Klaravich Stables' Early Voting, the 7-2 choice on the Preakness morning line, made his first visit to the track at Pimlico Wednesday morning, a day after shipping in from trainer Chad Brown's stable at Belmont Park. Surfer Dude finished third behind Epicenter in the Gun Runner Stakes after leading for the first six furlongs so will be trying to improve, while Call Me Midnight was last seen finishing seventh of 11 in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes near the end of November. He won the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at 3 and 4, the Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) at 3, and the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (G1) at 4 in earning back-to-back Horse of the Year titles. Weather info Powered by Dark Sky. La Crte is comfortable and weight bearing, a Tweet from owner Stonestreet Stables said Saturday night. Follow all of the races in the month-long lead up to the Kentucky Derby with the Betting News free handicapping tools. [6] He returned on November 13 in another maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, this time at a distance of one mile. Zandon was closing on his outside while on the inside, Rich Strike found room on the rail. It was the best performance of his five-race career. Epicenter (left) prepares to head to the track at Pimlico Race Course Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter , the 6-5 morning-line favorite for the May 21 Preakness Stakes (G1), jogged a mile around Pimlico Race Course early May 18, his first morning in town after vanning from Louisville. Of the horses out of the Rebel it is probably the one that I would like best. Curlin would continue to reach racing's heights. Clunked in the Arkansas Derby after an upset in the Rebel. The top 20 will be offered spots in the gate with the next group being named as also eligibles. He went to the early lead and set sensible fractions. Epicenter , healing from a broken bone he suffered Presumptive horse of the year winner Flightline wa Editors note: This is one in a series of annual e We made it. While this horse seems to be coming along nicely, the likelihood that he can make that kind of jump in a short time just seems like a reach. The Kentucky Derby prep races are wrapping up. Gulfstream Park The way he did it today, the mile and a quarter (of the Derby) shouldn't be a problem. Fresh off a cross-country trip from Southern California that saw him arrive in Baltimore Tuesday evening, Armagnac hit the ground running Wednesday. If you like Morello, this one finished just behind him in the Gotham. *Restricted to Black Type and Listed Races, New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund, Maryland Million Ladies Stakes (Black Type). Most of the time you have to get after him, but it seemed like he was very nice today. In the Lecomte, Epicenter established an easy lead on fairly brisk fractions but Call Me Midnight rallied from eighth of nine early and 12 lengths back, to get up by a head on the wire, earning a . It is still far too early to lock into a Kentucky Derby pick. [16][17], After the race, Asmussen said he could not believe Epicenter had lost after he took the lead in the stretch. Now, with two wins this year in the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star plus a pair of runner-up finishes, Epicenter takes the lead role in the Preakness with Rich Strike bypassing the race. Image courtesy of Blood Horse. He held second in the Louisiana Derby, 2 1/2 lengths behind victorious Epicenter after setting . Smile Happy will look to run in the Blue Grass ahead of the Derby. We're lucky to have him. He set fairly quick times as the pace setter in the UAE Derby and just didnt have the sustaining power to get the job done late. He finished second by 1+14 lengths. Armagnac Entersoff Confidence-Builder The problem with me for this runner is that despite quick fractions the horse didnt have a ton of pace pressure throughout. With his regular exercise rider Marino Garcia up, Early Voting went out to the track at 8:30 a.m. "It's become a lot more emotional for me because of how blessed we've been and the success that we've hadthe excitement of everybody coming for the Derby and feeling like you have a chance. Proprietary to and 2023 Equibase Company LLC. This runner finished second in the Fountain of Youth. In 2022 he won the Risen Star, Louisiana Derby, Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes. "So I literally know what it feels like to think you're going to win the Derby, but it didn't happen.". He notes that in following the Derby his whole life, it nearly always seems that the winners' stories sound like "they were meant to be before it happened." Cox is the reigning Eclipse Award winning trainer and this one is the kind of horse that is progressing at the right time. The diagnosis took the edge off a satisfying climax to the night for Asmussens team. Perhaps this is the year he can break through. Zandon, a debut winner who lost by a nose Dec. 4 in the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct, blew the start going straight up at the break Saturday. *All statistics on this page include results from all countries. To get the full benefits of numberFire, please sign up. This one is a major toss for me in the Derby. "I also thought he took the Louisiana Derby extremely easilyin terms of how he came back from the test barn and went into the barn. Early Voting Gallops This means he will now have the chance to get to the Derby by winning the Santa Anita Derby. He sent out Creator to victory in the 2016 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1). Given the poor performance of Simplification in Arkansas this weekend, this one is probably a fade. "[12], On March 26, Epicenter went off as the even-money in the Louisiana Derby. Photo: Anika MiskarCreative Minister gallops atPimlico. He then shifted back out and came again. In the meantime, exercise rider Danny Ramsey oversaw Creative Minister's first day of training at Pimlico after vanning from Louisville on Tuesday. I walked him 35, close to 40 minutes. Photo: Heather JacksonEcho Zulu May 1 at Churchill Downs. Forte has raced at Belmont Park, Keeneland, Saratoga with wins at Belmont Park . "[9], Epicenter began his three-year-old campaign on January 22, 2022, in the Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Early Voting (102) Epicenter (100) Creative Minister (98) Epicenter (100) Creative Minister (98) 1:54.54: 5/7/22: 4th (98) CD 1 1/4M: Dirt-Fast: 2022 Kentucky . Congratulations to the winner.". Epicenter has raced at Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Keeneland, Pimlico Race Course, Saratoga with wins at Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Saratoga. "It's a horse race, and anybody can win. Weather info Powered by Dark Sky. "Before he passed away, he would always talk about winning the Derby and the 2-year-olds we had coming up," Ron Winchell said. I am not convinced this one is a Derby winner. Her next pre-Oaks start has yet to be determined, whereas Epicenter will return for the Louisiana Derby. Check out the #TwinSpiresReplay ?? 2), New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund. He seemed more calm today, more mature, said Rosario, who also rode Epicenter in the Lecomte and a maiden victory last November at Churchill Downs. And he did", said Asmussen. No thank you. All Rights Reserved. Although only winning by a head, and although the figure was lower at 82 then in his previous race, Trafalgar showed a lot of mental toughness in victory which may benefit him in the Lecomte. It is a wait and see for me on this one, but I lean pass. If you guys want to go, we can go.' The field of four were all stakes winners, with Epicenter going off as the even-money favorite. Pappacap, Lecomte Stakes That came about a half-hour after previously undefeated La Crte was pulled up on the backstretch by jockey Joel Rosario while leading the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2), a prep for the Kentucky Oaks. [11] "It was a little different than his last race, as every fraction was perfect for him," said Winchell. First one to the wire wins, like Steve always says. Winchell Thoroughbreds'Epicenter, the 6-5 morning-line favorite for the May 21Preakness Stakes (G1), jogged a mile around Pimlico Race Course early May 18, his first morning in town after vanning from Louisville. This girl ran a respectable Arkansas Derby against the colts. Epicenter had beaten him by 14 lengths in the Gun Runner Stakes over the winter at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. "We've come here eight times together. Racing achievements and Top 100 Rankings include North American (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico) Thoroughbred races only. Longines Breeders' Cup Classic participant - 2022. If this one gained some professionalism from the start, he may be the likeliest Derby winner we saw all weekend. The following horses have earned Kentucky Derby points. If you like Crown Pride, this one also has to at least be on your radar. "We're very pleased with how the training has gone for both Epicenter and Echo Zulu," Asmussen said. Epicenter responded to the challenge from Zandon but could not match Rich Strike's closing kick. "He galloped a mile and a quarter. [5], Epicenter made his first start on September 18, 2021, in a maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs over seven furlongs. It just is what it is. If so, hes a major threat. With Rosario riding him for the third time, he set honest fractions of 23.79, 47.97, 1:12.25 and 1:36.58 on the way to a winning time of 1:49.03 for the 1 1/8 miles of the fast main track. New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund. Will Epicenter validate the belief he ran the best Kentucky Derby performance based on being relatively close to the hot pace? "Hats off to him. "One particular moment he said, 'I won't win it, but you will.' The Keith Desormeaux trainee skipped the Risen Star last month, his conditioner hoping to have a fresher horse for the rigors of what he hopes is a journey on the Triple Crown trail. With Curlin, I just never dreamed he could get beat. If ever there was a Derby Fever horse this might be the one. "The only way I can explain it is, it just wasn't meant to be," Blasi said, adding of the torrid pace that included the first-quarter mile in a Derby-record :21.78, "I don't think anybody saw those fractions coming the first three-quarters of a mile of the race. Epicenter's owner, Ron Winchell, who has sent Asmussen a number of top runners, including Gun Runner (co-owned with Three Chimneys),has seen first hand Asmussen's determination to win the Derby. The problem is that this one ran second to Epicenter in the last race. Curlin was attempting to be "Justify" more than a decade before the lightly raced 2018 Triple Crown winner's amazing spring. Background [ edit] Epicenter was bred in Kentucky by Westwind Farms. The decision to ship to Baltimore came after the allowance score. "He's traveling really well. Just as Epicenter earned 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, Turnerloose earned a like amount for the Kentucky Oaks. Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen These horses get over bet because of their story, not their talent. ', "It's typical of him. The race fell apart a little bit, as it should have. In the race he ran almost the same trip as the winner except he was inside the whole time. He swung five-wide moving into the stretch and moved steadily to the lead to win by 1+12 lengths over Zandon, with Early Voting finishing in fourth. He's won pretty much every other race. "Gun Runner had his start and a number of breakout performances here at the Fair Grounds, and to see what he has done in the stallion barn has been historical. On the final turn, he moved to the outside and began closely steadily, striking the lead near the head of the stretch. "The Derby is an event, a 20-horse race under circumstances they'll never have to be in ever again. Epicenter (foaled January 29, 2019) is a retired Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse. 1993 . This one couldnt beat Classic Causeway who didnt exactly flatter the Tampa Bay runners on Saturday. "Just an easy gallop," Yakteen said. "I thought Nehro was home; I did not pick up Animal Kingdom," Asmussen recalled of watching that race. They won the Kentucky Derby. Lukas has major Derby cred so maybe this one is an interesting outsider. "Then "I saw [Rich Strike], and I'm like, 'No! This could be the Derby Asmussen garners a more-lasting winning feeling as he sends out Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenteroff of dominating victories at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) and the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2). White Abarrio was impressive in the Florida Derby. But I think getting the wins (record) has made me reflect and look back and just realize how blessed I am; and to have my family involved in it. This one is a hard pass. "I thought she won the Fair Grounds Oaks on natural ability and class," said Asmussen, adding that he's been pleased with her works and wants her razor sharp for Friday. And I was like, 'You're just being a pessimist. You want these horses to progress, and he definitely took a step in the right direction.. ", Photo: Anne M. EberhardtRon Winchell after Echo Zulu's 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies win. We were proud of our horse and how he ran. Some will point to an injury that was reported after the last race as the reason this one didnt have its best, but maybe the answer is that hes just not a grade 1 dirt router. Asmussen loves the natural talent of Epicenter, noting that if you only looked at numbers, you'd think Epicenter was training harder than some of his previous Derby contenders. How to make 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic picks, bets. "He is tired right now," Rivera said. An Epicenter loss on Saturday cannot be made up for with a victory in the Grade-1-come-lately Pennsylvania Derby. Smile Happy, the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner who was the individual favorite in last weekends pari-mutuel Kentucky Derby Future Wager, spent most of the race four or five lengths off the lead. This time, Rosario said Epicenter was more relaxed. Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter (Not This Time) put in his final work ahead of next week's GI Kentucky Derby with a five-furlong drill in 1:01.00 (3/6) at Churchill Downs Sunday.Over a muddy . This is because after stalking in second and taking the lead to draw away in the stretch by 1 1/2 lengths, Trafalgar was challenged in the final yards but held his ground to emerge victorious by a head. "He was jumping around," Ramsey said. Epicenter enters with four wins in six starts with half those efforts at 2 and half at 3. Epicenter does meet some key trends and respected metrics in horse racing when determining a contender or winner of the Kentucky Derby. You just have to come here and kind of get that done., Winchell said the March 26 running of the Louisiana Derby (G1) would be next for Epicenter, for whom he said its all good at the moment.. Epicenter (7-5) Jockey: Joel Rosario Trainer: Steve Asmussen Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds Career record: 5 starts - 3 wins - 1 second - 0 thirds Career earnings: $410,639 Earnings per start: $82,128 Top Equibase Speed Figure: 97 Kentucky Derby points: 64 Pedigree: Not This Time - Silent Candy, by Candy Ride Color: Bay ", Photo: Anika MiskarEarly Voting gallops at Pimlico. Trained by Steve Asmussen Top Speed Figure: 97 Equibase Speed Figure This runner gave arguably the most impressive Kentucky Derby prep of the season thus far when he rolled late to take the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. The rest of the field, with their best Equibase Speed Figures, is Blue Kentucky (94 in sprints), Call Me Midnight (89), Cyberknife (91), Presidential (79), Surfer Dude (92 sprinting) and Unified Report (90 sprinting). Here is stable of my top 5 Derby contenders heading into the last month of prep races. Asmussen most assuredly puts the work in as he searches for Derby gloryin April he drove all night from Oaklawn to Churchill to witness an Epicenterbreezebut he's also been around the race enough to nod to the 'Derby gods.' University of Louisville Equine Industry Program - Get a Career in Horse Racing! Assmussen holds the unfortunate distinction of most Derby runners without a victory. "He was off the pace today and inside of horses. He has twice won the Preakness Stakes (G1); with the aforementioned Curlin in 2007 and filly Rachel Alexandra in 2009. See who is a fan of Simplification. But the horse had other ideas. There's one Derby a year. [23] The Daily Racing Form later reported that Epicenter suffered a lateral condylar fracture to his right foreleg and was expected to undergo surgery at Rood & Riddle the following morning. "We've just been seeing how he's progressing," said co-owner Greg Back. He also finished second as the favorite in both the 2022 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. His horses have failed to achieve the same success on other circuits. Epicenter held off Pappacap but was caught at the wire by Call Me Midnight, losing by a head. Photo: Rick SamuelsEpicenter gallops at Churchill Downs. He got the time off," Hernandez said. He's not going to beat us.' Trainer: Michael Merryman Epicenter Off to a Good Start as a Stallion at Ashford Nearly four months after suffering a career-ending injury in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), champion 3-year-old male Epicenter is. Trainer Steve Asmussen has come so close to Kentucky Derby (G1) glory that he briefly has experienced the feeling of winning the race. The euphoria of victory in a big race stifled by an injury to a stablemate on the undercard. Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. "He likes it here, so he's in good shape. The Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes , t Hallandale Beach, Fla. Trainers always are searchi Before handicapping the Grade 2, $400,000 San Feli History (1875-2022 Derby Results & Videos), Breeders' Cup Super Screener - Expert Picks. He pressed the early pace while racing two-wide, then moved to the lead at the top of the stretch and won handily by 6+12 lengths. Race 14 at Fair Grounds To be able to win this race for the Winchell family is very special. If you're in the business, this is a race you want to win. The post Equibase Analysis: Epicenter The One To Beat In Lecomte appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report. Jockey Corey Lanerie tried to find room between rivals as he turned Smile Happy into the homestretch. "He's in good shape.". Historically these types of horses have a high probability to win. In the stretch, first Pappacap and then Call Me Midnight made strong moves. Breeder: Southern Equine Stables, LLC. Other highly regarded contenders included Zandon (Blue Grass Stakes), Taiba (Santa Anita Derby), White Abarrio (Florida Derby), Messier (second in Santa Anita Derby), Cyberknife (Arkansas Derby) and Mo Donegal (Wood Memorial). American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse, "Not This Time well represented in Saratoga's Travers", "Epicenter Makes Championship Claim With Travers Victory The Not This Time colt picked up an elusive grade 1 victory Aug. 27 at Saratoga", "Steve Asmussen To Saddle Morning-Line Favorite Epicenter In Inaugural Gun Runner Stakes Horse Racing News | Paulick Report", "Chart for September 18, 2021 at Churchill Downs", "Chart for November 13, 2021 at Churchill Downs", "Epicenter, North County shine at Fair Grounds", "Epicenter posts frontrunning Risen Star win", "Epicenter shows new dimension in Louisiana Derby", "Epicenter clings to top spot over Zandon in Derby dozen", "Rich Strike stuns with 80-1 Kentucky Derby Upset", "Runhappy Travers Tops Super Saturday at the Spa", "Epicenter Gives Asmussen, Rosario an Emphatic First Travers Victory", "Epicenter was pulled up by jockey Joel Rosario after sustaining an injury to his right forelimb in the Breeders' Cup Classic and was attended to immediately by an expert team of veterinarians led by KHRC Chief Veterinarian Dr. Nick Smith", "Breeders' Cup Classic: Flightline turns in anoher astonishing performance", "Breeders' Cup: Epicenter has surgery, retired from racing", "2022 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Grade 1 (race 11)", "Grade 1 Winner Epicenter to Stand at Ashford Stud; The son of Not This Time will stand in 2023 at an introductory rate of $45,000", "Thoroughbred Bloodlines Wagtail (GB) Family 21-a", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Epicenter_(horse)&oldid=1138546821, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 10 February 2023, at 07:36. Second in that race was Messier, also trained by Yakteen. The three horses were transferred to the former assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert while that conditioner serves a regulatory suspension for the post-race betamethasone positive of Medina Spirit in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. This is one that you definitely want to win. After a mediocre fourth place finish in the Del Mar Futurity last summer, trainer Mark Casse did not give up on Pappacap and entered him in a two-turn race for the first time in the American Pharoah Stakes. "Our opportunity this year with Epicenter? Demling just locked in his picks for Flightline, Taiba, Epicenter and every horse in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic field. At 7-2 Epicenter is the second-choice on the Derby morning line to Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Zandon (3-1), even though he defeated the son of Upstart by 3 1/4 lengths in the Feb. 19 Risen Star. Armagnac, owned by SF Racing and partners, last ran May 8, winning an allowance optional claiming race at Santa Anita Park. In 2022 he won the Risen Star, Louisiana Derby, Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes. Brown's assistant Baldo Hernandez is overseeing the colt's activities until the trainerarrives Friday. Cyberknife also won his most recent start at this distance and over the track, but it was a maiden race so he is stepping way up in class.
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