Horse Racing Analysis: Holy Bull Stakes and Palos Verdes Handicap
by Patricia Woo | Jan 25 2010
Kentucky Derby hopeful Winslow Homer captured the Holy Bull Stakes and Kinsale King upset the field in the Palos Verdes Handicap at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park, respectively, on Saturday, Jan. 23.
An important stepping stone on the road to the Kentucky Derby, the $150,000 Gr. 3 Holy Bull Stakes for 3-year-olds featured Jackson Bend – unbeaten in five straight – and Homeboykris – winner of the $400,000 Gr. 1 Champagne Stakes in October. And it was Homeboykris, with Edgar Prado aboard, who stormed to the front in the 1-mile dirt test at Gulfstream Park along with Thank U Philippe and jockey Eddie Castro. Jackson Bend, under Jeremy Rose, kept close along the outside while Winslow Homer and Ramon Dominguez tracked the pace in fourth early on. Jackson Bend took over the lead briefly at the eighth pole, but it was short-lived as Winslow Homer made his move at the head of the stretch and pulled away for the win. His winning time was 1:35.97. Jackson Bend finished second, was followed by William's Kitten, Thank U Philippe, Homeboykris, Aikenite, Wild Lime, Litigation Risk and Piscitelli.
Winning trainer Anthony Dutrow was surprised and pleased by his charge's effort; he had come into the Holy Bull Stakes merely hoping that Winslow Homer, a son of Unbridled's Song, would keep up with the more experienced Derby hopefuls in the lineup. Now with a sprint-distance race under his belt, Winslow Homer will be pointed to two-turn races – such as the Gr. 2 Fountain of Youth on Feb. 20 – in preparation for the Kentucky Derby.
Over at Santa Anita Park, the $150,000 Gr. 2 Palos Verdes Handicap was supposed to highlight the 2010 debut of Breeders' Cup Sprint champion Dancing in Silks. But the 9-10 choice, carrying the top weight of 123 lbs under Joel Rosario, was hampered by the extreme inside post draw and stalked the pace for most of the race in fourth. It was 9-1 shot Kinsale King who overpowered pacesetter Eaton's Gift entering the stretch and then held off challenges from Ventana and Dancing in Silks to win by half a length. His time over the 6-furlong track was 1:08.81.
Rounding out the order of finish behind Dancing in Silks was Supreme Summit, Quietly Mine, Paul's Hope and Eaton's Gift.
Kinsale King, ridden by Martin Garcia, had been recently transferred to the barn of Carl O'Callaghan from Eoin Harty and has shown significant improvement in a short time. The Palos Verdes win was his third straight for O'Callaghan – beginning with an allowance race win at Santa Anita Park last October and then a victory in the $100,000 Gr. 3 Vernon O. Underwood at Hollywood Park in December. The 5-year-old gelding will now be traveling to Dubai for the Golden Shaheen on March 27 for owner Dr. Patrick Sheehy's Super Horse.
Five-year-old Dancing in Silks is also pointing toward the Golden Shaheen, according to trainer Carla Gaines.
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