Gotham: Be careful who you leave out

While most attention will be focused upon Pyro and the Louisiana Derby on Saturday, the Gotham, which will be run at the same 1 1/16-mile distance, is a good deal more contentious.

Pyro will be an odds on favorite in New Orleans and is expected to run over the field he faces at the Fair Grounds, particularly with Tale of Ekati and Majestic Warrior coming off long layoffs and the favorite off a strong effort in the Risen Star Stakes a month ago.

Visionaire and Giant Moon, the Gotham favorites, may be legitimate Kentucky Derby candidates and if they are, the first requirement is survival of a stern test at Aqueduct, where the season’s first 10-race weekend card includes the Toboggan Handicap and is threatened by rain.

Visionaire was an even third behind Pyro in the Risen Star and must show a good deal more if he is to advance. He has done nothing, despite the praises of trainer Michael Matz, to establish himself as a top-class colt. Giant Moon is undefeated in four starts but has yet to face the level of competition he will encounter in the Gotham. Like Visionaire, anything less than a marked improvement in terms of speed figures, which to this point have not matched those of the division leaders, will leave lingering questions concerning his true potential.

Saratoga Russell is an interesting if inexperienced colt who has advanced steadily since his November debut and most recently crushed a restricted field in Florida. Three Gotham starters come from Todd Pletcher’s empire. Texas Wildcatter, adds blinkers and brings strong late pace figure to the table while carrying a 12-1 morning line price tag and is probably the most dangerous of the trio, but Southern Terminus and Holidaze are eligible to upset this group.

Saratoga Russell is dependable, improving and 6-1 on the overnight line. Some people, gimmick players in particular, will call this a good betting race. If you are one of those, be careful who you leave out.

In Florida … A Derby horse in Dutrow’s barn

Big Brown powered his way into the Kentucky Derby stage by winning an off-the-turf allowance race Wednesday at Gulfstream Park and earning a spot in the Florida Derby.

The son of Boundary was making his 2008 debut after winning a grass race at Saratoga last September by 11¼ lengths in his only previous start. Under jockey Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown stayed well out from the rail and still cantered home in the one-turn mile race in 1:35.66, winning by 12¾ lengths.

Trainer Rick Dutrow was ebullient after the win, noting the Kentucky-bred colt has been battling foot problems since joining his stable last fall.

“I was worried all last night because he’s had two quarter cracks that have been holding him back,” said Dutrow. “He breezed the other day, and when I watched him work, to me, he just looks like an absolute freak.”

Initially, Dutrow said Big Brown would go straight into the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, the trainer and the principals of IEAH Stable decided to stay at Palm Meadows training center and racing at Gulfstream was already 2successful and a better idea. According to Daily Racing Form it will be the Florida Derby for the next race.

“He’s got the kind of talent for a race like that,” said. “Talent like he has makes up for a lack of experience. He’s that good.”


Elysium Fields in bullet drill

In his first workout since his strong runner-up performance in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, Elysium Fields posted a half-mile breeze Thursday morning at Gulfstream Park.

Trainer Barclay Tagg saw the three-year-old son of El Prado stop the watches in 49 seconds around the ‘dogs’ on a drying-out racetrack under exercise rider Kristen Troxell. It was the ‘bullet’ workout of 11 horses timed at that distance.

“He went fine,” said Tagg. “It was just a maintenance work. We had to do it on a ‘sealed’ track because there was some rain, but it’s hard to make everything fall into place the way you want it.”

“We expect him to run here,” said Tagg. “We have to make sure we get all his workouts in or else we might have to change our plans, but I would prefer to run on this track and I like the five weeks (between the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby).”

Tagg workers posted the ‘bullet’ times at all the distances Thursday morning, with a blowout by Alan Cook’s Jockey Ridge going so quick it registered on the work tab as three furlongs in 35 – fastest of four workers at three-eighths. The son of Broken Vow is scheduled to race in a one-mile ‘first level’ allowance race Friday.

War Pass works for Tampa Bay Derby

Undefeated Kentucky Derby favorite pro tem War Pass worked five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 over a ‘good’ track at Palm Meadows Thursday morning for trainer Nick Zito as the 2007 Eclipse champion is kept on edge for his next start in the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs on the Ides of March.

The son of Cherokee Run was very impressive winning his season debut in a one-mile allowance race at Gulfstream Park on last month by 7½ lengths under rider Cornelio Velasquez in his first start since going wire-to-wire to capture the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Monmouth Park.

Also on the Thursday morning work tab for Zito was Da’Tara, a possible starter in the Florida Derby (G1). The son of Tiznow was timed a half-mile in 48 4/5. Da’Tara broke his maiden at Gulfstream on Jan. 5 going nine furlongs miles in his third career start and came back to finish third in a one-mile allowance.

Zito has indicated that Anak Nakal is also under consideration for the Florida Derby. The son of Victory Gallop finished eighth in the Fountain of Youth Stake, his first start since capturing the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs on Nov, 24.

Raffetto over the hurdles

Though many considered him a potential addition to the New York Racing Association executive suite now that the franchise-battle dust is beginning to settle, Lou Raffetto is bound for more genteel surroundings.

The National Steeplechase Association has named Raffetto to fill a newly created position of chief executive officer. Most recently president and chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club, Raffetto will manage company operations and direct plans for the future.

"We were lucky to have someone of his caliber available when we came to the conclusion that we wanted someone to run the company," said NSA President Franny Abbott. "I love his enthusiasm. I love his history in flat racing. He's got the people skills to be helpful with our race chairmen and horsemen, and he will be able to help in our goal to become a bigger part of the Thoroughbred industry."

Raffetto left the Maryland Jockey Club and owner Magna Entertainment in November. Before his seven-year stint in Maryland, Raffetto helped revive racing at Suffolk Downs near Boston, as that track's executive vice president/general manager. He held other racetrack positions in New Jersey, Maryland and Florida and was a trainer on the New Jersey/Pennsylvania circuit in the mid-1970s.

"The NSA presented me with a unique opportunity, one that will allow me to work with individuals who share the same passion for horse racing as a sport," said Raffetto, "but still realize the importance of growing it as a business."


But can he make a mint julep taste good?

Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay, horse owner, host of the Food Network's Emmy-awarding winning television show, "Boy Meets Grill," and restaurateur is the official host and spokesperson for Kentucky Derby Party (www.kentuckyderby.com/party), a new program launched this spring by Churchill Downs Incorporated designed to connect millions of Kentucky Derby fans worldwide who enjoy hosting annual Kentucky Derby parties on the first Saturday in May.

"The Kentucky Derby is a one-of-a-kind springtime sports party that showcases a unique blend of food, fashion and Southern hospitality against the backdrop of America's oldest continuously held sporting event," Flay said. "As a horse racing enthusiast, I love attending the Kentucky Derby in person, and I also enjoy throwing Kentucky Derby parties for family and friends. I am excited to work with Churchill Downs Incorporated on the launch of its official Kentucky Derby Party program and Web site, which offers party hosts and hostesses everything they need to know about Kentucky Derby entertaining."


Aqueduct: March 8

The first 10-race weekend card of the season, two stakes and not one qualified play.