Thoroughbred Beat

THOROUGHBRED BEAT

APRIL 19, 2007

by James Scully

Inexperience -- Steve Asmussen made a good point following CURLIN's

(Smart Strike) stirring victory in the Arkansas Derby (G2). "If there was one

drawback," Asmussen noted, "I'm sorry he didn't get a chance to get dirt kicked

in his face. He'll probably be further back in the (Kentucky) Derby (G1), and

he'll have to eat some dirt." Curlin will also have to deal with the overflowing

crowd and crazy paddock scene at Churchill Downs. "He was unsettled before the

Rebel (S. [G3]), but I didn't see the same hesitation in the Arkansas Derby,"

the conditioner said. Curlin faced only eight rivals in both the Rebel and

Arkansas Derby, and he didn't beat the strongest competition in either spot. What happens if he

becomes unsettled prior to or during the Derby? We'll find out how important

seasoning is with this year's Derby favorite.

Smooth transition -- Multiple Grade 3 hero STREAM CAT (Black

Minnaloushe) returned to the races on Saturday at Keeneland, but the turf

allowance he entered was forced to the Polytrack due to wet weather. The surface

switch made little difference as Stream Cat turned in a very sharp performance,

defeating Perfect Drift (Dynaformer) by one-length in the 1 1/16-mile allowance.

The four-year-old colt registered a 104 BRIS Speed rating, and the Patrick Biancone pupil

remains a very promising turf runner this

season. A few races later, Grade 2 conqueror SILENT NAME (Jpn), who was making

his first non-turf attempt after finishing third by a neck to Kip Deville

(Kipling) in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1), recorded a superb effort over the

Polytrack in the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup H. (G2), winning the seven-furlong

event by four lengths while notching a 113 Speed figure. He'll probably remain

on synthetic tracks for trainer Gary Mandella.

Mixed results -- Polytrack may appear to have more in common with turf

than dirt racing, but a change in venue didn't benefit champion WAIT A WHILE

(Maria's Mon), who finished a surprising fifth at 1-2 in the Jenny Wiley S. (G2),

which was switched to the Polytrack. The multiple Grade 1 winner never

appeared comfortable and jockey Garrett

Gomez wrapped up on her early. However, the Jenny Wiley still highlighted the similarities between turf and Polytrack as the classy MY TYPHOON (Ire) (Giant's Causeway), a five-time stakes

winner on the sod, recorded her first victory on a surface other than the grass.

Frenchmen -- It's no surprise to see Biancone and Julien Leparoux

performing well at Keeneland. Entering Wednesday's program, Biancone leads all

conditioners by wins, posting a 5-4-0 mark from 26 starters (19 percent). Leparoux leads the jockeys standings, winning at a 24 percent rate (14-for-59).

Other hot riders include Edgar Prado at a 33 percent success clip (10 wins);

Kent Desormeaux at 31 percent (five wins); and Garrett Gomez at 23 percent (10

wins). A trio of New York-based jockeys have been ice cold at Keeneland, with

Fernando Jara, Javier Castellano and Cornelio Velasquez a combined 0-for-48.

Funny times -- ONE HOT WISH (Bring the Heat) established a new world

record at Keeneland last Thursday, clocking 4 1/2 furlongs in :48 4/5. Not only

had no horse ever run 4 1/2 furlongs in less than 50 seconds at Keeneland, but

the California-bred filly was credited with a final sixteenth in 5 4/5 seconds

while running into a headwind. In Saturday's Blue Grass S. (G1), DOMINICAN (El

Corredor) trailed by four lengths after the opening six furlongs in 1:16 3/5,

which puts his three-quarters time at approximately 1:17 2/5. As a result, Dominican completed his final three-eighths of a mile in :33 4/5,

stopping the clock in 1:51 1/5. Either that's one lightning-fast stretch in

Lexington, Kentucky, or there's some problem with the timer. By comparison, Curlin

completed his final three furlongs in 37 seconds (earning a 110 BRIS Late Pace

rating while finishing nine furlongs in 1:50), turning a 1

1/2-length deficit after three-quarters into a 10 1/2-length blowout at Oaklawn

Park.

Futures -- Kentucky Derby (G1) future wagers are great -- how would

you like to have Curlin at 30-1 in Pool 2? -- but Kentucky Oaks (G1) futures

aren't. It makes no sense to take a stab at it, not when there are other viable

options for three-year-old fillies. Ashland S. (G1) winner CHRISTMAS KID (Lemon

Drop Kid) and Comely S. (G2) victress BOCA GRANDE (A.P. Indy), two top-class

members of their division who have been offered in Oaks future pools this year,

are bypassing the Oaks in favor of the Acorn S. (G1). Round Pond employed the

same tactics two years ago, winning the Acorn following her score in the Fantasy

S. (G2). The Oaks just isn't as important as the Derby.