International Angle: Jake Pearson previews three major races from Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park
There are some key races for the next generation of American stars this weekend and Jake Pearson takes a look at the informative action.
The next generation of racehorses will take centre stage in the States this weekend.
While Gulfstream Park boasts the Mucho Macho Man Stakes and five stakes races for newly-turned three-year-olds, the significant Kentucky Oaks and Derby clues will likely herald from Santa Anita as the California track hosts two official prep races.
Sham Stakes (G3), 00:04 Santa Anita 06/01/19 – Kentucky Derby Prep Race
For a long time now it has been no secret that Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin have coveted the Kentucky Derby. Despite being the all-time highest Breeders' Cup earners, the blue powerhouse is yet to get their hands on the elusive first leg of the US Triple Crown.
Godolphin have been criticised in the past for bringing horses into the Derby without the right dirt experience and this year they seem to have taken those criticisms on board.
If you were given a horse and asked to pick a trainer to send it to with the objective of winning the Kentucky Derby, the outstanding candidate would unquestionably be Bob Baffert. The California-based trainer has won the Derby five times – one short of Ben A Jones’ all-time record – including two Triple Crown winners.
Godolphin this year have gone straight to source and recruited Baffert to train the highly-rated Coliseum. After a 6 ¾-length demolition of an albeit substandard field at Del Mar on debut, the word is certainly out on the son of Tapit and he was quoted at 16/1 for the Kentucky Derby on the back of that victory.
He faces a much tougher test on Saturday as he steps up in grade and faces off against more experienced opposition.
His main competition, if we are to believe the betting, will come from Breeders’ Cup Juvenile fifth Gunmetal Grey. This Jerry Hollendorfer colt has ran against some serious opposition in his short career including twice locking horns with current Derby favourite and 14/1 Breeders’ Cup Classic shot Game Winner.
While his form may read 5125, this horse definitely has some ability and if Coliseum is not quite the flying machine that Godolphin are hoping for then Gunmetal Grey could finally be in for his day in the sun.
Last time out winner Gray Magician is also worth a mention after breaking his maiden with a convincing 9 ½-length win at Del Mar in November.
(The Sham Stakes is worth 10 Kentucky Derby entry points for the winner, 4 for second, 2 for third and 1 for fourth)
Mucho Macho Man Stakes, 21:41 Gulfstream Park 05/01/19
Despite not being an official Kentucky Derby prep race, the Mucho Macho Man Stakes has historically produced some rather interesting clues as far as America’s most prestigious race is concerned.
This year the race favourite looks to be Code Of Honour and what a popular winner this would be.
The son of Noble Mission looked to be a force to be reckoned with last year after a comfortable debut win followed by a hugely respectable Grade 1 second in the Champagne Stakes. Unfortunately, the colt was taken sick and was forced to sit out the Breeders’ Cup.
The Grade 2 Remsen Stakes was scheduled to be his comeback run but connections thought twice and put him away for the remainder of 2018 but on Saturday all involved will be hoping he can get back to winning ways and get his bid for the Kentucky Derby back on track.
Code Of Honour is currently entered at 33/1 for the California race and while victory this race will not yield any points towards entry, it will be a big stepping stone nonetheless.
Santa Ynez (G2), 23:34 Santa Anita 06/01/19 – Kentucky Oaks Prep Race
Only five horses have made it to this year’s Santa Ynez but who can honestly blame opposition owners for not turning out their challenges for what is undoubtedly the most competitive fillies’ race of the year?
The formidable Bellafina currently heads the betting despite a slightly disappointing fourth last time out in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The then two-year-old was backed into favouritism before the off but could not keep pace and tired into fourth.
It says a lot about the horse's ability that all involved were disappointed with a Breeders’ Cup fourth so the general consensus seems to be that we should expect much more from this daughter of Quality Road.
She is currently 16/1 for the Kentucky Oaks and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff but both those prices could collapse should she record a comfortable victory at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Looking to stand in her way and stake her own claims for the Oaks is the Bob Baffert trained Mother Mother It is unusual to see a Bob Baffert horse in a race like this that is not the favourite but Mother Mother has already been beaten by Bellafina once over seven furlongs and has a bit to find on her counterpart.
The daughter of Pioneerof The Nile has since been stepped up to a mile where she recorded a gate to wire victory, before been beaten into third in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Starlet in December. She is back down to seven furlongs here but is up against a high calibre of opposition.
Completing the field are Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes runner-up Reflect, Grade 1 Starlet fifth Sold It, and Steve Specht’s Tomlin, who has won three of her five starts.
(The Santa Ynez is worth 10 Kentucky Oaks entry points for the winner, 4 for second, 2 for third and 1 for fourth.)
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