Evil Empire Stables Locks up Second Derby Entry in Cal Derby!
California Derby — Derby Lock Prep
Grade I
A mile and one eighth on the Fast Dirt Course
$750,000
All Horses, 3 years old
Stakes record – 2003 – NORTHERN SLEW, 1:47 3/5, SPF 110.564
It looks like it may be an embarrassment of riches for Lenny and the Evil Empire Stables as his wonderful colt FOLSOM BLUES locked up a spot in the Bluegrass Derby with his win this weekend in the CALIFORNIA DERBY Lock Race. That makes it two for two in the lock races that I have written up as TRADING JACK won for the same stables in the ALL SAINTS DERBY Lock Race so Lenny will be a busy man that Derby week. Both of these young colts look to be real contenders in the race as they both royally trashed the competition in their respective races.
FOLSOM BLUES , also like TRADING JACK came in rather lightly raced but as I predicted in my preview, most definitely had enough experience to take down all of his contenders easily in the stretch. This was only his fifth race but he now owns two Stakes wins including this Graded and another close second in a GI. He was not intimidated at all by the others in the race and when he was nearly sixteen lengths back at the half, it appeared that jockey Mecklenburg may have dropped back a bit too far. At that point he easily nudged the horse and he took off like a rocket. He was still tenth at the top of the second turn but ran past everyone in the stretch like they were standing still. He ran a 106.10 SPF which was his best to date and was a slight improvement over his last race. He is looking consistent and still improving and should be a force to be reckoned with in the Derby.
In the race, BADRINATH jumped out to a slight lead over BRAVE BIRDIE. Neither of these colts could hold up to the pace after the half. SHETAN and URBAN STORM CAT finished strong to finish second and third but it was basically an afterthought in this race.
Most folks would kill to get a spot in the Bluedgrass and now Lenny has at least two entries locked up. Both look to be quite special and he has to be really excited about the prospects of of contending for the Derby Crown. I for one will be watching and admiring these colts as they make the run for the roses. I can’t wait!
Good luck to all runners!
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