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Program # 3 |
Post Position:  |
Photo By: Pat Lang/Turfway Park |
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Recent Developments |
A third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (GI) by Lane's End Spiral (GII) winner Perfect Drift left trainer Murray Johnson pleased, but the effort to cheer his Dynaformer gelding home in the "Run for the Roses" left him with a voice that rose barely above a croak on Sunday (May 5) morning.
As for a possible run in the Preakness (GI), Johnson said Perfect Drift was "doubtful" for the May 18 race at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course.
Regarding Perfect Drift's effort to overcome the modest Derby pace set by the victorious War Emblem, Johnson said only, "No pace, no race."
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As A 3-Year Old |
Finished third, beaten 4 3/4-lengths by War Emblem, in Kentucky Derby 128
Won the $500,000 Lane's End Spiral Stakes (GII) by a neck over Azillion (Ire)
Finished second to Request For Parole in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes
Finished second to Request For Parole in the WEBN Frog Stakes on Feb. 2
Won to Turfway Prevue Stakes by 4 lengths in his three-year-old debut
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As A 2-Year Old |
Broke his maiden by 2 1/2-lengths, wire-to-wire, on Dec. 19 at Turfway Park
Was beaten a neck at 13-1 in his career debut at Churchill Downs on Nov. 16
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Derby Starter Analysis By: Steve Fugitte |
Is my main man and top pick in this year's Derby. He has everything. He's well rested after being off since his smashing Spiral win but has plenty of bottom from his 2-year-old races and the Turfway three-year-old series this winter. Many will ignore this gelding who trains at the Churchill Downs Trackside annex, but they are making a grave mistake as rider Eddie Delahoussaye seemed to figure this cat out on Spiral Day. Had a problem with waiting for rivals to run with once he made the lead and Eddie D.'s great timing made that issue disappear the first time he climbed aboard. Dynaformer is not the ideal sire to get a Derby winner but he does throw more stamina than most of the top line breeding here and the colt travels so easily it shouldn't be a problem. Morning pilot Joe Deegan says he's right and ready to go. Bet your money at great odds around 20-1. Big shot for local trainer Murray Johnson to avenge Green Alligator's hard luck in the Derby. |
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Pedigree Anlysis By: John Gaver III |
Born: April 29, 1999; Dosage Index: 2.00
Perfect Drift is by Dynaformer, a son of Roberto, whose offspring, as a rule, generally perform better on turf. However, his get can be versatile, evidenced by his son Blumin Affair, who won the San Diego Handicap (GIII) going nine furlongs on the main track and his daughter Critical Eye, who won the nine furlong Hempstead Handicap (GI), also on dirt. Additionally, Dynaformer has the turf graded stakes winners Vergennes and Baptize, among others. Dynaformer himself was a Grade II stakes winner and is the sire of 10 crops and 42 black type winners. Perfect Drift is out of the Naskra mare Nice Gal, a minor stakes winner who also has Perfect Drift's half-sister, Gal On The Go (by Irgun), winner of the listed Valdale Stakes. Nice Gal is by the fine broodmare sire Naskra, who is a sire of 258 producing daughters and 71 black type winners including Nobo Tribe, Super May, Bail Out Becky, Bordeuax Bob, My Mogul, Daylight Savings, Northern Emerald, Ioya Two, Fig Fest and Personal Girl. Perfect Drift gets plenty of stamina from his sire line from Roberto (via Dynaformer) and gets a combination of speed and stamina from his broodmare sire, Naskra, whose best runner was the champion sprinter Star de Naskra, but he also has the turf stayers Olympio and Naskra's Breeze. Perfect Drift ran the best race of his career when trying nine furlongs for the first time and has enough stamina on both sides of his family to get a 10 furlong trip.
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