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Handicap Division – Road to the BC Classic - Dirt Routes for older males
BRASS HAT and HIGH LIMIT both won their second graded stakes of the year in as many months. We have got to get these two crazy kids together!
BRASS HAT won the mile and one-eighth Donn Handicap (G1) over a sloppy Gulfstream Park course. HIGH LIMIT won the mile and one-eighth Strub Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita.
SPELLBINDER won the mile and one-eighth San Antonio (G2), also at Santa Anita.
Once a contender for last year's Kentucky Derby, ROCKPORT HARBOR won the mile and a sixteenth Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park, his first start in nine months. Another runner from last year's Triple Crown Trail, and the fifth place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, BUZZARDS BAY won the mile and one-eighth All American Handicap (G3) at Golden Gate Fields.
Handicap Division – Road to the BC Distaff - Dirt Routes for older females
Originally scheduled for the turf, the mile and one-eighth Suwannee River Handicap (G3) was won by EYES ON EDDY over a sloppy Gulfstream Park course.
At Santa Anita, STAR PARADE (ARG) won the mile and a sixteenth Santa Maria Handicap (G1) and SEAFREE won the mile and one-eighth La Canada Stakes (G2).
Back at Gulfstream Park, TAITTINGER ROSE won the mile and one-eighth Sabin Handicap (G2).
Handicap Division – Road to the BC Sprint – Dirt Sprints for older males
UNIVERSAL FORM won the six and one-half furlong Deputy Minister Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
At Santa Anita, SURF CAT closed well to defeat a strong field in the seven furlong San Carlos Handicap (G2).
Handicap Division – Road to the BC Sprint – Dirt Sprints for older females
Winner of last month's six furlong First Lady Handicap (G2), SMOKEY GLACKEN returns to win the six and one-half furlong Hurricane Bertie Handicap (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
At Santa Anita, the six furlong Las Flores Handicap (G3) was won by yet another repeat graded stakes winner, BEHAVING BADLY, who also won last month's SANTA MONICA (G1).
Handicap Division – Road to the BC Mile/Turf – Turf Routes for older males
Longshot GULCH APPROVAL wired the field in the one mile Appleton Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
The Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) was won by three-and-a-half-year-old EINSTEIN (BRZ) in front running style. The win may have been aided by the positioning of the inside rail on Gulfstream's turf course. Dick Powell's Handicapping Insights column discusses how the Gulfstream Park turf course is really several turf courses in one. When the inner rail is set at zero feet, as it was for this race, the course becomes very similar to Saratoga's Inner Turf course, where front runners do very well. When the inner rail is set further out, 60', 72' or even 84', then the course becomes more like Saratoga's main Mellon Turf course, where closers have a better chance of getting up in time. GULCH APPROVAL's win earlier this month was also won in front running style, but the rail was set at 48' - a fairly neutral position where no particular running style dominates. Be sure to read Powell's interesting article to learn more about this.
At Santa Anita, the mile and one-half San Luis Obispo Handicap (G2) was won by ATLANDO (IRE).
Handicap Division – Road to the BC Mile/F&M Turf – Turf Routes for older females
Yet another repeat graded stakes winner, SILVER CUP (IRE) won the one mile Buena Vista Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita.
The Suwanne River Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream Park was moved off the turf.
Three-year-olds – Road to the Kentucky Derby
Three-year-olds fillies – Road to the Kentucky Oaks
Two graded stakes for fillies were run over a sloppy Gulfstream Park on February 4th. The Davona Dale Stakes (G2), run at a mile and one-eighth, was won by Pletcher/Velazquez runner WAIT A WHILE. The six and half furlong OLD HAT STAKES (G3) was won MISTY ROSETTE. At Santa Anita, BALANCE won the one mile Las Virgenes Stakes (G1) over a fast track.
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Four trainers won two graded stakes races apiece in February: Todd Pletcher, Bobby Frankel, Bob Baffert and Darrell Vienna.
As for the jockeys, Victor Espinoza won three graded stakes (aboard BALANCE, SILVER CUP (IRE), and BEHAVING BADLY) for three different trainers (Hofmans, Biancone and Baffert). Also winning three graded stakes was Martin Pedroza. Four other jocks won two graded stakes apiece in February: John Velazquez, Edgar Prado, Patrick Valenzuela and Raphael Bejarano.
--- Thoroughbred Report Graded Stakes Awards - February 2006 ---
HORSE OF THE MONTH: HIGH LIMIT
TRAINER OF THE MONTH: Darrell Vienna
JOCKEY OF THE MONTH: Victor Espinoza
Posted by Greg Brandow at February 27, 2006 04:00 AM