How two weeks can change things. This past weekend we saw some excellent performances with three graded events that featured the 3yo's. By the end of the weekend we will have seen a new #1 on top the list and we will also see a trainer and stable that has the deck stacked.
The top races of the weekend were the GR-2 $1,000.000 LA
Derby at the FG and the GR-3 $800.000 SUN Derby from SUN both contested at the 9f distance. In addition the $500.000 GR-3 Vinery was contested at TP .
For the top performance of the weekend I would say has to go to Risen Ruler from the Rouge River Stables. He simply dominated the SUN Derby field. After breaking alertly Risen Ruler found himself on the lead and set the tempo. This was somewhat different from his previous starts where he was normally content racing just off the pace. After completing the three quarters in 1:11 1/5 he slowly drew off to win much the best in an eye opening performance. The final time was 1:49.22 which earned him a 96 SRF speed figure for the 9f distance. This was a significant increase from his 92 SRF in his previous start which was also contested at 9f in the Lewis Stakes at GP in February. That is always a good sign especially when heading towards the derby. With his increased figure, his display of capability of running at the 9f distance along with the ease of the win has spring boarded Risen Ruler to the top of the list.
In the LA Derby all eyes were on last years 2YO filly of the year, Mai Mia Bambina and she did not disappoint. Breaking from the five post Mai Mia Bambina actually trailed in the early going as the horses reached the clubhouse turn. As the horses straightened out down the backstretch she would go five wide to grab the lead as the field reached the far turn. Into the stretch she would open up by two lengths and fend off a late charge from
Alien Drive to prevail by a neck over that rival. This was a very good performance and she did just what she had to do to accomplish the win. The final time was 1:49.27 and earned her a 97 SRF speed figure which was top for the weekend. Note:
Alien Drive also earned a 97 SRF for his fine performance. The win was yet another victory for the Rouge River Stable for the weekend.
If that wasn't enough for Rouge River Stable they had another ace up the sleeve. They would bring this one out in the Vinery Stake at TP, his name is Suave N Debonaire. In perhaps the gutsiest performance of the weekend Suave N Debonaire would break from the outside post in a field of eight. At the start he broke alertly and sprinted along with Pecks Bad Boy to the front where he would get the lead and the rail as the horses reached the clubhouse turn. Racing into the backstretch Suave N Debonaire would repulse many challenges the first from Pecks Bad Boy who tried to get the lead but backed off slightly until the far turn.. Into the turn we would see both Pecks Bad Boy and Soviet Flash bearing down on him and those three would race heads apart throughout the far turn. As the trio reached the top of the stretch it would be Soviet Flash who would surge and take the lead only to have Suave N Debonaire willfully recapture the lead and the win. The final time for the Vinery was 1:50.20 and earned Suave N Debonaire a 95 SRF speed figure. It was a performance to remember and no one can question his heart and desire for the win. This definitely puts him in the Top Ten of derby contenders.
In other noteworthy performances from the last two weeks. Babayin captured the non-graded Rushaway stakes at TP and Sabers Edge took the GR-2 Rebel Stakes at OP.
As for Rouge River Stables what can you say? What a display of training and what a situation to be in. Hard enough to have and condition one derby contender but to have three that can be considered in the top ten is amazing. Hats off to the trainer. I believe everyone here would love to be in sitting in that corner with that loaded deck of cards.
The SRF Top Five 3YO's
1) Risen Ruler
2) Noble Warrior
3) Mai Mia Bambina
4) Flyflyfly
5)
Crown
Heights
Contenders:
Alien Drive, Suave N Debonaire, Eight Alarm Fire, Halfling, Jamaican Bolt
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SRF |
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| DATE |
TRK |
Grade |
Purse |
Race Name |
Dist |
Sfc |
Time |
SR |
Winner/Place |
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| 3/27/2011 |
SUN |
GR-3 |
$800.00 |
SUN Derby |
1-1/8m |
fst |
1:49.22 |
96 |
Risen Ruler, Fnd duLacRiver |
| 3/26/2011 |
FG |
GR-2 |
$1,000.00 |
LA Derby |
1-1/8m |
fst |
1:49.27 |
97 |
MaiMia Bambina, Alien Drive |
| 3/26/2011 |
TP |
GR-3 |
$500.00 |
Vinery St |
1-1/8m |
fst |
1:50.20 |
95 |
Suave n Dbnre, Soviet Flash |
| 3/26/2011 |
TP |
NG-3y |
$100.00 |
Rushaway St |
1-1/16m |
fst |
1:44.01 |
95 |
Babayin, CosmicNNsty |
| 3/19/2011 |
OP |
GR-2 |
$300.00 |
The Rebel |
1-1/16m |
fst |
1:43.59 |
93 |
Sabers Edge,Thrlng Star |
| 3/12/2011 |
TAM |
GR-2 |
$350.00 |
TAM Derby |
1-1/16m |
fst |
1:43.77 |
96 |
EightAlarmFire, MLK |
| 3/12/2011 |
SA |
GR-2 |
$250.00 |
San Felipe St |
1-1/16m |
fst |
1:44.46 |
96 |
Flyflyfly, Alexithymia |
| 3/5/2011 |
AQU |
GR-3 |
$250.00 |
The Gotham |
1-1/16m |
fst |
1:43.58 |
94 |
Tropical Ldge, Star Bet |
| 3/5/2011 |
TP |
NG-3y |
$100.00 |
BtglMemrial |
1-1/16m |
fst |
1:44.90 |
92 |
NY Minute, Endorsemnt |
| 2/26/2011 |
GP |
GR-2 |
$400.00 |
FountainOfYth |
1-1/8m |
fst |
1:50.31 |
95 |
Noble Warrior, Drvitlkyoustlit |
| 2/26/2011 |
GP |
GR-2 |
$150.00 |
Hutcheson St |
7f |
fst |
1:23.97 |
94 |
Silent Rebllion, ComeOnVan |
| 2/21/2011 |
OP |
GR-3 |
$250.00 |
Southwest St |
1mi |
fst |
1:36.76 |
96 |
Crown Hgts, Beafrking Star |
| 2/20/2011 |
SA |
GR-2 |
$150.00 |
San Vicente |
7f |
fst |
1:23.78 |
93 |
Iditarod Diadme, Savabeel |
| 2/19/2011 |
FG |
GR-2 |
$300.00 |
Risen Star |
1-1/16m |
fst |
1:43.81 |
92 |
Alien Drve, Jmcn Bolt |
| 2/12/2011 |
SA |
GR-2 |
$250.00 |
Lewis Stakes |
1-1/8m |
fst |
1:50.40 |
92 |
Risen Ruler, OutofthePark |
| 2/12/2011 |
GG |
GR-3 |
$200.00 |
EL Camino |
1-1/8m |
fst |
1:50.92 |
96 |
Wtch4 Sailor, Willow Grove |
| 2/12/2011 |
TAM |
GR-3 |
$225.00 |
Davis Stakes |
1-1/16m |
fst |
1:43.84 |
95 |
Donative, Fnd duLacRvr |
| 2/5/2011 |
AQU |
NG/3y |
$100.00 |
Whirlaway |
1 1/16m |
fst |
1:48.89 |
91 |
Thrling Star, Rock Rules |
| 1/30/2011 |
GP |
GR-3 |
$400.00 |
Holy Bull |
1mi |
fst |
1:37.14 |
93 |
Laffin Hyena, Jamcn Bolt |
| 1/22/2011 |
FG |
GR-3 |
$100.00 |
LeComte St |
1m70y |
fst |
1:42.20 |
90 |
Montepulciano,ChipIn Birdie |
| 1/22/2011 |
OP |
NG/3y |
$100.00 |
Smarty Jones |
1mi |
fst |
1:38.18 |
92 |
Fnd du LacRvr, Jaxo |
| 1/15/2011 |
SA |
GR-3 |
$100.00 |
Sham St |
1-1/16m |
fst |
1:43.78 |
97 |
Flyflyfly, BeafrkingStar |
| 1/15/2011 |
GG |
NG/3y |
$100.00 |
CA Derby |
1-1/16m |
fst |
1:45.00 |
93 |
Alien Drive, Sabers Edge |
