March 20, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Keep Those Options Open
Let’s try this again…
In last week’s edition of WOT, we wrote about undefeated colt John Hancock’s prospects of remaining perfect in the $500,000 Virginia Derby. But, as we all know, plans change.
The Brad Cox charge will instead shoot for the top spot in a contest with double the prize, the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2).
Billed as the main event on Fair Grounds’ dynamic Saturday card, the 1 3/16-mile affair features a deep list of nine foes for John Hancock to fend off.
Early signals from oddsmakers suggest the Flavien Prat mount has a solid chance of staying perfect through three starts in what will be his toughest challenge to date.
John Hancock enters the Louisiana Derby as the slight 7-2 favorite.
Remember this Guy?
The undercard, if you will, on Fair Grounds’ Saturday feature is the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2).
Like the main event, the 1 1/8-mile Classic sports a field of 10 hopefuls. The difference, however, is that the opening line favorite is in a class of his own.
Sierra Leone, a three-time graded stakes winner who most recently made waves by claiming the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at 6-1, opens as the clear 7-5 choice in his first start since the momentous occasion.
Tailing the acclaimed Chad Brown trainee is 4-1 second choice Hall of Fame, who if not for Sierra Leone’s presence, may very well have paced the opening line after winning three straight, including the Mineshaft (G3) last time out.
Three’s Company
A three-headed monster appears to be forming atop Saturday’s $500,000 Essex (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
Composed of Kinetic (8-5), Maycocks Bay (2-1), and Tarantino (3-1), who is dual-entered in the New Orleans Classic (G2), the top-tier trio each has their sights set on their first graded trophy.
Kinetic is the least experienced of the bunch with six starts to his name (4-1-0) but is coming off a triumphant effort in the General MacArthur Stakes.
Maycocks Bay is yet to win a stakes at any level, but has graded experience with consecutive starts in the Grade 3 Louisiana (fourth) and Mineshaft (third).
Finally, we have Tarantino, a 7-year-old gelding with 27 starts to his name (4-7-5). Despite a 0-for-12 record at the stakes rank, Tarantino has found the money in three straight graded tilts (Grade 2 Native Diver, Laffit Pincay, and San Pasqual).
Perhaps the trifecta box comes out to play…
On the Menu
California Burrito and the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) just feels the perfect pairing.
Of course, the 3-year-old colt must execute if he plans on taking the $777,777 dash at Santa Anita on Saturday but passing the name test is a good start.
Squaring off against 11 contemporaries, California Burrito would be wise to draw on his most recent outing as inspiration.
On Feb. 22, the Irving Moncada mount led gate-to-wire to capture the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at 7-2.
Call it fate or coincidence, but California Burrito once again finds himself listed at 7-2 ahead of his graded stakes debut.
Rising Up
Six-time graded stakes winner Gold Phoenix (IRE) is set to rise from the ashes (metaphorically) and draw into this Saturday’s $100,000 San Luis Rey (G3) following a five-month hiatus.
With 23 starts and nearly $1.8 million under his belt, there isn’t much left for the sensational Phil D’Amato charge to accomplish. That said, another strong showing at Santa Anita seems like a fitting way to announce his return.
Gold Phoenix (IRE) holds a 3-3-2 line across 14 starts at the Arcadia, California raceway, headlined by a win in last April’s Charles Whittingham (G2).
Stepping into the San Luis Rey at 7-5, Gold Phoenix has the inside track on graded stakes number seven.