Bwana Bull 2007 Derby Contender?
Russell Baze and Holy Bull Colt Mix It Up for 12 Running to Roses
Affirmed has one; A.P. Indy and Dixieland Band have two apiece; Thunder Gulch has one;Storm Cat another; Tiznow has one; and Holy Bull's got one - Derby run offspring.
Bwana Bull in the Mix
Holy Bull's son, Bwana Bull, got on the graded stakes board at California's Bay Meadows Race Course in San Mateo when he handily won the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. lll) March 10.
Top winning jockey of all-time, Russell Baze, rode Bwana Bull to the victory, asking the colt to kick in with a left-handed whip in the stretch. Holy Bull's son staked his claim to chase the top Kentucky Derby contenders with his first graded stakes win. His $100,000 pay day added some suspense to the Run for the Roses, 2007. Although Bwana Bull is short on graded stakes paychecks, he showed stamina and desire in the 1-1/16 El Camino run, covering the fast track in 1:43.22.
The performance demands attention. Bwana Bull galloped in sixth position before the stretch, but went three wide to catch the leaders under Baze's urging to conclude in a strong response. The son of Holy Bull still has ground to make up to earn a gig in Kentucky, as only the top twenty graded stakes earners get into Churchill Downs.
Bwana Bull's first win of the year came in the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco on January 28. Baze was not along for the ride in that one due to an injury. He regularly rides at Bay Meadows.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is considering running Bwana Bull next in the 1-1/8 mile Santa Anita Derby scheduled for April 7. The colt has aspired to four wins in eight career starts. His racing experience could bode well for him in the remaining weeks before the show of roses.
Owners of the colt, Mark DeDomenico, Dan Jelladian, and George Todaro, paid $140,000 for the Holy Bull offspring. Bwana Bull was bred in Kentucky by John R. Penn out of Shahalo by Halo. Since October of 2006, Bwana Bull has reeled off three wins and a second place finish.
Showdown of Famous Genes Possible
Even if Bwana Bull misses the Derby entry, he could be around to throw a dart into the middle of the Preakness Stakes. His genes are as good as any currently abloom. Mares by the likes of A.P. Indy (2), Dixieland Band (2), Storm Cat, Mr. Prospector, Rahy, and Affirmed have produced sons running in this year's showdown events. In addition, Johannesburg (Scat Daddy), Distorted Humor (Any Given Saturday), Fusaichi Pegasus (Ravel), Thunder Gulch (Circular Quay), and In Excess (Notional), all have direct sons in the top twelve.
The Blood-Horse's Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen
Known for his yearly Derby Dozen, Steve Haskin of The Blood-Horse Magazine still gives Street Sense his top post for the Triple Crown showdown. His dozen picks after this past weekend's races are: No.1 - Street Sense; No.2 - Nobiz Like Shobiz; No.3 - Circular Quay; No.4 - Great Hunter; No.5 - Ravel; No.6 - Any Given Saturday; No.7 - Scat Daddy; No.8 - Liquidity; No.9 - Stormello; No.10 - Notional; No.11 - Adore the Gold; and No.12 - Sam P.
Distorted Humor's boy wins Gotham
Cowtown Cat got his third win in six career starts on March 10 at Aqueduct, New York City, in the graded three stakes chase, the $200,000 Gotham Stakes. With Ramon Dominguez aboard, Cowtown Cat went 1-1/16 miles in 1:44.75, putting away Wafi City by 2-1/2 lengths.
In the victory, Cowtown Cat claimed his first graded stakes earnings to bring his career total to $188,463. Cowtown Cat accomplished a show (third) finish in the Swale Stakes (gr.ll) in his last start, February 3 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida.
Jockey Dominguez praised the colt's bravery in splitting the only available hole between Wafi City and Summer Doldrums to gain the lead and win going away. Cowtown Cat's trainer is Todd Pletcher, who has a plethora of runners soaring into wins this season. The three-time Eclipse award-winning trainer has assistant Seth Benzel handling Cowtown Cat.
The colt out of Tom's Cat, by the ever win-producing Storm Cat, runs for Gulf Coast and WinStar farms.
