Several South Florida based Florida Derby favorites are entered in the Holy Bull that traditionally kicks off the road the Florida Derby. Early January preps have produced runners in Kentucky. The Holy Bull brings out the top contenders from Florida. A small but talented field of six has entered.
Holy Bull 2016 field
Perfect Saint seems over-matched in this spot. He has lost 3 of his five races by double digits in lengths behind. His best effort is the slowest winning speed figure in the race. The other horses would have to get hit by a milk truck for this horse to win.
Moyhaman blazed a trail through New York in the fall winning all 3 of his starts in workman-like fashion. Dueled for the lead and wore down the speed in his debut race. Split horses in the Remsen. Long legs, lighter in weight than most Tapits and owns the fastest speed figures. Remsen was impressive visually tracking the speed on the inside and out-sprinting Flexibility to the wire. The Holy Bull has been the plan all along. Should be tough in this spot.
Fellowship closer lost to the talented Rafting 2 starts back and this Florida bred is now taking on the best that Florida has to offer. Best win was in October, but did go wire to wire in his debut in May. He has had a long campaign. Running style puts him at disadvantage. With only 6 horses should be able to pick up a check and wait for a larger field to develop in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby.
Conquest Big E ran a disappointing race near the rail and bunched in traffic in Breeders Cup Juvenile. Dominated a splashy allowance race at Churchill Downs. Mike Smith comes in to ride and have a feeling Mike may try to go to the lead and win the race on the front end. Lost to Brody’s Cause in his debut race while making a mid race move and may have moved to early in that spot. Workout pattern is consistent and figures to fire fresh off the bench. Bigger and heavier frame than Moyahaman.
Greenpointcrusader picked up classy Maiden win in New York and then won the Champagne Stakes in the slop. Ran evenly and made up ground late with the short Keeneland stretch in the Breeders Cup. Has the looks of a nice horse and overall pedigree is class. Distance should not be an issue and still has some upside. Will be at a pace disadvantage in this race. But don’t overlook he has some ability and can be forwardly placed.
Frontier Ranger ran 3rd to Cherry Wine in an allowance prep for the Holy Bull. The winner Cherry Wine is being pointed to the Fountain of Youth. Son of U.S. Ranger prefers to come from off the pace. Pace lines indicates he will be moving up in class in the Holy Bull. Longshot chance at this level.
Holy Bull Selection
Moyhaman is logical and may have more tactical speed. Conquest Big E figures to attack early. Going with Moyhaman in this spot who owns a slightly faster pace advantage on dry tracks than Conquest Big E.