|
Post Position:  |
|
Recent Developments |
|
Scrap Book |
Owner Ernie Paragallo does not plan on running New York Hero in the Kentucky Derby (GI), citing his three previous Derby experiences - fifth with Unbridled’s Song in 1996; 13th with Artax in 1998 and 17th with Adonis in 1999 - as reasons to pass on the 1 ¼-mile "Run for the Roses" on the first Saturday in May.
The other reason was New York Hero’s fourth-place finish in the Wood Memorial. A Maryland-bred son Partner's Hero, New York Hero was the pacesetter in the Apr. 12 Wood Memorial Stakes (GI), going the first quarter-mile in :23 2/5; the half in :47 1/5 and three-quarters in 1:11 before throwing in the proverbial towel.
"I am always leery of a sealed racetrack," Paragallo said. "[Jockey Norberto] Arroyo said that New York Hero never got hold of the track. We didn’t really want to be on the lead, but he slipped coming out of the gate, took that right turn and took out some of the speed horses."
While Paragallo is known to keep all of his options open, he appears to be looking ahead to the second leg of the Visa Triple Crown, the Preakness (GI) at Pimlico on May 17th. He will likely know more in a day or two, after he digests the events of Saturday (Apr. 12) afternoon. The day concluded with the Arkansas Derby (GII) in which 55-1 longshot Sir Cherokee came from last to rally past Eugene’s Third Son and win Oaklawn Park’s nine-furlong Derby tune-up by a length and three quarters in 1:48 1/5. New York Hero defeated Eugene’s third Son by a neck in Turfway Park’s Lane’s End Stakes (GII) on March 22nd.
"You don’t know what’s going to happen," Paragallo said. "Empire Maker is a good horse, but he is by Unbridled and I know about those horses. They’re flaky. Empire Maker reminds me of Unbridled’s Song a little. They have plenty of talent -- Unbridled’s Song ran a huge race in the Derby with those damn egg bar shoes on -- but they can be wacky."
Paragallo reported that trainer Jennifer Pedersen was not at the barn on Sunday (Apr. 13) because of a personal tragedy.
"Right after the race yesterday, Jennifer was informed that her niece had passed away," Paragallo said. "I think the girl was only about 20 years old."
|
New York Hero News: Empire Maker Becomes Millionaire, Derby Chalk With Wood Win
New York Hero News: Frankel Confident As Empire Maker Invades Empire State
New York Hero News: New York Hero Stands Tall In Lane's End
New York Hero News: New York Hero Lives Up To His Name In Stirring Lane's End Stakes
New York Hero News: Start Spreadin' The News, New York Hero's On The Derby Scene |
|
As A 3-Year Old |
|
As A 2-Year Old |
|
Finished fourth, beaten nine lengths by Empire Maker, in the Grade I Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct on Apr. 12
Won the Grade II Lane's End Stakes at Turfway Park by a neck on Mar. 22
Won a six-furlong, entry-level allowance race by a length and a quarter at Aqueduct on Feb. 19
Broke his maiden by a length and three-quarters in his second career start on Jan. 31 at Aqueduct |
Did not run |
|
Starter Anaylsys By: Steve Fugitte |
|
Pedigree Analysis By: John Gaver III |
|
Coming Derby Week |
Born: March 13, 2002
Dosage Index: 3.80
The dark bay or brown colt New York Hero is by the top first-crop sire in the Mid-Atlantic - Partner's Hero - a crack stakes winning sprinter who is a half-brother to the champion sprinter Safely Kept (by Danzig). Partner's Hero equalled the track record as a 3-year-old in the six furlong Hansel Stakes, covering the distance in 1:08 1/5. Partner's Hero is the sire of two crops including the black-type earners New York Hero and $100,000 Maryland Million Lassie Stakes winner Object Of Virtue, in addition to the stakes placed performers Wonderous Woman, Love You Madly and Senor Cielo Two. New York Hero is out of Nin Two, a daughter of the Speak John stallion John Alden, who is also the dam of Trams, second in the restricted Maryland Million Nursery Stakes. New York Hero's tail female line traces back to Breeders' Cup Classic (GI) and multiple graded stakes winner Skywalker in his third dam and Grade III Brown Bess Handicap winner Guinevere. His pedigree is a classic example of a speed-on-stamina cross or nick, and he's inbred to Nasrullah (by Italian champion Nearco), the champion 2-year-old colt in England and the sire of nine horses that were recognized by official voting as champions of their divisions. These included Horses of the Year Nashua and Bold Ruler. Nasrullah led the sire list five times, in 1955, 1956, 1959, 1960, and 1962. New York Hero has proven he can stay nine furlongs and his stamina-oriented female family may be enoiugh to get him to stay the ten furlong distance of the Kentucky Derby.
|
|
|
CDSN » Churchill Downs Simulcast Network » 
Email This Page
