|
|
 |
|
|
|
Program # 16 |
Post Position:  |
Photo By: Adam Coglianese/NYRA |
|
 |
|
Recent Developments |
Cynthia Phipps' Saarland sustained an injury in Saturday's (May 4) Kentucky Derby (GI). "He has a chip in his left front ankle," said trainer Shug McGaughey, indicating a Fall return was possible. The injury was discovered Sunday (May 5) morning. X-rays were taken that revealed the chip and the colt was scheduled to go the Rood & Riddle Clinic in Lexington later Sunday (May 5).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As A 3-Year Old |
Finished 10th, beaten 16th lengths by War Emblem, in Kentucky Derby (GI) 128
Finished fourth, beaten 3 1/2-lengths by Buddha, in the Wood Memorial on Apr. 13 at Aqueduct
Finished second, beaten 3 3/4-lengths by Mayakovsky, in the Gotham Stakes (GIII) at Aqueduct on Mar. 17
|
|
|
|
As A 2-Year Old |
Won the Remsen Stakes (GII) at Aqueduct by a neck over Nokoma
Won two of five starts and earned $177,660
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derby Starter Analysis By: Steve Fugitte |
Remains a very intriguing prospect as he has yet to run his best race of the year and hails from the dangerous barn of 'Shug' McGaughey - who had tough luck here with Easy Goer but remains a legendary horseman in New York and Kentucky. Late-runner had outpatient surgery to correct a breathing problem and that may explain why he hasn't found fifth gear since last year's Remsen - which he won in high style. Faces the prospect of being overbet by Shug's faithful and fans of the throat surgery angle. Running style is his main asset as he is a dead closer in a race loaded with speed. Very, very useful in exotic wagering and fairly scary for the win - though he'll need to improve about five lengths off that last race. Not out of the question at all. |
|
|
|
Pedigree Anlysis By: John Gaver III |
Dosage Index: 1.84; Born: February 25, 1999
Cynthia Phipps' homebred Saarland is, arguably, the most regally-bred colt on this year's Kentucky Derby (GI) trail, as he's by the late, great Unbridled out of a multiple grade one winning dam. If that's not enough for you, his genetic nick, or cross, is the same one that produced 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus (Raise A Native sire line crossed with the Northern Dancer line on the distaff side of the family). Champion Unbridled was the sire of 8 crops and 27 black-type winners including the champions Banshee Breeze and Anees and Grade or Group 1 winners Lady Ballade (Ire), Red Chili Pepper, Unbridled's Song and Manistique. While Saarland is Versaille Treaty's most productive foal to date, she herself was a crack racehorse and regally bred as well. She is out of the blue hen Buckpasser mare Ten Cents A Dance, who was Grade 2 stakes placed, and is a half-sister to the graded stakes winners Lead Kindly Light and Out Of Place. Saarland's dam sire, the top class stallion Danzig, has sired nearly 90 stakes producing daughters including the dams of major stakes winners Fusaichi Pegasus, Tranquility Lake and Dramatic Gold. Saarland's bloodlines, both top and bottom, are oozing with Phipps family classy families, and this colt is bred to thrive going a classic distance of ground. If he matures and moves forward through his prep races, Saarland will fit the profile of a lightly-raced three-year-old with a mile and a quarter pedigree on Derby Day, and both of those characteristics are favorable.
|
|
|
|
CDSN » Churchill Downs Simulcast Network » 
