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Program # 9 |
Post Position:  |
Photo By: Benoit & Associates |
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Recent Developments |
Assistant trainer Jose Cuevas reported that Medaglia d'Oro came out of the Kentucky Derby (GI) in good fashion and ate up last night (May 4).
The Bobby Frankel trainee, who went off as the co-second choice with Saarland behind Harlan's Holiday, will ship to New York Monday (may 6) with the rest of the 15-horse Frankel string at Churchill Downs.
Cuevas indicated to Pimlico officials that Medaglia d'Oro would go on to the Preakness (GI), a reversal from 2000 when Derby runner-up Aptitude (also trained by Frankel) bypassed the second jewel in racing's Triple Crown and waited for the Belmont (GI).
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As A 3-Year Old |
Finished fourth, beaten eight lengths by War Emblem, in Kentucky Derby 128
Finished second, beaten a head by Buddha, in the Wood Memorial (GI) on April 13
Won the San Felipe Stakes (GII) by 2 1/2 lengths in his stakes debut
Broke his maiden at Oaklawn by 4 1/4 lengths, covering 6 furlongs in 1:10 4/5
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As A 2-Year Old |
Finished second, beaten 2 3/4-lengths, in his career debut at Turfway on Dec. 7
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Derby Starter Analysis By: Steve Fugitte |
Didn't get beat much by Buddha in the key Wood Memorial and is lightly-raced like that rival - so he figures to improve again here. Another big strong colt who won't mind the bumping in the first turn. His nine post position is optimum and trainer Bobby Frankel has managed him masterfully leading up to this. Frankel still looking for the elusive Derby win but he did run second with Aptitude in an fairly weak running top to bottom. Brings his best contender yet for this year's contest and oddsmaker Mike Battaglia has so much respect for this horse that he laid him 6-1 on the morning line - which is very low for a 20-horse field. I think Mike is right - he will go off low. Only possible problem would be going too close to a wicked pace but still a huge contender who makes his own trip and his own luck with strength and power. Expect him to roll straight to the front in the second turn and he'll win it if he's good enough and can stay the trip. Wouldn't be surprised to see it happen. |
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Pedigree Anlysis By: John Gaver III |
Dosage Index: 1.22; Born: Apr. 11, 1999
Medaglia d'Oro is by champion El Prado (Ire), a sire of 7 crops and 30 stakes winners including millionaire Nite Dreamer, multiple stakes winner The Happy Hopper, the veteran stakes-winning sprinter Chindi and the crack turf sprinter/miler El Cielo. Additionally, El Prado (Ire) is a son of legendary European sire-of-sires Sadler's Wells, who is by Northern Dancer, winner of the 1964 Kentucky Derby (GI) and a prominent influence in the bloodlines of past Derby winners. Medaglia d'Oro's dam, Cappucino Bay, was a minor stakes winner on the West Coast and a dam of four foals to date, all of which are winners on the racetrack. She is by Bailjumper, a son of Damascus, who is the sire of 99 producing daughters and 15 stakes winners, including Broad Gains, Luken Bock, Restored Hope, Stormy Krissy and Marco Bay. Medaglia d'Oro is an example of a stamina-on-speed pedigree nick, or cross, evidenced by the staying power of Northern Dancer on the sire line (via Sadler's Wells) crossed with a Damascus (a source of speed in Thoroughbred bloodlines) female family (via Bailjumper).
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