Worked 6 furlongs in 1:13 3/5. All he needs is to show he can rate off the pace and he'll be a legitimate Derby contender. He's actually bred to run long, with a good number of top-class stamina influences. With two-turn race under his belt, it should be a lot easier for him to sit back off the pace next time out.18--Nothing to Lose/D. Wayne Lukas; Sky Classic-Cherlindrea, by Clever Trick
OK, that's enough for the turf. Now it's finally time to see what he can do on the dirt. He's turned in two powerful stretch runs to win the Tropical Park Derby and Palm Beach and is ready to show that he's equally as effective on dirt. If he is, then Mr. Lukas will be on his way to Louisville.19--Ten Cents a Shine/Kenny McPeek; Devil His Due-Aunt Mottz, by Honey Jay
No way he should have run that poorly in Fountain of Youth, so we have to believe the lung infection played a significant part in his dull effort. Coming back in two weeks after a tough race against Senor Swinger didn't help. We'll just have to wait to see how he bounces back off that race. Obviously a talented colt, so you can't give up on him.
20--Supah Blitz/Emanuel Tortora; Mecke-Boots 'n Jackie, by Major Moran
Durable and honest and keeps grinding away. Probably not going to win any of the major preps, but can pick up a piece of the purse or try to win some of the lesser stakes. Remember his dam flying down the stretch to finish third in 1992 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies? KNOCKING ON THE DOOR:
Baffert sent out another promising colt in DURING, who ran a super race against Atswhatimtalknbout in his first start around two turns; but stamina is suspect. BUCKLAND MANOR couldn't hold up on the lead, but don't dismiss him just yet. The feeling is that he'll be better coming from off the pace. Keep an eye on recent maiden winner BRANCUSI, who improved big-time with Lasix; bred to run all day. BISHOP COURT HILL looked brilliant, breaking his maiden in career debut by 7 1/2 lengths in 1:23 2/5 at Gulfstream, but not many noticed HALO HOMEWRECKER winning other division a few races later by a neck in 1:21 4/5. EUGENE'S THIRD SON won 1 1/8-mile allowance race same day in a slow 1:53 1/5, but to his credit, he was stretching out from a 6 furlong maiden race run in 1:09 2/5. Beat a nice colt in FORMAL ATTIRE and could be better than the final time indicated. OMEGA CODE worked a sharp 7 furlongs in 1:23 3/5 for his big two-turn debut in San Rafael. Trainer says he'll rate, but he has to prove he can outrun his pedigree. FUNNY CIDE continues to work super, blazing 5 furlongs in :59 2/5 over the normally deep Palm Meadows track. There's still a question about Distorted Humor over a distance, but he has a ton of stamina on dam side, most of it top of the line Darby Dan blood. Should improve off disastrous trip in Holy Bull. Baffert will unveil his Panamanian sensation INDIAN EXPRESS in San Rafael; worked in company with Kafwain and went a mile in 1:39 1/5 last week. Won both his sprint starts in hand by 10 3/4 lengths. Aidan O'Brien said he won't know until well into March whether he'll have anything for the Kentucky Derby. Michael Tabor confirmed that HOLD THAT TIGER definitely will be pointed for the English Two Thousand Guineas. Longshot Calder invader WHITE BUCK just got up to score a neck decision over another longshot FREEDOM LANE in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa in slop. MIDAS EYES has been training well for Frankel and will make his 3-year-old debut in Swale Stakes. Frankel says his slow work last week was a mistake by the clockers, who had the wrong horse. Frankel may also run SPECIAL RATE in the Swale.
