Tomcito Out Of Belmont

Tomcito has been declared out of the Belmont by his connections. According to trainer Dante Zanelli. Zanelli said the son of Street Cry was suffering from a “reaction” but did not specify what caused it. “It’s very depressing,” he said.

Maybe they should find an allowance race for Tomcito so he can get a win over here in the states. Looking at his stride he does not look like the a stakes horse in the US. They need to find an easier spot.

Peter Pan Yields A Great Betting Oppurtunity

The Peter Pan is especially interesting this year. There is a ton of hype on a set of foreign horses. The connections of Casino Drive and are completely overestimating the breding factor trying to win the Belmont off a 2 race career. At the very least Casino drive is sure to need this race. While we know a half sister and half brother of Casino Drive won the Belmont, however the breeding is not going to overcome a complete lack of seasoning or experience. It looks like Casino Drive will be the favorite here off all the hype and has only a small chance to win the race. The second choice is another foreign runner, the horse from Peru Tomcito, who is yet to run a winning race in this country. While we were looking forward to Tomcito coming to New York he has not lived up to the hype. There is the memory of the Florida Derby with him toiling twelve lengths behind the winner unable to make up ground with his legs paddling upstream like a Mississippi river boat. It was not a pretty sight. With the first two choices in the Peter Pan vulnerable horses the whole theme of the Peter Pan should be bet against the foreigners. Value looms in this race.

The legitimate contenders are Golden Spikes, Ready's Echo and Cosmic, all well bred dirt horses from class connections. With the hype horses garnering the majority of attention a fair price will be available on the true contenders, especially in the exotic pools. Golden Spikes chased Recapturetheglory around the track in the paceless Illinois Derby and should be stronger in the lane today after a string of nine furlong races. Ready's Echo had that flashy race up at Saratoga where he closed like a rocket after being left at the gate. Then Echo was able to close off the layoff in the uphill quicksand at Keeneland, he could be something special. Cosmic is bred well and has proven effective at the distance and in form. Box those and use them in the multi-leg exotics for a value infusion.

Big Brown Delivers A Big Statement -Tomcito Says Hola

On paper the Florida Derby looked like the most exciting prep yet for the Kentucky Derby. We had the Big Brown express delivery service, the Peruvian Conquistador, the Majestic Aristocrat and a supporting cast of useful colts. The race lived up to the billing. Big Brown delivered an express package arriving to the wire quickly and unscathed. Brown lived up to the hype that Dutrow and Desormeaux had been spreading all week making those two look like horseracing profits.

If Big Brown and his quarter cracks can make it to the first Saturday in May he will surely be the favorite and a formidable force on the front end. The challenge for Dutrow to keep this Big Brown blaster on edge for five long weeks. So much so soon for this Big Brown but he surely has more of that brilliant form available for delivery. There will be many people counting on him to deliver on derby day after this command performance.

The win capped off a memorable day for Dutrow, perhaps a day like that has only been trumped by Mandella's 2003 Breeders Cup quad win day. Dutrow started off the day annexing the Godolphin Mile with Diamond Stripes, moved on to Benny The Bull's Golden Shaheen, and placed himself front and center by introducing the world to the Kentucky Derby favorite. He even won the night cap at Gulfstream after the Florida Derby. Have to give him credit for one of the great days ever in racing. Dutrow like Big Brown is a polarizing figure and everyone has an strong opinion about the man one way or the other.

Tomcito made his much anticipated American debut and ran a promising race. After being outrun early he persevered for third. It was the kind of race that a horse can move forward from, and it was a positive first time experience. The connections must be pleased and hopeful for future success. If there is some massive pace melt down in the derby or Belmont Tomcito is the kind of runner that is poised to pick up the pieces. He could make an impact if the chips fall his way. He is the kind of horse with a long form cycle, he should improve and run many honest races.

The Florida derby completely changed the Derby picture. All of the internet, media and newspaper Derby lists will have to be amended to make way for Big Brown up top. Big Brown's race was like the delivery of a birthday cake with an surprise exotic dancer bursting out when you least expected it. It was thrilling, exciting and something that got the heart racing. Tomcito's race was like a new Latino neighbor coming by to drop off their flan recipe. Tomcito's race was good, you enjoyed meeting the new neighbor but the exotic dancer and the cake completely rocked your world and made the flan seem quite ordinary in every way. Keep in mind that in the future the flan recipe could prove much more useful than the exotic dancer in the cake.

Weekend Derby Prep Action 29MAR

The Florida Derby is the most serious derby prep so far along the trail. $1 million purse is also the largest and certainly the most interesting prep in what has been a uneventful derby trail. The Favorite is Big Brown who is a polarizing animal. People are wither swooning over him or labeling him as a cheap plug that has beaten nobody of consequence. A horse that has so much sway over the thoughts and actions of people must have substance, I think that he runs huge here, especially since he needs the graded earnings for connections that would love nothing more than to go to Louisville on the First Saturday in May.

The other interesting horse is Tomcito whose exploits have been extensively chronicled on websites like this one and others. For a horse that has earned $54K he has received more than his fair share of hype. After reviewing his fast works I think this cat in bag is going to fire out of the bag quickly and show more speed than expected. I have a growing suspicion that the connections will want him close to the pace to get him used to the faster pace of American racing. Close to the pace will be his undoing, this is a one run closer. He makes his big late run next out but I think the connections want the Florida Derby to be a positive introduction to American racing for Tomcito more than a inauspicious introduction.

Fierce Wind on the rail has won at the distance and track and has four really nice works since the Sam Davis. He has the speed to track the pace and the class to win it. He has a legit claim as a win contender.

Then we have Hey Byrn who has been beating up on allowance foes, over the track and distance he faces a huge class test today could be a poor mans fierce wind as he has a similar running style.

Majestic Warrior despite the stellar pedigree has the shown hints that he might be a closing sprinter, but do you really want to write off this grade I winner so fast? A case could be made here for a massive form reversal. I will let him prove it.

I like that the two top contenders in the race have the far outside post and the far inside post. My friends at the Flushing OTB would say that this race has balanced Feng Shui. With that in mind I wager that both power horses hit the frame. I will play both Fierce Wind and Big Brown.

exacta box 1/12

trifecta 1,12 / ALL / 1,12

Tomcito Watch Part IV

Tomcito is entered in the Grade I Florida Derby at Gulf Stream on Saturday 29MAR. The workout tab looks consistent and he was asked for speed in a big 5 furlong blowout 17MAR. The favorite will be #12 Big Brown who is looking to be the first horse to ever win a 9 furlong race at Gulfstream since they reconfigured the track to 9 furlongs a few years ago. Lots of hype with Big Brown and there are more than a few esteemed handicappers who swoon over Big Brown's two blowout wins. I am looking for an improved effort from the regally bred Majestic Warrior who should be a big price.

Tomcito drew well in post four and we should get a clear view on exactly who Tomcito is. I hope he runs well and adds some much needed intrigue to the triple crown trail. Peruvian Jorge Chavez takes the mount and I hope all of Peru tunes in to see their connections do well.

Tomcito Watch Part III

Tomcito worked out as part of his preparation for the $1 million grade I Florida Derby. He worked handily five furlongs in 58 4/5ths, a bullet move. A promising workout was over the Gulfstream dirt course where he will race. The Florida Derby looms on the 29th of March.

Tomcito watch Part II

Going to keep my eye on the Peruvian classic winner Tomcito. This colt has been working well at Palm Meadows, his last work was 1 mile in 139 4/5ths. He could be the center of an exciting story if he is successful in the states. The connections are pointing towards the Florida Derby and then the triple crown. This $7,500 purchase has group I wins at ten and twelve furlongs on his resume. However group I wins in Peru typically does not translate to American Grade I performer. This colt has plenty to prove. Perhaps if Tomcito classes up he looms as another rags to riches story from South America.

Tomcito emerges on triple crown trail from Peru

Tomcito the Peruvian derby winner has been nominated to the American triple crown. This South American mystery horse is a interesting wrinkle on the derby trail. As a 2YO in Peru Tomcito won Group I races at 10 and 12 furlongs. The big question with Tomcito is class, but if if can answer those questions like Invasor and Candy Ride we may be in for a treat. He is currently working out at Palm Meadows and posted a 100 flat 5F work today. The Peruvian connections are pointing him to the Florida derby with an eye towards the Kentucky with a more certain start in the Belmont Stakes. More from Finley on Tomcito.