2010 Kentucky Derby, 2yo champion Lookin at Lucky was coming off a 3rd place finish in the Santa Anita Derby and lost his title of favoritism for the race. Garrett Gomez gave him an ill timed ride and finished sixth. 2 weeks later in the Preakness, it was a different story. With the rider change to youngster Martin Garcia, not only did Lucky win the Preakness, that helped him become the first 2yo Champion to win Championship honors at 3 in quite a while. Garcia will try to make some more magic again this upcoming Saturday with Midnight Interlude. This time he is taking over for Victor Espinoza who won the Preakness in 2002 with War Emblem.
While history was against Midnight Interlude in the Derby, the Preakness is a little bit more forgiving. Since 2000, three horses who won did not race at 2 (Red Bullet, Bernardini and Curlin). Midnight Interlude is trying to become the 4th to do so since. It helps that he has the defending race jockey and trainer in his corner as well. He'll be one of the overlooked horses when it comes to raceday with more then likely the Derby winner, 3rd place finisher, 4th place finisher and possibly a local taking more action (Nehro is possible at this time of writing) all going. I would not overlook this horse with an up and coming jockey in the irons.
Showing posts with label Martin Garcia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Martin Garcia. Show all posts
May 15, 2011
May 15, 2010
Lucky gets finally Lucky
Back in 2000, Bob Baffert had a Thunder Gulch colt named Point Given who lost the BC Juvy by a nose to Macho Uno. He went back to California and won the Hollywood Futurity and was made one of the favorites for the Derby in 2001. Dispite running both of his preps, Point Given could only manage 5th losing to a Maria's Mon colt named Monachos. However the Preakness was where the tables where turned as Point Given won with Monarchos only able to get 6th in a 11 horse field.
Flash foward to 2009, Bob Baffert had a Smart Strike colt named Lookin at Lucky who lost the BC Juvy by a nose to Vale of York. He goes back and wins the Cash Call (formally Hollywood) Futurity and was made one of the favorites for the Derby in 2010. Unlike Point Given, he does not win both of his preps (he only wins one). Still he went into the Derby as the favorite after the defection (subquent retirement) of Eskendereya. He got a horrible trip, but managed ot get sixth behind a Maria's Mon colt (sounds fermiler?) named Super Saver. Like Point Given, he was able to show that the Preakness was a fluke and won the Preakness. Super Saver could only finish 7th in a 11 horse field (how ironic!).
So here we are no Triple Crown for another year. 2006 obviously nobody was going to control what happend that day. 2007, I really didn't care because my pick didn't win the Derby, but felt bad for Street Sense, I called Big Brown losing in the Belmont, last year I wanted Rachel Alexandra to win the Preakness and she did, but this year was different. I thought Super Saver was going to be different, but it seemed like he just gave up. I hope he's okay, and will now get some time off and return great! At first he reminded me of Funny Cide with his running style, but now I think he's more of an Any Given Saturday type of horse.
As for the winner, sadly I'm not a huge fan of his. He has a big brother who is a G2 winner named Kensei, who like Lucky bombed on the Derby Day on the undercard. But I will give credit where credit is due. First off Bob Baffert is a freaking genius. It takes guts to remove a big time rider like Garrett Gomez and replace him with an up and comer like Martin Garcia. I think that was the big key. Obviously Martin Garcia his first Preakness, he goes from a longshot (Convaynce) to one of the favorites (Lucky), that was an awesome ride. But in all honestly, he was supposed to win this race. That's really how bad this crop is.
Suprises
Northern Giant- That I was right, he finished last. He and Dublin need a new trainer.
Dublin- What a horrible horrible break. He needs a new trainer, jockey and fast. Fifth after that break? He is defently his father's son.
First Dude- I wanna go hug this son of Stephen Got Evan, I almost was going to throw him into third, but decided against it. What a race by him. Even though he is named after Todd Palin.
Jackson Bend- FL breds go 2-3! And the winners sire is from Canada how awesome is that. This little guy has a bright future ahead of him at a mile. Hopefully Robert LaPenta listens to Nick.
Caracotardo- I feel bad for his connections, but I was expecting a much better race out of him.
Martin Garcia- Had you asked me a few months ago that a 25 year old from Mexico who used to work in a deli would win the Preakness, I would have laughed. Def. a star now, a HUGE congrats to him and now there is pressure on him.
NBC- I loved the Super Saver piece.
Disapointments
Super Saver- Obviously I'm disapointed, and hope he's okay. He just seemed to give up when Lucky started to make his move. My guess is he'll be going on a rest. I'm not going to blame Calvin for his ride as it was perfect, until the top of the stretch. He ran out of gas. I don't think he's a fluke and nor will I be giving up for him.
Rule- I would have run him here, yes you run risk of him beating Super Saver, but I think he would have done fine in here. I doubt he's Belmont bound, but Belmont tends to be kind to front runners on Belmont Stakes day. With no Triple Crown on the line, he could do something his popular uncle could not and that's win the Belmont.
Paddy O' Prado- Two weeks not long enough.
Northern Giant- Why was he in this race?
Dublin- He needs a new trainer and jockey, oh wait I said that before.
Garrett Gomez- for his horrible rides on Lucky, Dublin, Hard Spun and any other horse I liked.
NBC- Why didn't you show the Dixie?! One of the most beloved Derby winner's little brother was running in the race. Okay so Nicanor didn't win, but he was still running.
So we go to the Belmont with no Triple Crown. Ice Box will be the favorite unless Lucky and/or Saver shows up, both are doubtful as of right now. Others possibly heading there include Setsuko, Make Music for Me, Fly Down and First Dude. Of course things can change over the next 3 weeks.
To that end Congrats to Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia, Smart Strike for his second Preakness winner (Curlin being his first), Smart Strike again for being the broodmare sire for First Dude. And Lucky's owners especially Mike Pegram who owned Real Quiet.
Other winners on the day: Rainbow View! I hope she goes to the Dick Memorial, but it maybe a little bit too long for her. And hopefully her brother Just As Well goes to the Sussex, but it maybe too short for him. And that was really it, other then Blame. Some what of a ho hum day.
The Summer Chat Series dates will be announced in a few days and don't forget that HRBA nominations open on Monday at 2pm.
Flash foward to 2009, Bob Baffert had a Smart Strike colt named Lookin at Lucky who lost the BC Juvy by a nose to Vale of York. He goes back and wins the Cash Call (formally Hollywood) Futurity and was made one of the favorites for the Derby in 2010. Unlike Point Given, he does not win both of his preps (he only wins one). Still he went into the Derby as the favorite after the defection (subquent retirement) of Eskendereya. He got a horrible trip, but managed ot get sixth behind a Maria's Mon colt (sounds fermiler?) named Super Saver. Like Point Given, he was able to show that the Preakness was a fluke and won the Preakness. Super Saver could only finish 7th in a 11 horse field (how ironic!).
So here we are no Triple Crown for another year. 2006 obviously nobody was going to control what happend that day. 2007, I really didn't care because my pick didn't win the Derby, but felt bad for Street Sense, I called Big Brown losing in the Belmont, last year I wanted Rachel Alexandra to win the Preakness and she did, but this year was different. I thought Super Saver was going to be different, but it seemed like he just gave up. I hope he's okay, and will now get some time off and return great! At first he reminded me of Funny Cide with his running style, but now I think he's more of an Any Given Saturday type of horse.
As for the winner, sadly I'm not a huge fan of his. He has a big brother who is a G2 winner named Kensei, who like Lucky bombed on the Derby Day on the undercard. But I will give credit where credit is due. First off Bob Baffert is a freaking genius. It takes guts to remove a big time rider like Garrett Gomez and replace him with an up and comer like Martin Garcia. I think that was the big key. Obviously Martin Garcia his first Preakness, he goes from a longshot (Convaynce) to one of the favorites (Lucky), that was an awesome ride. But in all honestly, he was supposed to win this race. That's really how bad this crop is.
Suprises
Northern Giant- That I was right, he finished last. He and Dublin need a new trainer.
Dublin- What a horrible horrible break. He needs a new trainer, jockey and fast. Fifth after that break? He is defently his father's son.
First Dude- I wanna go hug this son of Stephen Got Evan, I almost was going to throw him into third, but decided against it. What a race by him. Even though he is named after Todd Palin.
Jackson Bend- FL breds go 2-3! And the winners sire is from Canada how awesome is that. This little guy has a bright future ahead of him at a mile. Hopefully Robert LaPenta listens to Nick.
Caracotardo- I feel bad for his connections, but I was expecting a much better race out of him.
Martin Garcia- Had you asked me a few months ago that a 25 year old from Mexico who used to work in a deli would win the Preakness, I would have laughed. Def. a star now, a HUGE congrats to him and now there is pressure on him.
NBC- I loved the Super Saver piece.
Disapointments
Super Saver- Obviously I'm disapointed, and hope he's okay. He just seemed to give up when Lucky started to make his move. My guess is he'll be going on a rest. I'm not going to blame Calvin for his ride as it was perfect, until the top of the stretch. He ran out of gas. I don't think he's a fluke and nor will I be giving up for him.
Rule- I would have run him here, yes you run risk of him beating Super Saver, but I think he would have done fine in here. I doubt he's Belmont bound, but Belmont tends to be kind to front runners on Belmont Stakes day. With no Triple Crown on the line, he could do something his popular uncle could not and that's win the Belmont.
Paddy O' Prado- Two weeks not long enough.
Northern Giant- Why was he in this race?
Dublin- He needs a new trainer and jockey, oh wait I said that before.
Garrett Gomez- for his horrible rides on Lucky, Dublin, Hard Spun and any other horse I liked.
NBC- Why didn't you show the Dixie?! One of the most beloved Derby winner's little brother was running in the race. Okay so Nicanor didn't win, but he was still running.
So we go to the Belmont with no Triple Crown. Ice Box will be the favorite unless Lucky and/or Saver shows up, both are doubtful as of right now. Others possibly heading there include Setsuko, Make Music for Me, Fly Down and First Dude. Of course things can change over the next 3 weeks.
To that end Congrats to Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia, Smart Strike for his second Preakness winner (Curlin being his first), Smart Strike again for being the broodmare sire for First Dude. And Lucky's owners especially Mike Pegram who owned Real Quiet.
Other winners on the day: Rainbow View! I hope she goes to the Dick Memorial, but it maybe a little bit too long for her. And hopefully her brother Just As Well goes to the Sussex, but it maybe too short for him. And that was really it, other then Blame. Some what of a ho hum day.
The Summer Chat Series dates will be announced in a few days and don't forget that HRBA nominations open on Monday at 2pm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)