";s:4:"text";s:11556:"[16][17], After the race, Asmussen said he could not believe Epicenter had lost after he took the lead in the stretch. This one seems to just be the precocious type as he really hasnt progressed in his three year old season. Her next pre-Oaks start has yet to be determined, whereas Epicenter will return for the Louisiana Derby. "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. That may not be everything as speed hasnt really held at Oaklawn, but this one feels like a cut below the runners that will end up in the gate. Klaravich Stables' Early Voting, the 7-2 choice on the Preakness morning line, made his first visit to the track at Pimlico Wednesday morning, a day after shipping in from trainer Chad Brown's stable at Belmont Park. Rivera said the Calumet homebred will hit the Pimlico track Thursdayat about 6:30 a.m. Unified Report is unbeaten in three races but gets a test on two levels here as his wins in the Louisiana Legacy Stakes and Louisiana Juvenile Stakes were against Louisiana-breds and were sprint races; he will be tackling two-turns for the first time in the Lecomte.
Gulfstream Park In the Preakness, trainer Doug O'Neill will put the blinkers back on Happy Jack. 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. If ever there was a Derby Fever horse this might be the one. He is a good shipper. He is trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. He was comfortable doing it. McPeek, who won the COVID-delayed 2020 Preakness with the filly Swiss Skydiver over Kentucky Derby winner and eventual Horse of the Year Authentic, is scheduled to be at Pimlico Thursday morning. To be able to win this race for the Winchell family is very special. 2009-2019 numberFire, Inc. Certain headlines thanks to Rotoworld. That's why his training and his works since have been faster and stronger.". Horse profile for Kentucky Derby contender Epicenter. Even if she had won the race there was a strong possibility she was going to the Oaks instead. This one couldnt beat Classic Causeway who didnt exactly flatter the Tampa Bay runners on Saturday. Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen had it happen Saturday at Fair Grounds. He had worn them in three of his first four starts before O'Neill took them off for the Derby. The Kentucky Derby prep races are wrapping up. This one was behind Un Ojo which isnt great, but if you like Barber Road, this one finished ahead of him. This horse is tricky. Ron's Winchell's father, Verne, who passed away in 2002, predicted his son would reach Churchill's most hallowed ground. This horse was included in that mix. [5], Epicenter made his first start on September 18, 2021, in a maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs over seven furlongs. Zandon, a debut winner who lost by a nose Dec. 4 in the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct, blew the start going straight up at the break Saturday. This runner finished second in the Fountain of Youth. While this horse seems to be coming along nicely, the likelihood that he can make that kind of jump in a short time just seems like a reach. "I think we accomplished that. [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]. "He galloped a mile and a quarter. This progressive colt has run faster with each start, with Equibase Speed Ratings of 82, 90, and 94. "I got 23 different feelings on the Derby that I very vividly remember. This one is a major toss for me in the Derby. We're not smart enough to give up.". I thought this horse would be written off due to the low speed figure earned in the last race. He was sired by Not This Time, a graded stakes winner who finished second in the 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile before his career has cut short by injury. Breeder: Vivian E. Rall. He was trained by Steven Asmussen and retired -> race for Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, and was bred in Kentucky, United States by Westwind Farms. Winchell Thoroughbreds'Epicenter, the 6-5 morning-line favorite for the May 21Preakness Stakes (G1), jogged a mile around Pimlico Race Course early May 18, his first morning in town after vanning from Louisville. Included in the travel party was Sabas Rivera, a barn foreman for trainer Doug O'Neill. Epicenter , healing from a broken bone he suffered Presumptive horse of the year winner Flightline wa Editors note: This is one in a series of annual e We made it. The rest of the field, with their best Equibase Speed Figures, is Blue Kentucky (94 in sprints), Call Me Midnight (89), Cyberknife (91), Presidential (79), Surfer Dude (92 sprinting) and Unified Report (90 sprinting). In the Belmont, Curlin lost by a head to filly Rags to Riches. It will take something special for the son of Runhappy to turn the tables on Epicenter who he faced in his last race at Fair Grounds. 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. Image courtesy of Blood Horse. 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. Also, horses that exited the Kentucky Derby that finished in the top half of the field own a sizable. The Risen Star was the most legitimate field he faced and he was a far cry from winning that race finishing 6th. Hard pass for me despite the impressive connections. [4], Epicenter was sold at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $260,000 to Winchell Thoroughbreds, owned by Ron Winchell. I knew he was a talented horse. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Weather info Powered by Dark Sky. All Rights Reserved. The problem is that the race didnt come up that fast and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is a beast at Gulfstream Park. I mean, Curlin gave us so much power. Without a ton of early pressure expected on the projected pace-setter Early Voting, Epicenter has the pace advantage and also benefits from the cutback in distance from the Derby. 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. Of the horses out of the Rebel it is probably the one that I would like best. 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. Epicenter ran arguably his best race this year in the Kentucky Derby and finished strong despite other horses fading through fast fractions. [21], It was the first Travers Stakes win for Asmussen and Rosario.
Following the Saudi Cup, I wrote about the rise of Japanese runners. He saved ground around the first turn then shifted out around the final turn as he started to make up ground. We were proud of our horse and how he ran. She will be monitored through the night, and we will update (Sunday).. Trainer: Michael Merryman
Handicappers will point to the huge closing kick this one has showed in the last two races. Epicenter closed steadily, first on the inside and then to the outside as Early Voting shifted towards the rail. 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. Perhaps this is the year he can break through. Other Top Tracks, Equibase Analysis: Epicenter The One To Beat In Lecomte, First Winner For Late Stallion Effinex Comes At Saratoga, Vanzzy Rises To The Occasion In Jersey Derby, Voss: Im Worried About The Lone Racing Veterinarian In The Classroom, Imprimus Earns Breeders Cup Turf Sprint Berth With Hard-Fought Victory At Kentucky Downs, Turfway Holiday Meet In The Mix As Churchill Trainers, Jockeys Make Winter Plans, Jockey Robbie Dunne Appeals 18-Month Bullying Ban. Epicenter had beaten him by 14 lengths in the Gun Runner Stakes over the winter at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. "He ran that incredible race in the allowance, and Kenny said, 'This horse has as much talent as my other stakes horses. Post-time favorite Smile Happy (2-1) made a late charge to finish second. Epicenter will break from post 8 in the Preakness, which Rich Strike is skipping. The trainer who has sent out more winners in North American racing than any conditioner in history has found the Derby a bit elusive; even when he's twice sent out Derby starters that eventually would earn Horse of the Year titles. To get the full benefits of numberFire, please log in. Epicenter improved markedly last November in his second career start when stretching out to a mile (around one turn) for the first time and controlling the tempo from start to finish to beat nine. With Curlin, I just never dreamed he could get beat. "Then "I saw [Rich Strike], and I'm like, 'No! "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 won pretty much every other race. "Happy Jack, Fenwick Settle In "He is taking a little siesta. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer. ', "It's typical of him. 1993 . 2009-2023 numberFire, Inc. Certain headlines thanks to Rotoworld. I think this one is going to be the buzz horse into the Derby. This is another Brad Cox who looks alright on paper. Racing achievements and Top 100 Rankings include North American (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico) Thoroughbred races only. 8 JOCKEY: Joel Rosario / TRAINER: Steven M. Asmussen RECORD: 7 starts: 4-2-0 TOP EQUIBASE SPEED FIGURE: 105 . Photo: Heather JacksonEcho Zulu May 1 at Churchill Downs. In that race he ran into Corniche, who had just galloped in his maiden win and was the prohibitive favorite. If you don't learn to turn the page in this game, you're going to have a lot of sleepless nights. Fern Circle Stables, Back Racing, and Magdalena Racing's allowance optional claiming winner Creative Minister was feeling good Wednesday in his first visit to the track. Proprietary to and 2023 Equibase Company LLC. Here is stable of my top 5 Derby contenders heading into the last month of prep races. And he's won the Derby's sister race, the Kentucky Oaks (G1), with Summerly in 2005 and Untapable in 2014. His horses have failed to achieve the same success on other circuits. Longines Breeders' Cup Classic participant - 2022. I dont want my eggs in the basket of a horse that needs to come from out of it to win. "He was nice and comfortable and you just hope he'll finish the race, which he did. 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. Win contenders, in preference/probability order: If you like Crown Pride, this one also has to at least be on your radar. The diagnosis took the edge off a satisfying climax to the night for Asmussens team. ";s:7:"keyword";s:24:"epicenter horse equibase";s:5:"links";s:161:"David Steiner Obituary,
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