Beyond the Crown: Astrology Fizzles in Iowa Derby

Astrology seemed poised for a big second half of 2011 and the consistent son of A.P. Indy was heavily backed in the Iowa Derby. The Preakness show finisher sat a wide stalking trip and came up empty in a Prairie Meadows headscratcher. He is now winless in four starts this year.

Astrology’s loss was Bob Baffert’s gain as his late blooming colt Prayer For Relief (96 BSF) got the job done over Sherriff Cogburn.

Pants On Fire reportedly bled in the Kentucky Derby. He recovered quickly and was training lights out so Kelly Breen opted to run him in Monmouth Park’s Pegasus (94 BSF) on June 18. The early-pressing type was in the hunt throughout and easily held off Concealed Identity in a perfect prep for the Haskell.

Bill Mott’s Raison d’Etat is well-bred colt to keep an eye on. The son of A.P. Indy, out of Juddmonte mare Sightseek, smartly graduated at Belmont on June 18 and earned a fine 95 BSF.

Sway Away got back on the beam in an optional claiming synthetic (Hollywood Park) sprint win on June 19. The King’s Bishop at Saratoga in late August could be a summer goal.

My disappointing Kentucky Derby top Soldat is supposed to go next in the July 16 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs but has no published works since June 6 and drops out of the top ten.

Derby winner and Preakness runner-up Animal Kingdom came out of his troubled Belmont Stakes run with an injured leg and was originally scheduled to return in the fall but is now out for the year.

Speaking of injuries, Florida Derby winner Dialed In is out of action with a knee chip.

To Honor And Serve is back on the worktab. He breezed 3f in :37.06 at Belmont Park on 6-26.

Other recent workers of note: Jaycito – 6f bullet in 1:12.80 at Hollywood on 6-25. Santiva – 4f in :48.40 at Churchill on 6-25.

This week’s marquee race for 3yo’s is the Grade 2 Dwyer from Belmont Park. A big effort from Adios Charlie, Cool Blue Red Hot, Dominus, or Tech Fall could land them in the top ten.

Check out the top ranked Three-Year-Old Males on Horse Racing Nation.

Jarrod Horak’s Top Ten Three-Year-Olds

1. Coil (Point Given) – Bob Baffert’s highly regarded colt stretched out successfully in the Affirmed Handicap (96 BSF) at Hollywood Park on 6-11. He could go next in the July 9 Swaps at Hollywood with the July 31 Haskell a possible target.

2. Pants On Fire (Jump Start) – LA Derby winner bled in the Ky Derby. He returned to smartly capture the Pegasus on 6-18 and is probably headed to the Haskell.

3. Shackleford (Forestry) –Preakness winner ran out of gas in the Belmont Stakes. He is back in the Romans barn after a brief rest at WinStar Farm and his early-pressing speed should serve him well in the Haskell.

4. Stay Thirsty (Bernardini) – Rebounded with a fine place finish in the Belmont Stakes and could get on a roll this summer for Pletcher/Repole. The July 30 Jim Dandy and August 27 Travers at Saratoga are on his radar screen. Breezed 4f in :50.33 at Belmont Park on 6-26.

5. Ruler On Ice (Roman Ruler) – Surprise Belmont Stakes winner received a 100 BSF for his score on Saturday. He returned to the worktab on 6-27, breezing 4f in :49.40 at Monmouth Park.

6. Alternation (Distorted Humor) – Peter Pan hero wisely skipped the Belmont Stakes. He breezed 5f in 1:00.80 at Arlington Park on 6-25 and is expected to show up in the Jim Dandy this summer.

7. Smash (Smart Strike) – Paired-up solid 103 BSF’s in his last two May sprint starts at Hollywood Park. Baffert trainee worked 4f in :47.60 on 6-21 and might try a route of ground next.

8. Raison d’Etat (A.P. Indy) – Bill Mott’s promising colt graduated in style at Belmont Park on June 18. Watch for him at Saratoga this summer.

9. Bold Warrior (Bernardini) – Late blooming Allen Jerkens runner easily captured a 7f optional claimer at Belmont June 29. The promising colt is out of Hollywood Wildcat could make some noise at Saratoga this summer.

10. Astrology (A.P. Indy) - Threw in a rare clunker in the Iowa Derby. The Preakness show finisher clings to the bottom of the list.