By Dennis Miller
Saturday marks the first time for multiple Kentucky Derby prep races to run.
There were three races scheduled for the day but the winter storm affecting large parts of the United States has canceled two of three races.
The three scheduled races were are the Southwest (Oaklawn Park/Arkansas), the Holy Bull (Gulfstream/Forida), and the Withers (Aqueduct/New York).
The Holy Bull will certainly be run as scheduled as the race takes place at Gulfstream Park in Miami.
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the cancelation of Saturday’s live racing program at Aqueduct Racetrack due to arctic temperatures and sub-zero wind chill values forecast to impact the New York metropolitan area throughout the day.
Oaklawn Park in Arkansas has also opted to cancel racing for this weekend and the Southwest has been reschedules for Friday, February 6.
Following is a look at the Holy Bull.
Gulfstream Park
The Grade III Holy Bull
(12th race, 2:45 p.m.)
Cannoneer (Brad Cox, Irad Ortiz) is a $2 million horse that appears to have speed to burn. In his debut he was wiring the field until he weakened in the lane and finished third, beaten three lengths. He took almost six months off, then came back against straight maidens and crushed it, winning over seven lengths. I don’t think it’s any secret what his running style will be here.
Nearly (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez) had an inauspicious debut on Oct. 26, running sixth, beaten 13 lengths. Since then it’s been lights out. On Nov. 22 against straight maidens at Gulfstream, he assumed control of the race and drew off to win by over nine lengths. He came back six weeks later on Jan. 2 in a $75,000 optional claimer, survived a hard bump at the start and pulled away to win by over five lengths. A step-up, sure, but he’s done all that’s been asked of him so far.
Bravaro (Saffie Joseph, Tyler Gaffalione) has two starts and two wins, both at Aqueduct. The debut on Sept. 28 came against straight maidens and saw close strong to win by a length. On Oct. 25 he faced state bred in the Sleepy Hollow, running the same type of race, clearing the field by two lengths. It has been a consistent and solid series of works for this one.
Buetane (Bob Baffert, Joel Rosario) has been entered in both the Holy Bull and the Southwest and it is believed he will run at Oaklawn. But if he does go in the Holy Bull, following is a look at the horse.
Buetane is the $1.15 million purchase out of the Baffert barn. Baffert aways keeps a solid group at Oaklawn. Buetane is coming off a second in the Grade II San Vicente on January 10 at Santa Anita as the heavy favorite. You go back to Sept. 1 for the Grade I Hopeful where he was second, beaten eighth lengths by eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Ted Noffey. The maiden debut was impressive where he seized control at the top of the lane and drew off to win by over three at Del Mar against straight maiden competition on August 3. This will be his third different pilot in four races.