The Enchanted Land of Sunland Park drew the fancy for Sundays 85 point Derby prep. Midnight Hawk entered as distance challenged. Chitu was the tote board favorite. Midnight Hawk second choice. With Commissioner the 3rd favorite.
The start was solid for everyone. Garen took the lead on the inside with Chitu breaking clean and electing to stay on the outside part of the track in a clear second place. Midnight Hawk was wide going into the first turn but was clear of the field. Bourbonize established position at the rail.
Garen set the pace of 23 and 1, 46 and 2 for the half, on an uncontested lead. At the half mile pole Chitu moved up to apply some pressure and Garen dropped back by the time they hit the 6 furlongs in 1:09 and 3. No excuse for Garen who just wan’t ready for the class and pace jump in this stakes race.
Midnight Hawk had the dream trip and went to the lead going into the turn and took the lead briefly halfway down the stretch before Chitu changed leads and went on to the victory. Both Chitu and Midnight Hawk looked noticeably tired at the end of the race. Chitu galloped out with more energy than Midnight Hawk.
Commissioner raced in the back of the pack and never was in a position to win the race and finished evenly for 3rd, but still his lack of speed never puts him in a race to challenge the top two. Commissioner just is a long-fused grinder with not enough speed early, or a late close to rally into a fast pace and close. Belmont is probably an option but usually you need a quick turn of foot in that race. He needs to improve. With 10 points doubtful that they try again in another prep, especially after shipping to Sunland for this race.
Bourbonize did not get the job done. Good start, saved ground at the rail and tired going into the turn. Drop in class needed for him.
Chitu runs his race every time and has learned to rate just off the speed. He has enough speed to lay close to the lead, and his running style puts him near the pace going into the turn. He’s actually a speed horse stretching out to a route of ground. He has now outrun his pedigree of Henny Hughes for two races. But has he really. He was 2/1 and faced a bunch of slow horses and defeated Midnight Hawk in this race. Chitu does have speed and the ability to rate and some Henny Hughes do like the slop so that is a possibility come May 3rd.
Midnight Hawk has earned over 300,000 dollars but thats 3 races in a row where he visually looks tired at the finish line. He probably reaffirmed the California pecking order at this point. California Chrome, Candy Boy tops.
Moving Forward both Midnight Hawk and Chitu have the points to enter the starting gate in Kentucky. Both have a solid foundation. Chitu has won 3/4 but looks like a sprinter. Midnight Hawk looks like he can’t finish at 9 furlongs. Both add pressing speed to a possible derby speed. Chitu looks more like a horse capable of rating in the derby. Midnight Hawk looks distance challenged.
We Miss Artie and Chitu are both Field horses from the first three Kentucky Derby Future Wagering Fields.