3 Stars of the Week:
-1st Star – Secret Circle (KY) – His performance in the Southwest was about as professional as you can get. He rated beautifully in second, just behind Scatman, and was able to wear him down late into the stretch for a half-length victory. He earned a 102 Beyer for the race, and probably ran the best race of his life up to this point. There are still distance questions with Secret Circle as far as the Kentucky Derby is concerned, but there is no doubting that this is a very good horse. I think he’ll get a mile and one-sixteenth with no issues. Any farther is still a question mark for me. It needs to be mentioned that second place finisher Scatman showed great promise as he almost held off Secret Circle. He’s one to keep an eye on. Also, Adirondack King should like it when the distance gets longer.
-2nd Star – Castaway (KY) – In terms of his performance this week Castaway was a clear second behind Secret Circle, but if you are looking at the Kentucky Derby picture Castaway could have a better chance to get the distance that Secret Circle. Castaway is sired by Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, and it seemed as though he barely had to exert himself to win this race. Just add his name to the growing list of Baffert Derby contenders. I look for this one to get better and better as we move forward.
-3rd Star – Absinthe Minded (KY) – This five-year old mare will get lost in the shuffle from what was an incredible Monday, but Absinthe Minded’s performance on Saturday was eye-catching. She was clearly the best when in the Bayakoa Stakes, winning by a widening four lengths over a respectable horse in Tiz Miz Sue. Absinthe Minded is clearly the best older filly on the grounds right now. The races will get harder from here on out, but she might be better primed than ever to take on the shippers in the Azeri and Apple Blossom.
Biggest Flop of the Week:
– Unbridled’s Note (KY) – Bet down to 2-1 in the first division of the Southwest Stakes; hopes were high for Unbridled’s Note. Right from the start, those hopes came crashing down. Unbridled’s Note broke slowly at the start, and to be blunt, ran slowly from there on out. It’s tough to say what they’ll do next with him. He was obviously not ready for stakes competition, but with this breeding you would think he could still be a decent horse.
Trainer Standings:
Rank |
Trainer Name |
Starts |
1st | 2nd |
3rd |
Earnings |
Win% |
Top3 |
Top3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allen Milligan | 76 | 15 | 6 | 9 | $271,415 | 20% | 30 | 39% |
| 2 | Brad H. Cox | 40 | 12 | 9 | 7 | $197,426 | 30% | 28 | 70% |
| 3 | Chris Richard | 28 | 9 | 3 | 4 | $160,083 | 32% | 16 | 57% |
| 4 | Steve Hobby | 32 | 8 | 7 | 5 | $270,164 | 25% | 20 | 63% |
| 4 | Steven M. Asmussen | 42 | 8 | 6 | 7 | $205,787 | 19% | 21 | 50% |
| 4 | Cody Autrey | 34 | 8 | 4 | 5 | $111,796 | 24% | 17 | 50% |
| 4 | Jamie Ness | 24 | 8 | 4 | 2 | $96,215 | 33% | 14 | 58% |
| 8 | Ron Moquett | 53 | 7 | 14 | 1 | $194,207 | 13% | 22 | 42% |
| 9 | W. Bret Calhoun | 40 | 6 | 3 | 8 | $181,860 | 15% | 17 | 43% |
| 9 | Joseph R. Martin | 28 | 6 | 4 | 6 | $143,037 | 21% | 16 | 57% |
| 9 | Ingrid Mason | 24 | 6 | 3 | 5 | $101,024 | 25% | 14 | 58% |
| 9 | Richard D. Jackson | 25 | 6 | 2 | 3 | $98,133 | 24% | 11 | 44% |
Jockey Standings:
| Rank |
Jockey Name |
Starts |
1st | 2nd |
3rd |
Earnings |
Win% |
Top3 |
Top3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terry J. Thompson | 136 | 27 | 11 | 16 | $631,525 | 20% | 54 | 40% |
| 2 | M. Clifton Berry | 92 | 20 | 12 | 10 | $445,477 | 22% | 42 | 46% |
| 3 | Israel Ocampo | 80 | 14 | 7 | 12 | $354,562 | 18% | 33 | 41% |
| 4 | Luis S. Quinonez | 85 | 13 | 16 | 13 | $445,189 | 15% | 42 | 49% |
| 5 | Lindey Wade | 90 | 12 | 10 | 10 | $286,552 | 13% | 32 | 36% |
| 5 | Alex Birzer | 90 | 12 | 11 | 10 | $218,437 | 13% | 33 | 37% |
| 7 | Alex Cintron | 79 | 11 | 11 | 11 | $212,081 | 14% | 33 | 42% |
| 8 | Roberto Morales | 80 | 10 | 5 | 8 | $180,571 | 13% | 23 | 29% |
| 9 | David Mello | 76 | 8 | 10 | 6 | $167,716 | 11% | 24 | 32% |
| 9 | Joe M. Johnson | 44 | 8 | 4 | 8 | $160,177 | 18% | 20 | 45% |
Preview to Next Week:
Nodouble Breeders (Arkansas Bred). 3 year olds and up. 6 furlongs. $50,000 Purse
Downthedustyroad Breeders (Arkansas Bred). Fillys and Mares 3 year olds and up. 6 furlongs. $50,000 Purse.
