Derby News

New York (March 8, 2007) - He's won three of his last four starts, the only defeat an inexplicable seventh-place finish behind Nobiz Like Shobiz in the Remsen Stakes more than three months ago.
Two victories later, Summer Doldrums is the 3-year-old to beat in Saturday's $200,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, one of several weekend Kentucky Derby preps.
Summer Doldrum's 5 1/4-length win in the Whirlaway Stakes on February 10 was all trainer Rick Violette needed to see to convince him a second Derby shot awaits.
Three years ago, Violette sent out Fountain of Youth winner Read the Footnotes to a disappointing seventh-place finish in the Derby.
That was then.
``The Kentucky Derby is a rite of spring," Violette said this week. ``Everybody wants to be there, but it's great to feel you're going to be effective in the race."
In the time it takes to cover 1 1-16 miles around two turns over Aqueduct's Inner Track, Violette will have a better idea where Summer Doldrums stacks up. And if he handles the race, the Wood Memorial on April 7 likely would be a final prep before the Derby.
A field of nine 3-year-olds was entered for the Gotham, including, of course, a horse trained by Todd Pletcher, Cowtown Cat. Kiaran McLaughlin, who trains 2006 Horse of the Year Invasor and Belmont Stakes winner Jazil, will send out Wafi City. McLaughlin's Like Now was the upset winner of last year's Gotham.
Summer Doldrums, with Mike Luzzi aboard, drew the No. 3 post, with Cowtown Cat, with Ramon Dominguez up, leaving from the rail.
In the Remsen, Summer Doldrums was beaten nearly 20 lengths, but sure made progress in going 2-for-2 this year.
Summer Doldrums, a son of Street Cry, is owned by Seth Klarman and Jeff Ravich's Klaravich Stables.
``Aside from the Remsen, he's got a nice string of races and it's getting to be where he's a natural fit around two turns," Violette said. "He's so adaptable. He can stalk the pace or be on the lead, whatever the rider wants."
Violette is hoping there will be enough early speed to allow Summer Doldrums to track the leaders. He's also worried about the bounce factor after such a convincing win in the Whirlaway.
``I hope he doesn't bounce too far," Violette said. "I've been careful training him since his last race. He was a little tired for a couple of days, but that's normal."
Summer Doldrums went five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 in a March 1 workout under Luzzi, who is looking for his first Derby mount.
``He felt real good," said Luzzi. "He's not a very big horse, but he feels big when he breezes. He's very push-button and he seemed to have a lot of energy."
Added Violette: `` If anything, I've under-trained. We've had one real breeze and a couple of two-minute licks. I don't think we need to do too much and if anything, I just didn't want to go over the top with him, so you know, we're kind of limited in what we have and you know, he's supposed to bounce like a super ball but hopefully, we can, you know, bounce a little bit and still get the (jump)."
Cowtown Cat, owned by WinStar Farm and Gulf Coast Farms, comes into the race off an entry-level allowance win and a third-place finish as the 3-2 favorite in the Swale.
``We felt after the last race that he was a little one-paced," said Pletcher. "He was rushed a bit down the backside and never got to settle. After the race, (jockey John Velazquez) came back and said, ‘It looks like he wants to stretch out.'"
Cowtown Cat is a $1.5 million son of Distorted Humor, sire of 2003 Derby winner Funny Cide.
The field, from the rail out: Cowtown Cat, Mint Slewlep, Summer Doldrums, Sir Whimsey, Believeinmenow, Wollaston Bay, How Sweet He Is, Longley and Wafi City.

 - by Jenny Kellner 

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