Beyond The Crown – June 23

The performance of the week was turned in by Paddy O’Prado in the Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup. The Kentucky Derby show finisher graduated in the Grade 3 Palm Beach over the Gulfstream weeds and clearly enjoyed his turf return. He sat a ground saving tactical trip before switching out and making a decisive winning move under Kent Desormeaux.

Workin For Hops landed the place and speedy Monmouth shipper Two Notch Road finished 3^rd. A few disappointed including Doubles Partner (4^th), Dean’s Kitten (5^th), and Kindergarden Kid (7^th).

Afleet Express stretched out successfully in the Grade 3 Pegasus at Monmouth Park. The Jimmy Jerkens runner has won two straight and will probably take on the big guns in the Haskell.

Afleet Again rallied for the place and Soaring Empire completed the trifecta. Jackson Bend dueled with Schoolyard Dreams and both finished up the track.

Talented NY-bred Friend Or Foe beat decent sorts General Maximus and Ibboyee in the Mike Lee. He is expected to face open company in the July 31 Jim Dandy (G2).

Golden Itiz sat a nice tactical trip and wore down a game Skipshot in the Grade 3 Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park. The waters get deeper against the likes of Sidney’s Candy in the Grade 2 Swaps.

On the Hollywood weeds, Leroy’s Dynameaux edged post time favorite Bogie in the Grade 3 Will Rogers.

Comedero is a beast in sprints and the Arkansas-bred posted another facile tally in the Red Legend at Charles Town. It is time for the fleet son of Posse to face tougher foes and one logical spot is the Aug 28 King’s Bishop at the Spa.

Across the pond, Noble’s Promise finished a respectable 5^th in the June 15 St. James’s Palace at Royal Ascot.

Former top ten member Winslow Homer returns to action in Saturday’s Grade 3 Iowa Derby and a big effort could put him back on the 3-year-old map.

I have recently started a Blog of the Day feature, and today’s blog talks about handle decline and the rise of the racino. Final Turn – Rise of the Racino

I will continue following the current crop of three-year-olds through the Breeders’ Cup in my Beyond The Crown series. Now that the Triple Crown is over I will open up my list to include more fillies, sprinters, turf horses, and late bloomers.

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 sped a half-mile in :47-2/5 at Santa Anita June 20.

2. Fly Down (Mineshaft) – Impressive G2 Dwyer Stakes hero followed that effort with a solid place finish in the Belmont Stakes. Recently worked four furlongs in :49-4/5 over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga.

3. Sidney’s Candy (Candy Ride) – Chased a fast pace and threw in the towel in Kentucky Derby. The multiple Graded synthetic winner recently worked six furlongs (1:11.60) as he continues to prepare for the July 17 Swaps. Facebook Page.

4. Trappe Shot (Tapit) – The McLaughlin runner has coasted in his last three and was especially impressive on the Belmont Stakes undercard. The Long Branch (July 10) at Monmouth is his first route test.

5. Super Saver (Maria’s Mon) – Derby hero has resumed training and recently breezed four furlongs in :50.66 at Belmont Park. Facebook.

6. Paddy O’Prado (El Prado) – Big win in the Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup. The Dale Romans trainee will probably return to Colonial Downs for the Virginia Derby.

7. Ice Box (Pulpit) – He overheated and displaced his palate in the Test of Champions. The Ky Derby runner-up worked 4f in :49 and change at Saratoga June 21. Facebook Page.

8. First Dude (Stephen Got Even) – The Romans trainee was 2^nd in the Preakness and 3^rd in the Belmont. He is one of several pointing to the Travers.

9. Blind Luck (Pollard’s Vision) – The Kentucky Oaks queen got no pace help in Hollywood Oaks. The consistent, late-running Hollendorfer runner might go next in the July 10 Delaware Oaks (G3).

10. Afleet Express (Afleet Alex) – Has shown marked improvement since returning from a Feb-May layoff. He reportedly has his sights set on the Aug 1 Haskell (G1).

Honorable Mention

American Lion:  Illinois Derby hero finished an okay 11^th in Louisville. He drilled a four furlong bullet (:48.40) at Keeneland June 21. Facebook Page.

Devil May Care (Malibu Moon) – I have always liked the Pletcher trainee but thought the Derby was a bit ambitious. She goes next in the June 26 Mother Goose.

D’Funnybone (D’Wildcat) – Seven furlong specialist has the Aug 28 King’s Bishop at Saratoga as his main summer target.

Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor) – Former top ten player won a slow renewal of the Belmont Stakes. The grinding type needs to run faster at shorter distances.

Golden Itiz (Tiznow) – The late blooming Ron Ellis trainee is headed to the July 17 Swaps (G2) following sharp win in the Affirmed Handicap (G3)