Trainer:James Jerkens Jockey:John Velazquez Foaling Date: 3-23-2006 Pedigree: Elusive Quality - Kobla by Strawberry Road Dosage Profile: 7-3-11-1-0 Dosage Index/CD: 2.38 0.73 2008 Record: 1 Starts: 1 - 0 - 0, $25,800 Best Beyer Figure: 113 Note: Won his only start last year, a maiden special weight at Aqueduct in late November. Lead and faded to 2nd in an allowance at Gulfstream Park to Theregoesjojo then lead and drew off to win the Fountain of Youth over the same rival. Took command on the backstretch in the Florida Derby and held off Dunkirk to win by 2 lengths. Was included in the late Triple Crown nominees released on April 1st. Was announced on 4/6 that he has a quarter crack in his right hind foot. His trainer Jimmy Jerkens noticed it in the winner's circle for the Florida Derby and had a patch put on it right away, before his last workout. Jerkens said, "You hope it was resolved by now, that's for sure, but he's not out of it yet. The fact that he's not lame from it is a good thing." The same specialist who treated Big Brown last year is working on him. On Friday April 24, they found he has developed another quarter-crack, this one on the inside of his right-front hoof. Finally on Monday April 27 they threw in the towel and took him out of the Derby. Chris Baker, farm manager of Edward Evans' Spring Hill Farm said, "There was some tenderness in the foot this morning and he's not 100%. (Trainer) Jimmy (Jerkens) wasn't comfortable breezing him, and without a work, he can't go. He's not going to make the race."
Owner Edward P. Evans was offered $2.5 million for him back in November after his maiden win at Aqueduct but turned it down. Evans recalled, "They said the buyer wanted to win the (Kentucky) Derby. I thought about it and said, 'The owner would like to win the Derby, too.'"
Quality Road out of the Kentucky Derby - Due to his quarter crack problems, Florida Derby winner Quality Road miss the Kentucky Derby. Depending on how quickly they heal, he could still show up for the Preakness or Belmont.
Belmont Stakes Entries - A field of 12 was entered on Wednesday for the 142nd Belmont on Saturday with 3-1 morning line favorite Ice Box drawing post 6. Get all the horses, post positions, odds, and past performances here.
Analyzing the Belmont Stakes Contenders - My annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Belmont winner.
Lookin At Lucky wins the Preakness - The new jockey must have changed his luck as he had no problems this time and wore down First Dude to win the Preakness with Jackson Bend third. Favorite Super Saver faded to finish 8th. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Super Saver wins the 2010 Kentucky Derby - He drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths, giving jockey Calvin Borel his third Derby win in 4 years. Ice Box and Paddy O'Prado closed from far back to finish 2nd and 3rd while favorite Lookin At Lucky was 6th.
2010 Triple Crown Late Nominations - Only six more thoroughbreds were made eligible for the three Triple Crown races for a fee of $6000 by the late nomination deadline. Any not nominated now will have to pay a huge supplement fee to enter. Check out the list here.
Belmont 101 - A basic introduction the the third and final jewel of the Triple Crown. How it began, basics of picking a winner, and how to attend in person.
