The Tim Ice runner should take up a nice stalking position once again, but a horse he vanquished in the Travers (G1) might turn the tables on him, and his name is Quality Road.

Quality Road wins Florida Derby!

Many might remember Quality Road as the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby before foot problems forced him to sit out the Triple Crown series. He returned with authority in a graded sprint score at the Spa, and then came the Travers.

He was actually favored in the midsummer Derby, but everything went wrong. First , he caught a wet track. Then, after a less than ideal beginning, he was hemmed in throughout and never got into a comfortable prominent throughout rhythm. His 3rd place effort was better than appears given the troubled journey and one sprint prep in 5+ months.

The Travers was actually a perfect prep for the JC Gold Cup, and look for Quality Road to be on or near the lead throughout.

In addition to the aforementioned duo, the JC Gold Cup is also expected to attract Macho Again, who almost upset Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward. I had the pleasure of seeing Macho Again up close and personal in the ‘08 Super Derby.

A couple of other graded 3yo events are on the slate for Saturday, starting with the Ohio Derby.

Gone Astray is the big name in the signature race at Thistledown. The Shug McGaughey runner ran out of his mind in the Penn Derby, and he could have this group over a barrel.

Gallant ships in from Canada, and Kentucky Derby pacesetter Join in the Dance looms the target. Giant Oak and Karama also cross-entered in the Indiana Derby.

The Grade 2 Indiana Derby has attracted no less than fifteen horses, and Misremembered will invader from Southern California. The Bob Baffert runner was briefly considering a tilt in the Super Derby, but he elected to stay home and tackle older in the Pacific Classic. He was done in by a demanding pace that day, and if he handles regular dirt he should be a major factor in Indiana.

Rebel hero Win Willy was injured after the Arkansas Derby, and he returned with a close-up show finish in an Arlington sprint. He might need another outing before getting back on the beam.

Keep an eye on the late developing Sumo. He looked good at the Spa last time, and Graham Motion almost sent him to the Super Derby, but he gave him two more weeks and should be primed for another sharp stalking effort.

For the 3yo filly fans, keep an eye on Careless Jewel in the Grade 2 Cotillion at Philly Park. She might be on her way to the Breeders’ Cup with another Alabama like effort.

Image: Newscom

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The Grade 1 Beldame

Heavy fav Ginger Punch made the pace from the inside, but Lemon Drop Mom never gave her a breather, and she was worn down by improving Godolphin runner Cocoa Beach.

I have never been a huge Ginger Punch fan, but I will give her the benefit of the doubt. She is best as a stalker, and note that she parlayed a show finish in last year’s Beldame into a win in the 2007 BC Distaff. She better bring her running shoes to California, because undefeated synthetic specialist Zenyatta is a beast! I have added a replay of the 2008 Beldame, courtesy of YouTube.

The Grade 1 Flower Bowl

Dynaforce made all the running and repulsed a bid from fav Mauralakana en route to a 4-length win. The winner clearly liked the footing and controlled the pace as well. Communique ran on well to just miss the place. The waters get much deeper in the BC Filly & Mare Turf.

The Grade 1 Vosburgh

Black Seventeen sat the right outside speed trip and outnodded game inside speedster Fabulous Strike. Both would add plenty of heat to the BC Sprint, and the winner has run well in four synthetic starts in California.

The Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational

Grand Couturier burst away to post an emphatic 10-1/4 length tally in a breakout performance. He was notching his 3rd Grade 1 win at twelve furlongs on the turf, and he handles any type of ground (good, firm, yielding). I do not know if he can duplicate that effort away from New York, and he figures to run into more than one talented overseas invader in the BC Turf.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup

Curlin surpassed $10 million and Cigar in earnings with a solid 3/4 length tally over stubborn Nick Zito pacesetter Wanderin Boy. Curlin has departed for Santa Anita and will have ample time to get a feel for the Pro-Ride surface. We are poised for a Horse of the Year showdown between Curlin and Big Brown in the BC Classic, and note that neither has ever tried synthetic ground. Below is a replay of the 2008 JC Gold Cup, courtesy of YouTube.

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Grade 1 Beldame – Nine furlongs

Lemon Drop Mom has improved significantly in her last four outings, and she owns strong wet track breeding. She owns fine early/pressing speed and appears poised for a graded breakthrough.

Ginger Punch has won four straight and won last year’s BC Distaff in the slop. She was only a nose in front of Lemon Drop Mom last time, and I have added a replay of the Personal Ensign from the Spa, courtesy of YouTube.

Grade 1 Flower Bowl – Ten furlongs (Turf)

Mauralakana has won four straight and did win a grade three on yielding ground.

Communique was 2nd to Mauralakana on firm ground in the Beverly D, and she was a smart soft turf winner before that. She’s clearly on the upswing.

Dynaforce handled soft turf overseas, but note that she is 0-3 since arriving in the US, and she was very disappointing last time.

Grade 1 Vosburgh – Six furlongs

Fabulous Strike owns a 119 wet track BSF, and he is freakishly fast.

Lucky Island lost the Forego at the start, and he showed something with a nice move into the turn. He won four straight before that, including Tom Fool in the mud.

Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic – Twelve furlongs (turf)

Strike A Deal has fired four times on yielding ground, and he has come close numerous times in the graded ranks.

Proudinsky gave Big Brown fits two weeks ago. He moves up with some give in the ground. Appears best at 9f and wheels back quickly.

Grand Couturier seems better on firm ground.

Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup – Ten furlongs

I posted a blog on this race Thursday night…Curlin takes on 8 rivals and the elements in Gold Cup.

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Curlin has not tasted defeat on the main track since a show finish in the 2007 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. He has won six main track races since, including 5 grade one races, with his lone defeat this year a place finish in the grassy Man O’War at 11 furlongs. His best career BSF was a 119 in the 2007 BC Classic in the slop.

The potential wet footing is not as much of a concern as the 14 seconds it took Curlin to finish the Woodward Stakes at the Spa on August 30th. He lost on the turf before that, so there is a small opening for an upset, but ten furlongs is clearly his best distance.

Robby Albarado has his usual seat aboard the Steve Asmussen trainee, and a big effort could lead to a much anticipated showdown with Big Brown in the synthetic Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on October 25th.

Wanderin Boy is the Nick Zito speed threat. His Da’ Tara wired the Belmont Stakes, and Coal Play almost stole the Haskell from Big Brown. This seven-year-old warrior likes Big Sandy and handles wet footing. He was less than three lengths behind Curlin last time, and he figures to play catch me if you can. Note that he was 2nd to Bernardini in the 2006 edition of this race. He is relatively fresh with only a trio of outings this year, and his career best 113 speed rating only trails Curlin.

Mambo in Seattle is a rapidly developing three-year-old exiting a heartbreaking defeat to Colonel John in the Travers. Originally, he was supposed to come to my neck of the woods to compete in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, but his sharp connections opted for this much tougher spot instead. He is bred to run all day and owns a decent mud pedigree. Albarado obviously abandons for the reigning Horse of the Year, but Prado is an ample sub.

A.P. Arrow was the gem of consistency before heading to Dubai earlier this year, and he has fallen flat on his face in a trio of graded starts since. Pletcher also trains Ravel, who is bred to love the mud, but his lone triple digit speed rating was earned in the Grade 3 Sham in 2007.

Merchant Marine has Allen Jerkins in his corner, but he was dusted in both of his grade one starts. Son of hot sire Tiznow is another with strong mud breeding.

Timber Reserve had to drop into an optional claimer to get a win at the Spa. His last two graded starts were ugly, and trainer John Kimmel has cooled off significantly after a nice run late in the Saratoga meet.

Angliana is a gem of consistency, but he is a grade three type at best.

Stones River was 4th to Anak Nakal in the PA Derby. He is 3-3 on a wet track but is over his head in this spot.

Below is a replay of the 2008 Travers Stakes, featuring Mambo in Seattle, courtesy of YouTube.

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After finishing 2nd in his turf bow to Red Rocks in the Man O’War, Curlin was not as impressive in main track Woodward return at the Spa, but he ground out the victory nonetheless. He tries to recapture the brilliance that was on full display in the Dubai World Cup and Stephen Foster earlier this year, and standing in his way is improving sophomore Mambo in Seattle.

Colonel John spoiled Mambo in Seattle’s coming out party in the Travers, and the Spa photo finish was one of the closest in recent memory. The Neil Howard trainee is trying to emulate rival Curlin as a three-year-old winner of the JC Gold Cup. He seemingly has the raw talent to give the reigning Horse of the Year a tussle.

A.P. Arrow, Frost Giant, Merchant Marine, Ravel, Timber Reserve, and Wanderin Boy are possible for the Gold Cup.

A victory in the 2008 Gold Cup would make Curlin the all-time money leader in North American racing, surpassing Cigar.

Below is a replay of the 2008 Woodward Stakes, featuring Curlin, courtesy of YouTube.

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