Holy Bull Stakes

(Saratoga Sinner wins the Holy Bull)


The Holy Bull Stakes (grade III) at Gulfstream Park was won by Saratoga Sinner (Harlan's Holiday) on Saturday, as propsective Derby contender Beethoven finished a dismal fourth. Bear's Rocket (Lion Heart) finished second after leading thoughout and setting a fast pace. Westside Bernie (Bernstien) was third, The favorite, Danger to Society (Harlan's Holiday) was seventh. Other dissapointments came from Rockland (Smarty Jones) who finished eighth, and Idol Maker (Empire Maker) who finished tenth and last.

In my post about Beethoven, I mentioned that he would need to improve upon his two year old season to be a serious contender for the Derby. He did not show that in this race, and honestly, I'm not surprised. Not to say that this is the end of the line for him. There is still plenty of time.

I was hoping to see much better perfomances out of Rockland (Smarty Jones) and Idol Maker (Empire Maker), because of their lineage. Smarty Jones was the first Derby winner I picked correctly so it's really cool to see his foals hitting the races. And Empire Maker produced two great fillies that were on the Oaks trail last year, (Country Star and Mushka) so he's already proven that he is a good stud.

Also, Barbaro's full brother, Nicanor ran his first race on the Holy Bull undercard. He went off as the second choice, but a stumble out of the gate (he stepped on his hoof and injured himself) ended the race before it really even started. Nicanor finished twelfth. It is a minor injury, and he will be racing again when it heals. Of course the ultimate goal is still the triple crown races for him, but if he doesn't get a good race in him soon, time may run out.

Saratoga Sinner ran a good one on Saturday, and we will be watching for him in the future. Plans for Saratoga Sinner have him headed for the Florida Derby on March 28, and ultimately, the Triple Crown