Derby preps: No real surprises

Pyro rolls on; Visionaire may be on the way

It was what is known as an “Aqueduct day.”

The early races were run behind a curtain of fog that enveloped horses until they reached the sixteenth pole, at which point they emerged, still ghostly. Gusting winds, driving heavy rain sideways, dispersed the cloud midway through the card but another rolled in off Jamaica Bay just prior to the 115th running f the Toboggan Handicap, which was won by Man of Danger, who prevailed over Sir Greeley.

So, it was impossible to actually see the most of the New York season’s first important race of Kentucky Derby prospects. By the time nine three-year-olds who remained after the declaration of longshot Laysh Laysh Laysh, were led from the paddock to the sealed, sloppy inner track, the starting gate, positioned in front of a windswept and empty grandstand, was barely visible through the fog.

It was possible to follow the field around the first turn on television monitors with Saratoga Russell, the 8-5 favorite despite a glaring absence of stakes credentials when the betting closed, leading the field into the backstretch, where it disappeared from view. When again the television cameras picked up the field, Saratoga Russell was under pressure and yielded to Texas Wildcatter, who opened a clear advantage after being set prematurely to a drive by Norberto Arroyo Jr. three furlongs out, an error in judgment that cost the grey colt by Monarchos. Visionaire, last early and coming both figuratively and literally from out of the clouds beneath Jose Lezcano, caught Texas Wildcatter, who took a four-length advantage at the sixteenth pole, in the final stride to win the Gotham by a nose, the 1 1/16-miles run in 1:44.60.

The highly regarded and previously undefeated Giant Moon, second in the betting and running in midpack early, vanished in the fog and finished last, 8 ½ lengths behind Saratoga Russell.

The effort was a solid step forward for Visionaire, who is trained by Michael Matz. He was an even third behind Pyro in the Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds in his last start and appears to be a colt moving in the right direction.

Visionaire may have been flattered by Pyro’s second win of the season in the Louisiana Derby, a facile dismissal of nine other three-year-olds despite jockey Shaun Bridgmohan’s best effort to put the colt in an impossible situation in the stretch. Pyro, who found a seam, split horses and took control but not without a few anxious moments. The running time for 1 1/16 miles, 1:44.44 proceeded by pace considerably slower than the Gotham’s, was only slightly faster.

With Majestic Warrior offering no more than a hollow threat on the stretch turn and Tale of Ekati failing to assert himself at any point, Pyro, who was followed beneath the wire by longshot My Pal Charlie, may be the only true Derby prospect coming out of Louisiana.


The stranglehold never works

Worse ride of the day, or perhaps the week and maybe the year to date now belongs to Garrett Gomez, who rated the formerly unbeaten three-year-old filly Indian Blessing, a 1-5 favorite in the Fair Ground Oaks, into submission. Fighting a filly whose formidable speed is her primary weapon in an attempt to slow the pace is often a recipe for defeat. Proud Spell, the benefactor of Gomez’ misjudgment, won the race beneath Gabriel Saez, who rode her perfectly.


More money for New York jockeys

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) and the Jockeys’ Guild have agreed to a new scale of mount fees for jockeys at NYRA tracks which will take effect on April 2.

The major effect is that mount fees for finishing below third on races with a purse of $99,999 or less will be set at $100. That same mount fee on races above the $99,999 level will remain at $105.

“It has been more than 15 years since riders last had an increase,” said NYTHA President Rick Violette. “The jockeys were due for an increase and I am pleased we were able to come to an agreement that is fair to both the horsemen and the riders.”

“The NYRA jockey colony is perhaps as good and as deep as it has ever been. We understand the importance of maintaining that quality and this action underscores our commitment to the entire colony. New York racing is moving forward and we will continue to work with all parties to provide New York fans with the best Thoroughbred racing in the world.”

“We appreciate the efforts of Rick Violette and NYTHA’s board on behalf of its membership,” said Terry Meyocks, National Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. “Rick and John Velazquez (the Guild’s Chairman) are to be commended for their dedication to coming up with an equitable scale for all concerned parties. John’s dedication to the sport and the mutual respect that has developed over the years among John and the owners and trainers he has ridden for helped make this agreement a reality.”

England: Cheltenham week brings Gold Cup showdown

British bookmakers William Hill expect betting history to be made this week with Cheltenham week expected to have a turnover (handle) of up to £650 million. "This is the most anticipated Cheltenham in modern history with the Gold Cup expected to be the race that stops the nation," said Hill's racing expert Kate Miller.

For the last twelve months all roads for the owners, trainers, jockeys, stable staff, racing media, bookmakers and punters have been leading to Cheltenham. Four fantastic days of compelling competition in a magnificent setting will set pulses racing in 25 contests.

The UK’s largest bookmaker William Hill anticipates that a colossal £165million will be gambled each day during Cheltenham, with approximately £650million wagered throughout the week. This equates to a staggering £26million per race, and around £5.5million per minute of action.

William Hill, will bear the brunt of this betting mania either in one of their 2250 shops nationwide, via their 700,000 telephone customers, or via their website which takes wagers from over 100 countries around the world. " Kauto Star, Inglis Drever, Noland, and Sizing Europe are our worst results, and it will be tears before bedtime if all four of the hotpots prevail. Cheltenham week can make or break our racing year, this is our Waterloo.’’ added Kate Miller.

The Gold Cup is the highlight of the week, featuring two of the best horses for decades in Kauto Star and Denman. Both are trained by Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls and they meet for the first time in the Gold Cup, an event which has whipped the racing industry into a frenzy!

Hills estimate that the race could be one of the biggest betting events for years, and their call centre in Sheffield is already expecting to beat the record set in last year’s Grand National and take over 125,000 calls on Gold Cup day. This means that the Sheffield call centre will take more calls in a day than the Emergency services, British Gas, and American Express combined.

Aqueduct: March 9

Race 6: Yankee Victoria