Three-year-olds, coast to coast

Nick Zito may be loaded with three-year-olds on the Derby trail but Coal Play is unlikely to see Churchill Downs in May after a less than encouraging performance in the Swale at Gulfstream Park. Horses destined to be competitive in the Derby will not be found under a drive and unresponsive while racing 6 ½ furlongs in February.

Eaton’s Gift, meanwhile, was a convincing winner of the Swale beneath Kent Desormeaux and appears to be a colt moving forward with a pedigree [Johannesberg –Kris’s Girl by Carson City] that doesn’t exactly scream for 10 furlongs but doesn’t stamp him as a pure sprinter, either. He is one that merits consideration in the larger Derby picture but ultimately may be closer to the colt who made the pace, then tired in the Cash Call Futurity at Hollywood Park when asked to stretch out. He is one dimensional at this stage and ran his opponents off their feet on Saturday while running a half-mile in :44.20 and six furlongs in 1:08.99.

At Aqueduct, Barrier Reef and Roman Emperor put on a great show in the Whirlaway Stakes, in which the former prevailed narrowly at the end of a protracted drive. Barrier Reef rated behind a moderate pace, Roman Emperor was in close attendance to the pacemaker early and had a brief lead after six furlongs and stayed on courageously.

Roman Emperor has more than sufficient stamina in his pedigree [Empire Maker-Lady Melesi by Colonial Affair] and may be more effective when rated at longer distances than Saturday’s 1 1/16 miles. Roman Emperor [Mizzen Mast-Partyship by Premiership] is owned by the Darley Stable and his presence in New York at this point of the year suggests his connections may not regard him as a potentially top-class three year old.

Both are likely for the Gotham Stakes, the principal prep for the Wood Memorial.

Trainer Tom Albertrani on Barrier Reef: “After his last race, he came back blowing more than you would have expected him to. Maybe he got a lot more out of that race, stepping up against a better group of horses. He trained a lot better going into this race. He was really on his game in his last couple of works. He was always on the bridle. Every step of the way, I was confident. Going down the backstretch, I thought he was going to win. Roman Emperor gave him a great fight, but we had a little more left. We’ll go to the Gotham.

Trainer Steve Klesaris on Roman Emperor: “He ran great. The trip went good, and he fought on hard. I don’t think he kicked over to his outside lead in the lane, but he was still digging in and trying hard. He was on the wrong lead in his last race, too. Hopefully, this is something he’ll figure out with maturity. We’ll definitely think about the Gotham.”

The artificial footing at Santa Anita, slowed considerably on Saturday after having facilitated surreal fractions last weekend, produces no definitive results, so it is within that context that evaluation of the winner of the Robert B. Lewis [formerly the San Felipe] must be considered. Last week’s speedway was very slow on Saturday and Crown of Thorns came into the race off a maiden win. He has 10-furlong pedigree [Repent-Crowning Touch by Thunder Gulch] and is in the hands of Richard Mandella, so there is a good deal to like about this colt but until he runs on a genuine dirt track, there will be that lingering gray area.



Aqueduct: Feb. 3

Race3: Great Emperor
Race4: Dadoway