The Oaklawn stewards got it right when they did not alter the first two placings in which Hoppertunity outfought Tapiture for a narrow, hard earned win.
The Rebel performances by both horses were highly creditable, each proving that he rates among the elite three year olds of 2014. Tapiture, highly rated in most polls going in, lost the photo but little of his stature.
In the race, Strong Mandate, the eventual fourth place finisher who figured to show more speed than he did in the Southwest, did so. Ride On Curlin, who had the worst of the Southwest wide trips, was committed to the pace after breaking sharply from an inside post.
While those two tested each other up front in cat-and-mouse style, Hoppertunity was sitting in perfect stalking position outside. His trip turned out to be the difference in the final result.
Meanwhile, sitting inside and near the fence, Ricardo Santana Jr., was loaded, waiting for time and opportunity to strike with Tapiture. That chance never came, so Santana made his own opportunity, coming out from behind horses trying to find running room.
What he did was understandable, but bumping a rival out of the way is not allowed. If you're in a jackpot, you're supposed to await a seam to open. But Tapiture got through and began his surge,
Hoppertunity proved a half-length the better horse. Strong Mandate was still hanging in between rivals, trying to re-rally as Hoppertunity continued to grind his way down the center of the wet-fast strip. It was a very dramatic finish, but one that left a bit of a sour taste.
First, one can only suppose what would have happened under dry conditions. That's the trouble with wet tracks; the results come with excuses built in.There was all that bumping going on but the first two finishers did prove they could handle a head to head fight.
What was hard to believe was that not only did Ride On Curlin not hold his ground, coming out to bump Strong Mandate, but under continued left-hand whipping by Kent Desormeaux, started a chain reaction that put Tapiture in very tight quarters, who by this time had secured room to run, but Hoppertunity was bothered, too, albeit to a lesser degree since he was outside.
Not taking punitive action against the first two finishers was the right thing to do. It was rough, but both horses had their chance to win and Hoppertunity was better on the day.
But I don’t understand how Ride On Curlin was not placed behind Strong Mandate.
Trying zealously to win is understandable. But horses are supposed to maintain a straight course. If they don’t, it’s on the rider to help the horse to do so.
Desormeaux never stopped whipping and driving while his mount continued to bear out; it was textbook careless riding.
The victory by Hoppertunity earned him 50 Derby qualifying points, punching his card to the big dance and giving trainer Bob Baffert a record fourth Rebel victory.
The win also strengthened Intense Holiday’s status, since he beat Hoppertunity at the Fair Grounds, and Cairo Prince’s, for defeating Intense Holiday at Gulfstream Park.
Resultantly, there were many shakeups in the Power 10. Honor Code dropped several slots with his second place finish in his season’s debut Wednesday, and Hoppertunity jumped from relative obscurity squarely into the middle of the Derby picture.
Suddenly Southern California-based sophomores occupy three of the top five slots—this week, anyway--and there were two dead heats among HRI’s top 11 Derby candidates..
Sitting on the sidelines had its usual effect, rewarding some while seldom diminishing the status of others. It’s how sports polls usually work: Nothing ventured, something gained.
HRI KENTUCKY DERBY POWER 10, Week 4:
1. Cairo Prince (36)
2. California Chrome (26)
3. Candy Boy (24)
4-tie Hoppertunity (19)
4-tie Intense Holiday (19)
6. Tapiture (18)
7. Samraat (12)
8. Honor Code (10)
9. Wildcat Red (9)
10-tie General A Rod (8)
10-tie Strong Mandate (8)
17 Mar 2014 at 08:02 pm | #
“It was rough, but both horses had their chance to win”
This is exactly right. Racing stewards need to leave results alone and not just in “horsemens races” in “bettors races” too.
17 Mar 2014 at 10:06 pm | #
As stated, thought they made the right call re first two finishers.
But still believe Ride On Curlin should have been DQ’d and placed behind Strong Mandate.
18 Mar 2014 at 07:09 am | #
Don’t agree that we should replace whips with billy clubs to be used against opposing jockeys. Jockeys should expend all their energy to control their animals in a straight line, rather than attempting to hinder other horses. Easier done than said. Simply strictly enforce the rules and lay down the law and provide help to those with a Napoleanic complex.
Agree with you JP; but have repented of my KD bashing (have moved on to other targets), so further, your affiant sayeth naught.
TTT
18 Mar 2014 at 07:19 am | #
Know some will find it odd, but Strong Mandate’s race did little to dissuade me of his potential as a Derby contender. D. Wayne is a cagey guy; perhaps he did not have him fully primed. Looks to me like a horse who can go all day, and well into the night.
TTT
18 Mar 2014 at 12:06 pm | #
I know Strong Mandate’s breeding screams distance but his performance Saturday didn’t reinforce that. Cigar’s breeding screamed turf.
Even before the pinballing started, Strong Mandate appeared to have a case of the weary staggers in spite of a very comfortable trip.
Also he galloped in the Hopeful on a track a lot more off than Oaklawn was Saturday, so the surface is no excuse. If anything, it should have moved him up.
I’m not tossing him yet but anything less than a win in the Arkansas Derby, barring a bad trip, and he’s off my list.
18 Mar 2014 at 12:26 pm | #
John,
Totally agree with your assessment of the Rebel. This from someone who backed Ride On Curlin.
Santana and Desormeaux should both be fined for their poor rides, even though there were no dq’s.
When was the last time a California-bred and a NY-bred were in anybody’s top ten? And the other NY-bred Uncle Sigh is right there with Samraat.
Is Honor Code staying at GP for training?
I sure would love to see him workout one morning.
Do you have any idea what his schedule might be?
18 Mar 2014 at 01:41 pm | #
Denny, will try to find out about HC’s work schedule, no promises on that, however.
In the interests of fairness and consistency, you make a good point that I never considered. What about Santana’s trying to bump Smith out of his way. He was obligated to await room or somehow take back and go around, But the young rider panicked, understandably, given the circumstances.
Off the top, how about Strong Mandate in the Preakness futures? (Trick question).
18 Mar 2014 at 03:02 pm | #
Denny,
I thought I read that Honor Code worked today and is (surprise!) definitely pointed toward the Wood.
18 Mar 2014 at 05:12 pm | #
Thanks Tom
20 Mar 2014 at 08:20 am | #
Bored on Thursday morning:
1-Hoppertunity
2-Strong Mandate
3-Outstrip
4-Rise Up
5-Tapiture
6-Cairo Prince
7-Intense Holiday
Would bet though the winner will come from elsewhere.
TTT