Saturday’s GI Runhappy The Santa Anita Derby is billed primarily as a match of the Division II champions head-to-head Forbidden Kingdom (American pharoah) and GIII Robert B. Lewis S. romper and ‘Rising star TDN‘Chaotic (Empire Maker), but the former left it in the lane after setting the pace and buying $1.7 million worth of FTFMAR Taiba (Gunman) run by Messier intern Tim Yakteen, posted the unfortunate 4-1 match and stamped his ticket to the GI Kentucky Derby.
Earned ‘Rising star‘ his status and a gaudy 103 Beyer Speed as it aired its seven and a half sprints here on March 5 while warehouse member Bob Baffert Taiba was one of three. Santa Anita Derby’s cheerleaders transferred to Yakteen from Baffert are suspended. The winner wears the same shirt as the ill-fated Medina Spirit (Protonico), whose betamethasone-positive during last year’s GI Kentucky Derby caused the Hall of Famer Baffert’s recent troubles. Zedan and Baffert were also part of the links responsible for last month’s Country Grammer tournament, G1 Dubai’s World Cup heroes (Tonalist).
The Forbidden Kingdom – perhaps a somewhat surprising favorite with an even more than 13-10 Messier – bobbed a bit from the gate but took orders as early as expected. Taiba was going the second fastest, but Messier got inside him on the first bend before the Forbidden Kingdom released both of them slightly wide. Mike Smith on Taiba chose to drop in and save some ground in the back, as Forbidden Kingdom passed the splits: 22.75 and :46.70 with Messier applying only token pressure. Messier turned up the heat after six pounds in 1:10.97, and Taiba sketched right behind them while obviously running. Forbidden Kingdom has run out of gas at pole 1/4 and there is no resistance to Messier. Messier looked at first glance as if he could shut down Taiba as the person bobbed up while converting leads, but Taiba soon leveled off, demonstrating the impressive progress he’s made in just over a year. ahead at Gulfstream to pass Messier on a heel-to-toe ride. Messier has 2 1/4 lengths back, but 10 more points left Jack is happy (Oxbow) who almost ruined a Yakteen trio Armagnac (Quality Sugar).
Smith, who has won four of the last five Santa Anita Derbies and five finals, said: “When someone comes out like that, he shows he’s really good. “He didn’t really get away very well. On the first turn, I didn’t want to get in the way. I’m not in a hurry. I feel like others will do the dirty work for me and it’s well established. He showed how special he is. He belongs to anyone. He just recovered very well. I’m not young anymore. As I get older, I feel that something special will happen. This can only lead to that. The sky is the limit. “
Yakteen was very nervous before the race, and selected the favorite Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) –Also a Baffert transfer – not nearly as happy with the short odds in the previous GII Santa Anita Oaks on the card.
“You could have dumped me out of the shot glass sooner, but these two horses have represented me unbelievably in this race and I’m really excited, overwhelmed with the effort Taiba put in. let go,” he said. “It was a sensational race, he was just a super horse.”
Taiba picked up 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby to win, while Messier – previously ineligible for points in his earlier feats for Baffert – earned 40.
Saturday, Santa Anita . Park
RUNHAPPY SANTA ANITA DERBY-HOLD$750,500, Santa Anita, 4-9, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:48.67, ft.
first-TAIBA, 124, c, 3, by Gunman
First dam: Needmore Flattery (MSW, $732,103), by
Flatter
2nd dam: Kiosk, by Left Banker
3rd smash: Switch the phone, by phone tricks
WINNER OF BLACK 1, WINNER OF CLASS 1, WINNING OF CLASS 1, CLASS 1 VICTORY. ‘RISK STAR TDN‘. ($140,000 Ylg ’20 FTKOCT; $1,700,000 2yo ’21 FTFMAR). O-Zedan Raceway, Inc.; B-Bruce C Ryan (KY); T-Tim Yakteen; J-Mike E. Smith. $450,000. Lifetime record: 2-2-0-0, $490,200. Nick Werk Rating: A +++. * Triple Plus *. Click to view eNicks report and pedigree of 5 children.
2-Messier124, c, 3, Empire Maker – Checkered Past, by Smart Strike. TYPE 1ST G1 BLACK. ‘RISK STAR TDN‘. ($470,000 Ylg ’20 FTKSEL). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine M. Donovan, Golconda Stable, Siena Farm LLC; Farm B-Sam-Son (ON); T-Tim Yakteen. 150,000 dollars.
3–Jack is happy124, c, 3, Oxbow–Tapitstry, by Tapit. TYPE 1ST G1 BLACK. ($0 RNA Wlg ’19 KEENOV). O/B-Calumet Farm; T-Doug F. O’Neill. $90,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 10, NK. Odds: 4.30, 1.30, 26.80.
Also Ran: Armagnac, Win the Day, Forbidden Kingdom.
Click to view Equibase.com chartthe PP of TJCIS.com or Free Equineline.com catalog style genealogy. VIDEO sponsored by TVG.
Genealogical notes:
Taiba is the second head at Fasig Gulfstream strong sales : 10 1/5 move, and he costs exactly twice as much GunmanBaffert’s future student, Flying Drummer, 2 years old, is the most expensive. Gunman, the first-year tree costs up to $775,000 and the average is highest among freshmen at $246,413, more than living up to the auction hype when his athlete started into the racetrack. He was represented by two Class I winners last year – including the chubby, 2-year-old Echo Zulu champion – plus two other ranked winners while Break the record of income of the descendants by a freshman.
Three Chimneys residents shed tears in the previous round of the Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks preps – Echo Zulu returns to merge GII Fair Grounds Oaks on its seasonal premiere on March 26; then Cyberknife attended the GI Arkansas Derby last Saturday on the same day Beguine finished second in GIII Fantasy S. and Running Legacy finished third in GII Gulfstream Park Oaks. GIII Wither S. winner was beaten once Saturday at the Aqueduct in the GII Wood Memorial S., two races before Shotgun Hottie finished third in the GIII Gazelle S.
Overall, Horse of the Year 2017 selected 4 top tier winners, 7 rating winners and 11 stake winners.
Flattermeanwhile, is a hybrid of four US graded winners – including GI heroine Darley Alcibiades S. Last year’s map of Juju (Map of Liam) –And another MG1SW in South America.
Taiba’s dam Needmore Flattery earns over $730,000 with never a better than 75 Beyer Speed Figure is competing mainly at Ohio breeding company. Her first pony is a 4-year-old boy who is still not his age Uncle Moand she sold it to Yeguada Centurion by Leopoldo Fernández Pujals for $195,000 at KEENOV ’19 before being exported to France and duped by Uncle Mo.
