Beyond The Crown – July 19

The performance of the week was turned in by Paddy O’Prado in the Grade 2 Virginia Derby. The Kentucky Derby show finisher has clearly relished a return to turf racing. He followed up a facile tally in the Colonial Turf Cup with another smashing performance over former top ten member Interactif on Saturday.

My friend Dee Leftwich wrote an article about the Virginia Derby on Horse Racing Illustrated, and he also took the picture below.

Colonial Turf Cup place finisher Workin For Hops is another talented turfer coming off wins in the Arlington Classic and American Derby. He goes for a sweep of the Mid-Atlantic Triple in the Secretariat.

Skipshot shocked overwhelming favorite Sidney’s Candy in the Grade 2 Swaps. The disappointing runner-up was caught on the line in his first start since finishing up the track in the Kentucky Derby.

A few sophomores have gone to the sidelines recently including Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer and Mission Impazible.

I will continue following the current crop of three-year-olds through the Breeders’ Cup in my Beyond The Crown series. I will begin my 2011 Derby list in late summer/early fall.

Horse Racing Nation has a Facebook page, and we also built pages for some of the Triple Crown series contenders. Click on the provided links below to view the aforementioned pages.

1. Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) – The 2yo champ reaffirmed his position as the leader of the 3yo pack with a determined win in the Preakness. The Baffert runner had a small training setback recently but is back on target for the Aug 1 Haskell.

2. Fly Down (Mineshaft) – Impressive G2 Dwyer Stakes hero followed that effort with a solid place finish in the Belmont Stakes. The July 31 Jim Dandy might be next.

3. Trappe Shot (Tapit) – Passed his first two turn test with flying colors in the Long Branch Stakes. He will get the acid test in the Haskell.

4. Paddy O’Prado (El Prado) – Big wins in the Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup and Virginia Derby.

5. Blind Luck (Pollard’s Vision) – Got back on the beam with a late-running win in the July 10 Delaware Oaks (G3). The Aug 21 Alabama (G1) is next on her dance card.

6. Super Saver (Maria’s Mon) – Derby hero has been training forwardly for his Haskell return. Facebook.

7. Afleet Express (Afleet Alex) – Pegasus (G3) hero goes next in the Jim Dandy.

8. Devil May Care (Malibu Moon) – The June 26 Mother Goose (G1) winner has her sights set on the July 24 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at the Spa.

9. Sidney’s Candy (Candy Ride) – Got caught on the line by Skipshot in Swaps return. He could be fitter for his next engagement. Facebook Page.

10. Concord Point (Tapit) – The Iowa Derby was his coming out party. The Baffert trainee could show up in the Haskell