2024 Three Year Olds

[HB1994]

Much won the San Vicente

Muth.

I am convinced he’s not a 10-furlong horsey, but time will tell.

What makes you hold that opinion? Genuinely curious.

13.25 seconds for the final furlong doesn’t scream wanting more distance to me.

[CoronadosQuest]

Crimson Light looked like the real deal in his career debut in the Aqueduct 4th. Hitting and trying to jump the rail and no being insight until the turn and not in sight half way through the stretch to get up by a nose.

That was incredible. He looked like he thought he was at the rodeo at the start.

https://twitter.com/nytbreeders/status/ ... 3109585000 a video of the replay

[BaroqueAgain1]

I suspect that the muddy track startled him, maybe there was enough water to create distracting reflections. I remember that Thunder Snow reacted similarly in his Kentucky Derby, except HE kept bucking long enough to completely take himself out of the race. Track was really wet and muddy then, a lot like today's Aqueduct surface.

[brunanas]

i see there's no Sham Stakes at SA this year. was any reason given?

[Diver52]

i see there's no Sham Stakes at SA this year. was any reason given?

Other than to save money, it was always oddly placed for a mile race in late December, followed by the 7f San Vicente, and both the Bob Lewis and San Felipe at 1 1/16. Moving the San Vicente to early January makes for a more sensible progression--and saves money. i think there used to be a one mile race called the San Rafael also offered for 3 yos, but that's been gone for a while.

[Missbeholder]

i see there's no Sham Stakes at SA this year. was any reason given?

Other than to save money, it was always oddly placed for a mile race in late December, followed by the 7f San Vicente, and both the Bob Lewis and San Felipe at 1 1/16. Moving the San Vicente to early January makes for a more sensible progression--and saves money. i think there used to be a one mile race called the San Rafael also offered for 3 yos, but that's been gone for a while.

The San Rafael used to be a pretty important 3yo prep for the Santa Anita Derby. In the 80's & 90's, it was won by the likes of Desert Wine, Prescionist, A P Indy, Tabasco Cat, Honor And Glory, and BC mile winner War Chant. And a few in-the-money finishers included Ferdinand, Tight Spot, Best Pal, Timber Country, and Honest Lady.

Back when tracks used to run full distance-progressive programs for 3yos preparing for the KY Derby, the San Rafael was the middle leg at Santa Anita. There was the San Miguel at 6f, the San Vicente at 7f, the San Rafael at 1 mile, the San Felipe at 1-1/16, and the SA Derby at 9f, and all those races happened between 12/26 and the 1st Saturday in April. Obviously, those programs stopped happening years ago!

The San Rafael was last run in 2010 with a win by Conveyance for trainer Bob Baffert.

[Izvestia]

Muth.

I am convinced he’s not a 10-furlong horsey, but time will tell.

What makes you hold that opinion? Genuinely curious.

13.25 seconds for the final furlong doesn’t scream wanting more distance to me.

That, and how he looks and moves.

[Starine]

Crimson Light looked like the real deal in his career debut in the Aqueduct 4th. Hitting and trying to jump the rail and no being insight until the turn and not in sight half way through the stretch to get up by a nose.

That was incredible. He looked like he thought he was at the rodeo at the start.

https://twitter.com/nytbreeders/status/ ... 3109585000 a video of the replay

Thanks for the replay. That was some debut!

[Danniwolfe]

Crimson Light looked like the real deal in his career debut in the Aqueduct 4th. Hitting and trying to jump the rail and no being insight until the turn and not in sight half way through the stretch to get up by a nose.

That was incredible. He looked like he thought he was at the rodeo at the start.

https://twitter.com/nytbreeders/status/ ... 3109585000 a video of the replay

Thanks for the replay. That was some debut!

I'm glad he has a normal name.

[Tessablue]

The Sham had a total of 21 entrants in the past four years, 40% of whom were from the same trainer. I think the name may have become a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy...

Muth doesn't strike me as a router either. Feels like most of those bigger-bodied horses who succeed in sprints end up failing to stretch out.

That Crimson Light race looked very very slow, but man, what a fun debut.

[Starine]

‘He Deserved To Win, After All That’: Carmouche Pilots Wild First-Time Starter To Victory At Aqueduct
https://paulickreport.com/news/thorough ... t-aqueduct

[CoronadosQuest]

This is sad

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... vuIYy9Y5Bs

Two horses died during training hours at Belmont Park Jan. 8 due to injuries sustained in a collision on the training track, according to the New York Racing Association and a trainer of one of the horses involved.

Where's Chris , a 3-year-old son of Twirling Candy who won the Nov. 5 Nashua Stakes, and multiple winner Constitutionlawyer , a 5-year-old son of Constitution who most recently started in the Queens County Stakes, collided near the seven-eighths pole around 7:45 a.m. following the renovation break.

[Justify]

A penny for thoughts. Pletcher has 2 three year olds debuting this weekend who if they live up to there works, looks, training and movements etc could be major players this year.

Artemis Sound. 3yo filly out of Max's Warrior on Sunday in the Gulfstream 6th. Last work was out of the gate in 48.97 finishing well ahead of her workmate who the rider was full on pushing her while AS's was hardly moving. Also has a stride like no other audible that I've see with my own eyes.

She also had a gate work on the 30th of December where she went 49.55.

Turn Up The Trees. 3 Year Old colt out of Clearbrook on Saturday in the Gulfstream 6th. Last work was also out of the gate 47.43 (hardly ever see Pletcher trainees working under 49-mid 48 half's) while leaving his workmate Maximus Speed, who's debuting in the same race, around the turn under urging and then on his own while Maximus Speeds rider was showing him the crop.

[Curtis]

i see there's no Sham Stakes at SA this year. was any reason given?

Other than to save money, it was always oddly placed for a mile race in late December, followed by the 7f San Vicente, and both the Bob Lewis and San Felipe at 1 1/16. Moving the San Vicente to early January makes for a more sensible progression--and saves money. i think there used to be a one mile race called the San Rafael also offered for 3 yos, but that's been gone for a while.

Once upon a time the Sham was a 9f stake and it was named the Bradbury. It was originally contested the Wednesday after the San Felipe and it was for non-winners of a stake. The Lewis was originally named the Santa Catalina. It went through several changes. It was for older horses early on but for most of its’ life it has been for 3yo’s and thus a Derby prep. For several years there was a restriction on the race in terms of money won. The San Rafael was created in the ‘80’s if memory serves. There used to be a logical progression to the races. The road to the Santa Anita Derby began with the 6f Los Feliz, then the 7f San Vincente, the 8f San Jacinto, the 8.5f San Felipe and ultimately the 9f Santa Anita Derby. The Santa Catalina was at 8.5f with its’ restriction, and was held the Wednesday after the San Jacinto. As previously mentioned, the Bradbury was at 9f and held the Wednesday after the San Felipe with its’ restriction. The Bradbury, which would become the Sham, began its life in 1974 and the first running was won by Agitate who would go on to finish 3rd in the Centennial KY Derby, after a rough trip, and ended up 2nd in that year’s Eclipse vote for 3yo male behind Little Current. The second running, in 1975, was won by Avatar, who would subsequently win both the Santa Anita Derby and the Belmont. Avatar was 2nd at Churchill Downs in Derby #101 after playing bumper cars with a star crossed colt named Diabolo in the stretch. Both colts were passed late by Foolish Pleasure who Chic Anderson mistakenly referred to as Prince Thou Art, while he was making his winning move.

[Squeaky]

I remember that race call- caused some confusion. Chic was a great race caller though. Who could forget “ he is moving like a tremendous machine” call in Sec’s Belmont.

[Izvestia]

Finally got a chance to watch Conquest Warrior break his maiden, and he’s shot to my number 1 3-year-old male. Was all class with nothing going his way in the race. Big, long striding colt.

[HB1994]

Finally got a chance to watch Conquest Warrior break his maiden, and he’s shot to my number 1 3-year-old male. Was all class with nothing going his way in the race. Big, long striding colt.

I’m always happy to see Shug with a nice 3yo.

[Cigarillo]

Much anticipated debut for Maymun this Saturday at Santa Anita.

https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/S ... html#RACE1

[Starine]

Jerome winner Drum Roll Please injured in workout, won't make Triple Crown races
https://www.drf.com/news/cox-stakes-run ... er-worsens

[Squeaky]

Much anticipated debut for Maymun this Saturday at Santa Anita.

https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/S ... html#RACE1

Good article on the race above plus some other interesting maiden races today ( Sat) https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/s ... nta-anita/