Road to the Triple Crown

ROAD TO THE TRIPLE CROWN

MARCH 2, 2005

by James Scully

SUN KING (Charismatic), who wrapped up his juvenile campaign with third-place

finishes in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and Champagne S. (G1), returned to

the races with a dominant performance at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, capturing

a one-mile, one-turn allowance by 5 3/4 lengths. The Nick Zito-trained colt

settled into a good stalking position while fifth early on the backstretch and

began to close the gap on the far turn, swooping past his rivals into the

stretch and quickly opening up with style. He earned a 107 BRIS Speed rating.

Sun King turned in probably the most impressive performance from a Kentucky

Derby (G1) prospect this year, but it's still early in the season and Saturday's

race came around only one turn. However, he easily handled a couple of nice

prospects, runner-up SURVIVALIST (Danzig) and third placer MONARCH LANE (Maria's

Mon), and did so in striking fashion. The first race back is just the starting

point for Zito, and Sun King showed that he's going to be much better at three.

Who could have asked for anything more?

By a multiple classic winner, Sun King will likely continue to be effective

around two turns. The March 19 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) is next for the dark bay,

and his final prep could come in the April 16 Blue Grass S. (G1).

Zito also struck Saturday with the lightly regarded ANDROMEDA'S HERO

(Fusaichi Pegasus), who overcame a nightmarish trip to prove best by 2 1/2 lengths

in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa. Critics will cite the slow final time and Speed

figure (92), but there was plenty to like about his performance.

Andromeda's Hero didn't break his maiden until his second career start at

Calder in late December and didn't do much running when tackling winners for the

first time in a seven-furlong allowance race at Gulfstream in early February. He

didn't appear comfortable in the early stages last out while stuck on the rail

and raced erratically through the stretch, swinging wide before angling back to

the inside in deep stretch. The green colt disappointed his supporters with the

fourth-place finish, but the experience clearly benefited him on Saturday.

Hung out to dry in post 12, Andromeda's Hero figured to get caught wide in

the 1 1/16-mile Sam Davis and acquiesced by traveling in about the seven-path

through the first bend. The rival to his immediate inside wanted to get out

approaching the backstretch and slammed into the backside of Andromeda's Hero,

knocking his hind legs out momentarily, and the well-built chestnut then

retreated to near the back of the pack with Rafael Bejarano. The adventurous

journey continued as Bejarano found trouble entering the far turn, checking

Andromeda's Hero, and the duo didn't find an unobstructed path until midstretch.

Once he got out for clear sailing, Andromeda's Hero took off, catching

the leader and flying past just before the finish line. It looked like the

race was almost too short for him, that Andromeda's Hero was just finding his

best stride at the end of 8 1/2 furlongs following an extremely wide and

tumultuous trip.

Andromeda's Hero will need to get a lot better to catch up with some of his

talented stablemates, but this race was an ideal performance to build upon. The

potential is there and the improving colt looms as an intriguing prospect.

We finally get the chance to see the two-year-old champ make his seasonal bow

this weekend, and DECLAN'S MOON (Malibu Moon) will do so around two turns in the

1 1/16-mile Santa Catalina S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The Maryland-bred gelding

appears to be training great for Ron Ellis, but he'll have to get by a couple of

promising opponents in SPANISH CHESTNUT (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) and GOING WILD

(Golden Missile) to remain unbeaten.

The Fountain of Youth S. (G2) highlights Saturday's card from Gulfstream Park

and a largely unproven field, including BANDINI (Fusaichi Pegasus), HIGH FLY (Atticus)

and DEFER (Danzig), is expected for the 1 1/16-mile contest.