Bettors tabbed Epicenter as the 9-2 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closed Saturday prior to the runnings of the $1 million Blue Grass (GI), $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (GI) and $750,000 Wood Memorial (GII). He doesn't really care about anything. The problem is that this one ran second to Epicenter in the last race. The son of Quality Road made his first appearance at Pimlico just after 8:30 Wednesday morning, galloping about a mile for trainer Tim Yakteen. Trafalgar is an up-and-coming horse who has won two in a row including a race at the distance of the Lecomte at Fair Grounds. Epicenter's owner, Ron Winchell, who has sent Asmussen a number of top runners, including Gun Runner (co-owned with Three Chimneys),has seen first hand Asmussen's determination to win the Derby. With his regular exercise rider Marino Garcia up, Early Voting went out to the track at 8:30 a.m. Featured Tracks Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). He continued to draw away down the stretch to win by 5+14 lengths over Cyberknife, with Zandon in third and Rich Strike fourth. It doesn't bother him if he's here or there. At 7-2 Epicenter is the second-choice on the Derby morning line to Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Zandon (3-1), even though he defeated the son of Upstart by 3 1/4 lengths in the Feb. 19 Risen Star. Breeder: Winchell Farms Trainer: Steve Asmussen Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC Record: 6-4-1-0 Print; Tweet Email. He notes that in following the Derby his whole life, it nearly always seems that the winners' stories sound like "they were meant to be before it happened." In the meantime, exercise rider Danny Ramsey oversaw Creative Minister's first day of training at Pimlico after vanning from Louisville on Tuesday. Creative Minister Feeling Good The last three Preakness winners have gone to post with odds of 11/1, 11/1 and 6/1. ', "It's typical of him. By registering, you indicate that you agree to the Terms Of Service. Further good news was that Le Crete's condylar fracture, which will require surgery, is not expected to end her racing . Breeder: Southern Equine Stables, LLC. The Preakness will be Early Voting's first start away from Aqueduct Racetrack, where he broke his maiden, won the Withers (G3), and finished second by a neck in the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2). The field of four were all stakes winners, with Epicenter going off as the even-money favorite. Given the poor performance of Simplification in Arkansas this weekend, this one is probably a fade. "You look at the third-place Derby finishes by Curlin and Gun Runner and I've had horses that were good enough, they just weren't fast enough on that day or the circumstances didn't allow it," Asmussen said of his Derby drought. Moving way up in class from the maiden ranks to run in the inaugural Gun Runner Stakes, and in his first try around two-turns, Epicenter improved again to a career-best 98 Equibase Speed Figure while cruising to a 6 1/2-length win in ridden out fashion. Epicenter, perhaps his best chance to win his first Kentucky Derby, led from gate to wire in a dominant, 2 3/4-length triumph in the Grade 2, $400,000Risen Star Stakes. The New York prep circuit has been most terrible in the Kentucky Derby, but this year there are some sneaky signals that this could be the year for these runners. [18], Epicenter was given a layoff, then returned to racing on July 30 in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. "This year's Oaks and Derby are extremely exciting in terms of how strong the races look and how well all of the horses are doing going into them. Epicenter did all the dirty work that day, carving out fast early fractions of :23 2/5 and :47, setting the table for Call Me Midnight's late run. Owner: Vivian E. Rall Armagnac, owned by SF Racing and partners, last ran May 8, winning an allowance optional claiming race at Santa Anita Park. He held second in the Louisiana Derby, 2 1/2 lengths behind victorious Epicenter after setting . He pressed the early pace while racing two-wide, then moved to the lead at the top of the stretch and won handily by 6+12 lengths. Blue Kentucky finished third in the Sugar Bowl Stakes near the end of December and he too is trying two turns for the first time. ", Photo: Anne M. EberhardtHappy Jack settles in at Pimlico. ), Morning Line Odds: 6/5Bet Now at FanDuel Racing. Second in that race was Messier, also trained by Yakteen. He broke slowly so jockey Joel Rosario moved him to the inside where he rated in third place. He's come here a bunch of other times. That's the great thing about horses like that, the consistency of them.". And the tote board doesn't mean a. Third in the UAE Derby this one is the least enticing as he closed into a fast pace and still could get into the exacta. As for the Derby, Asmussen has come close. Since the race was worth 50-20-10-5 points to the top four finishers, Epicenter probably is qualified for the Kentucky Derby, a goal that owner Ron Winchell had in mind from the day he paid $260,000 to buy the Not This Time colt as a yearling. [19], The Travers Stakes on August 27 attracted a very strong field, including the top three finishers in the Kentucky Derby (Rich Strike, Epicenter and Zandon), Preakness winner Early Voting and Cyberknife, who had won the Haskell in his last start. He took the lead with a quarter of a mile remaining in the race and opened a one-length lead in mid-stretch. Congratulations to the winner.". He settled in fourth-place behind Cyberknife, who set moderate fractions for the first three-quarters of a mile. I was all in on this runner in the Arkansas Derby. That's not to say Asmussen hasn't enjoyed plenty of spring success. Check out the #TwinSpiresReplay ?? Epicenter is a 4 year old colt that was born in 2019 and retired -> race from 2021 to 2022. Some will point to an injury that was reported after the last race as the reason this one didnt have its best, but maybe the answer is that hes just not a grade 1 dirt router. "Happy Jack, Fenwick Settle In Purse: $200,000. [7], Epicenter made his final start of the year on December 26 in the newly-created Gun Runner Stakes, an early prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby over 1+116 miles at Fair Grounds Race Course in Louisiana. In the Preakness, trainer Doug O'Neill will put the blinkers back on Happy Jack. Photo: Rick SamuelsEpicenter gallops at Churchill Downs. "He bounced out of the Derby with relative ease and made the ship fine. He finished second by three-quarters of a length to one of the biggest upset winners in the history of the Derby. The euphoria of victory in a big race stifled by an injury to a stablemate on the undercard. He was sired by Violence out of the Blame mare Queen Caroline. [13] "He took a little dirt today and he didn't mind it," said Rosario. If you guys want to go, we can go.' The way he did it today, the mile and a quarter (of the Derby) shouldn't be a problem. New players, bet $5, win $100 on the Preakness and get Win Bet Insurance if your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd. Epicenter (6-5) POST NUMBER: No. The list does not take into account whether or not the horses have been declared off the Derby trail. But I think getting the wins (record) has made me reflect and look back and just realize how blessed I am; and to have my family involved in it. We will see what happens. "The only way I can explain it is, it just wasn't meant to be," Blasi said, adding of the torrid pace that included the first-quarter mile in a Derby-record :21.78, "I don't think anybody saw those fractions coming the first three-quarters of a mile of the race. No thank you. 8 JOCKEY: Joel Rosario / TRAINER: Steven M. Asmussen RECORD: 7 starts: 4-2-0 TOP EQUIBASE SPEED FIGURE: 105 . The Curlin colt is coming off an 11th-place finish in the April 9 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland for Villa Rosa Farm and Harlo Stable. If you like Crown Pride, this one also has to at least be on your radar. One Mile and One Sixteenth If ever there was a Derby Fever horse this might be the one. 2009-2019 numberFire, Inc. Certain headlines thanks to Rotoworld. [5], Epicenter made his first start on September 18, 2021, in a maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs over seven furlongs. Compared with Asmussen's previous Derby horses that went on to earn Horse of the Year honors, Epicenter's preparation is closer to Gun Runner's than Curlin's. Early Voting (102) Epicenter (100) Creative Minister (98) Epicenter (100) Creative Minister (98) 1:54.54: 5/7/22: 4th (98) CD 1 1/4M: Dirt-Fast: 2022 Kentucky . Saturday, January 22, 2022 Post Time 7:20 PM E.T. Rivera said the Calumet homebred will hit the Pimlico track Thursdayat about 6:30 a.m. To get the full benefits of numberFire, please sign up. He's hoping this might be the year that story finds a chapter that includes him. "He ran that incredible race in the allowance, and Kenny said, 'This horse has as much talent as my other stakes horses. If you like Morello, this one finished just behind him in the Gotham. He is a good shipper. "Hats off to him. Meanwhile, Early Voting tracked the early pace set by Armagnac and moved to the lead entering the stretch, pulling well clear with an eighth of a mile remaining. He will enter the Kentucky Derby with four wins from six starts and boasts purse earnings of $1,010,639. Asmussen would love to help make Verne Winchell's prediction come true Saturday evening at Churchill but he's also appreciative of what he's accomplished as well as his racing family. I dont want my eggs in the basket of a horse that needs to come from out of it to win. Also settling in at Pimlico Wednesday was Fenwick, a 50-1 shot on the Preakness morning line. "I'm good at getting here. Win contenders, in preference/probability order: She is talented and will be a deserving favorite in the Oaks, but not good enough to win the Derby. They won the Kentucky Derby. Despite sitting wide, the colt who I had shown some support for, did little to make me think this one can even hit the board in the Derby. Epicenter held off Pappacap but was caught at the wire by Call Me Midnight, losing by a head. Can the Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath take on the boys and prevail like Swiss Skydiver did in 2020? It seems like he can be special. Epicenter (164) Epicenter rolls to victory. Smile Happy, the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner who was the individual favorite in last weekends pari-mutuel Kentucky Derby Future Wager, spent most of the race four or five lengths off the lead. Pappacap began his career last spring and summer in sensational fashion, breaking his maiden easily by almost three lengths then winning the Best Pal Stake by nearly five lengths. "He traveled well. There are no re-dos. He then shifted back out and came again. Happy Jack finished 14th in the Run for the Roses, his fourth straight loss since breaking his maiden Jan. 22 at Santa Anita Park. Trafalgar took two months off and ran in an allowance race at Fair Grounds on Dec. 2, instead of a stakes race as Epicenter did. Jos Ortiz had him picking off rivals going five wide in the second turn, but he flattened late and was caught by Smile Happy. This one was rolling at the end of the 2 year old season capping it off with a win at the Breeders Cup. Trainer Steve Asmussen has come so close to Kentucky Derby (G1) glory that he briefly has experienced the feeling of winning the race. Even with Corniche rolling all alone on the front end, Pappacap stayed as close as he could and held second at 13 to 1 odds. Horses from Japan have proven that they deserve to be in on the conversation. Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by jockey Joel Rosario, Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter was installed as the prohibitive 6-5 program choice in the Preakness field of nine runners. Follow all of the races in the month-long lead up to the Kentucky Derby with the Betting News free handicapping tools. He hopes this is the year he finds out what it's like to enter the Derby winner's circle. Image courtesy of Blood Horse. I walked him 35, close to 40 minutes. In the lane Charge it responded like a shot to urging, but wandered right up the tail of White Abarrio while closing. He had worn them in three of his first four starts before O'Neill took them off for the Derby. "We absolutely love the horse," Blasi said. ", Photo: Anika MiskarArmagnac gallops at Pimlico. All Rights Reserved. I knew he was a talented horse. . Epicenter was also the favorite in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) off impressive victories in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2). He was comfortable doing it. It is hard to see this runner making enough progress to get the job done even if he makes the gate at the Kentucky Derby. "We thought that about him all along, right from the beginning," Winchell said. He went to the early lead and set sensible fractions. We thought that about him all along, right from the beginning, Winchell said. You want these horses to progress, and he definitely took a step in the right direction.. Equibase Company is the Official Supplier of Racing Information and Statistics to America's Best Racing, Breeders' Cup, Daily Racing Form, NTRA, The Jockey Club, TRA, TVG and XpressBet. This one could easily be the favorite especially when you consider he has thousands of casual owners via MyRaceHorse. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. As a consistent, fast, and pace-versatile horse who has already won at 1 3/16 miles, hes the deserving favorite in the Preakness. He posted a career-high 105 Equibase Speed Figure and his second-best Beyer (100) number. Included in the travel party was Sabas Rivera, a barn foreman for trainer Doug O'Neill. Horse Profile for Epicenter | Equibase is Your Official Source for Thoroughbred Racing Information Horse Profile Home Stats Central Horse Profile (Thoroughbred) Epicenter (KY) TB, B, C, foaled January 29, 2019 ( Not This Time - Silent Candy, by Candy Ride (ARG) ) Connections as of Current Entry: Jockey: N/A Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen He was away cleanly and thought he was very comfortable and attending close enough to the pace, and just ran a very dominating performance against a very good group. This girl ran a respectable Arkansas Derby against the colts. That's why his training and his works since have been faster and stronger.". Post-time favorite Smile Happy (2-1) made a late charge to finish second. This one just barely cracked the top 3 of the Louisiana Derby. Of the horses out of the Rebel it is probably the one that I would like best. Trainer: Michael Merryman The problem I have is that the Kentucky Derby has been a front runners game largely since the introduction of the points system. He went to the early lead, setting fast opening fractions of 22.37 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 45.72 for the half. "He was off the pace today and inside of horses. Epicenter has been the most consistent and classy horse down the Road to the Kentucky Derby. She will likely be the favorite in that race and I dont expect her to even consider the Derby. In the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby, players would be wise to follow the narrative on this runner to decide if hes continuing the progression. In the Lecomte, Epicenter established an easy lead on fairly brisk fractions but Call Me Midnight rallied from eighth of nine early and 12 lengths back, to get up by a head on the wire, earning a . Who knows what all the reasons are, whether they didn't run their best race that day or they were never good enough. The three horses were transferred to the former assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert while that conditioner serves a regulatory suspension for the post-race betamethasone positive of Medina Spirit in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Assmussen holds the unfortunate distinction of most Derby runners without a victory. I really like that this one is already at Churchill and getting familiar with the surroundings and the track surface. [24] On November 6, Asmussen confirmed that Epicenter would be retired from racing, adding that the surgery was successful and the prognosis for him to stand at stud was good.[25]. If you don't learn to turn the page in this game, you're going to have a lot of sleepless nights. Gulfstream Park As has been the Midnight Lute colt's custom in recent starts, he lagged behind early Saturdayracing eighth of as Gun Runner Stakes winner Epicenter shot to the lead in the 1 1/16-mile race with. ", Photo: Anne M. EberhardtRon Winchell after Echo Zulu's 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies win. In the Belmont, Curlin lost by a head to filly Rags to Riches. And he did", said Asmussen. It is a wait and see for me on this one, but I lean pass. His current speed figure is among the top in the three year old crop. "I thought she won the Fair Grounds Oaks on natural ability and class," said Asmussen, adding that he's been pleased with her works and wants her razor sharp for Friday. "He's moved forward from the Wood. ET, following the renovation break. She will be monitored through the night, and we will update (Sunday).. Like Justify, Curlin didn't race at 2 and entered the Derby undefeated with just three starts under his belt, including wins in the Rebel Stakes (G3) and Arkansas Derby (G2) at Oaklawn Park. Regulated in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, NJ, NY, ON, PA, TN, VA, WA, WY, If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling, and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800 GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (USA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN only), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ only), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA only) or 1-800-522-4700 (CO Only), Top Speed Figure: 97 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 102 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 109 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 100 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 99 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 104 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 96 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 91 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 106 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 94 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 103 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 90 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 93 Equibase Speed Figure. ', "But now that he's been gone so long, that thought pops in my mind.". Consigned by Bettersworth Westwind Farms. The colt currently has 0 Kentucky Derby points but was transferred out of the Bob Baffert barn. He set fairly quick times as the pace setter in the UAE Derby and just didnt have the sustaining power to get the job done late. This horse is tricky. I was really happy with him coming home," Hernandez said. With Rosario riding him for the third time, he set honest fractions of 23.79, 47.97, 1:12.25 and 1:36.58 on the way to a winning time of 1:49.03 for the 1 1/8 miles of the fast main track. Historically these types of horses have a high probability to win. "Because it's the Kentucky Derby; it's attaining something that you haven't," Asmussen said of his drive for the Roses. University of Louisville Equine Industry Program - Get a Career in Horse Racing! "We were able to drop him down in competition and just get him set up with a field that would be sort of a confidence booster for him," Yakteen said. If so, hes a major threat. Also, horses that exited the Kentucky Derby that finished in the top half of the field own a sizable. "He's traveling really well. He was trained by Steven Asmussen and retired -> race for Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, and was bred in Kentucky, United States by Westwind Farms. To get the full benefits of numberFire, please log in. Knowing that many will press for the lead in the Kentucky Derby, I feel this one is going to fade off late and be no factor. Using TVG projections and Horse Racing Nation (HRN) as a guide, here are the horse profiles for the second leg of Americas Triple Crown. Epicenter. Even if she had won the race there was a strong possibility she was going to the Oaks instead. "We've just been seeing how he's progressing," said co-owner Greg Back. Clunked in the Arkansas Derby after an upset in the Rebel. Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen Through it all the connections have been talking about shipping this one to Europe to run on turf. If she were to get in here though she would be a great bet against because she would take a ton of narrative money. The Kentucky Derby prep races are wrapping up. This is one that you definitely want to win. Find everything you need to know about horse racing at Equibase.com. Weather info Powered by Dark Sky. Proprietary to and 2023 Equibase Company LLC. But when you start running a 108, you can compete with anybody. Also getting a feel for the Maryland track for the first time Wednesday were Early Voting, Armagnac, and Creative Minister. Curlin would continue to reach racing's heights. Simplification horse rating and status. Both of those horses, eventual two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, would finish third in the Kentucky Derby. This one is a hard pass. The lone win came at 6 furlongs in the Zia Park Derby. Saturdays Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes showcases nine recently turned 3-year-olds and is the first of a local three-race prep series at the Fair Grounds on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Happy Jack, another Preakness entrant, was third, a neck in front of Armagnac. He swung five-wide moving into the stretch and moved steadily to the lead to win by 1+12 lengths over Zandon, with Early Voting finishing in fourth. If this runner was a legitimate contender, the Arkansas Derby would have been his for the taking. "[14], Epicenter went off as the 4-1 favorite in a very deep field for the 2022 Kentucky Derby. He also finished second as the favorite in both the 2022 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Her next pre-Oaks start has yet to be determined, whereas Epicenter will return for the Louisiana Derby. Weather info Powered by Dark Sky. He was sired by Not This Time out of the Candy Ride mare Silent Candy. Keeneland This horse was included in that mix. After losing to Street Sense in the Derby, Curlin put it all together in an amazing stretch run in the Preakness to edge that rival. The Risen Star was the most legitimate field he faced and he was a far cry from winning that race finishing 6th. The Oaks field is so deep that 2021 NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Echo Zulu enters with five wins in as many startsby more than 22 combined lengthsand yet she is the third-choice on the morning line at 4-1 behind Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) winner Nest (5-2) and undefeated Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Kathleen O. Epicenter responded to the challenge from Zandon but could not match Rich Strike's closing kick. Breeder: Vivian E. Rall. Before he gets to Saturday, Asmussen will have a chance at his third Oaks win with undefeated champion juvenile filly Echo Zulu, a daughter of Gun Runner campaigned by L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds. Epicenter does meet some key trends and respected metrics in horse racing when determining a contender or winner of the Kentucky Derby. Depending on how some of these horses progress, they could be seen in the Risen Star Stakes . Epicenter closed steadily, first on the inside and then to the outside as Early Voting shifted towards the rail. "I walked him this morning because he was feeling so good. ET. His best Beyer speed figure is tops in the field at 102,. The odds may reflect a season debut in which Echo Zulu experienced the first close race of her career, holding off Kentucky Oaks rival Hidden Connection by a nose in the Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) March 26. He was squeezed back at the break and settled near the back of the pack. The number in parenthesis after the horses name is the total number of Derby points earned to this point. NBA Betting Guide for Wednesday 3/1/23: Will the Knicks Keep Winning? Brown and Klaravich owner Seth Klarman opted to skip the Kentucky Derby to focus on the Preakness, which they won in 2017 with Cloud Computing using the same script. Depending on how some of these horses progress, they could be seen in the Risen Star Stakes four weeks from now on Feb. 19, and then hopefully in the Louisiana Derby on March 26. I'm unbelievably excited to be doing this well with this much on the line.". Forte is a 3 year old colt and has raced in 2022. "He's extremely talented. Epicenter enters with four wins in six starts with half those efforts at 2 and half at 3. Ron's Winchell's father, Verne, who passed away in 2002, predicted his son would reach Churchill's most hallowed ground. Five weeks later in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, once again Pappacap faced Corniche and while that one rolled wire-to-wire on top as the heavy favorite, Pappacap finished second of 11 in a fine effort, earning a career-best 95 figure in the process. He continued to draw away and won easily by 2+12 lengths over Zozos. I gallop him at Churchill, and he's jumping around and feeling good. And he's won the Derby's sister race, the Kentucky Oaks (G1), with Summerly in 2005 and Untapable in 2014. That runner was awful at Oaklawn against the East Coast contingent. His horses have failed to achieve the same success on other circuits. There's one Derby a year. La Crte is comfortable and weight bearing, a Tweet from owner Stonestreet Stables said Saturday night. O'Neill said he is scheduled to fly to Baltimore from California Wednesday night and will be at the barn some time Thursday afternoon. Tawny Port (24-1), Slow Down Andy (7-1), Trafalgar (24-1), second choice Pappacap (7-2), Bodock (63-1) and Russian Tank (149-1) finished fifth through 10th in that order. FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Helper: Wednesday 3/1/23, Covering the Spread: Men's College Basketball Regression Candidates, 3 Daily Fantasy NHL Stacks for Wednesday 3/1/23, College Basketball Betting Guide: Wednesday 3/1/23, 3 NBA Player Prop Bets to Target on Wednesday 3/1/23, 3 NBA FanDuel Studs to Target on Wednesday 3/1/23, NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 3/1/23, PGA Betting Guide for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, 3 NBA FanDuel Value Plays to Target on Wednesday 3/1/23, Horse Racing Best Bets for Wednesday 3/1/23, Horse Racing Best Bets for Tuesday 2/28/23, Horse Racing Best Bets for Saturday 2/25/23, Horse Racing Best Bets for Friday 2/24/23. The Derby was the first race for the colt outside of California. On December 4, 2022, Coolmore Stud announced that Epicenter would stand at their Ashford Stud for 2023 at a fee of $45,000.[27]. He got the time off," Hernandez said. "We've come here eight times together. We're not smart enough to give up.". [2] Winchell and Asmussen had previously combined forces with champions Untapable and Gun Runner.