Shug's Got Another Derby Horse

[TJ]

His name is Honor Code. This AP Indy colt ran like a seasoned pro. Easily the best 2YO I've seen run at the Spa in decades! TJ

[Cree]

Another slop lover

[TJ]

Another slop lover

Hi Cree,
OK, I may have gotten a bit excited after seeing his win:>) And yes it was a sloppy track....but the way he did it....wow. First off it's Shug and he doesn't crank them up to win first out, 2nd it was an AP Indy who doesn't usually win first out. Slop or not, that race was one of the best performances I've seen by a 2YO in a long time. Hope to see him in the Champagne at Belmont. TJ

[Mac]

It looked impressive to me too T.J. although I am no handicapper and don't have a real feel for gauging a performance debut on the slop. But he finished strong and professional. Nice!

[bdw0617]

I'm leery of any Ap indy who is this good this early in his career it never ends well (As far as the derby picture)

[TJ]

I'm leery of any Ap indy who is this good this early in his career it never ends well (As far as the derby picture)

Hi bdw,
This is classic Shug, you won't have to worry about this AP Indy. Shug seldom alters his style. His only 2 Derby horses (before this one:>) started in August as 2YO's going 7 furlongs. Easy Goer was just as precocious as Honor Code and both were thought to be Derby contenders at two. It took Orb 4 starts to break his maiden and was never thought to be as good as he turned out to be, yet he also had his first start in August at two. Orb simply blossomed at Payson' training center. The fact remains, if Shug has a Derby prospect, he has them ready to run in August as two year olds. He's been around long enough to know a horse doesn't win the Derby if they didn't race at two. What this horse did yesterday was something I've never seen. No 2YO (or any first time starter for that matter.....and most stakes winners) run their last 3/8ths of a mile in 32.4....that is unheard of. Shug will get this horse to his appointed rounds, next up is the Champagne. I doubt JV will get off this horses for anything Todd Pletcher has to offer in the Champagne. He's probably still crying over taking Verrazano over Orb in the Derby:>) TJ

[bdw0617]

TJ,

take a horse like this. do you think shug actively points them to the 2YO BC races?

[TJ]

TJ,

take a horse like this. do you think shug actively points them to the 2YO BC races?

Hi bdw,
I would think "if" the BC Juvenile was run at CD this year, then "yes" he would be actively pointing for the race. "But" I doubt Shug, who is old school conservative, would decide to ship Honor Code cross country to run over a speed favoring race track. I'd expect him to run next in the Champagne Stakes and if he does as expected, maybe the Nashua or Remsen at Aqueduct. Then off to Florida and Payson Park training center and possibly take the Orb route (Fountain of Youth, Florida Derby) from there into Kentucky Derby. TJ

[francesca]

All related to great mare Serena's Song

English two year old Rizeena

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... are-stakes

and Puissance de lune now in Australia and a favorite for the Melborne Cup.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-17/p ... ce/4894200

[francesca]

Is a G2 and G3 winner and turf horse.

[Mac]

Francesca, thanks for digging that up. Its interesting when families get hot and start throwing superstars everywhere. When it happens I find myself digging into pedigrees to try to figure out what is going on.

[Joltman]

Breeding a Storm Cat mare to AP Indy - that will make for a potential superstar.

Honestly, that kind of brilliance at Saratoga is not unusual, but what is really impressive is -

- serious closing speed. Could have run a mile and a sixteenth with ease at racehorse speed.
- in the slop - shows maturity taking mud and running through it
- defeated a decent field that was still running

Gonna be fun watchin this guy. He has stallion written all over him. Anyone know what his figs were?

jm

[TJ]

Breeding a Storm Cat mare to AP Indy - that will make for a potential superstar.

Honestly, that kind of brilliance at Saratoga is not unusual, but what is really impressive is -

- serious closing speed. Could have run a mile and a sixteenth with ease at racehorse speed.
- in the slop - shows maturity taking mud and running through it
- defeated a decent field that was still running

Gonna be fun watchin this guy. He has stallion written all over him. Anyone know what his figs were?

jm

Hi Jolt,
Concerning his figure for that race, I thought it needs some revision upward which Andy Beyer is famous for:>) As it turned out, his was the 6th best figure of all the two year olds who raced at Saratoga. He received an 89 for the effort in which he only ran the last 3/8ths of a mile, while climbing throughout the first 1/2 mile of the race. The highest 2YO beyer was that of Havana's, who received a 102 going 5 1/2 furlongs. If we look closer, there were only 4 beyer figures going 7/8ths that made the top of the list for 2YO's at the Spa. The super filly, Sweet Reason received a 98 (7f) in winning her 2nd start (The Spinaway) after being given an 82 (another figure that should have been revised) in her first start going 5 1/2 f. Honor Code was 2nd best at the distance with an 89 (7/8ths). Stopchargingmaria who was 2nd in the Spinaway received an 86 (7/8ths) and The Hopeful winner, Strong Mandate an 85 (7/8ths) for his effort. TJ

[Joltman]

That track looked like a quagmire to me. You're right on noting that he really only started running the last 3/8. There was much more in the tank and that track and trip were not easy to handle.

jm

[diomed]

Shug is aiming him for the Champagne. I can't wait to see him on a dry track and more distance.
There was another maiden winner bred very similar but it was a filly. Divided Attention. Has anyone here witnessed her win? Just curious. Another incredible pedigree BTW.