Horseracing news week of February 25, 2008
Trotman
Senior Member
Edward was looking for someone to help bring information on horseracing to this site...so I volunteered to help the cause. I will try to do it daily unless no information is warranted...I will do both thoroughbred and harness news.
Please feel free to comment.
Here is the prep races for the derby in March
1 Sham Santa Anita 1-1/8 M
8 The Gotham Aqueduct 1 M
15 The Rebel Oaklawn Park 1-1/16 M
San Felipe Santa Anita 1-1/16 M
Tampa Bay Derby Tampa Bay 1-1/16 M
22 Lane's End Turfway Park 1-1/8 M
Rushaway Turfway Park 1-1/16 M
29 Florida Derby Gulfstream Park 1-1/8 M
For April:
5 Wood Memorial Aqueduct 1-1/8 M
Illinois Derby Hawthorne 1-1/8 M
Santa Anita Derby Santa Anita 1-1/8 M
12 Holy Bull Gulfstream Park 1-3/16 M
Blue Grass Keeneland 1-1/8 M
Arkansas Derby Oaklawn Park 1-1/8 M
19 Lexington Keeneland 1-1/16 M
Federico Tesio Pimlico 1 1/8 M
The following will show which races at Aqueduct, SA and GP, TB where the speed held up (wire to wire) for Sunday, February 24
AQ races 1, 5, 9
SA race 6 was close to wire to wire
GP race 10, races 1 and 11 were very close to wire to wire trips
TB races 4, 7, 10
Pick 6 Carryovers for today
GP 25K
Beulah 8.5K
Harness Racing News:
MONTICELLO, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2008--Empire Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: NYNY) today announced an agreement with Concord Associates L. P. to relocate the Monticello Gaming and Raceway to a 160-acre parcel of land at the site of the historic Concord Hotel. Closing under the agreement is subject to various approvals and closing conditions. Construction is expected to commence later this year, with a grand opening in 2010.
Under the agreement, a world-class gaming and entertainment facility will be developed at the site. The centerpiece of the project is a $700 million "Entertainment City," which is expected to include a 100,000 square foot gaming area, convention center, hotel, golf , retail stores, restaurants and various family entertainment activities. The 1.5 million-square foot facility has already received required zoning and final site plan approvals. The gaming floor will be built within the hotel, adjacent to a new 5/8th mile, state-of-the-art harness track. Upon approval and completion of construction, the company expects to more than double Empire's current contribution to New York State to approximately $70 million per year, which goes to fund education.
Federal, state and local community leaders applauded the announcement:
U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the Catskills and it has the potential to serve as a foundation for economic growth in the region. I look forward to working with the community and developers to realize this exciting potential."
Assembly Member Aileen Gunther said: "I think this reconfiguration is an excellent plan for Sullivan County. The jobs and economic stimulus are vital to Sullivan County. Creating a resort destination with convention facilities is what we need to revive the local economy. The racing industry and horsemen will also benefit from a new state of the art racetrack and increased attendance."
Senator John Bonacic said: "We have seen various plans for the redevelopment of the Concord over the years. The current plan sounds very positive. We look forward to seeing a shovel in the ground so that both construction and long-term jobs can be created and sustained."
Jonathan Rouis, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature, said: "This project as it is currently proposed is a tremendous economic boon for Sullivan County. The "Entertainment City" will bring millions of dollars in revenue into Sullivan County each year and I know the economic stimulus of a project of this scope will be widespread. In light of recent events, I am pleased by the renewed commitment to Sullivan County these corporations have made today through this agreement."
Jim Barnicle, Mayor of Monticello, said: "The Village of Monticello stands side by side with Empire Resorts as a partner due to their long history of generosity and continued commitment to the village. We look forward to the future plans of the existing racetrack property and the new endeavors at the Concord."
L. Todd Diorio, President of the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, said: "This project will create thousands of construction jobs for the local trades. Empire Resorts and Concord Associates have committed to build this project union, ensuring good wages and benefits. Construction workers from Sullivan County desperately need this project to move forward. This is an opportunity to work in their home county once again. There's nothing negative about this project."
Peter Ward, President of the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, AFL-CIO said: "This is a particularly exciting project that will create good union jobs and provide workers in the area with a living wage, affordable healthcare and a dignified retirement. I commend Empire Resorts and Concord Associates for their commitment to fostering responsible economic growth in the region."
Empire and Concord senior management expressed the desire to work with federal, state, and local officials on a concerted effort to bring this project to fruition as soon as possible.
David P. Hanlon, CEO of Empire, said: "This is a win across the board for Empire's shareholders and Sullivan County's residents. The local economy will get the boost it needs in terms of jobs and this project is expected to enhance the value of the company for our shareholders, who will finally be rewarded for their patience in waiting for the day when we can build a world-class resort and gaming complex in the Catskills."
Louis R. Cappelli, Managing Member of Concord Associates, said: "This ambitious project will create thousands of union jobs for the region and the Catskills, which will now be able to once again claim the coveted position of being New York's premier tourist destination. This project is a winner for education and union employment, and will provide additional revenue for local, county and state governments. The creation of thousands of jobs will permeate throughout the entire upstate economy and bring the former Concord Hotel, back to its glory as one of the region's truly great convention, destination and resort hotels."
Please feel free to comment.
Here is the prep races for the derby in March
1 Sham Santa Anita 1-1/8 M
8 The Gotham Aqueduct 1 M
15 The Rebel Oaklawn Park 1-1/16 M
San Felipe Santa Anita 1-1/16 M
Tampa Bay Derby Tampa Bay 1-1/16 M
22 Lane's End Turfway Park 1-1/8 M
Rushaway Turfway Park 1-1/16 M
29 Florida Derby Gulfstream Park 1-1/8 M
For April:
5 Wood Memorial Aqueduct 1-1/8 M
Illinois Derby Hawthorne 1-1/8 M
Santa Anita Derby Santa Anita 1-1/8 M
12 Holy Bull Gulfstream Park 1-3/16 M
Blue Grass Keeneland 1-1/8 M
Arkansas Derby Oaklawn Park 1-1/8 M
19 Lexington Keeneland 1-1/16 M
Federico Tesio Pimlico 1 1/8 M
The following will show which races at Aqueduct, SA and GP, TB where the speed held up (wire to wire) for Sunday, February 24
AQ races 1, 5, 9
SA race 6 was close to wire to wire
GP race 10, races 1 and 11 were very close to wire to wire trips
TB races 4, 7, 10
Pick 6 Carryovers for today
GP 25K
Beulah 8.5K
Harness Racing News:
MONTICELLO, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2008--Empire Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: NYNY) today announced an agreement with Concord Associates L. P. to relocate the Monticello Gaming and Raceway to a 160-acre parcel of land at the site of the historic Concord Hotel. Closing under the agreement is subject to various approvals and closing conditions. Construction is expected to commence later this year, with a grand opening in 2010.
Under the agreement, a world-class gaming and entertainment facility will be developed at the site. The centerpiece of the project is a $700 million "Entertainment City," which is expected to include a 100,000 square foot gaming area, convention center, hotel, golf , retail stores, restaurants and various family entertainment activities. The 1.5 million-square foot facility has already received required zoning and final site plan approvals. The gaming floor will be built within the hotel, adjacent to a new 5/8th mile, state-of-the-art harness track. Upon approval and completion of construction, the company expects to more than double Empire's current contribution to New York State to approximately $70 million per year, which goes to fund education.
Federal, state and local community leaders applauded the announcement:
U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the Catskills and it has the potential to serve as a foundation for economic growth in the region. I look forward to working with the community and developers to realize this exciting potential."
Assembly Member Aileen Gunther said: "I think this reconfiguration is an excellent plan for Sullivan County. The jobs and economic stimulus are vital to Sullivan County. Creating a resort destination with convention facilities is what we need to revive the local economy. The racing industry and horsemen will also benefit from a new state of the art racetrack and increased attendance."
Senator John Bonacic said: "We have seen various plans for the redevelopment of the Concord over the years. The current plan sounds very positive. We look forward to seeing a shovel in the ground so that both construction and long-term jobs can be created and sustained."
Jonathan Rouis, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature, said: "This project as it is currently proposed is a tremendous economic boon for Sullivan County. The "Entertainment City" will bring millions of dollars in revenue into Sullivan County each year and I know the economic stimulus of a project of this scope will be widespread. In light of recent events, I am pleased by the renewed commitment to Sullivan County these corporations have made today through this agreement."
Jim Barnicle, Mayor of Monticello, said: "The Village of Monticello stands side by side with Empire Resorts as a partner due to their long history of generosity and continued commitment to the village. We look forward to the future plans of the existing racetrack property and the new endeavors at the Concord."
L. Todd Diorio, President of the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, said: "This project will create thousands of construction jobs for the local trades. Empire Resorts and Concord Associates have committed to build this project union, ensuring good wages and benefits. Construction workers from Sullivan County desperately need this project to move forward. This is an opportunity to work in their home county once again. There's nothing negative about this project."
Peter Ward, President of the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, AFL-CIO said: "This is a particularly exciting project that will create good union jobs and provide workers in the area with a living wage, affordable healthcare and a dignified retirement. I commend Empire Resorts and Concord Associates for their commitment to fostering responsible economic growth in the region."
Empire and Concord senior management expressed the desire to work with federal, state, and local officials on a concerted effort to bring this project to fruition as soon as possible.
David P. Hanlon, CEO of Empire, said: "This is a win across the board for Empire's shareholders and Sullivan County's residents. The local economy will get the boost it needs in terms of jobs and this project is expected to enhance the value of the company for our shareholders, who will finally be rewarded for their patience in waiting for the day when we can build a world-class resort and gaming complex in the Catskills."
Louis R. Cappelli, Managing Member of Concord Associates, said: "This ambitious project will create thousands of union jobs for the region and the Catskills, which will now be able to once again claim the coveted position of being New York's premier tourist destination. This project is a winner for education and union employment, and will provide additional revenue for local, county and state governments. The creation of thousands of jobs will permeate throughout the entire upstate economy and bring the former Concord Hotel, back to its glory as one of the region's truly great convention, destination and resort hotels."
Comments
Thank you for the compliment and congratulations on your free pick on this forum winning last week and paying 14 and change..I just happpen to see it yesterday....call it a week late and a dollar short!!
Turfman, thank you for the answer on the Sham for DC
If anyone reading this has something they would like to see covered, please advise me and I will try to accomodate...I am trying to stay away from the obvious, like War Pass winning etc..
Pick 6 carryovers today
Beulah 9.7K
Tampa Bay 3.1K
Yesterday:
GP
Form held up well with only one horse paying in double digits (just barely) 10.40
Speed (wire to wire) occured in races 5,6
Coa, Cruz and Lezcano had driving doubes
SA
Speed held up reasonably well with most of the winners in the top 3 positions at the 3/4 pole. notable exception was in the 6th where Pawnee was last at that point
Speed (wire to wire) occurred in races 1,2, 8
Bejarano won 3, Basze won 2
Due to light schedule yesterday, I am adding Phila Park
PP
Speed (wire to wire) occurred in race 10
Speed nearly held up in races 6 and 8
Carmouche won 2
Breeder's Cup challenge expands
The second year of the Breeders' Cup Challenge will see the series of races involved more than double. The Breeders' Cup Challenge, better known as "Win and You're In", is a series of thoroughbred races where the winner of each race automatically gains entry into the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Last year there were 24 races in the Challenge, this year there will be at least 49 races. The major addition is Woodbine Racetrack in Canada which will have six designated races.
"Following last year's successful launch of the Breeders' Cup Challenge, there was a great deal of interest from tracks around the country and internationally to be a part of this years series, and that interest led to the expansion of the Challenge," said Greg Avioli, president and CEO of Breeders' Cup. "The creation of the Breeders' Cup Challenge has served as a powerful link between America's greatest races to the Breeders' Cup and has created an increased level of awareness for the horses competing in the World Championships."
This year's Breeders' Cup will be held at Santa Anita Park during the Oak Tree meet. The two-day event will have a total of 14 races, six on Friday, October 24 and eight races the following day. The Breeders' Cup World Championship is now worth $25.5 million.
Along with Woodbine the other tracks that have been added to the series are Emerald Downs in Washington, Suffolk Downs in Boston, Delaware Park in Delaware, Calder Race Course near Miami and Monmouth Park in New Jersey
El Gato Malo, who closed at 16-1 in the Pool 1
Colonel who closed at 19-1 in the Pool 1
Crown of Thorns who closed at 18-1 in Pool 1
No idea how many will be entered. Entries should be out tomorrow
I used to go to Monty on Sundays during the 70's and 80's no idea how they are running the racino...if the purses are going down that will tell you how things are...Racing in NY (until racinos) had someof the lowest purses offered...even Yonkers had low purses and I remember in the 70's 20000 people being at the track be it Yonkers or Roosevelt...how things have changed over the years...Thank you OTB , NJ and Conn casinos
Tuesday results
Phila Park - definitely a huge speed bias yesterday, races 1-4, 6 and 10 horses went wire to wire, with a couple others nearly that way. Kendrick Caumouche won another 2 races
Tampa Bay, only wire to wire winner was in race 2. Leading jockey Daniel Centeno had a 4 bagger and Luis Gonzalez had 2 winners
Pick 6 carryovers for today:
Aqueduct 46.7K
Beulah 9.7K
Turfway 5.7K
Intersting note on the time of the Foutain of Youth
As the twelve horses competing in the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Sunday circled the field the oh-so-slow fractions of :25 3/5, :49 1/5, and 1:13 ponderously appeared on the board. By the time the mile and an eighth race was complete the fractions designated the mile in 1:38 1/5 with a final time of 1:51 4/5.
After they were recorded Equibase and Gulfstream Park said that the correct fractions and the final time were calculated at :23 2/5, :46 4/5, 1:10 4/5, 1:37 and 1:49 2/5. Unfortunately this is not the first time this has happened at Gulfstream Park which leads one to question either set of numbers.
Under the first set the quarter mile fractions for the winner Cool Coal Man were :26 1/5, :23 4/5, :23 2/5, :24 4/5, with a final furlong in :13 2/5. Under the revised times we'd find the winner clicking off :24, :23 3/5, :24 1/5 and :26 1/5 with a final furlong in :12 2/5. Since both Cool Coal Man and Elysium Fields made up the exact same ground on the leader from the three-quarter pole to the furlong marker and every other horse in the field with the exception of Court Vision, who made up three lengths, actually lost ground during the running of the fourth quarter...which purportedly was run in :26 1/5 by the top two finishers...the latter time becomes even more confusing. As slow as the initially posted times were, the splits are more in keeping with a normally (albeit overall slow) paced race.
Harness news:
Article by Bill Finley who rarely wirtes about harness racing
It came as no surprise when harness driver Eric Ledford was cleared to race at the Meadowlands last month. It didn't really matter that he had been arrested just 21 months earlier, one of four people charged with a serious offense -- blood-doping horses to improve their performances -- or that he had been handed a 10 ½-year suspension. Harness and thoroughbred racing both have been notoriously ineffective when it comes to making even the most serious charges and suspensions stick.
The Ledford case figured to be no different, and it wasn't. Ledford hired a good lawyer, who, predictably, found a way to get a meaningful suspension reduced to a slap on the wrist.
When Ledford returned to the track Jan. 17 he seemed free and clear to pick up where he had left off. He was the third leading driver at the Meadowlands when arrested in early April of 2006 and was on pace to have his best year ever in terms of money-won.
It hasn't worked out that way. The night of January 17 has turned in to a harbinger of things to come. Ledford drove just three horses, all of them long shots, none of whom came close. One of the horses was 87-1.
The ensuing 30 days have been no different. Ledford's numbers at the Meadowlands have been horrendous. Through Feb. 17, he has won just three times from 61 drives and has finished in the money just 14 times for total earnings of $72,195.
It isn't that Ledford forgot how to drive during his absence. It's more a matter of him getting stuck with nothing but hopeless long shots, the leftovers after the Meadowlands' top drivers have had their picks. On Feb. 17, he had just two drives, a 30-1 shot and a 52-1 shot. A night earlier, he had four assignments -- a 40-1 shot, two 14-1 shots and a 13-1 shot.
What's going on here? It's probably a combination of things, among them the fact that Ledford no longer has his father, trainer Seldon Ledford behind him. Before his arrest, he was winning many of his races for the elder Ledford, who was also tied up in the blood-doping scandal and is still under suspension.
But that alone can't fully account for his dismal showing or the poor driving assignments he keeps getting. It seems that there are a lot of honest owners and trainers out there who don't want to have anything to do with Ledford.
"There are so many good drivers here, why go near someone with his baggage?" said one Meadowlands insider.
Could the Ledford story represent a breakthrough when it comes to the pari-mutuel games and the on-going battle between the good and bad guys? Typically, someone who gets caught breaking the rules isn't asked to pay for it by his or her own kind. Owners are all too willing to employ trainers who look like they win only because they have better drugs than the next guy. (You think for a minute trainer Patrick Biancone won't have a barn full of good horses when he returns from his cobra venom suspension?) And honest owners and trainers rarely speak up about racing's drug problems, even when they continually get their brains beaten in by the cheaters.
But maybe, just maybe, there are a few good people at the Meadowlands who have said enough is enough and, by not using Ledford, have taken a stand.
When Ledford returned, Meadowlands management made it clear that it wasn't happy he was back. But, as a state-run racetrack, its powers to ban the driver are limited and it had no choice but to allow him to compete. In the end, the Meadowlands may just get its wish and have a Ledford-free racing product.
If Ledford doesn't start winning some races soon, he's going to be forced to go somewhere else, no doubt to a lesser track. And he can't be sure that a privately-owned racetrack, which can pretty much throw out anyone it wants, is necessarily going to let him drive.
Eric Ledford's troubles didn't end after all when he got his license back. Nor has he gotten the last laugh. It normally doesn't work out this way. Call it progress.
Wednesday, February 27
AQ, wire to wire horses won races 2,3,5,6
GP, wire to wire horses won races 2,8
SA, wire to wire horses won races 1,5
Carryovers for Thursday
AQ 157.8 K
Beulah 11.2K
FG 5.2K
GP 6.5K
Oak 9K
TB 8K
TW 7K
Breeders Cup update
The Breeders' Cup announced on Wednesday that the first day of its two-day championship event this year at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting on Oct. 24-25 will feature a card exclusively for female runners, with concurrent marketing to support the program.
Five Breeders' Cup races will now be run on Friday, and nine on Saturday.
The most notable change is that the race formerly known as the Breeders' Cup Distaff - now to be called the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic - will be moved from Saturday to Friday and will be the feature race that day. The BC Filly and Mare Turf and BC Juvenile Fillies will also be moved from the Saturday card to Friday.
Joining those races will be the BC Filly and Mare Sprint, which was run for the first time last year at Monmouth Park, and the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, which will be inaugurated this year.
Graded races for March 1 (Grade, Race, Track, Date, Sex (C&G, unless otherwise noted), distance in furlongs, surface (dirt/artifical unless otherwise noted),
3 SHAM S. SA 03/01 9
1 FRANK E. KILROE MILE H. SA 03/01 3/up 8 T
1 SANTA ANITA H. SA 03/01 3/up 10
2 GULFSTREAM PARK H. GP 03/01 3/up 9.5
Wire to wire winners for Thursday and Friday
Thursday, February 28
AQ races 4, 6, 8
GP races, 3, 6
SA races,1,2, 5
TB race 10
Friday, February 29
AQ races 2,3,4,6,8,9 with 2 others very close to wire to wire (call it a real speed day)
GP race 9
SA races 1, 6, 8
TB race 4
With one analyst tagging the proceedings "Groundhog Day," Magna Entertainment Corp. announced Feb. 29 more losses during a short, testy conference call that discussed year-end financials for 2007.
MEC reported it lost $113.8 million in 2007, with $43 million of that coming in the fourth quarter alone, and said it was struggling in the United States' current economy to complete a debt-elimination plan announced last year.
No one can be happy with our performance in fourth quarter 2007 or the year as a whole, said Frank Stronach, founder, chairman, and interim chief executive officer of MEC, in his opening remarks.
During a 15-minute question-and-answer period that featured callers being cut off from follow-up comments, an analyst expressed in a self-described rant his disappointment with the performance of the company.
I really think you guys ought to go back and listen to about the last seven to eight conference calls, because its like Groundhog Day, said Tim Rice of Rice-Voelker LLC. Every quarter, the results are disappointing; every quarter, we are going to sell assets and reduce debt. And nothing ever happens.
Another caller requested an update on the search for a new CEO. Stronach has been serving as interim CEO since Michael Neumans departure from the position last March after a four-month stint. The company has had five CEOs since it was launched in 2000, with Stronach filling in on an interim basis three separate times.
Stronach responded to the caller by saying new chief operating officer Ron Charles and former CEO Tom Hodgson, who has been retained by the company as a consultant, were taking on broader responsibilities. And, as in previous conference calls, Stronach asked for suggestions of any prospective CEOs to be sent to MEC.
Can I make a suggestion? asked the caller. You should go to Harvard MBA school or the University of Toronto for an MBA with experience. No disrespect to Ron, but just because he likes horses -- I like horses, too -- doesnt mean that I or my son could run the company, no better than the company has been run in the last five or six years.
Its a good point you make, Stronach replied. The board (of directors) has a search committee, and you people have an investment in MEC. And thereby, we will be happy to, if you know of a person that has some of the assets that they could make a contribution, we would be happy to hear about it. Send us the resumes.
MEC has now reported net losses of $402.1 million in the last four years combined. A plan to raise up to $700 million in capital by the end of 2008 has run into tough times due to weakened markets in real estate and credit, Hodgson said.
There are fewer interested parties for some properties than we expected, and some that have found it more difficult to arrange financing than they expected, Hodgson said. But my message to you is that we remain as committed to the successful implementation of the debt-elimination plan as we ever were. While the markets are not all on our side, we will continue to work very hard over the next 10 months to achieve that goal.
MEC has classified Remington Park, Thistledown, Great Lakes Downs, and Portland Meadows as discontinued operations as of Dec. 31, 2007. All four tracks are for sale, as are former proposed racetrack properties in Dixon, Calif., and Ocala, Fla., among others.
Charles described his first two months as the companys chief operating officer as challenging. Charles, who also currently serves as the president of Santa Anita Park, called the issues with that tracks synthetic surface well documented, but also called Gulfstream Parks current meet disappointing.
We continue to struggle at Gulfstream because of problems we are having with construction and parking, Charles said of ongoing redevelopment of the South Florida complex. On-track attendance and handle is down. And we continue to be disappointed with the fact that we are unable to allow people to get to the racetrack and conveniently park.
Stronach also noted shareholder concern with the companys struggling stock price, and said the company is considering a reverse stock split to help out the situation. MEC was notified Feb. 13 it faced delisting from NASDAQ trading by mid-August unless it brought its stock price above $1 for 10 consecutive days.
I am very mindful of the poor performance of our stock in the marketplace, and I am committed to addressing the issues underlying that unsatisfactory performance, Stronach said. I have been personally been working very hard on our key strategic initiatives that I hope will come to (fruition) in the future.
MECs stock price has closed under $1 for 43 straight days, and was trading at about 80 cents during mid-day trading Feb. 29.
Feature harness races today, Saturday, March 1
03/01/08 POMPANO FREE FOR ALL PACE ISLE OF CAPRI 250,000
03/01/08 WOODBINE 3&4YO OPEN PACE CAM FELLA 35,000
AQ race 9
GP race 1
SA race 10
TB races 3,8
Sunday, March 2 wire to wire races
A races 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
GP races 4, 6, 8
SA races 2, 6
TB race 6
Colonel John marches on in Sham
WinStar Farm's homebred COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) took the lead at the head of the lane and held off a closing El Gato Malo (El Corredor) to record a measured half-length win in the $200,000 Sham S. (G3) at Santa Anita on Saturday. Trained by Eoin Harty and piloted by Garrett Gomez, the talented three-year-old finished nine furlongs over the Cushion Track in 1:50. The 3-2 second choice rewarded backers with mutuels of $5, $2.40 and $2.10.
Victory Pete (Five Star Day) broke best and led the field through moderate opening splits of :24 4/5, :50 and 1:14 1/5, with Colonel John tracking him on the outside and El Gato Malo saving ground behind the pacesetter. Colonel John took command leaving the turn and opened up a clear edge, but 3-5 choice El Gato Malo was just kicking into gear after swinging out wide in the stretch. El Gato Malo made up ground late but could not do enough to collar the winner, finishing three lengths clear of his nearest foe.
"I just wanted to let (Colonel John) have the smoothest trip possible and have him come home, and he really did," Gomez said. "He did things very nice and came home really well. I heard David's horse (referring to Flores aboard El Gato Malo) coming, and I floated out to him. This colt kept running, and he even galloped out real good. The other horse never got to him. I was very proud of him."
Harty emphasized that the tactics played a role in the outcome, and he was generous in his appraisal of his rival, El Gato Malo.
"I didn't want (Colonel John) taken off the pace and get caught in that position that David (on the runner-up) got caught in," the winning trainer said. "When you get away with three-quarters in (1:)14, you're sitting pretty good if you're close to the lead. David, unfortunately, got caught up in traffic. (El Gato Malo's) a very good horse, too. Not taking anything away from Colonel John, but I think if David had gotten out earlier, it would have been a little tighter than it was."
Flores lamented his trip.
"I wanted to move a little bit sooner," Flores said, "but I was in a spot where I just had to be patient before making a run, and then see if I can catch them. He absolutely leveled when we got out, but he just had too much to do. It was a very good race for him, though."
El Gato Malo paid $2.20 and $2.10 while completing the paltry $3.90 exacta ($1). Victory Pete held off Reflect Times (Jpn) (French Deputy) by one length and paid $2.60 at 12-1. The $1 trifecta (6-1-5) was good for $15.10. Success Fee (Mineshaft) wound up last in the five-horse field, which was reduced by the scratches of Trevor's Clever (Stephen Got Even) and Coast Guard (Stormy Atlantic).
Colonel John improved his mark to 5-3-2-0, $375,300, with all five starts coming on synthetic ovals. The Kentucky-bred colt broke his maiden by 4 1/2 lengths in his second career outing and followed that up with a daylight score in the Real Quiet S. He was last seen finishing a solid second in the CashCall Futurity (G1).
The bay is out of the winning Sweet Damsel (Turkoman) and is a half-brother to the Grade 3-placed Caroline's Gold (Touch Gold). Colonel John has a pair of full siblings, a two-year-old colt named Mr. Hot Stuff and a yearling filly named Kayce Ace. This is the same family as multiple Grade 2 star Imperialism (Langfuhr), who finished third in the 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1).
A rematch between Colonel John and El Gato Malo is in the cards, with both aiming for the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Ever a Friend draws off in Kilroe
Steve and Jeff Ustin and Dan Capen's EVER A FRIEND (Crafty Friend) tracked Storm Military (Arg) (Bernstein) to the head of the lane, put that one away soon after and spurted clear to a shocking, 3 3/4-length win in the $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) at Santa Anita on Saturday. The five-year-old gelding, who was guided by Tyler Baze, broke well and was content to track the early leader through fractions of :23 2/5 and :47 2/5. Approaching the final turn, the Mike Mitchell trainee began to accelerate and quickly took the lead, pouring it on late in a dominating effort at 9-1. Claimed for $62,500 two races back, the winner paid $20.60, $10 and $5.20 while keying the $82.20 exacta ($1) and $271 trifecta ($1). The final time for the one-mile, firm turf contest was a swift 1:33 1/5.
"As I trained him, he just seemed like he wanted to run long," said Mitchell, explaining Ever a Friend's first win around two turns. "When I worked him, I asked Tyler, and he thought he could run all day. I said before the race I thought this was the best claim I ever made."
Artiste Royal (Ire) (Danehill) was last early but was always in touch with the group, and the seven-year-old closed very well to garner place honors by a neck at 6-1. The runner-up returned $7 and $4.20. War Monger (War Chant), the even-money favorite, was a bit rank while inside to the stretch and stayed on for third, a neck ahead of Out of Control (Brz) (Vettori) and Storm Military, who finished in a dead-heat for fourth. Show was good for $2.60. Mr Napper Tandy (GB) (Bahamian Bounty) was next, while Willow O Wisp (Misnomer) was withdrawn.
Ever a Friend earned his first stakes win when capturing the Impressive Luck H. last out, and improved his line to 18-5-2-2, $378,668. He was bred in the Bluegrass State by Liberation Farm and Oratis Thoroughbreds and was produced from the winning Never Is a Promise (Capote), who is responsible for an unnamed yearling colt by Hennessy. The winner originally brought $35,000 at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Yearling sale.
Mitchell said they will point Ever a Friend toward the Shoemaker Mile (G1) on May 26, with the long-range goal being the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) at Santa Anita on October 25.
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