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While most trainers are bringing their Derby contenders along slowly in January, one trainer may have found himself a Derby starter on New Year’s Day. Michael Matz trainee BARBARO started off the new year with a bang with a strong turf victory in the mile and one-eighth Tropical Park Derby (G3) at Calder Race Course. While once considered only for the turf, BARBARO has earned the chance to show if he can handle dirt as well.
There were only three other graded stakes for three-year-olds in January. LAWYER RON won the mile and a sixteenth Risen Star (G3) at Louisiana Downs by over 8 lengths for trainer Robert Holtus. BROTHER DEREK held off Breeder’s Cup Juvenile hero STEVIE WONDERBOY to win the San Rafael (G2) at Santa Anita at a mile and CAUSE TO BELIEVE won the mile and a sixteenth El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Bay Meadows over a game OBJECTIVE, winner of the Hill Rise Stakes earlier in the month at Santa Anita.
The best performance of the month may have been in the ungraded Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct. ACHILLES OF TROY covered the one mile and 70 yards in 1:39 3/5 and marked himself the one to watch in New York this spring.
Two trainers had multiple stakes winners this month. Bob Baffert trainees won the San Miguel Stakes (TOO MUCH BLING) and Sunshine Millions Dash (DA STOOPS) at Santa Anita. Since both races were at six furlongs, the winners may not be Kentucky Derby material. Steve Asmussen also saddled two stakes winners with CATONIGHT winning the Sugar Bowl Stakes at Louisiana Downs and DOCTOR DECHERD winning the Aventura Stakes at Gulfstream.
Only one jockey had multiple stakes winners: Garrett Gomez aboard OBJECTIVE in the Hill Rise and TOO MUCH BLING in the San Miguel, both at Santa Anita.
--- Thoroughbred Report Triple Crown Trail Awards - January 2006 ---
HORSE OF THE MONTH: ACHILLES OF TROY
TRAINER OF THE MONTH: Bob Baffert
JOCKEY OF THE MONTH: Garrett Gomez
Posted by Greg Brandow at February 12, 2006 11:07 PM