Stop stealing our stuff and ripping off our features, please. Epicenter then began his move on the outside, taking the lead at the quarter-pole. She is talented and will be a deserving favorite in the Oaks, but not good enough to win the Derby. "I think we accomplished that. "I've had the disappointment and survived it. Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by jockey Joel Rosario, Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter was installed as the prohibitive 6-5 program choice in the Preakness field of nine runners. 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. "He's extremely talented. Epicenter ran arguably his best race this year in the Kentucky Derby and finished strong despite other horses fading through fast fractions. He got the time off," Hernandez said. "He is tired right now," Rivera said. His best Beyer speed figure is tops in the field at 102,. Print; Tweet Email. This time, Rosario said Epicenter was more relaxed. He's the leading two-year-old stallion in the world. "He was jumping around," Ramsey said. ", Photo: Anne M. EberhardtRon Winchell after Echo Zulu's 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies win. Image courtesy of Blood Horse. This one is on my radar, but I will be looking for a convincing win in the Wood Memorial if this one is going to be a part of my Derby day plays. Which horses should you bet on at TVG? You can't stand here and compare him to Curlin and Gun Runner yet because how they finished their career made them who they were.". Historically these types of horses have a high probability to win. I was really happy with him coming home," Hernandez said. ET, following the renovation break. He then shifted back out and came again. "Then "I saw [Rich Strike], and I'm like, 'No! Armagnac, owned by SF Racing and partners, last ran May 8, winning an allowance optional claiming race at Santa Anita Park. Im not sure how strong the Arkansas Derby was. The last three Preakness winners have gone to post with odds of 11/1, 11/1 and 6/1. See who is a fan of Simplification. 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. The colt currently has 0 Kentucky Derby points but was transferred out of the Bob Baffert barn. I thought Nehro was going to win it and Lookin At Lee was just unbelievable. He's not going to beat us.' Epicenter was also the favorite in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) off impressive victories in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2). The field of four were all stakes winners, with Epicenter going off as the even-money favorite. "He's moved forward from the Wood. They all look good out there. *All statistics on this page include results from all countries. Breeder: Southern Equine Stables, LLC. 1993 . "I walked him this morning because he was feeling so good. 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). As has been the Midnight Lute colt's custom in recent starts, he lagged behind early Saturdayracing eighth of as Gun Runner Stakes winner Epicenter shot to the lead in the 1 1/16-mile race with. [19], The Travers Stakes on August 27 attracted a very strong field, including the top three finishers in the Kentucky Derby (Rich Strike, Epicenter and Zandon), Preakness winner Early Voting and Cyberknife, who had won the Haskell in his last start. Rosecroft Raceway Happy Jack, another Preakness entrant, was third, a neck in front of Armagnac. Moving way up in class from the maiden ranks to run in the inaugural Gun Runner Stakes, and in his first try around two-turns, Epicenter improved again to a career-best 98 Equibase Speed Figure while cruising to a 6 1/2-length win in ridden out fashion. Bettors tabbed Epicenter as the 9-2 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closed Saturday prior to the runnings of the $1 million Blue Grass (GI), $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (GI) and $750,000 Wood Memorial (GII). "[9], Epicenter began his three-year-old campaign on January 22, 2022, in the Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds. He was away cleanly and thought he was very comfortable and attending close enough to the pace, and just ran a very dominating performance against a very good group. 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. 2009-2023 numberFire, Inc. Certain headlines thanks to Rotoworld. Both of those horses, eventual two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, would finish third in the Kentucky Derby. Congratulations to the winner.". The problem with me for this runner is that despite quick fractions the horse didnt have a ton of pace pressure throughout. 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. Supplemented to the Preakness for a $150,000 fee, the Creative Cause colt will make his stakes debut in the Preakness off back-to-back scores in maiden and allowance company for trainer Kenny McPeek. Pappacap began his career last spring and summer in sensational fashion, breaking his maiden easily by almost three lengths then winning the Best Pal Stake by nearly five lengths. Follow all of the races in the month-long lead up to the Kentucky Derby with the Betting News free handicapping tools. Meanwhile, Early Voting tracked the early pace set by Armagnac and moved to the lead entering the stretch, pulling well clear with an eighth of a mile remaining. Forte has raced at Belmont Park, Keeneland, Saratoga with wins at Belmont Park . I walked him 35, close to 40 minutes. And he did", said Asmussen. "He was off the pace today and inside of horses. Proprietary to and 2023 Equibase Company LLC. This one is a Derby pass for me. Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen This is the loser that I think you want out of this weekends races. Epicenter did all the dirty work that day, carving out fast early fractions of :23 2/5 and :47, setting the table for Call Me Midnight's late run. This list does not include Messier who currently has a 107 Equibase Speed Figure to his name. Unified Report is unbeaten in three races but gets a test on two levels here as his wins in the Louisiana Legacy Stakes and Louisiana Juvenile Stakes were against Louisiana-breds and were sprint races; he will be tackling two-turns for the first time in the Lecomte. 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. Photo: Anika MiskarCreative Minister gallops atPimlico. There are no re-dos. *All statistics on this page include results from all countries. Early Voting went to the early lead while Epicenter settled in last place along the rail. #Epicenter dominates the Risen Star Stakes on the Road to the #KyDerby for Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen, and Winchell Thoroughbreds. Longines Breeders' Cup Classic participant - 2022. The euphoria of victory in a big race stifled by an injury to a stablemate on the undercard. Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes showcases nine recently turned 3-year-olds and is the first of a local three-race prep series at the Fair Grounds on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. He started jumping and feeling good, so I said to the groom, 'Let's put the saddle on him and take him to the track. "This year's Oaks and Derby are extremely exciting in terms of how strong the races look and how well all of the horses are doing going into them. This one could easily be the favorite especially when you consider he has thousands of casual owners via MyRaceHorse. Epicenter had the lead into the deep stretch before huge 80-to-1 longshot Rich Strike stole the show with a late rally along the inside to win and leave Epicenter as runner-up. Just as Epicenter earned 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, Turnerloose earned a like amount for the Kentucky Oaks. He broke away with a clean break and got into a nice little rhythm.". "It's a horse race, and anybody can win. Armagnac went gate to wire in the 1 1/16-mile race that followed a fourth-place finish in the April 9 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1), 121/2 lengths behind stablemate Taiba. 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 . The trainer who has sent out more winners in North American racing than any conditioner in history has found the Derby a bit elusive; even when he's twice sent out Derby starters that eventually would earn Horse of the Year titles. The rest of the field appeared content to let Epicenter have the early lead. Jockey Corey Lanerie tried to find room between rivals as he turned Smile Happy into the homestretch. This one ran second in the Jeff Ruby behind a turf horse. If you like California speed, this might be your play. Three Year Olds The odds may reflect a season debut in which Echo Zulu experienced the first close race of her career, holding off Kentucky Oaks rival Hidden Connection by a nose in the Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) March 26. Horses from Japan have proven that they deserve to be in on the conversation. I gallop him at Churchill, and he's jumping around and feeling good. "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. Equibase Company is the Official Supplier of Racing Information and Statistics to America's Best Racing, Breeders' Cup, Daily Racing Form, NTRA, The Jockey Club, TRA, TVG and XpressBet. [18], Epicenter was given a layoff, then returned to racing on July 30 in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. Curlin was attempting to be "Justify" more than a decade before the lightly raced 2018 Triple Crown winner's amazing spring. I'm unbelievably excited to be doing this well with this much on the line.". Jockey: Orlando Bocachica This means he will now have the chance to get to the Derby by winning the Santa Anita Derby. The potential is there; Asmussen said that at this point in Epicenter's career, he is faster than both Gun Runner and Curlin when they went into the Derby. And I was like, 'You're just being a pessimist. Given the poor performance of Simplification in Arkansas this weekend, this one is probably a fade. Equibase Analysis: Epicenter The One To Beat In Lecomte. ** Get a $150 deposit match from AmWager + Daily Rewards**, Kentucky Derby prep: Gotham Stakes 2023 odds and analysis, Work tab: Cody's Wish drills for 1st time since Breeders' Cup win, Head to Head: Handicapping Fountain of Youth 2023, Romans wins weight battle, now looks to Fountain of Youth, Ky. Derby prep: 1 horse can beat Yakteen 5 in San Felipe, Epicenter takes them all the way in the Risen Star for Asmussen. O'Neill said he is scheduled to fly to Baltimore from California Wednesday night and will be at the barn some time Thursday afternoon. Equibase Company is the Official Supplier of Racing Information and Statistics to America's Best Racing, Breeders' Cup, Daily Racing Form, NTRA, The Jockey Club, TRA, TVG and XpressBet. He was pulled up on the first turn after an injury to his right forelimb. Notes: Fern Circle Stables, Back Racing, and Magdalena Racing's allowance optional claiming winner Creative Minister was feeling good Wednesday in his first visit to the track. Blasi said Epicenter will school in the starting gate during training Thursday and will school in the paddock during the races. University of Louisville Equine Industry Program - Get a Career in Horse Racing! Epicenter (164) Epicenter rolls to victory. He was sired by Violence out of the Blame mare Queen Caroline. The race fell apart a little bit, as it should have. This one was behind Un Ojo which isnt great, but if you like Barber Road, this one finished ahead of him. He continued to draw away and won easily by 2+12 lengths over Zozos. That's the great thing about horses like that, the consistency of them.". We will see what happens. "Before he passed away, he would always talk about winning the Derby and the 2-year-olds we had coming up," Ron Winchell said. He walked onto the equine ambulance and was transported to nearby Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital for further evaluation. 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. Jockey: Carlos Eduardo Lopez "The Derby is an event, a 20-horse race under circumstances they'll never have to be in ever again. "He galloped a mile and a quarter. Through it all the connections have been talking about shipping this one to Europe to run on turf. Epicenter closed steadily, first on the inside and then to the outside as Early Voting shifted towards the rail. Pappacap is notable not because of his two runner-up efforts last fall but because those efforts came against unbeaten and untested Corniche in the G1 American Pharoah Stakes and in the G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile. To get the full benefits of numberFire, please log in. In 2022 he won the Risen Star, Louisiana Derby, Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes. Owner: Vivian E. Rall 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). Zandon (7-2), the publics fourth choice, was another half-length back in third. The Risen Star was the most legitimate field he faced and he was a far cry from winning that race finishing 6th. "Because it's the Kentucky Derby; it's attaining something that you haven't," Asmussen said of his drive for the Roses. That's why his training and his works since have been faster and stronger.". Happy Jack finished 14th in the Run for the Roses, his fourth straight loss since breaking his maiden Jan. 22 at Santa Anita Park. [15] Epicenter broke slowly and settled in mid-pack behind a very fast pace set by Summer is Tomorrow and Crown Pride. Other Top Tracks, Equibase Analysis: Epicenter The One To Beat In Lecomte, First Winner For Late Stallion Effinex Comes At Saratoga, Vanzzy Rises To The Occasion In Jersey Derby, Voss: Im Worried About The Lone Racing Veterinarian In The Classroom, Imprimus Earns Breeders Cup Turf Sprint Berth With Hard-Fought Victory At Kentucky Downs, Turfway Holiday Meet In The Mix As Churchill Trainers, Jockeys Make Winter Plans, Jockey Robbie Dunne Appeals 18-Month Bullying Ban. "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. It just is what it is. That's not to say Asmussen hasn't enjoyed plenty of spring success. Epicenter has been the most consistent and classy horse down the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Demling just locked in his picks for Flightline, Taiba, Epicenter and every horse in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic field. [21], It was the first Travers Stakes win for Asmussen and Rosario. Five weeks later in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, once again Pappacap faced Corniche and while that one rolled wire-to-wire on top as the heavy favorite, Pappacap finished second of 11 in a fine effort, earning a career-best 95 figure in the process. [2] Not This Time stands at Taylor Made Stallions in Kentucky for US$75,000 service fee. But the horse had other ideas. In fact, an upset by Cyberknife could clinch the three-year-old championship. There are 10 stakes races Saturday at Pimlico including the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes in Race 13. She has a condylar fracture that is a good candidate for repair. 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. Post-time favorite Smile Happy (2-1) made a late charge to finish second. Trafalgar is an up-and-coming horse who has won two in a row including a race at the distance of the Lecomte at Fair Grounds. Trainer: Alexandra Hillegass Geared down for the final strides, he still won by 2+34 lengths over Smile Happy, with Zandon closing late for third. Racing achievements and Top 100 Rankings include North American (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico) Thoroughbred races only. Trainer Steve Asmussen has entered champion Echo Zulu in the Kentucky Oaks and will look for his first Kentucky Derby win with Epicenter at Churchill Downs. Zandon was closing on his outside while on the inside, Rich Strike found room on the rail. "He is taking a little siesta. As a consistent, fast, and pace-versatile horse who has already won at 1 3/16 miles, hes the deserving favorite in the Preakness. Keeneland 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.' An Epicenter loss on Saturday cannot be made up for with a victory in the Grade-1-come-lately Pennsylvania Derby. I mean, Curlin gave us so much power. Unless there is a lot of negatives out of the barn leading up, this one will be all over my tickets on Derby day. He was sired by Not This Time, a graded stakes winner who finished second in the 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile before his career has cut short by injury. The problem is that the race didnt come up that fast and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is a beast at Gulfstream Park. Weather info Powered by Dark Sky. [24] On November 6, Asmussen confirmed that Epicenter would be retired from racing, adding that the surgery was successful and the prognosis for him to stand at stud was good.[25]. 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. This is another Brad Cox who looks alright on paper. Also, horses that exited the Kentucky Derby that finished in the top half of the field own a sizable. I knew he was a talented horse. It seems like he can be special. 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. Trainer Steve Asmussen has come so close to Kentucky Derby (G1) glory that he briefly has experienced the feeling of winning the race. Ron's Winchell's father, Verne, who passed away in 2002, predicted his son would reach Churchill's most hallowed ground. However, he tired in the stretch and finished sixth. Will Epicenter validate the belief he ran the best Kentucky Derby performance based on being relatively close to the hot pace? The New York prep circuit has been most terrible in the Kentucky Derby, but this year there are some sneaky signals that this could be the year for these runners. 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. Thoroughbred pedigree for Epicenter, progeny, and female family reports from the Thoroughbred Horse Pedigree Query. It was the best performance of his five-race career. ", Photo: Anika MiskarEarly Voting gallops at Pimlico. He posted a career-high 105 Equibase Speed Figure and his second-best Beyer (100) number. Handicappers will point to the huge closing kick this one has showed in the last two races. These runners are often way over bet. The problem I have is that the Kentucky Derby has been a front runners game largely since the introduction of the points system. I am not convinced this one is a Derby winner. This one seems to just be the precocious type as he really hasnt progressed in his three year old season. New players, bet $5, win $100 on the Preakness and get Win Bet Insurance if your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd. Hard pass for me despite the impressive connections. Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). "He was nice and comfortable and you just hope he'll finish the race, which he did. When he was caught by Call Me Midnight at the wire last month in the Lecomte (G3), he went out in 23.40 and 47.01. In the Preakness, trainer Doug O'Neill will put the blinkers back on Happy Jack. He's come here a bunch of other times. An (*) asterisk after the odds means Epicenter was the post-time favorite. 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. Leading the Lecomte field is Epicenter, winner of the Gun Runner Stakes on Dec. 26, a newly anointed Road to the Derby race in which he earned 10 points, which could be significant later in the season. In fact, since first sending out ninth-place Fifty Stars for the 2001 Derby, the Racing Hall of Famer has moved into consideration for the "best trainer to not yet win the Derby" category behind his 23 starts without a victory in the Churchill Downs classic. "[12], On March 26, Epicenter went off as the even-money in the Louisiana Derby. First one to the wire wins, like Steve always says. Epicenter (6-5) POST NUMBER: No. Fresh off a cross-country trip from Southern California that saw him arrive in Baltimore Tuesday evening, Armagnac hit the ground running Wednesday. By registering, you indicate that you agree to the Terms Of Service. Some of them weren't fast enough and I've had others where it wasn't meant to be. Considering the win was at Fair Grounds and at the distance of the Lecomte and Epicenter is making only his fourth career start and second around two-turns, this colt is the one to beat in the Lecomte. "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. "I got 23 different feelings on the Derby that I very vividly remember. "We thought that about him all along, right from the beginning," Winchell said. This one was rolling at the end of the 2 year old season capping it off with a win at the Breeders Cup. Most of the time you have to get after him, but it seemed like he was very nice today. This one is a major toss for me in the Derby. Epicenter does meet some key trends and respected metrics in horse racing when determining a contender or winner of the Kentucky Derby. He took two starts to break his maiden. Blue Kentucky finished third in the Sugar Bowl Stakes near the end of December and he too is trying two turns for the first time. The 2022 Preakness Stakes is Sat., May 21, and nine top 3-year-olds will run in the second jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course. He went to the early lead, setting fast opening fractions of 22.37 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 45.72 for the half. This runner finished second in the Fountain of Youth. Is there a long shot lurking in the wings to run by them all? [8], "To be able to win the inaugural running of the Gun Runner today is special for us," said Scott Blasi, Asmussen's assistant trainer. He vied for the earlier lead with Surfer Dude, then kicked clear in the stretch to win by .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}3+12 lengths. You'll get the best projections in the business!
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