Possible Candidates For the 2015 Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown?
As you know, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes make up the Triple Crown of thoroughbred horse racing in the United States. Without a doubt the single hardest achievement in all of horse racing, winning all three of those events immediately places the horse, its owner, jockey and trainer in rare and memorable company. And since it is run by three-year-olds, identifying powerful two-year-olds one season is a great way to pinpoint possible Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Preakness Stakes winners the following year. This past weekend saw some great two-year-old performances, so let's take a look at possible Triple Crown candidates for 2015.
Conquest Tsunami Storms Away From Canadian Colin Stakes Field
Keep Conquest Tsunami on your radar for the big three Triple Crown races in 2015. Bred in Ontario, the Stormy Atlantic colt made this past Saturday's $125,000 Canadian Colin Stakes at Woodbine look like a "man versus boys" contest. With 3 wins in his 3 races run, he has never been tested. Patrick Husbands was in the irons for the 6 3/4 length victory, which Conquest Tsunami led all the way and finished in a trot. Jockey Husbands said that even though he was obviously the best horse in the race, he believes that Conquest Tsunami can win even more easily than he has been.
Competitive Edge – 2015 Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown Candidate?
Todd Pletcher consistently proves his worth as a trainer, and seems to have struck gold once again. Super Saver colt Competitive Edge looks like he had exactly that in a Saturday maiden event at Saratoga. Talented jockey John Velazquez was on top, and appeared to be basically there simply because the rules require each horse has a rider. Competitive Edge made the 6 furlongs run on a quick track in 1:09.89, and it was anything but competitive. He bested his 7 competitors by a ridiculous 10 1/4 lengths for the victory. Pletcher said that from the first breezing he gave the horse, Competitive Edge has "never disappointed." He said that his team was "impressed, but not surprised." Another 2015 Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown candidate to be sure.
Lux is Illuminating in $150,000 Rio Grande Senor Thoroughbred Futurity
Another juvenile worth paying attention to bears the abbreviated moniker Lux. Webster's Dictionary defines lux as a "unit of illumination." In accordance with its name, at Sunday's $150,000 Rio Grande Senor Thoroughbred Futurity at Ruidoso Downs, Lux illuminated the fact that he was the class of the field. Biding his time early, he responded instantly when jockey Ruby Gomez called on him. From just behind the leaders, Lux exploded to win by 7 lengths going away. He easily passed early favorite and leader Roll On Red Raider for the victory. The Quinton's Gold gelding took the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.17 on a quick track.
"Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Classic Update - Baffert Adds Another
The Breeders' Cup Classic ends the thoroughbred horse racing year. Considered by many to be the premier thoroughbred horse racing event annually in the US, the 2014 Breeders' Cup races will pay out a total purse of $5 million. US racing Hall of Fame inductee (2009) trainer Bob Baffert this past weekend said he was excited about his Offlee Wild colt that took Sunday's very competitive $1 million Grade I Haskell Invitational. Winning by 7 1/4 lengths against challengers such as the previously unstoppable Untapable, Wildcat Red and Albano, Bayern dashed through the 1 1/8 mile race in a quick 1:47.82. The event was a Breeders' Cup Classic "Win and You're In" race, meaning that the talented Baffert will be showing another proven winner at this year's season-ending classic held on October 31 & November 1 at Santa Anita Park.
