A couple of years ago, Normandy Invasion (Tapit) entered the GI TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial S. in need of a runner-up effort or better to secure a spot in the field for the GI Kentucky Derby under the new points structure and got his nose down right on the wire to punch his ticket. Back in 2004, when earnings in graded stakes was the criteria for a Derby berth, Eddington was just touched out of second in the Wood by Master David (Grand Slam), and was shut out of the Run for the Roses. A similar scenario faces Let's Go Stable, WinStar Farm LLC and the China Horse Club's Daredevil (More Than Ready) in Ozone Park Saturday afternoon.
One of the more brilliant members of his crop last season, the handsome chestnut colt defeated Upstart (Flatter) by 2 1/2 solid lengths in the GI Champagne S. in October, but flopped in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Nov. 1, trailing in a distant last. Connections got a late start to the season, but Daredevil's big-figure second to Ready for Rye (City Zip) in the GII Swale S. Mar. 7 at Gulfstream certainly seems an effort upon which he can improve, and if that's the case, the other's will be fighting out the minors. Daredevil completed his final Wood work with a half-mile in :48.85 over the Belmont training track last Sunday to the satisfaction of assistant trainer Byron Hughes.
“I thought he did it very well,” said Hughes. “He looked good doing it, went very easily, and galloped out strong; we're definitely happy with the work.”
Daredevil has but 10 Derby points heading into today's race. Let's Go Stable campaigned 2013 Wood hero Verrazano, also by More Than Ready.
El Kabeir (Scat Daddy) has acquitted himself very well in the Big Apple over the winter months and, with another strong run here, could be one of as many as three representatives in the Derby for Zayat Stables. Winner of the GIII Jerome S. Jan. 3, he dropped a 1 3/4-length decision to Far From Over in the Withers, but atoned for that with a modestly rated victory over Tiz Shea D (Tiznow) in the GIII Gotham S. four Saturdays ago.
“We want to see him continue to hold his form and go forward, and we'll see how he handles the added distance,” said trainer John Terranova. “All along we've been taking it one race at a time and not getting too far ahead of ourselves, so we're gearing up for an exciting race.”
Runner-up in the GII Remsen S. over this course and distance last November, Frosted (Tapit) was second to Upstart in the GII Holy Bull S. on seasonal debut Jan. 24 and an alibi-free fourth in the GII Fountain of Youth S. Feb. 21. He returned to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin's base instead of taking in last weekend's GI Florida Derby and it's make-or-break time, says the conditioner.
“We feel like we've accounted for every issue, and he has no excuse not to run his best race,” said McLaughlin. “We know he has talent; he has to show it on Saturday. The track was very tiring for the Fountain of Youth and was again [Mar. 28 for the Florida Derby], so we're happy with our decision.”
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