Mr. Fantasy To Skip Preakness

After much speculation the speedy Mr. Fantasy will skip the Preakness. Following Mr. Fantasy has shown me how well McLaughlin and West Point operate their barn. They have managed Mr. Fantasy very well. There are many bullets to dodge with a colt like this and they have dodged them all so far. The first bullet was avoiding triple crown fever. They have taken their time, have picked spots that work and have managed Mr. Fantasy's high strung nature. This is a colt who has a tenancy to act up in the paddock, rather than exacerbate the problem shipping to a big race with a big crowd they have worked with and around these issues. Typically taking the safe route may result in dull results but these guys have maximized Mr. Fantasy's talent while minimizing his issues. They have a three year old with a real shot of taking down the Grade I Met Mile. If they are successful and I believe they will be they have a real shot at three year old colt of the year.

Mr. Fantasy Sharp In The Withers

Mr. Fantasy did his late brother proud by winning his first graded stakes in the Withers. My associate in the paddock reported that Mr. Fantasy was a perfect gentleman in the Aqueduct paddock. This improved behavior translated into a nice score and rebound after his Gotham hysterics and fade. The suggestion to point to the Withers worked out well.

Moving forward Terry Finley has expressed that there are two options on the table for the colt, the Preakness or the Met Mile. Time wise and behavior wise the Met Mile makes more sense for three reasons. For one this high strung colt could react poorly to shipping, the prestigious Met Mile is right at home. The Preakness paddock is sure to be a wild scene where a high strung colt like Mr. Fantasy could be set off. The second advantage is the distance as Mr. Fantasy is building a resume at 1 mile but is still a question at 9.5 furlongs. The third factor is the competition, while the Met Mile will surely draw a strong field, the three year old colts this year have been exceptional, Mr. Fantasy may have an easier time of it in the Met Mile while enjoying a significant weight break. I look forward to seeing Mr. Fantasy on Memorial day.

Mr. Fantasy Off Derby Trail

Does Terry Finley read Power Cap? The horse who reacted adversely to the crowd at the Gotham is off the derby trail. He will be spotted much more judiciously in The Withers. With his talent he has a chance to win many New York bred races like his brother Tin Cup Chalice. Shipping may be an issue but if he likes a good road trip those summer races like the WV Derby feature huge purses and moderate competition. Mr. Fantasy's summer fantasy may involve standing in the winner circle of B level tracks like Mountaineer, Philly Park or Hoosier. The lucrative New York Bred triple could be his for the taking. Taking this colt off the derby trail was a sharp call. The derby is not everything and Finley recognizes this. The man in charge of West Point is a smooth operator.

Gotham Recap

Was at the Gotham Stakes and it was a glorious day. After months of bone chilling cold it warmed into the 60's. The crowd was rather large compared to previous runnings of the Gotham, it seems like the Gotham has become a mini-event. For almost the whole entire winter it has been cold and the track has played like a deep dry beach. Now that the thaw is in full effect, the track superintendent was able to liberally water the track. This water created a speed bias that dominated the results of the days races. The record shows that eight of ten race were won by horses on the lead.

The biggest indicator of the bias was the win by Sassification. This filly has had so many better opportunities to win races and has failed so miserably in the past. For her to go wire to wire at 49-1 versus a sprint field confirmed the massive bias. Immediatly proceeding her race the track was watered tightening it up even more. This track was the equivilent of a conveyor belt for a need the lead speed horse like Sassification.

Mr. Fantasy really acted up before the Gotham. The crowd in the paddock was tremendous, if a fire official was on hand he would have called for a head count. Mr. Fantasy was fractious, anxious and lathered up. This is no way for a speed horse to act before a graded stakes race. He lost this race in the paddock. If this colt could settle down he could run better next out. He requires a paddock check for all future races. The connections should get off the Derby trail with this one, there is no way he could handle that commotion and go 10 furlongs. Try the Bay Shore/Withers combo short term and move forward from there.

The winner I want Revenge was clearly impressive. Mullins was on hand and the horse looked sharp. My impression is that Mullins is a extraordinary trainer that works hard and has all ducks in a row. The colt stepped off the plane and opened up on a highly regarded field, winning for fun. On paper he looked like a stalker but he outgamed many speed horses at their own game and not one horse made up ground on him in the lane. I am going to think long and hard before wagering against this horse in the Wood Memorial.

The horse to watch is the place finisher. Imperial Council rated at the back of the pack while on the stretchout. I always discount closers stretching out from sprints to a route, the added distance almost always dulls the late move. Instead of dulling the late move, Imperial Council almost passed the entire field in the lane on a track where few could make up ground, especially in route races. There was not one closing move on the entire day in a route race that could come anything close to what Imperial Council did. This horse has room for improvement and Shug is taking his time. Could be peaking right around the first Saturday in May.