On Saturday, race 2 at the Great Race Place, 6 three year olds lined up to go 6 furlongs. The two horses taking most of the wagering action was #1 Tokubetsu and #2 Runflatout. These two broke well, went right to the lead, with Tokubetsu getting a slight advantage. After a swift quarter mile, these two had already separated themselves from the rest of the field by a length and a half. After a half mile, these two were separated by a half length, and separated from the rest of the field by two and half lengths. Turning for home, they widen on the rest of the field, with Runflatout taking an advantage. By the time they hit the wire, Runflatout had won by 2 & 1/2 lengths over Tokubetsu, with another 8 & 1/2 lengths to the rest of the field. He covered the 6 furlongs in a swift 1:07.70. He is a son of Flatter, and was vying for favoritism for most of the betting. He appears to have a lot of talent, but is it too little, too late?
News and Notes
- This blog's choice to end the drought, the undefeated Premier Pegasus, finally put in a work since his victory in the Hollywood Prevue on Friday (1/28), working 4f in 47.20. No clue on what his first prep will be, but maybe the San Felipe S. on March 12th.
- Comma To The Top worked 7 furlongs on 1:24.60 at Hollywood Park on Monday (1/31) in preparation for the Robert B. Lewis S on February 12th.
- San Pedro Stakes winner Indian Winter worked 5 furlongs on Tuesday (2/1) at Santa Anita in 5 furlongs in 1:00.20, the 5th best of 30 works
- Jaycito worked the same morning, going 7 furlongs in 1:25.20.
- The Factor has been galloping steadily towards his next start, which will be the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes on February 20th going 7 furlongs.
- On Thursday (2/3), Houston Harbor, who finished second to The Factor on opening day, comes back in a maiden special weight race going 1m & 1/16th in the 6th race. He drew the outside post #10 in the field.
Another week in the books, another week closer to finding out who will be the "Drought Breaker". Good luck folks.
The leaders of the 3 year old division, Uncle Mo, To Honor and Serve, Boys at Toscanova, and now Dialed In, are back East. For that reason, it's not going to be easy to end the drought.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do not think the California based horses are poor. Although this year California doesn't have a centerpiece star like last year's Lookin at Lucky, I think the 11' Cali 3 year olds are talented and deep. The established leaders like Comma to the Top and Jaycito(JP's Gusto has been transferred out of Hoffmans' barn permanently and will be stabled at Oaklawn) have alot of question marks, but I have been impressed with a number of runners unveiled at the end of Hollywood and early in the Santa Anita meet.
The Factor and Runflatout were about as impressive in breaking their maidens as any I've ever seen, and Da Ruler was pretty good as well. Tapizer is an exciting prospect for the Asmussen barn, and his stablemate Astrology has the looks and breeding of a star. Indian Winter has a true tough of class about him, Clubhouse Ride is a consistent stakes performer, Awesome Patriot is getting better, and then there's Pre Peg, who certainly is exciting. It may be challenging for some of these horses to be fully ready come the first Saturday in May, but in 6 months I think we'll look back at this group with respect.