Derby Six for 2/15/16

1. Mohaymen 
Tapit- Justwhistledixie by Dixie Union
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: Kiaran P. McLaughlin
Owner: Shadwell Stable

Career Statistics: 
Starts: 4
Wins: 4
Seconds: 0
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $559,830

Derby Points: 20 

Absolutely love his Holy Bull win. He showed a fantastic ability to relax on the inside of runners and finish with an absolute flourish. Kiaran has even said this colt is ahead of Frosted and Cairo Prince at this stage in the game those are some pretty talented horses. He easily crushed Greenpointcrusader who I thought would give him more of a challenge then he did. The way Mohaymen re-broke at the top of the stretch gave me goosebumps this is one very special racehorse. Hopefully he stays sound and we will see just how incredibly special this colt is.

Last Race: Holy Bull Stakes
Last Race Finish: 1st
Last Win: Holy Bull Stakes

 

2. Brody's Cause 
Giant's Causeway- Sweet Breanna by Sahm
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie
Trainer: Dale L. Romans
Owner: Albaugh Family Stable

Career Record:
Starts: 4
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 0
Thirds: 1
Earnings: $523,138

Derby Points: 14  

I don't like this horse any less than Mohaymen, but considering he hasn't started yet and the connections are aiming for the Tampa Bay Derby I'm going to leave him at #2 for awhile. Tampa is a notoriously speed favoring track which is slightly concerning for this deep closing colt. The other thing is he cannot get to far back in the Kentucky Derby otherwise he will be in a heck of a lot of traffic. Don't get me wrong I still absolutely love this colt and his chances at the Kentucky Derby there are just a lot of concerns on if he will get into to much traffic trouble.

Last Win: 2015 Breeders Futurity
Last Race: 2015 Breeders Cup Juvenile
Last Race Finish: 3rd  

 

3.Mor Spirit 

Eskendereya- I'm a Dixie Girl by Dixie Union
Jockey: Gary L. Stevens
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Michael Lund Petersen 

Career Statistics
Starts: 5
Firsts: 3
Seconds: 2
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $378,400

Derby Points: 24 

His win in the Robert B. Lewis was very impressive, and I can't help, but get the feeling that this one wants to run all day. He's bred to run all day and Dixie Union has sired a Belmont Stakes winner in Union Rags so Mor Spirit does get a stamina boost from his broodmare sire. There's no telling how far Eskendereya would have gone if he had stayed sound so this colt very well could get better as the distances increase.


Last Race: Robert B. Lewis Stakes
Last Race Finish: 1st

4. Shagaf 
Bernardini- Muhaawara by Unbridled's Song
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: Chad C. Brown
Owner: Shadwell Stable 

Career Statistics: 

Starts: 2
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 0
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $58,800 

Derby Points: 0 

This colt has a beautifully long stride and looks like he will have the ability to go long. His two wins were incredibly impressive, and the thinking here is he will be in stakes next out only question is which way he will go New York or Florida as his owners also own Mohaymen. That's a very very talented one two punch that Shadwell has, and I hope they're just as excited as I am about this two very special colts. 

Last Race: Allowance @ Gulfstream Park on 1/30/16 

Last Race Finish: 1st 

5. Suddenbreakingnews 

Mineshaft- Uchitel by Afleet Alex 

Jockey: Luis S. Quinonez
Trainer: Donnie K. Von Hemel
Owner: Samuel F. Henderson 

Career Statistics:
Starts: 6
Firsts: 3
Seconds: 3
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $443,032

Derby Points:10 

His win in the Southwest was incredible the move he made was unbelievable, and he's only going to get better with distance and age which is a very scary thought. I don't think this is the type of horse that will need the pace to set up for him either which makes him a very big threat indeed. 

Last Race: Southwest Stakes 

Last Race Finish: 1st 

6. Nyquist 

Uncle Mo- Seeking Gabrielle by Forestry 

Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Trainer: Doug F. O'Neill
Owner: Reddam Racing LLC

Derby Points: 30 

I'm still not entirely confident with this horses ability to handle a distance of ground, but his performance in the San Vicente was too good to ignore. He definitely didn't look like a tired horse at any point in the race and to have a finishing time of 1:20 is incredible for your first race back. I'll see how he does at a mile and en eighth before I move him any higher. 

Last Race: San Vicente Stakes 

Last Race Finish: 1st