Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on May 1, 2016 15:05:29 GMT -5
TARGET: TRIPLE CROWN
CONTENDERS: INCOGNITO (GREAT REVENGE)
It should come as no surprise that the Breeders Cup Juvenile winner has had his eyes set firmly on the Crown ever since his victory. Well, SOPS has had the Triple Crown in mind for the colt since the day of his conception. Nero had simply lived up to the expectations. Incognito has done everything expected of him and more along the trail to the race. He has been campaigned lightly to prep for the series but has still taken home wins in the Wood Memorial Stakes and the Lecomte Stakes, two Triple Crown prep races. The Lecomte was last out, demonstrating Incognito's sharp form and readiness for the series. We are beyond excited to finally hit the Kentucky Derby and race hard against the competition we will face.
A late edition to SOPS, Great Revenge also deserves note. He was one of Nero's rivals last season. He won seven of his thirteen starts and would have won more if not for the difficulties Star Thoroughbreds faced in maintaining their operation. He missed the Breeders Cup, but has now been conditioning with SOPS for the past two weeks. He will start back in April Week Four. It is unlikely that Rev will hit any of the earlier legs of the Triple Crown, but SOPS may consider sending him to the Belmont Stakes - or the alternate race at Battlestone Downs - should the colt return to form quickly.
TARGET: TRIPLE TIARA
CONTENDERS: ADRASTEIA, ANIMATIA
Adrasteia proved herself a solid filly during her juvenile season. She was not out-of-this-world good, but overwhelmingly solid. And now, Taia has blossomed into a filly worth nothing. Most recently, she won the Kentucky Oaks, one of the final Triple Tiara prep races, just last week. She has also placed second in the Ruffian Handicap the start before, indicating her sharp form and readiness to compete. She will hit all three legs of the Triple Tiara, barring a lack of injury or other outside forces. The hard-knocking chestnut filly will be seeking to solidify a name for herself throughout the series.
The chestnut may also be joined by Animatia. This gray filly took almost the entirety of her juvenile season off, never starting until November, in order to allow her time to mature. And mature she has! Animatia has won three races, two of them Horse Of The Year races. She has consistently impressed us with her performance. Just last week, Animatia made her first start against Triple Tiara company in the Silverbulletday Stakes. She placed third, absolutely impressive considering the experience all others in the field had on her. She is only continuing to improve as time goes on. Depending on the fields, Animatia may start against her stablemate in all three legs, or just one. What is known for certain is that she will hit the Mother Goose Stakes, leg number two of the series. Starts in the Acorn and the Coaching Club American Oaks are still uncertain.
TARGET: TURF TRIPLE CROWN
CONTENDER: ALTERCATION
Both of our contenders for the Turf Triple Crown are as of yet uncertain. Altercation will be the second son of Worldbreaker trying for the Turf Triple Crown if Intrepid Racing's latest media release is any indication. Al is a horse that has improved a lot this season. Whereas last season he tended to avoid the top of the class and even skipped the Breeders Cup, this season he has been entered in increasingly competitive races - and performing well. The colt began the season with a win in the Phoenix Stakes at Battlestone. He chased two preps in February, not finding his hooves until March and April rolled around. This month, he posted a win in the Lacis Stakes and a second in the Blue Man Derby. He will not enter the Kentucky Open, opting for a final prep in the Baffled Stakes at Battlestone instead. If ready, he will enter the Preakness Champion Stakes; if not, he will take on the Plenimar at Battlestone the following week. The end-game is for this colt to hit the Belmont Turf Classic ready to roll. We have full confidence Altercation will show up and do extremely well when he finally enters the series.
TARGET: TURF TRIPLE TIARA
CONTENDER: CYCLONARIA
Cy is perhaps the best horse we have ever sent to contend in the Turf Triple Tiara. The second place finisher in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf has blossomed into a filly of monstrous proportions this season. Cy has won half her starts this season, placing in the rest. These wins include two Turf Triple Tiara preps - the Coronation Stakes and Princess Cup - and one Turf Triple Crown prep in the Silk Road Stakes. The Silk Road Stakes was perhaps her crowning achievement, as she proved herself the equal of both World Dominion and Notorious - the two top Turf Triple Crown contenders at this time - and defeated them for the victory. That was her final race before the Debutante Stakes. Cy rides a two-win streak into the series and is incredibly sharp and deadly. We are beyond excited to see how this filly does.
TARGET: CANADIAN TRIPLE CROWN
CONTENDER: MELUSINE
The daughter of Sillenia is as tough as her dam. She has been putting in consistent performances over both surfaces throughout the season and is expected to be our top contender for the Canadian Triple Crown. She is maturing steadily and improving with every start. In order to more fully prep her, she may be entered in a leg of the Turf Triple Crown for conditioning purposes. If all goes according to plan, Melusine will step into the gate June Week Four for the Queen's Plate and will prove herself just as much of a queen as her dam.
