Racing Roundtable: Sam F. Davis and the Eclipse Awards

Following a relatively quiet weekend of graded stakes action, TwinSpires.com editors James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson are back with observations on the big races, storylines, and events of the past week.

What did we learn from the Sam F. Davis (G3)?

James Scully: Classic Causeway is a legitimate Kentucky Derby (G1) contender. The Giant's Causeway colt improved upon a pair of stakes placings last fall, withstanding serious pace pressure before winning in hand by a 3 3/4-length margin, and his speed adds to the allure. The Sam F. Davis wasn't the fastest Kentucky Derby prep race, and it's difficult to be enthused about the also-rans, but Classic Causeway registered a solid 99 Brisnet Speed figure while winning with seemingly more in reserve. It's all about moving forward at this time of the year, and Classic Causeway may have more to offer this spring.

Kellie Reilly: Classic Causeway vindicated trainer Brian Lynch's assessment that he has grown "much bigger and stronger as a three-year-old." I doubt that last year's model of Classic Causeway could have coped so effectively with a pace gadfly. After his brilliant debut win at Saratoga, he'd looked like a horse who needed a particular set of circumstances to perform his best. Classic Causeway still ran well when third in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) and second in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), but in the mold of a minor player. The Davis established him as a major player on the Derby trail, no longer a hostage to fortune, but one who can impose his own will. While he'll have tougher foes to shrug off, he appears more prepared to rise to the occasion. Shipsational also raised his profile with a rallying second, fueling hopes that he can become a posthumous addition to the historic legacy of co-breeder Bertram Firestone.

Vance Hanson: Basically that Classic Causeway proved a standout over a field that looks short of serious classic prospects, aside from the winner himself, and he obviously gave the form of the Kentucky Jockey Club yet another boost ahead of Smile Happy's season debut this week in the Risen Star (G2).

 

What else caught your eye on the racing front?

JS: Nest's six-length win in the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. After being all-out to win the Demoiselle (G2) in her juvenile finale, the Curlin filly appeared more push-button in her sophomore opener, offering a sharp turn of foot to win stylishly, and she registered a 113 Brisnet Late Pace rating.

KR: All things being equal, Nest's stakes-record romp in the Suncoast S. would qualify. But fellow Todd Pletcher sophomore Charge It made sure that things were unequal by trouncing a Gulfstream Park maiden Saturday with a gaudy 98 Brisnet Speed rating. The blueblood son of Tapit, and grandson of Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady, was coming off a near-miss on debut. He'd had a demanding trip that day and just got outstayed late by the more experienced Volcanic, who came back to place third in the Sam F. Davis. Better drawn and moving forward in his second start, Charge It won for fun, "by as much as he wants while never out of second gear," as track announcer Pete Aiello summed up. Pletcher said that a Kentucky Derby prep is next.

VH: Not a whole lot considering the paucity of significant racing elsewhere. Given the modest opposition, we didn't learn much more about Nest following the Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs, but she does look like a serious prospect to appreciate most of the longer three-year-old filly fixtures later this year. Even if the Kentucky Oaks (G1) doesn't work out for her, she could be the type to make a big impact at Saratoga this summer in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama (G1).

 

Were you surprised about anything regarding the 2021 Eclipse Awards?

JS: None of the Eclipse Award winners came as a surprise. The made-for-TV format is no fun to watch, making it impossible for many to deliver the proper thanks and acknowledgments in a miniscule time period, and the cringe-worthy factor makes me question the need and expense for a live broadcast. Unless, of course, one enjoys watching recipients being interrupted by a band or having their microphone silenced.

KR: Other than the voter who decided to cast ballots for nonsensical horses by way of misguided protest, my main surprise was the Eclipse division with the closest vote. It was the female sprinter category, where Ce Ce had only a 39-vote margin over Gamine. I expected the tightest finish in the contentious three-year-old male division. Essential Quality compiled a fine resume, but the star-crossed Medina Spirit beat him both times they squared off. Indeed, there wasn't much between the sophomores who slugged it out through the Triple Crown and continued their various rivalries through the summer and fall. That's why I went elsewhere for my top selection – Life Is Good. I thought that the Eclipse electorate would side with Essential Quality, but his 131-84 vote over Medina Spirit was pretty clear-cut. If I had no illusions that Life Is Good could make it close, it was still disappointing that he had only 18 votes.

VH: Like the poor, so-called "rogue" Eclipse Award votes will always be with us. I accept the freedom voters have to select who they want and by the criteria of their choice (as arbitrary and inconsistent from category to category and year to year as that may be). I also understand the occasional desire to voice a protest against choices they may find undesirable for one reason or another. But I do believe the best avenue for the latter is quietly abstaining from certain categories or not submitting a ballot at all. In honoring the sport's year-end champions, the attention should invariably be on the Thoroughbred athletes themselves and not on the whims of individual electors.

 

What are you looking forward to seeing on Risen Star Day?

JS:  Smile Happy. I'm also intrigued by the returns of Slow Down Andy and Zandon in the Risen Star (G2), which drew a fine field of 10. The fantastic undercard includes competitive editions of the Mineshaft (G3) and Rachel Alexandra (G2), but an enormous sense of anticipation surrounds Smile Happy. Unraced since romping in the Kentucky Jockey Club in late November, Smile Happy has been flattered by runner-up Classic Causeway and third-placer White Abarrio, who won the Holy Bull (G3) by open lengths in his next outing. Let's see the progress Smile Happy has made over the last 12 weeks.

KR: Looking forward to so much on the 13-race card that it's awfully tough to narrow down -- the Into Mischief half-sister to Mitole and Hot Rod Charlie (Indigo Miss) debuting in the second race; the three-year-old allowance (eighth race) that could produce Louisiana Derby (G2) candidates; the U.S. debut of Toro Strike (who'll likely need longer than the 5 1/2 furlongs of the Colonel Power S.); a dandy of a Mineshaft pitting the brilliant Olympiad against highly-regarded Miles D and progressive Untreated; the return of lightly-raced Hollywood Derby (G1) near-misser Santin in the Fair Grounds (G3); the Kentucky Oaks (G1) clues in the Rachel Alexandra; and a vintage Risen Star that will test Smile Happy's Kentucky Derby favoritism, as Slow Down Andy tries to play giant killer again.

VH: The Risen Star is obviously a fascinating race on paper and hopefully will provide further clarity about the current Derby pecking order. I'm also interested in seeing how a couple lightly-raced four-year-olds Kellie mentioned -- Miles D in the Mineshaft and Santin in the Fair Grounds -- have developed since last season.