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ROAD TO THE TRIPLE CROWN FEBRUARY 15, 2006 by James Scully The hero of New York's three-year-old ranks, ACHILLES OF TROY (Notebook), continued his mastery over Aqueduct's inner track when capturing Saturday's 1 1/16-mile Whirlaway S. A smashing 14-length victor in the Count Fleet S. previously, Achilles of Troy tracked pacesetter ONE WAY FLIGHT (Precise End) while well in hand and easily moved to the fore leaving the far bend. New rider Ramon Dominguez dispersed a couple of taps to keep his mount focused for the stretch run and then rose up in the saddle, gearing down the impressive roan colt in the latter stages for a 4 3/4-length triumph. The 1-4 favorite earned a 107 BRIS Speed rating, the third consecutive big number that he's registered (110 for the Count Fleet and 109 for a maiden win). His well-documented improvement in form coincided with the addition of Lasix three starts back, and the Jennifer Pedersen trainee is now ready to test the waters against better competition. Owner Ernie Paragallo, always the humble one, said Achilles of Troy would be shipped to Florida off "nothing more than an open gallop (in the Whirlaway)." The March 4 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) is the probable target because Achilles of Troy would have to wait seven weeks for the Florida Derby (G1) on April 1. His connections can use the Fountain of Youth as a setup for his final Kentucky Derby (G1) prep in April. But why does Paragallo want to go to Florida when there are better options? The Whirlaway marked his third start in 44 days and Achilles of Troy doesn't have to be pushed hard at this point of the year. There's no rush. He would receive only a three-week break for the Fountain of Youth and be thrown into a serious class test while stretching out to 1 1/8 miles. Post position will be crucial because as trainers Todd Pletcher and Nick Zito have lamented, outside posts are a serious drawback in nine-furlong races at Gulfstream. The March 18 Gotham S. (G3), which is held in his backyard over 1 1/16 miles, isn't nearly as risky. Achilles of Troy would be the horse to beat and can rack up graded earnings in the process. If they have to ship, Turfway Park offers the $500,000 Lane's End S. (G2) one week later, which still leaves time for one more prep race before the Kentucky Derby. Achilles of Troy has developed into a very good-looking prospect, but there are still class and distance questions to answer. Everybody is anxious to see how he'll fare outside the friendly confines of Aqueduct's inner track. On Saturday at Gulfstream, NOONMARK (Unbridled's Song) made a successful three-year-old debut in an entry level allowance, knocking off a couple of decent foes in near wire-to-wire manner. Unraced since breaking his maiden by 10 1/4 lengths at Belmont in late October, the Steve Asmussen charge received a solid 99 Speed rating and will likely stretch out in distance for his next start. His well-regarded stablemate, Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) and Futurity S. (G2) hero PRIVATE VOW (Broken Vow), is expected to make his seasonal bow in the March 13 Rebel S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park. At Santa Anita on Sunday, TOO MUCH BLING (Rubiano) posted another win sprinting in the seven-furlong San Vicente S. (G2). Trained by Bob Baffert, the fast colt probably isn't going to stretch out successfully, but runner-up PEACE CHANT (War Chant) will get the opportunity. Now 3-1-1-0 overall, the Richard Mandella-trained Peace Chant offered a good run to be fourth in the San Miguel S. previously and rallied boldly to threaten the winner in upper stretch before settling for second on Sunday. He is out of 1999 champion sprinter Safely Kept (Horatius), but Peace Chant could get some endurance from his sire. The improving dark bay looks promising. The Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs will take place this Saturday (4/18) and marks the three-year-old debut for Remsen S. (G2) winner BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm Cat), who is rated highly on most lists for the Kentucky Derby. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Bluegrass Cat will seek to become the first Kentucky Derby winner for his 23-year-old sire. HESANOLDSALT (Broad Brush), who exits a two-turn allowance win for Nick Zito at Gulfstream, and juvenile stakes winner PEGASUSBYSTORM (Fusaichi Pegasus) are among his expected challengers in the 1 1/16-mile event.
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