the disappointing race by Z Humor on Saturday. With the former's listless 9th place finish at Oaklawn, indications are that the Delta Jackpot may prove to be noteworthy only by guaranteeing a Derby spot for horses that might not be up to the task. Personally, I wouldn't mind a little subjectivity injected into the process of weeding out the 20 horse Derby field. The controversy that a selection committee would generate would be a good thing, and they'd probably get it closer to right.

Denis of Cork certainly benefited from the fast pace set by Sacred Journey in rallying from some 18 lengths behind; the second half of the mile race was run in 52.64 seconds after the opening half of 45.25. But this colt is undefeated, overcame wide trips in his previous two wins, and handled his first stakes try with aplomb. He's a son of Harlan's Holiday, a grandson of Storm Cat who is off to a fine start at stud. He was second to Posse on the rookie sire list in 2007.

Harlan's Holiday is also the sire of Into Mischief, another Derby hopeful who's been no worse than second in his four starts and won the Cash Call in his only start around two turns. Somebody, either a commenter or a private emailer, I don't quit recall, recently wrote that perhaps this would be the Storm Cat-line stallion to break into the Derby winner's circle, and these are a couple of interesting prospects, though I particularly favor Denis of Cork.

- Control System was beaten at even money by Golden Dawn (Hennessy) in the Barbara Fritchie at Laurel, and really easily too. The winner has completely turned things around since switching to Mike Hushion, and recorded her second dominant stakes win in a row, proving she can win outside the Big A. Golden Dawn is an early prospect for the F&M Sprint, which is by far my favorite of the BC races that debuted at Monmouth last year. And this was the first graded stakes win for Channing Hill, who Hushion called "the best kept secret in the jocks' room." [DRF]

- A switch to turf did the trick for Vacation, who burned a lot of money on the dirt for Shug before graduating at Gulfstream on Sunday.