Dishing the Dirt - Edition #7

BALLYDOYLE

Ballydoyle's Champion Two-Year Old and Epsom Derby winner, City of Troy, will compete again on Saturday in the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park. The last horse to complete the Derby/Coral-Eclipse Double was Golden Horn in 2015. A very difficult feat but the drop in trip should easily put to rest any doubts in the Champion horse.

City of Troy is currently rated as the top three year old horse... IN THE WORLD.

The Coral-Eclipse has been run consecutively since 1886 with the exception of ten editions due to the years of World War I and World War II.

Aiden O'Brien has secured the trophy seven times in this race starting with Giant's Causeway back in 2000 and ending with Paddington from just last year.

There is no doubt he notches that eighth trophy. This year's Breeder's Cup will revolve around Aiden's brigade of extremely well-trained and dominating horses headed by Auguste Rodin and City of Troy. Add to that, Los Angeles, who recently gave O'Brien his 16th trophy in the Irish Derby.

On a side note, as of the writing of this article, Mr. O'Brien is also currently training the highest rated two-year old overseas with yet another famous "artist" named Henri Matisse. Aiden O'Brien is arguably the best trainer in the world of our lifetime. The dedication, discipline and results are unmatched.

POLITICALLYCORRECT

This year's winner of the Bashford Manor Stakes has enjoyed quite a buzz after exiting that race with an emphatic 5 length romp against his opponents. Visuals are one thing but the tale of the tape is another. So far, two scores at 5.5f and 6f and both as slow as can be.

The son of Violence does have some speed backing from his prominent non-chefs, however, even with the wins he doesn't seem all that interested in their input.

Chefs: DP = 3-4-4-1-0 (12) DI = 3.00   CD = 0.75 ANZ = 5.00

Mares: DP = 8-2-7-2-8   Speed = 10   Stamina = 10   Index = 1.00   Triads = 17-11-17

The mares line, when it comes to Kentucky Derby material, leave plenty to be desired as well. Well equipped for certain tracks along the Derby Trail but with the caliber of inbred and displayed speed that he will face in those 9f and under preps will undoubtedly smash his split mares profile.

AUTHENTIC SPIRIT

Two-year old son of Authentic and Brandy (Unbridleds Song) not only has the inbred speed to demolish a horse's final 6f time like Politicallycorrect but he has the stamina to continue and compete in the KY Derby.

Chefs: DP = 3-15-6-0-0 (24) DI = 7.00   CD = 0.88 ANZ = 7.00

Mares: DP = 3-6-8-8-5   Speed = 9   Stamina = 13   Index = 0.77   Triads = 17-22-21

Currently training at Santa Anita and stationed in Bob Baffert's barn, this guy has the typical Into Mischief line numbers that are so successful in those short races, the Breeders Cup Juvenile and also highly favorable as Derby material. Best to save your wager for this type of potential as opposed to one like Politicallycorrect.

JAPAN

Massive efforts in the Kentucky Derby this year from Japan against the top three year olds of the USA. They secured both a third place and a fifth place with Forever Young and T O Password with extremely top notch efforts on our foreign dirt.

T O Password is now in recovery after surgery for bone chips in both of his front knees. He is doing well and on the road to full restoration. Connections hopeful that he will resume his career in 2025. We wish him great health and a speedy recovery.

Forever Young will stay put and train for the Japan's Dirt Classic on October 2 at Ohi Racecourse in preparation for a start in the 2024 Breeder's Cup Classic. A race which is now turning out to be one the biggest editions of the century, hosting massive superstars from across the globe. It may just turn out to be a match race between Yoshito Yahagi and Aiden O'Brien!

THE HASKELL STAKES

Probable contenders for the 56th edition are beginning to take shape. Defending Belmont Champion Dornoch looks to again storm to the front to hound Preakness winner Seize the Grey. This time, both will also have Fierceness to complete the trio if that guy can manage to break well from the gate.

As if that wasn't enough out front, we'll have to turn it into a foursome with Baffert's speedy beast, Parenting, who will no doubt go for that wire to wire win.

But guess who else prefers the front tier as well? Both Hades and Tuscan Sky are also pointed to the race as well. A full field of front runners who may in fact beat the daylights out of each other.

Noticeably missing from the list and who would have arguably seen the best placement of his career is Sierra Leone. Not only built spectacularly for the 9f Haskell Stakes on that track but would have found his best advantage as a rear runner against a more than likely suicidal pace.

Looks like Mindframe, who has severe late energy, may just capitalize by taking over SL's advantaged spot!

IN MEMORY

LONHRO (1998 - 2024)

Winner of 25 Stakes races including the Australian Cup, Chelmsford Stakes twice, and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

TIZWAY (2005 - 2024)

Winner of the 2010 Kelso Handicap and the 2011 Whitney Stakes and Metropolitan Handicap.

WAR CHANT (1997 - 2024)

Winner of the 2000 Breeders Cup Mile at Churchill Downs