Thoroughbred Racing Roundup – May 28, 2013
May 28th, 2013By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
Three-year-olds caught the lion’s share of attention in weekend racing, with the Japanese Derby in the books and the Epsom Derby in final countdown.
The long U.S. holiday racing schedule turned up some promising new star candidates on both the grass and the main track as far afield as New York, Illinois and California.
Speaking of California, California Dreaming won the final local Group 1 of the year in Hong Kong. And Camelot didn’t translate too well on a visit to Ireland.
Sahara Sky led a holiday parade of mile runners at tracks around the United States Monday and boosted his trainer to a stakes-winning double.
England
With just a week to go before the Investec Epsom Derby, Magician pulled a rabbit from his hat in Saturday’s Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, winning impressively enough that part-owner John Magnier said the big race may be in the cards for the Galileo colt. With Joseph O’Brien up for his trainer-father Aidan, Magician sat behind a quick pace, surged to the front when prompted and won off by 3 1/2 lengths. Gale Force Ten, another from O’Brien’s bottomless string, was up for second and pacesetting Trading Leather settled for third.
“We’ve done crazy things before so we could run him at Epsom,” Magnier said. “I’m saying it tongue-in-cheek. But we could. We’ll savor the moment and not get carried away.”
The elder O’Brien suggested the St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot might be a more realistic option. He has other options for Epsom, including Battle of Marengo and Mars. The former has won five of six, including the Derby Trial at Leopardstown.
In other Derby news, undefeated Telescope has been removed from contention by his trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, who said the Galileo colt has a sore leg. That helped drive down the odds on the favorite, Dawn Approach, who is undefeated in seven starts, including the 2,000 Guineas.
Meanwhile, 12 3-year-old fillies are left in at the six-day confirmation stage for Friday’s 1 1/2-miles Investec Oaks at Epsom. Banoffee was supplemented at a cost of 30,000 pounds sterling after winning the May 9 Cheshire Oaks. Topping the market is Lingfield Park Oaks trial winner Secret Gesture, a Galileo filly trained by Ralph Beckett. Beckett also saddles Talent, who won the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket May 5. Liber Nauticus, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is undefeated in two starts including the Musidora Stakes at York on May 15. Harry Dunlop will send out his first-ever Oaks contender in Roz. Aidan O’Brien invades from Ireland with three entries, of which two are likely runners. From those, Moth is well fancied after a third in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.
At Haydock, Kingsgate Native belied his 8 years — and a long string of defeats — to land Saturday’s Group 2 Betfred Temple Stakes, a leg in the British Champions Series sprint competition. The Mujadil gelding, with Shane Kelly up, beat Swiss Spirit by a neck, finishing 5 furlongs on good to firm going in 59.25. Reckless Abandon was only a head farther back in third and 1 1/2 lengths better than Sole Power. Kingsgate Native won this race in 2010 but had not been victorious in 18 intervening tries.
Ireland
Al Kazeem got the better of Camelot in Sunday’s Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, winning a virtual match race by 1 3/4 lengths. Both horses had checkered recent pasts. Camelot, a triple Classic winner last year, underwent surgery after a serious bout of colic during the off season. Al Kazeem suffered a season-ending injury last May at Newmarket in his first start of the 2012 season. Sunday, the two easily dismissed the early leaders and it appeared Camelot had every chance to assert himself but lacked the needed kick. Windsor Palace finished a far-distant third. Al Kazeem, a 5-year-old Dubawi, now has five wins from 10 starts. Camelot now is 6-for-9.
Just The Judge easily handled 14 rivals in Sunday’s Group 1 Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh, besting Rehn’s Nest by 1 1/2 lengths at the end of the 1 mile. Just Pretending finished third. Just The Judge, a daughter of Lawman, trained by Charles Hills, won for the fourth time in five starts. Her only setback came in her last previous race, when she finished second, 1/2 length behind Sky Lantern, in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. She finished Sunday in 1:39.37 over turf rated good to firm. The winner is owned by Sheik Fahad’s Qatar Racing, a relatively new force on the turf scene.
“We were very confident,” said Sheik Fahad. “She has been a lot better in her coat and hopefully she can go on improving. This is the first proper season for Qatar Racing so to win a Classic is a great start.”
Hong Kong
California Memory, twice the winner of the International Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, closed out the local Group 1 season Sunday with a late rush that lifted the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup. Asked to carry his run to 2,400 meters for the first time, the light gray horse waited off the lead under Matthew Chadwick, hesitated briefly when the running started in the straight and then kicked on to finish best, 1 1/4 lengths to the good of stablemate Willie Cazals. Dominant finished third. The race went in 2:26.46.
“I was following the right horse through the run, Dominant, and he took me into the race and I went past him,” Chadwick said. “The tempo didn’t bother me. I was minding my own business. He was very relaxed and I knew he would have that last burst.”
Trainer Tony Cruz said he had the race covered.
“I expected Willie Cazals to almost win this race but California Memory is an ‘International’ champion,” the conditioner said. “I’m very happy with Willie Cazals’s performance today. He came home very strong and if the race was on the softer ground, I’m sure he would have won it.”
Only 1/2 length separated the first seven finishers in Sunday’s HK-Group 3 Sha Tin Vase, with Charles The Great getting the edge in a photo after flashing down the middle of the course in the final 50 meters. Carrying just 117 pounds, including jockey Tommy Berry, the John Moore trainee finished in 1:08.94 with Best Eleven second and Captain Sweet third. While a seventh-place finish in a local Group 3 seldom is a ticket to Royal Ascot, that may be the case here for Moore-trained Time After Time.
“The run was fantastic,” Moore said of Time After Time. “He was beaten less than a length. What more can you ask? Carrying 133 pounds, you’ve got to say that the horse is peaking at the right time. My impression would be to go (to England) on that run. That was a beauty. Now we need to speak to the syndicate and get the green light and if he does, he’ll fly out on June 9.”
France
Maxios wore down Planteur in the final furlong to win Sunday’s Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp by 1/2 length. Mandour was another 3/4 length in arrears in third. Maxios, a 5-year-old son of Monsun, picked up his seventh win from 15 starts and first-ever victory in a Group 1 race. He was bred by his owner, the Niarchos Family. Planteur was making his first start since finishing third behind Animal Kingdom and Red Cadeaux in the March 30 Dubai World Cup at Meydan. He also finished second in the Ispahan last year, behind Golden Lilac.
In Sunday’s Group 1 Pour Moi Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary for 3-year-old fillies, Silasol waited near the back of the eight-horse field, moved relentlessly through the final two furlongs and was just up in the final strides to win by a short head over Alterite. Ferevia was third. Silasol, a Literato filly, ran 1 1/4 miles on soft going in 2:10.53 with Olivier Peslier riding. It was her third win from five starts.
Japan
Kizuna came wide and very fast through the stretch run in Sunday’s Group 1 Tokyo Yushun, or Japanese Derby, and was along in time to score by 1/2 length from Epiphaneia. Apollo Sonic was third at long odds while Logotype, co-favorite with the winner, got home fifth. Kizuna, a Deep Impact colt, got the 2,400 meters on firm turf in 2:24.3. Yutaka Take won his fifth Tokyo Yushun, a total that includes a victory on Deep Impact in 2005. Kizuna picked up his first Group 1 win and third straight victory in group races.
The big races in North America, by division:
Fillies and mares
Imposing Grace tracked the pace set by Lotta Lovin in Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Arlington Matron at Arlington Park, got by and outfinished Sisterhood to win by 1/2 length. Lotta Lovin finished third and the favorite, Ausus, settled for fourth. Imposing Grace, a 4-year-old Empire Maker filly, got 9 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:50.21 with Channing Hill in the irons. It was her first stakes win although she did get home second in both the Tiffany Lass and the New Orleans Ladies Stakes this winter at Fair Grounds.
“I wasn’t expecting to be so close to the pace,” Hill said. “But she broke well and was sitting extremely comfortable on the backstretch. She gave me all the confidence in the world picking it up at the eighth pole.”
Midnight Lucky shadowed a quick pace in Monday’s $300,000, Grade I Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, quickly shot to the lead in the stretch and kicked clear, winning by 6 1/4 lengths. Close Hatches came from well back to take second with Kauai Katie third. Midnight Lucky, with Rosie Napravnik up, got the one-turn mile on a fast track in 1:35.11. She now has three wins from four starts with the only loss a fifth-place showing in the Longines Kentucky Oaks three weeks ago when she made the early going and couldn’t get the final furlong.
“They were moving right along, and at no point did it look like she was struggling with the racetrack,” said Jim Barnes, assistant to winning trainer Bob Baffert. “She’s just a really nice filly and we’re so happy to train her. The plan right now is day by day. We’ll go back to Churchill and go from there.”
Also on Monday, Tiz Miz Sue proved she is not just an Oaklawn Park specialist by rallying from off the pace to win the $400,000, Grade I Ogden Phipps for fillies and mares by 1/2 length over Authenticity. The latter chased a hot early pace set by the favorite, Joyful Victory, then took the lead when the field straightened out for the stretch run. But Tiz Miz Sue, under Joe Rocco Jr., was getting wound up along the outside and came on by for the win. Centring put in a little late run to snatch third while Joyful Victory faded to finish next-last of the half dozen starters. The 1 1/16 miles on a fast track went in 1:40.81. Tiz Miz Sue, a 6-year-old Tiznow mare, won for the eighth time in 32 starts. Her last two previous wins came at Oaklawn.
“It’s wonderful when it works,” said winning trainer Steve Hobby. “I was loving the fractions and Joe looked like he had an armful of horse all the way sitting back there. He just waited. He knows her very well. She was within range, that was the big thing. Sometimes she gets too far behind and can’t quite make up the distance. But she was within range and they were cooking.”
Milers
Hogy stalked the pace in Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Hanshin Cup at Arlington Park, shot to a clear lead at the top of the stretch and held off Mister Mardi Gras to win by 1 1/2 lengths. It was a long way back to Hammers Terror in third. Hogy, a 4-year-old Offlee Wild gelding, ran the 1 mile on the all-weather track in 1:34.25 with Chris Emigh up. Nate’s Mineshaft finished ninth in his first start in 11 months. He now has won four of his last six but Saturday’s win was his first in graded stakes company.
“We knew there were a couple of speed horses in it and this race was wide open,” Emigh said. “I got in the perfect spot where I wanted to be on the outside and he started dragging me turning for home.”
Monday’s $750,000, Grade I Metropolitan Hanidicap at Belmont Park, better known as the Met Mile, highlighted a day filled with 1-mile and 1 1/16-mile stakes. The results likely preview some of the lineups for the middle-distance races in this fall’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita.
Sahara Sky rallied from last and just nipped pacesetting Cross Traffic in the final jump to win the Met Mile by the slimmest of noses. Cross Traffic, making just his fourth career start, set a blistering pace in the one-turn mile and appeared on his way to the win before Joel Rosario got Sahara Sky into gear on the outside in the final furlong. He finished the one-turn mile in 1:34.17. Flat Out, the favorite, was held up in traffic as the field hit the top of the stretch and lost momentum, finishing third. Saraha Sky, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, started the year in California, winning the Grade II San Carlos and Grade II Palos Verdes. The 5-year-old son of Pleasant Tap finished second in the Grade I Carter at Aqueduct last month.
“He’s the kind of horse that makes one little, late run,” Rosario said. “If you push him a little early, he kind of stays there. But when he’s like that, far back, he’ll give it to you. I think he ran a very good race today.”
Hollendorfer said he will take Sahara Sky back to California and think about running him at somewhat longer distances.
“The way he ran today, it looks like he could get a little more ground,” the trainer said. “I’ll watch the films and watch the gallop out and see what I think about that, but it might be a possibility.” But, Hollendorfer added, “I don’t want to keep flying him across the country.”
Turfers
Dark Cove got first run to the lead in Saturday’s $100,000, Grade III Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs and made it stand up, getting home first by 1/2 length over the favorite, Atigun. Najjaar was just a nose farther back in third. Dark Cove, a 6-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm going in 2:27.29 with Rosie Napravnik up. “I was in a dream spot,” Napravnik said. “I couldn’t have picked a better spot. I was happy with where I was the whole way … I knew they were coming, but he was the class of the race.” Ken and Sarah Ramsey claimed the winner last spring for $50,000. Dark Cove ran twice for a tag this winter at Gulfstream Park, first for $40,000, then for $50,000, without being taken. He then won the Grade II Elkhorn Stakes last month at Keeneland. The winner’s share of that purse plus Saturday’s is more than $150,000.
General Election, making his first start on the grass, won an eventful stretch battle to take Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Arlington Classic for 3-year-olds at Arlington Park by 1 length over Admiral Kitten. Dorsett finished third but was set down to fourth as a result of contact in the lane, elevating Gefest to show money. General Election, a Harlan’s Holiday colt, ran 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:45.48 with Joe Rocco up. Fordubai, who ran second to Departing on the dirt in the Illinois Derby, finished 12th in Saturday’s race. General Election was a Kentucky Derby candidate after winning the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway but was redirected after finishing 10th in the Grade III Spiral Stakes at the same track and second in the Grade III Lexington at Keeneland.
Assistant trainer John Ortiz said, despite the surface switch, “We came into this race very confident. He’s a smart horse, very sensible. He trains unbelievable. He does whatever you ask him to do.”
Obviously led the way in Saturday’s $150,000, Grade II American Handicap at Hollywood Park, winning by 2 1/2 lengths over Lucayan with Barocci third. Obviously, a 5-year-old, Irish-bred gelding by Choisir, ran 1 mile on firm going in 1:32.95 with Joe Talamo at the controls. He has not been worse than third in 13 straight races dating back to the summer of 2011 in Ireland. That string includes a third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last fall — behind only eventual Horse of the Year Wise Dan and eventual Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom.
“We’re going to keep him at a mile, take our time with him,” said winning trainer Mike Mitchell, adding another go at the Breeders’ Cup is in the cards. Next up will be the $300,000, Grade I Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood on June 29.
Something Extra was on the engine all the way in Sunday’s $200,000 (Canadian) Grade II Connaught Cup at Woodbine and won by 3/4 length over Riding the River. Upgrade was third. Something Extra, a 5-year-old Indian Charlie gelding, ran 7 furlongs on firm going in 1:20.54 under Eurico Da Silva. The Gail Cox trainee won the Connaught Cup for the second straight year following a nose loss in the Grade III Shakertown at Keeneland.
“He’s a nice horse and he’s gotten better,” said Cox. “It was a really tough trip (in the Shakertown). He had a wall of horses in front of him and Julien (Leparoux) just couldn’t get through. It was just bad luck.”
He now has missed a top-three placing only once in his last 13 races.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ordak Dan was the upset winner of Saturday’s Group 1 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo at San Isidro Racecourse — a Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifier for this fall’s Breeders’ Cup Turf. Saturino Erro, 95, who owns Ordak Dan, was asked if he will attend the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita this November.
“Of course I will go,” he said.
Thursday’s win came in Ordak Dan’s first stakes try. He had won four of 10 allowance starts. He finished in 2:29.34 over soft going with Pablo Carrizo up.
Ladies on the lawn
It was all longshots at the end of Saturday’s $200,000, Grade II Sheepshead Bay Stakes for fillies and mares at Belmont Park. Tannery, at 10-odds, rallied from far back over a soft inner turf course to win by 1 length over another late runner, Anjaz, who went off at 21-1. Minakshi, a 15-1 chance, led the way and held on for third. The favorite, Hessonite, finished sixth while stepping up from New York-bred company. Tannery, a 4-year-old, Irish-bred filly by Dylan Thomas, got 1 3/8 miles in 2:20.17 while hugging the rail all the way under Luis Saez. She came into the race off a fourth-place finish in her seasonal debut.
“We try to have our horses fit,” said winning trainer Alan Goldberg. “But with her first start of the year being a mile and a quarter, I didn’t expect her to be completely ready. She came out of that race great and I thought she’d handle the conditions today.”
Solid Appeal moved to the lead turning for home in Saturday’s $200,000 (Canadian), Grade II Nassau Stakes and worked clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Irish Mission. Northern Passion finished third. Solid Appeal, a 4-year-old Successful Appeal filly, ran 1 mile on firm going in 1:34.01 with Jesse Campbell aboard.
“I did not expect to be that forwardly placed,” said Campbell. “I let her be there because she was in the bit and I also had the 5 horse (Irish Mission) where I wanted her. I was riding my race around the 5 horse, being in the position I was, but she gave me a tremendous kick down to the wire.”
Discreet Marq went right to the lead in the $200,000, Grade II Sands Point Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Monday, turned back a challenge from Kitten’s Queen and held on late to win by 3/4 length over Wave Theory. Watsdachances finished third and Kitten’s Queen sagged back to finish fourth. Discreet Marq, a New York-bed daughter of Discreet Cat, ran 1 1/16 miles on the firm inner turf in 1:42.50 with Jose Lezcano up. Discreet Marq now has three wins, a second and two thirds from eight starts.
“She’s a top-class filly,” said winning trainer Christophe Clement. “I’m sure of it. We have many races on the turf coming along, so it’s going to be fun. Let’s enjoy it for today and go from there.”
Marketing Mix worked hard to get the lead midway down the stretch in Monday’s $250,000, Grade I Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares and held on to beat Tiz Flirtatious by a head. It was 4 1/4 lengths farther back to Lady of Shamrock in third. Marketing Mix, a 5-year-old Megadlia d’Oro mare, finished 9 furlongs on firm going in 1:47.24 with Gary Stevens in the irons. It was her first start of the year after a second-place effort behind Zagora in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
“You never know how fit they are until they run,” said winning trainer Tom Proctor. “If they aren’t, they get beat. If they are, they don’t. She’s always run well off a layoff.”
Elsewhere:
Woodbine
I’m a Kittyhawk was up just in time to win Saturday’s $125,000 (Canadian) Lady Angela Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Rootham Triple E’s was 1/2 length back after leading much of the way and Pipers Future filled out the triactor. I’m a Kittyhawk, a daughter of Tomahawk, ran 7 furlongs on the all-weather course in 1:23.82 with David Moran up.
Up With the Birds came from last of five to get the worm in Sunday’s $125,000 (Canadian) Marine Stakes for 3-year-olds. The Ontario-bred Stormy Atlantic colt easily flew by his rivals and won by 4 3/4 lengths over Winning Cause with Five Iron chipping in for third. With Eurico Da Silva riding, Up With the Birds ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:43.82. Earlier this year he won the Black Gold Stakes at Fair Grounds and just missed in the Grade III Transylvania at Keeneland. Trainer Malcolm Pierce said he hopes the race was a good omen for the upcoming Queen’s Plate.
“He came into the race in good order and timing wise he’s had plenty of space between races,” Pierce said. “Let’s just keep our fingers crossed for six more weeks.”
Calder Race Course
Csaba, the odds-on favorite, pressed the pace in Saturday’s $75,000 Memorial Handicap, took over in the stretch and won off by 2 lengths over Megamove. The pacesetter, Decisive Moment, held on for third. Csaba, a 4-year-old Kitten’s Joy colt, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:46.20 with Manoel Cruz in the irons.
Hollywood Park
Schiaparelli quickly opened a big lead in Sunday’s $75,000 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies and mares and coasted home first by 2 1/2 lengths over Purim’s Dancer. Customer Base was third. Schiaparelli, a 5-year-old Ghostzapper mare, ran 6 furlongs on firm turf in 1:08.66 with Joe Talamo up.
Comma to the Top blasted right to the lead in the $100,000, Grade III Los Angeles Handicap and had enough left at the end to hold off Centralintelligence for a 1 1/4-lengths win. Camp Victory finished third. Comma to the Top, a 5-year-old Bwana Charlie gelding, finished 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:09.11 with Edwin Maldonado up. The makeup of the race changed with the late scratch of likely pace contender Fast Bullet.
“I believe we’ll keep him sprinting the rest of the year and hopefully end up in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint,” said winning trainer Peter Miller.
Monmouth Park
Zucchini Flower blossomed in the stretch run in Sunday’s $75,000 Monmouth Beach Stakes for fillies and mares, driving by the leaders and shooting clear to win by 3 3/4 lengths. Winiliscious was second and early leader Daydreamin Gracie settled for third. Zucchini Flower, a 4-year-old daughter of Flower Alley, ran 1 mile and 70 yards on a fast track in 1:39.84 for jockey Jeremy Rose.
Ruthenia outfinished Namaskara in the final sixteenth to win Sunday’s $75,000 Miss Liberty Stakes for fillies and mares by 1 length. Street Secret and Dinner’s Out dead-heated for third and fourth. Ruthenia, a 5-year-old Pulpit mare out of the Rahy mare Ruthian, ran 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:42.08 with Joe Bravo up.
Big Sur led from the start in Saturday’s $75,000 Majestic Light Stakes and went on to win by 1 1/4 lengths over the dead-heat duo of Spring Hill Farm and Ruler On Ice. Big Sur, a 5-year-old Malibu Moon gelding, ran 1 mile and 70 yards on a sloppy track in 1:42.01 with Ramon Moya in the irons.
Churchill Downs
Beat the Blues finished second in the Grade III Winning Colors Stakes in each of the past two years but nobody was going to beat the 6-year-old Great Pyramid mare to the wire in Monday’s renewal. With Miguel Mena up, Beat the Blues showed the way, turned back a challenge by Burban and held on at the end to win by 3/4 length over Judy the Beauty. Vuitton was along for third. Beat the Blues ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.59. She now has finished in the top three in seven straight races over five different tracks. “She’s been a bridesmaid in so many big races and she was deserving of this,” said winning trainer Brett Calhoun. “She’s run a lot of good races against some good horses and has just been unfortunate to not get there in a graded stake. Today was her day, thank God.”
Lone Star Park
Only four horses faced the starter for Monday’s $300,000, Grade III Lone Star Park Handicap. Two were saddled by Steve Asmussen and they finished 1-2 — with 14 1/2 lengths back to the trailing pair. Master Rick and Prayer for Relief both sat off the early pace but when they hit the stretch, it was Master Rick rallying four-wide to take the lead and win by 1 length over his stablemate. Formaggio ran last until the early leader, Isn’t He Clever, folded up in the lane and assumed the caboose position at the end. Master Rick, a 4-year-old Master Command colt, finished 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.09 under Ricardo Santana Jr. He now has three straight wins.
Golden Gate Fields
Summer Hit hit the front right out of the gate in the $100,000, Grade III All American Stakes Monday and held on at the end to win by 3/4 length over Hudson Landing. Administer came from well back to finish third. Summer Hit, a 4-year-old Bertrando gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:44.09 under Russell Baze, giving trainer Jerry Hollendorfer a bicoastal graded stakes double for the holiday program along with Sahara Sky’s win in the Met Mile. Summer Hit has never been worse than third in 11 starts, all on California all-weather surfaces.
“Those were reasonable fractions for this horse,” Baze said of the controlling pace. “He carries his speed all the way to the wire. It’s hard to beat a horse when he can carry his speed that well. He’s a great horse to ride. All you have to do is stay out of his way.”
News and Notes
Here’s one to ponder: The Racing Post international rankings find half of the top 10 trained in the United States. And that’s really five of the top nine, since No. 1-ranking Black Caviar has been retired. That leaves Game On Dude, the Santa Anita Handicap winner, No 2 but atop the active list with a 128 rating. Epsom Derby favorite Dawn Approach is rated 127, followed by Animal Kingdom (still listed as a U.S. trainee) at 125 in a tie with Japan’s Orfevre. Five others are tied with ratings of 125 — Kentucky Derby winner Orb, Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap victor Point of Entry, Sunshine Millions Classic champ Ron the Greek, Irish-trained St Nicholas Abbey and reigning U.S. Horse of the Year Wise Dan.
