Crap Dammit

by mr.zoltanblack | February 4, 2010 at 09:40 am

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It's been just one week since I posted a piece entitled "Rah-Rah Sis-Boom-Ba, the beginning of something special" touting the prospects of Kentucky Derby hopefuls Jackson Bend & Winslow Homer following their head to head clash in the Holy Bull (G3) Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

More specifically I wrote about the potential of this one time clash developing in to something "special", a rivalry.

The type of rivalry that can carry a sport through a tumultuous summer that proceeded a winter of stagnation.

A full 3 months before the Kentucky Derby and all those hopes have been largely tossed aside. Reports out of South Florida this week indicate that Holy Bull (G3) winner Winslow Homer sustained an injury to his left front cannon bone during the January 23rd race and will miss all three triple crown races this summer.

What a shame!

With my Derby hopefuls list half-way to the century mark perhaps I could look at the glass as half full rather then half empty. I mean with so many horses still in contention there is absolutely no reason to believe that another potential rivalry cannot form from the ashes of the hundred or so prep races we will witness between now and May.

The truth, however is a little less optimistic.

With the loss of Derby hopeful.. ..and the only horse thus far able to defeat Jackson Bend, Winslow Homer the potential for this years crop of Derby hopefuls seems to be sadly going the way of last years crop. Last year was one of the weakest three year-old colt crops in the last twenty years and injuries played a major part in weakening the field. Dunkirk 2nd in the Florida Derby (G1), 2nd in the Belmont Stakes (G1), Quality Road 1st in the Florida Derby (G1) and Summer Bird 1st in the Belmont Stakes (G1) being just a few members of last years three year-old crop to have spent time on injured reserve.

Why so glum? Chum

I wrote the piece last week in an attempt to raise a little horse racing awareness and to sooth myself over the loss of another member of this years three year-old crop. Take Control, the regally bred son of legendary colt A.P. Indy out of three time eclipse award winning dam Azeri was sidelined with shin problems and will not compete in this years Triple Crown Series.

So much for soothing the savage soul

After posting the article touting Jackson Bend & Winslow Homer it was announced that Worldly 5th in the Lecomte (G3) would take a month and a half off, all but obliterating the colts Derby chances.

Also European Trainer John Gosden did not nominate Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) winner Pounced, stating that reports his colt was Derby bound were printed in error.

It looks like rain, pouring rain.

Zoltan Black

Piscitelli a MSW winner by Victory Gallop out of a Relaunch mare was also injured in the same race as Winslow Homer, the Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park.

Piscitelli who would have likely been one of my Belmont Stakes selections will be sidelined for at least 90 days with an injury to the colts right hind cannon bone. Trainer Greg D. Sacco confirmed Tuesday that his horse was off the Derby Trail.