Derby Dreaming - Ami's Flatter | Retama Ruffian

| Derby Dreaming is a blog series in which I review the pedigree and capabilities of the horses who have, as of the day posted, a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. |

Ami’s Flatter

Flatter - Galloping Ami, Ivan Dalos, 20 Points

Ami’s Flatter is yet to win a graded stakes, coming fourth in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (1 1/16 mile) and second in the Tampa Bay Derby (1 1/16 mile). His sire, Flatter, did nothing spectacular other than coming third in the grade two Washington Park Handicap (1 3/16 mile). Flatter sired Flat Out, who came third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (1 ¼ mile). He came third and won two editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (1 ¼ mile). Flatter’s sire is the Hall of Fame A.P. Indy. A.P. Indy won the Santa Anita Derby (1 ⅛ mile), Peter Pan Stakes (1 ⅛ mile), Belmont Stakes (1 ½ mile) and the Breeders’ Cup Classic (1 ¼ mile).

Galloping Ami, Ami’s Flatter dam, never started. Victory Gallop, Ami’s Flatter’s damsire, came second in the Kentucky Derby (1 ¼ mile) and the Preakness Stakes (1 3/16 mile). He won the Belmont Stakes (1 ½ mile), Stephan Foster Handicap (1 ⅛ mile) and the Whitney Handicap (1 ⅛ mile). He also came third in the Dubai World Cup. Galloping Ami’s dam, Secret Ami, was a black-type stakes placer. She was a dirt sprinter who stretched out to 1 1/16 mile.

Ami’s Flatter is capible of getting the distance that the Kentucky Derby demands. The only sprinter is his pedigree may come in handy for homestretch battles. Ami’s Flatter looks good on paper but hasn’t really proved himself in the races.

Ami's Flatter's Pedigree (Courtesy of Equineline)

Derby Dreaming - American Pharoah | Retama Ruffian

Derby Dreaming is a blog series in which I review the pedigree and capabilities of the horses who have, as of the day posted, a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.

American Pharoah

Pioneerof the Nile - Littleprincessemma, Zayat Stables, 60 Points

American Pharoah finished fifth in his first start, a maiden special weight. The next month the bay colt won the  grade one Del Mar Futurity (7 furlongs). He repeated the win, proving he wasn’t a fluke, in the grade one FrontRunner Stakes (1 1/16 miles) and the grade two Rebel Stakes (1 1/16 mile). American Pharoah won the 2014 Eclipse Award Champion Two-Year Old Colt.

His sire, Pioneerof the Nile, can get the distance of the Kentucky Derby, coming second in the race himself. Before his second in the Derby, the stallion won the CashCall Futurity (1 1/16 mile), Robert B. Lewis (1 1/16 mile), San Felipe Stakes (1 1/16 mile) and the Santa Anita Derby (1 ⅛ mile). In the Kentucky Derby, Pioneerof the Nile lost to Mine That Bird after a bumped start and racing three-wide. The dark bay stallion finished eleventh in the Preakness, losing yet again to Mine That Bird and the future Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra. American Pharoah’s grandsire, Empire Maker, is yet another reassurance to American Pharoah’s ability to get the Kentucky Derby’s distance. Empire Maker came third in the Remsen Stakes (1 ⅛ mile) and second in the Sham Stakes (1 ⅛ mile), Kentucky Derby (1 ¼ mile) and the Jim Dandy Stakes (1 ⅛ mile). The fifteen year old stallion in the Florida Derby (1 ⅛ mile), Wood Memorial Stakes (1 ⅛ mile) and the Belmont Stakes (1 ½ mile).

Littleprincessemma never won in either of her two starts. Her sire, Yankee Gentleman, was a sprinter. He won the Pirate’s Bounty Handicap (6 furlongs). He came fourth in the grade two Riva Ridge Breeders’ Cup Stakes (7 furlongs) and the grade one Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap (6 furlongs). Yankee Gentleman came fifth in the grade two Dwyer Stakes (1 1/16 mile) and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (6 furlongs). The granddam of American Pharoah won the five furlong Florida Thoroughbred Charities Stakes.

American Pharoah’s distance capabilities come from the male side of his pedigree. His speed comes from his dam side. If the colt stays healthy and continues with his workouts and racing form, American Pharoah will continue to be a force to be reckoned with on the Derby Trail.

American Pharoah's Pedigree (Courtesy of Equineline)

Gotham Stakes 2015 Picks | Retama Ruffian

Gotham Stakes

Grade III, Aqueduct, 1 1/16 M (Dirt), Post Time: 4:50 PM EST

While El Kabeir has had three massive runs recently, all that’s good must come to an end. I’m not saying that the grey is going to crash-and-burn but I don’t think he’ll run higher than fourth. His last win, the Jerome Stakes, came at a mile and seventy yards. He finished with a one-and-three-fourths length victory over Nasa. The second place finisher was listed as “no match”. The Gotham is a whole 1/16 of a mile longer. His first and only time at this distance was a second place finish. Keep in mind though, he lost to a horse who lost his foot and stumbled at the start. With a good break, El Kabeir will have a run for his money.

El Kabeir

Combat Diver came second in the Miracle Wood Stakes at one mile. After tossing it around a moment, Combat Diver scratched from my list but may be kept as a dark horse. Unless Dontbetwithbruno is a miracle horse, you might as well toss him too. The recent maiden winner, Lieutenant Colonel has great breeding but a not-so-stellar record. Another maiden winner, Tiz Shea D. Toasting Master won’t be a threath. Still a maiden, forget Uninfluenced. Blame Jim is the last I’ll toss.

Tencedur may not have much BUT he did run fourth in the Wither Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. He came behind Classy Class, El Kabeir and Far From Over. His workout on February 21st placed him first out of ninety nine at Aqueduct going four furlongs in :48.05. He may be one to look out for later on the Derby trail.

Classy Class, and I am announcing this for the first time, is one my Derby Dark Horses. Yes, he isn’t a true “dark” horse but I’ve been following him since after his maiden so I believe in him 100%. The Discreetly Mine colt came fourth in the 1 ⅛ mile Remsen Stakes and third  in the 1 1/16 mile Withers Stakes. Classy Class is my pick for the Gotham Stakes.

Classy Class

Contenders

El Kabeir

Classy Class

Tencedur

Pretenders

Combat Diver

Dontbetwithbruno

Lieutenant Colonel

Tiz  Shea D

Toasting Master

Uninfluenced

Blame Jim