Midshipman Off Kentucky Derby Trail
by Patricia Woo | Mar 2 2009
There is suddenly a bit of breathing room at the top of the
Kentucky Derby contenders list for 2009. On Mar. 1, Godolphin Racing released the news that their champion 3-year-old Midshipman, who won the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile event and the Eclipse Award for top 2-year-old, is off the Triple Crown trail after injuring his foreleg. Suffered during a standard workout, the injury is expected to keep Midshipman away from training and his eagerly anticipated 3-year-old debut in the Al Bastikiya at Nad al Sheba in Dubai on Mar. 5 – as well as the Run for the Roses in May. Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford commented, “It is a huge shame as he had been pleasing us enormously and was ready to make his reappearance next Thursday.” Midshipman’s injury is yet another blow to Godolphin Racing, whose other prodigy Vineyard Haven failed to meet expectations in his 2009 debut, a fourth-place finish in the UAE 2000 Guineas.
In other Kentucky Derby trail news, two important prep races were run last weekend, the Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Sham Stakes. Though not nominated for the 2009 Kentucky Derby, Quality Road moved himself up the list of top 3-year-olds with a commanding win in the $250,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at
Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Feb. 28. It was a rematch between Quality Road and Theregoesjojo, a Kenneth McPeek trainee who last bested Quality Road in an allowance race on Jan. 10. But this time out, Quality Road had the upper hand, relying on jockey John Velazquez to navigate the crowded field. First, Velazquez held Quality Road just off the pace behind Sunshine Millions Dash champion This Ones For Phil; then, he let his mount stretch out, overtake the leader and pull away for the victory.
Beethoven, who was looking for redemption following a lukewarm performance in the Holy Bull Stakes on Jan. 31, was clearly third best on the day, while Capt. Candyman Can, the race favorite, managed fourth. Highly touted Notonthesamepage, who registered a sizzling Beyer Speed Figure of 115 in the Spectacular Bid Stakes on Jan. 3, was in contention till the turn where he weakened and was not a factor in the finish. Inconsistent Break Water Edison once again failed to fire – he broke poorly and was eased in the stretch.
Quality Road paid $13 for the win, covering the 1-mile race in 1:35.01 for trainer James Jerkens. The speedy 3-year-old will next run in either the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Mar. 28 or the Wood Memorial Stakes on April 4.
In the $200,000 Gr. 3 Sham Stakes, The Pamplemousse continued his winning ways with a 6-length victory under Alex Solis at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, Feb. 28. The clear favorite led for most of the race, turning back all rivals which included Take the Points, Mr. Hot Stuff and Bourbon Bay, and turned in a winning time of 1:47 4/5 over the 1 1/8-mile track. Now 5-3-0-1 and on a three-race winning streak, The Pamplemousse – trained by Julio Canani – has established himself as a horse to watch on the run-up to the Kentucky Derby.
Bet on your Kentucky Derby favorite with the Bodog Racebook!
