UPI Thoroughbred Racing Roundup

Todd Pletcher has done just about everything a Thoroughbred trainer can do -- except win the Kentucky Derby.

It's not as if he hasn't tried. In fact, he has saddled 24 Derby starters without smelling the roses. But if the weekend's results mean anything, this could be the year Pletcher gets that job done.

On Saturday, the far-flung Pletcher operation saddled the runaway winner of the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park in Florida, the winner of the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans and the winner of the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in California.

Pletcher also handled the third-place finisher of the Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream and the fourth-place finisher in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. And he saddles Rule, who won last weekend's Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs.

If his horses continue to perform at their current level, he could have more starters in this year's Kentucky Derby than most trainers have in a lifetime.

Fountain of Youth

Eskendereya put on the star show of the weekend in Saturday's $250,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, the prime stepping stone to the Florida Derby. After stalking the pace, jockey John Velazquez gave the colt a go-ahead entering the stretch and he quickly drew off to win by 8 1/2 lengths.

Jackson Bend was the best of the rest with Aikenite third. The favorite, Buddy's Saint, broke poorly, then lost all chance when he was shut off trying for position on the clubhouse turn.

Eskendereya, a Kentucky-bred Giant's Causeway colt out of the Seattle Slew mare Aldebaran Light, blazed 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:48.87.

"You've got to be excited," Pletcher said, "when they perform like that in these kind of races at this time of year. I was particularly pleased with the way he finished. I don't think we've ever gotten to the bottom of him … He's had two wins over the track here now, so the Florida Derby would seem logical for him. But we will consider all the options."

The chestnut colt won a minor stakes at Belmont Park last October, then finished ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile with a tough trip. He won a January allowance at Gulfstream in his 3-year-old debut.

Jose Lezcano, who rode Buddy's Saint, said Jackson Bend "came in like nothing (on the first turn). I was already in a spot, and they came in and killed my horse; put him into the rail. He came back a little bit to run, but I was out of the race by then because of what happened."

Risen Star Stakes

Discreetly Mine gunned to the lead in Saturday's $300,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, slowed things down and wasn't seriously challenged the in final furlong, winning by 1 1/2 lengths.

Tempted to Tapit and Northern Giant ran second and third all the way and finished in those slots. The favorite, Drosselmeyer, appeared ready to put in a rail bid turning for home but couldn't get cranked up. Lecompt winner Ron the Greek started well back and couldn't do better than sixth.

Discreetly Mine, a Kentucky-bred Mineshaft colt trained by Pletcher, ran the 1 1/16 mile on a fast track in 1:44.88. The win was an improvement over Discreetly Mine's fourth-place finish in the Spectacular Bid at Gulfstream last time out.

"This horse gives 110 percent every time he runs," said assistant trainer Ginny DePasquale. "We're very pleased with the outcome of this race."

Jockey Javier Castellano, asked if Discreetly Mine will be back for the March 27 Louisiana Derby, said: "Hopefully. I said to Todd Pletcher whatever he wants to do with this horse, I want to be on it. I'm the pilot and wherever they want to send me, I'll be available."

El Camino Real Derby

Connemara rolled along last of nine in Saturday's El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in California, made his move outside the leaders turning for home and drew clear in the final furlong to win by 1 1/4 lengths as the favorite. Haimish Hy also ran well late to finish second and Posse Power was third.

Connemara, a Kentucky-bred Giant's Causeway colt, ran the 1 1/8 miles on the all-weather track in 1:51.26 with Russell Baze up for Pletcher.

Connemara was coming off a second-place finish to Ranger Heartley in the California Derby, where he raced inside most of the way after starting from post position No. 2. He broke from No. 8 Saturday and enjoyed a clear trip. "When I saw the draw, I knew he'd be tough," Baze said. "There was no way he was going to get stuck inside like he was last time."

Pletcher assistant Mike McCarthy said Connemara is a likely candidate for the Santa Anita Derby.

Hutcheson Stakes

D'Funnybone made his 3-year-old debut a winning one, taking Saturday's $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park by 1 length after a nice, pace-stalking trip under Edgar Prado. A Little Warm ran well from the back to finish second, 1 length better than the Pletcher-trained Ibboyee.

D'Funnybone, a Florida-bred D'Wildcat colt who was last of 13 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile when last seen, finished the 7 furlongs in 1:22.14. He has never won beyond 7 furlongs, leaving a question mark for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.

"We'll definitely consider the Florida Derby," Dutrow said. "At this point, I'm not ready to concede that his race in the Breeders' Cup was attributable to the distance, but rather the track. I don't think it was as bad as it may have looked because Edgar did the right thing and didn't push on him after a certain point."

Southwest Stakes

In Saturday's $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, Conveyance got to the lead from an outside post position and led the way around the track, holding on at the end to win by 3/4 length.

Dublin stumbled at the start and came from far back to finish second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of longshot Cardiff Giant.

Conveyance was shipped from California by trainer Bob Baffert after winning the San Rafael in January. He remains undefeated in four starts after running the 1-mile Southwest on a fast track in 1:36.94 under jockey Martin Garcia.

Garcia said Conveyance "got a little tired. But he kept going."

Baffert has not indicated where he will send Conveyance but said the April 10 Arkansas Derby is a possibility.

The disappointments in the Southwest included local hopeful Dryfly, who stalked the lead, then faded in the stretch to finish ninth, and the Pletcher-trained Mission Impazible, who finished fourth with an even trip.

In other 3-year-old racing:

-- Lentenor, the full brother of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, finished a disappointing second in a Wednesday allowance race at Gulfstream Park, pushing his Triple Crown chances further into the realm of the unlikely. "It's disappointing," said trainer Michael Matz. He broke well. He ran real well." Matz said Lentenor "is definitely the type that can run in big races. It's just a matter of timing and whether he can get the experience he needs." Wednesday's race, 9 furlongs on the turf, was won by Doubles Partner, a son of Rock Hard Ten from the powerful WinStar Farm.

-- Dixie Commander, at 22-1, ran by odds-on favorite and fellow California invader Indian Firewater in deep stretch and went on to win Saturday's $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby by 3 1/4 lengths. Indian Firewater, from Bob Baffert's deep bench, held second and Pinal finished third. Dixie Commander, who last raced at Golden Gate, finished the 1 1/16 miles on a good, sealed track in 1:45.97 with Wilson Dieguez up. He is a Kentucky-bred Dixie Union ridgeling.

-- Fly Down, another Mineshaft colt, posted a mild upset in his seasonal debut in a Sunday allowance event at Gulfstream. With Jose Lezcano up for trainer Nick Zito, the chestnut colt sat off the early pace, engaged First Dude in the stretch and prevailed by a head. Thunder Perfect was third and the favorite, Colizeo, finished fourth after stumbling badly at the start. Fly Down broke his maiden last fall at Churchill Downs and now is 2-for-3. He ran Sunday's 9 furlongs in 1:49.88. First Dude, a son of Stephen Got Even, now has one win and three seconds. Colizeo, another from the Pletcher barn, was coming off an impressive maiden win. He is by Distorted Humor.

-- Coyote Legend stalked the early pace in Saturday night's $125,000 Jim's Orbit Stakes for Texas Stallion Series eligibles at Sam Houston Race Park, rallied wide on the turn and left 10 rivals in his dust, winning by 8 1/2 lengths. Bobby Walker Jr. rode the Gold Legend gelding 1 mile on a fast track in 1:38.74.

Kentucky Oaks preps

-- Jody Slew circled the field turning for home in Saturday's $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds and was just up at the wire to nip pace-setting Quiet Temper by a nose. It was another 10 lengths back to Age of Humor while the odds-on favorite, Devil May Care, flattened out early after being fractious in the gate and finished fifth of six. Jody Slew, a Kentucky-bred Slew City Slew filly out of the Housebuster mare Trustbuster, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.8 with Miguel Mena up. "She didn't really get into the race until she got that horse in her sights," said winning trainer Bret Calhoun. "She was just kind of wide out there down the lane -- running, but not like she was bearing down. But she got that horse in her sights and she found another gear."

-- Helen Belen caused some yellin' at the end of the $50,000 Valdale Stakes Saturday at Turfway Park. The Kentucky-bred, Five Star Day filly, at odds of 11-1, led throughout the race and won by 14 3/4 lengths. Hot Citizen was second and Offlee Funny finished third. The favorite, Sister Resistor, finished a dull sixth. Helen Belen, with Sal Gonzalez Jr. in the irons, ran the 1 mile on a fast track in 1:37.96. Winning trainer Bill Denzik Jr. said he expects to bring Helen Belen back to Turfway for the Grade III Bourbonette Oaks, to be run March 27 on the Lane's End Stakes undercard.

-- Tin Top Cat pressed the pace in Saturday night's $125,000 Two Altazano Stakes for Texas Stallion Stakes eligibles at Sam Houston Race Park, waited for room on the turn and won by 11/4 lengths over She's a Bond Girl. Camille's Appeal was third as the odds-on choice. Tin Top Cat, a daughter of Supreme Cat, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:40.7 for Bobby Walker Jr.

In other weekend racing:

Dubai

Meydan passed the International Carnival halfway point with its second of three doubleheaders this week. Former camel jockey and rising equine star Ahmad Ajtebi scored a winner aboard Godolphin's Allybar in the Grade 3 al-Maktoum Challenge. "We'll come back for the third round of the challenge on March 4," said his confident trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

Trainer and jockey closed the card with a win on Calming Influence in a race that saw possible tragedy lighten the evening when favorite Sovereign Remedy threw jockey Frankie Dettori and broke early from the gate evading outriders and completing the course alone tight to the rail to the cheers of the crowd. He was gathered up, scratched and both horse and rider were unhurt.

Dettori had better luck earlier aboard Emirates Champion in race three and steered a second winner two races later on Sirocco Breeze.

The co-featured $250,000 2000 Guineas was taken for a fourth time by trainer Mike de Kock's Musir with Carnival success Christophe Semillon in the irons. Leahurst notched a second Carnival victory, and Frosty Secret put another in the evening's win column for de Kock.

Friday's featured $250,000 Fahidi Fort was a three-way turf photo, the winner's cash going to Bankable, with Imbongi and Ibn Battuta off by head bobs. Skysurfers rode the Tapeta to victory as a reserve with Frankie Dettori up, replacing late-scratch 2009 Kentucky Derby runner West Side Bernie.

It was a double for Dettori, who took an earlier sprint aboard second-time Carnival winner Global City. Drunken Sailor was a sober choice at 1 3/8 miles, notching a second Carnival win under Kieren Fallon.

Meydan announced March 5 would be Meydan Masters competition night, featuring jockeys who won some of the 2009 world signature races, including Kent Desormeaux, who won the Belmont Stakes aboard Summer Bird.

Japan

Espoir City, winner of last year's Japan Dirt Cup, took up where he left off with a 2 1/2-length victory in Sunday's February Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse. The victory sets the 5-year-old son of Gold Allure on course for a start in the Dubai World Cup March 27. Running in second much of the way, Espoir City took the lead with about 400 meters to go and held off the late-flying Testa Matta. Success Brocken finished third. Espoir city now has 10 wins, including four Group 1 events, from 18 lifetime starts.

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Hong Kong

King Dancer, an English import by Danehill Dancer, rallied from well back in the pack to upset Tuesday's Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial at Sha Tin Racecourse. Super Satin, the apparent winner in the straight, finished second behind the late run of the winner. Beauty Flash was third. King Dancer's trainer, Sean Woods, said it was "nice to see him coming through as he had a bit of luck this time. I have been very confident with this horse from last year, to be honest. Things haven't gone quite right. But we haven't pushed any buttons yet because the Derby is a long way from the start of the season. He said he thinks the 2,000-meter Derby distance will suit his horse well. The Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby is run March 14. Tuesday's race highlighted a Chinese New Year card that attracted HK$1.161 million in wagering, up by more than 10 percent from last year's total.

Tampa Bay Downs

In one of the biggest upsets of the young year, Karelian held off Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti by a nose to win Saturday's $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes. Rahystrada was a distant third. Karelian, an 8-year-old, Kentucky-bred Bertrando gelding, ambled along comfortably over the firm turf, finishing in 1:42.61 under Rosemary Homeister Jr. Gio Ponti, making his first start since the Breeders' Cup, was fractious at the gate and was floated out in the final sixteenth. Jockey Ramon Dominguez lodged a foul claim but the result was allowed to stand. Winning trainer Rusty Arnold said, "We loved the setup of the race coming in. We didn't think there was any speed in the race, which was really why I chose to come here. I know my horse isn't Gio Ponti but he's a pretty good horse." Gio Ponti's trainer, Christophe Clement, said the race "was really just what he needed, a good strong race. The pace was perfect for us and just look at the final time. They were really running fast at the end. This should set him up just right."

Santa Anita

Bourbon Bay stalked the pace in Sunday's $150,000 San Luis Obispo Handicap, came to the leader in the stretch and got clear to win by 4 1/4 lengths. Unusual Suspect rallied from well back to be second and Sudden War, the pace-setter, held on for third. Bourbon Bay, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Sligo Bay gelding, ran the 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:28.89 with Rafael Bejarano up for trainer Neil Drysdale.

Bob Black Jack got off to the lead in Saturday's $150,000 San Carlos Handicap and never looked back, winning unchallenged. Ventana was second, 2 1/4 lengths back and 1/2 length in front of Supreme Summit. Breeders' Cup hero Dancing in Silks continued to disappoint, finishing fifth. Bob Black Jack, a 5-year-old, California-bred son of Stormy Jack, got the 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:21.05 for jockey David Flores.

City to City stalked the pace in Saturday's $88,000 China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, got by Camille C at the sixteenth pole and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Camille C held second with Andina third. City to City, a Kentucky-bred City Zip filly, ran 1 mile on the firm turf in 1:35.92 with Joel Rosario in the irons.

Gulfstream Park

Courageous Cat stalked the pace in Saturday's $150,000 Canadian Turf Handicap, then won a final charge to the wire by a head over Cherokee Artist. Jet Propulsion, who made all the going, held on for third. Courageous Cat, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Storm Cat colt, finished the 1 mile on firm going in 1:31.58 with Garrett Gomez in the irons. "He's been invited to the 1 1/8 mile-race in Dubai (the $5 million Dubai Duty Free March 27)," said winning trainer Bill Mott. "We've been looking at going in that direction for some time. If all goes well, that's where he'll go."

Wasted Tears jumped out of post position No.13 in Saturday's $100,000 Honey Fox Stakes for fillies and mares, dropped over to the lead and had enough to win by 1/2 length over Quiet Harbor. Akilina was third. The lukewarm favorite, Backseat Rhythm, had a back seat most of the way and finished sixth. Wasted Tears, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred Najran mare, got the 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.81. Cornelio Velasquez rode for trainer Bart Evans.

Pletcher continued his golden weekend Sunday at Gulfstream, saddling the 1-2 finishers in the $75,000 Ladies Turf Sprint -- Starfish Bay and West Ocean. Starfish Bay, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Elusive Quality filly, led all the way and won by 2 3/4 lengths, finishing the 5 furlongs on firm going in 53.75 for jockey Chris DeCarlo.

Fair Grounds

The aptly named Blues Street saved ground early in Saturday's $100,000 Fair Grounds Handicap, moved up around the stretch turn and drew clear, winning by 2 1/4 lengths over Dubious Miss. Baltimore Bob had every chance but settled for third. Blues Street, a 6-year-old, Kentucky-bred Street Cry gelding, ran the "about" 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:51.71 with Javier Castellano in the irons.

Stonehouse raced behind the leaders in Satuday's $100,000 Mineshaft Handicap, came three-wide to the lead entering the stretch and won a battle to the wire, beating General Quarters by a neck. Giant Oak was third and the favorite, Friesan Fire, finished fourth after setting the pace. Stonehouse, a 6-year-old, Illinois-bred son of Chester House, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.09. Winning trainer Spanky Broussard said Stonehouse, the longest shot in the mutual field, "is a nice horse and he's already proved it. He'd already won over $500,000. I thought he'd run good, and when he caught up to those speed horses turning for home I knew he was going to win it."

Double Espresso pressed the pace in Saturday's $60,000 Pan Zaretta Stakes for fillies and mares, got to the lead in the stretch and held off odds-on favorite Dubai Majesty at the end by a head. It was another 4 3/4 lengths back to Coy Cat in third and Simplify completed the order of finish. Double Espresso, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Medaglia d'Oro filly, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.82 with James Graham up.

Chamberlain Bridge broke a step slowly in Saturday's $60,000 Colonel Power Stakes, then got going quickly for jockey Jamie Theriot and had no problem passing them all to win by 3/4 length. Country Day was second and Wise River a non-threatening third. Chamberlain Bridge, a 6-year-old, Kentucky-bred War Chant gelding, ran the "about" 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:04.29, winning the event for the second straight year.

Chantilly Nayla won a three-horse battle to the wire in Tuesday's $60,000 Mardi Gras Stakes for 3-year-old fillies but it took a steward's inquiry to make the result official. Hathors Legacy led the way into the stretch, then was engaged by both Chantilly Nayla and Kinsolving as the trio charged to the finish, exchanging bumps. Chantilly Nayla, a Kentucky-bred Five Star Day filly, got there first by 1/2 length with Kinsolving second, 1 length better than Hathors Legacy. The race came off the turf and the 5 1/2 furlongs on the fast main track went in 1:04.75. Winning rider James Graham said he was "pinballed" between his rivals, adding, "there wasn't much any of us could have done about it."

Aqueduct

Life At Ten was first all the way in Saturday's $65,000 Rare Treat Stakes for fillies and mares, winning by 5 1/4 lengths as the odds-on favorite. Starship Angel was second and it was another 16 lengths back to Pumpkin Shell to finish the trifecta. Life At Ten, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred mare by Malibu Moon, ran 1 1/8 miles on the fast inner track in 1:50.09 with Richard Miglore up. "With the way the track was playing early and given her style and way the race set up, we thought on paper we could control the pace," said Jonathan Thomas, assistant to winning trainer Todd Pletcher. "From a tactical standpoint, everything worked out perfectly."

Almighty Silver fought around traffic early in the stretch run in Saturday's $60,000 Tinchen Prince's Stakes for New York-breds and was just along in time to nip Naughty New Yorker by a head under the wire. Dr. D.F.C finished third. Almighty Silver, a 5-year-old Catienus gelding, got the 1 1/16 miles on the fast inner track in 1:45.25 with Jose Espinoza in the irons.

Oaklawn Park

One Smokin' Lady dueled to the lead in Saturday's $60,000 Spring Fever Stakes for fillies and mares, took over entering the stretch and won by 4 1/4 lengths over early leader Palanka City. Sweet Relish finished third. One Smokin' Lady, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred daughter of Smoke Glacken, ran 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:03.62 with Corey Nakatani up.

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Laurel Park

Miss Singhsix saved ground early in Saturday's $50,000 Maryland Racing Media Stakes for fillies and mares, came out for room at the quarter pole and won by 1 1/2 lengths over Love's Blush. My Main Starr finished third. Miss Singhsix, a 5-year-old, Irish-bred Singspiel mare, ran the 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:51.67 under Luis Garcia.