Horseshoe Indianapolis Race 12

Indiana Derby - Grade 3

Prize Money: $451,128

Santa Anita Derby winner STRONGHOLD (2) is first-up today and did open the last campaign with a win in the G3 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park (Dirt) over 1710m. This is his first run on a turf track. Has good early speed so should take up a forward position. Will give a great sight. Grade 1 placegetter E J WON THE CUP (7) built on a nice third two starts back in the G1 Santa Anita Derby (Dirt) with success as favourite over 1710m at Listed level at Lone Star Park (Dirt) five-and-a-half weeks ago, getting home by one length. Mike E Smith scored on him last time and retains the ride. Well placed and there is no reason he cannot score again. Grade 2 placegetter REAL MEN VIOLIN (3) has been racing well and is close to a win, the latest effort a solid third in Listed grade at Lone Star Park (Dirt) over 1710m. Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr has won when aboard in the past and gets the ride again. Capable of running a bold race. DRAGOON GUARD (8) scored last start at Churchill Downs (Dirt) to make it two wins from two starts this campaign. Takes on a better field this time but is not to be discounted.
  • Distance: 1710m
  • Track: Good
  • Weather: Cloudy
  • Surface: Dirt
  • Class: OPEN
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1Cipriano Contreras
  • Woodcourt (1) 717311463x
  • Trainer: Cipriano Contreras (USA)
  • Jockey: Emmanuel Esquivel
  • Weight: 56kg
  • Prize Money: $576,045
  • Win / Place: 33% / 50%

3 yo Bay Colt

Sire: RANSOM THE MOON (CAN)

Dam: WARRIORESS (USA)

Dam's Sire: Warrior's Reward

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years92

Rating

Stats
Career
12: 4-0-2
Distance
2: 0-0-0
Season
4: 1-0-1
1st Up
1: 0-0-0
2nd Up
1: 1-0-0
3rd Up
1: 0-0-0
4th Up
1: 0-0-0
Metro
8: 3-0-0
Non-Metro
4: 1-0-2
Turf
2: 1-0-0
Synthetic
3: 1-0-1
Dirt
7: 2-0-1
Fast
2: 1-0-0
Anti-Clockwise
12: 4-0-2
Jockey Stats
Horse
3: 1-0-1
Last 50
0: 0-0-0
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

1609m - 1811m

Comments
Resuming after a 11 weeks break. Finished off last campaign third in a small field at Hawthorne in the LR April 21 over 1811m, 16 len behind Patriot Spirit with 55.5kg at $2.80. On debut seventh of 9 at Keeneland April 20 2023 over 905m, 14 len behind American Rascal with 54kg at $55.30. Will need this run.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
3rd of 521/4/24Hawthorne1811mLR OPEN 34Emmanuel Esquivel55.5kgFast1:50.4359.0 km/h16.5L3-3$2.8029$307,220-

1. Patriot Spirit

2. Real Men Violin

3. Woodcourt

6th of 1023/3/24Turfway Park1811mG3 OPEN 35Luan Machado56kgFast1:50.1559.2 km/h4.4L6-6$1928$1,076,923-

1. Endlessly

2. West Saratoga

3. Seize The Grey

4th of 1224/2/24Oaklawn Park1710mG2 OPEN 312Emmanuel Esquivel54kgFast1:44.0059.2 km/h6.0L3-4$4527$1,896,813-

1. Timberlake

2. Common Defense

3. Northern Flame

1st of 1128/1/24Oaklawn Park1609mALLOW OCLM 311Emmanuel Esquivel55.5kgGood1:41.8956.8 km/h0.1L8-4$1237$205,279-

1. Woodcourt

2. Next Level

3. Footprint

37 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 1022/12/23Turfway Park1609mALLOW OCLM 23Luan Machado55.5kgFast1:38.5458.8 km/h3.0L2-1$4.8721$111,614-

1. Woodcourt

2. Quencio

3. Takeitandrun

3rd of 91/12/23Turfway Park1609mALLOW OCLM 21Abel Cedillo55.5kgFast1:37.7859.2 km/h5.3L1-3$4.1722$111,614-

1. Record Time

2. Twirling Point

3. Woodcourt

2Philip D'Amato
  • Stronghold (2) 2122x117x
  • Trainer: Philip D'Amato ()
  • Jockey: Antonio Fresu
  • Weight: 56kg
  • Prize Money: $1,266,317
  • Win / Place: 42% / 85%
Jockey / Horse Combo

3 yo Bay Colt

Sire: GHOSTZAPPER (USA)

Dam: SPECTATOR (USA)

Dam's Sire: Jimmy Creed

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years93

Rating

Stats
Career
7: 3-3-0
Distance
2: 1-1-0
Season
3: 2-0-0
1st Up
2: 1-1-0
2nd Up
2: 2-0-0
3rd Up
2: 0-1-0
4th Up
1: 0-1-0
Metro
6: 2-3-0
Non-Metro
1: 1-0-0
Dirt
7: 3-3-0
Anti-Clockwise
7: 3-3-0
Jockey Stats
Horse
5: 2-2-0
Last 50
0: 0-0-0
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

1710m - 2012m

Comments
Santa Anita Derby winner. Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of nine weeks. Finished off last campaign seventh of 20 at Churchill Downs in the G1 Kentucky Derby May 4 over 2012m, 12 len behind Mystik Dan carrying 57kg at $36.55. Previous preparation first-up won by 2.5 len Sunland Park G3 Sunland Derby February 18 over 1710m defeating Alotaluck carrying 55.5kg at $2.20. Form shown last campaign makes for good reading.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
7th of 204/5/24Churchill Downs2012mG1 OPEN 317Antonio Fresu57kgFast2:03.3458.7 km/h12.9L5-6$3728$7,645,260-

1. Mystik Dan

2. Sierra Leone

3. Forever Young

1st of 86/4/24Santa Anita Park1811mG1 OPEN 33Antonio Fresu56kgFast1:49.9859.3 km/h0.3L1-1$3.2048$1,152,074-

1. Stronghold

2. Imagination

3. E J Won The Cup

48 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 818/2/24Sunland1710mG3 OPEN 35Antonio Fresu55.5kgFast1:42.6460.0 km/h2.5L2-1$2.2064$606,980-

1. Stronghold

2. Alotaluck

3. Lucky Jeremy

64 Day Spell
2nd of 516/12/23Los Alamitos1710mG2 OPEN 22Antonio Fresu54.5kgFast1:43.5359.5 km/h0.5L3-1$5.1027$301,659-

1. Wynstock

2. Stronghold

3. Coach Prime

2nd of 419/11/23Del Mar1408mG3 OPEN 23Antonio Fresu54.5kgFast1:21.7162.0 km/h8.8L1-2$5.5049$157,233-

1. Nysos

2. Stronghold

3. Tejon Pass

49 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 91/10/23Churchill Downs1609mMDN 25Joseph Talamo54kgFast1:35.9960.3 km/h1.5L3-1$1.5535$186,047-

1. Stronghold

2. Resilience

3. Track Phantom

35 Day Freshen-Up
3Kenneth G Mcpeek
  • Real Men Violin (3) 22312x8023
  • Trainer: Kenneth G Mcpeek (USA)
  • Jockey: Brian Jr Hernandez
  • Weight: 53.5kg
  • Prize Money: $453,033
  • Win / Place: 10% / 80%

3 yo Chestnut Colt

Sire: MENDELSSOHN (USA)

Dam: MEG FITZ (USA)

Dam's Sire: Tapit

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years97

Rating

Stats
Career
10: 1-5-2
Distance
3: 0-2-1
Season
4: 0-1-1
1st Up
2: 0-1-0
2nd Up
2: 0-1-0
3rd Up
2: 0-2-0
4th Up
2: 0-0-2
Metro
8: 1-4-1
Non-Metro
2: 0-1-1
Turf
2: 0-1-1
Dirt
8: 1-4-1
Fast
2: 0-1-1
Anti-Clockwise
10: 1-5-2
Jockey Stats
Horse
5: 1-2-1
Last 50
0: 0-0-0
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

1710m - 1911m

Comments
Grade 2 placegetter. Form hard to fault. Comes here off a 40-day let-up. Last start 3rd of 10 at Lone Star Park in LR on May 27 over 1710m, 7 len behind E J Won The Cup with 56kg at $6.70. Before that 2nd in a small field at Hawthorne in LR on April 21 over 1811m, 6 len behind Patriot Spirit carrying 55.5kg at $2.70. Rates highly and is among the main hopes.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
3rd of 1027/5/24Lone Star Park1710mLR OPEN 36Reyluis Gutierrez56kgFast1:44.6258.8 km/h7.0L8-5$6.7036$458,716-

1. E J Won The Cup

2. Dimatic

3. Real Men Violin

36 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 521/4/24Hawthorne1811mLR OPEN 31Reyluis Gutierrez55.5kgFast1:50.4359.0 km/h5.8L1-2$2.7029$307,220-

1. Patriot Spirit

2. Real Men Violin

3. Woodcourt

11th of 1123/3/24Fairgrounds1911mG2 OPEN 38C Lanerie55.5kgFast1:56.1659.2 km/h47.1L8-11$4735$1,538,462-

1. Catching Freedom

2. Honor Marie

3. Tuscan Gold

35 Day Freshen-Up
8th of 1217/2/24Fairgrounds1811mG2 OPEN 36Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr55.5kgSP1:52.1358.1 km/h12.3L6-7$2284$606,980-

1. Sierra Leone

2. Track Phantom

3. Catching Freedom

84 Day Spell
2nd of 825/11/23Churchill Downs1710mG2 OPEN 23Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr55.5kgFast1:44.3159.0 km/h2.0L1-2$6.2027$628,931-

1. Honor Marie

2. Real Men Violin

3. Stretch Ride

1st of 1029/10/23Churchill Downs1609mMDN 24Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr54kgSP1:38.3258.9 km/h0.5L1-2$8.3117$186,047-

1. Real Men Violin

2. Track Phantom

3. Top Gun Rocket

4Victoria H Oliver
  • Kitty Hawk (4) 6861x55
  • Trainer: Victoria H Oliver ()
  • Jockey: Fernando Cruz La De
  • Weight: 53.5kg
  • Prize Money: $121,260
  • Win / Place: 16% / 16%

3 yo Dark Bay/Brown Gelding

Sire: NOT THIS TIME (USA)

Dam: KOMBAT KITTY (USA)

Dam's Sire: Wildcat Heir

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years88

Rating

Stats
Career
6: 1-0-0
Distance
2: 1-0-0
Season
2: 0-0-0
1st Up
2: 0-0-0
2nd Up
2: 0-0-0
3rd Up
1: 0-0-0
4th Up
1: 1-0-0
Metro
6: 1-0-0
Turf
2: 0-0-0
Dirt
4: 1-0-0
Fast
2: 0-0-0
Anti-Clockwise
6: 1-0-0
Jockey Stats
Horse
1: 1-0-0
Last 50
0: 0-0-0
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

1710m - 1911m

Comments
Dual acceptor. Third-up today. Freshened for 57 days. Resuming second last in a small field at Keeneland on April 10 over 1710m, 12 len behind Native Land with 53.5kg at $9.95. Second-up second last in a small field at Churchill Downs on May 10 over 1911m, 7 len behind Hurry Hurry carrying 53.5kg at $10.58. Will find this too difficult.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
5th of 610/5/24Churchill Downs1911mALLOW 3U2Luis Saez53.5kgFast1:56.6859.0 km/h7.3L1-4$1130$194,190-

1. Hurry Hurry

2. Single Dot Yaht

3. Next Level

5th of 610/4/24Keeneland1710mALLOW OCLM 33John R Velazquez53.5kgSP1:44.0159.2 km/h12.3L1-5$9.95150$168,971-

1. Native Land

2. Heartened

3. Rocketeer

150 Day Spell
1st of 1012/11/23Churchill Downs1710mMDN 22Fernando De La Cruz54kgFast1:45.4458.4 km/h1.0L1-1$1336$188,679-

1. Kitty Hawk

2. Rapoport

3. Rivetage

36 Day Freshen-Up
6th of 117/10/23Keeneland1207mMDN 25Luis Saez54kgFast1:10.2361.9 km/h14.5L3-6$1541$155,039-

1. Booth

2. Nash

3. Rapoport

41 Day Freshen-Up
8th of 1027/8/23Ellis Park1609mMDN 29Gerardo Corrales54kgFM1:37.6559.3 km/h9.1L3-2$3.7828$104,790-

1. Depiction

2. Coastal Brink

3. Snead

6th of 1030/7/23Ellis Park1106mMDN 25Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr54kgFM1:04.4861.7 km/h5.4L8-4$3.92-$104,790-

1. Sponge Bath

2. Do Your Job

3. Augustine Red

5Steven Asmussen
  • Informed Patriot (5) 413335519
  • Trainer: Steven Asmussen ()
  • Jockey: Ricardo Jr Santana
  • Weight: 56kg
  • Prize Money: $481,566
  • Win / Place: 22% / 55%

3 yo Dark Bay/Brown Colt

Sire: HARD SPUN (USA)

Dam: YAWKEY WAY (USA)

Dam's Sire: Grand Slam

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years92

Rating

Stats
Career
9: 2-0-3
Distance
4: 0-0-2
Season
5: 1-0-1
1st Up
1: 0-0-0
2nd Up
1: 1-0-0
3rd Up
1: 0-0-1
4th Up
1: 0-0-1
Metro
7: 2-0-3
Non-Metro
2: 0-0-0
Dirt
9: 2-0-3
Anti-Clockwise
9: 2-0-3
Jockey Stats
Horse
4: 1-0-1
Last 50
0: 0-0-0
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

1710m - 1811m

Comments
Grade 3 placegetter. Resumes off a 40 day let-up. At the latest run second last of 10 at Lone Star Park in LR on May 27 over 1710m, 16 len behind E J Won The Cup carrying 56kg at $4.60. Before that ran on from midfield and won by a nose at Oaklawn Park LR April 20 over 1811m defeating Imperial Gun with 53.5kg at $4.40. Will need plenty of improvement to feature.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
9th of 1027/5/24Lone Star Park1710mLR OPEN 310S Elliott56kgFast1:44.6258.8 km/h16.5L10-8$4.6037$458,716-

1. E J Won The Cup

2. Dimatic

3. Real Men Violin

37 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 720/4/24Oaklawn Park1811mLR OPEN 34Ricardo Santana Jr53.5kgFast1:51.4858.5 km/h0.1L4-1$4.4021$307,220-

1. Informed Patriot

2. Imperial Gun

3. Gould's Gold

5th of 1030/3/24Oaklawn Park1811mG1 OPEN 36Ricardo Santana Jr55kgFast1:49.5459.5 km/h9.3L5-6$7041$2,307,692-

1. Muth

2. Just Steel

3. Mystik Dan

41 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 818/2/24Sunland1710mG3 OPEN 38Joel Rosario55.5kgFast1:42.6460.0 km/h13.4L5-5$2.6048$606,980-

1. Stronghold

2. Alotaluck

3. Lucky Jeremy

48 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 91/1/24Oaklawn Park1710mLR OPEN 31Ricardo Santana Jr53kgFast1:44.5958.9 km/h2.8L7-4$1137$439,883-

1. Catching Freedom

2. Just Steel

3. Informed Patriot

37 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 1125/11/23Churchill Downs1609mALLOW OCLM 25Tyler Gaffalione54.5kgFast1:37.9459.1 km/h1.8L1-2$6.6427$199,686-

1. Who Dey

2. Bergen

3. Informed Patriot

7Doug F O'Neill
  • E J Won The Cup (7) 2253241131
  • Trainer: Doug F O'Neill ()
  • Jockey: Mike Smith
  • Weight: 56kg
  • Prize Money: $587,856
  • Win / Place: 30% / 80%
Unbeaten the Distance
Jockey / Horse Combo

3 yo Chestnut Colt

Sire: OMAHA BEACH (USA)

Dam: FIRSTHAND REPORT (USA)

Dam's Sire: Blame

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years100

Rating

Stats
Career
10: 3-3-2
Distance
2: 2-0-0
Season
5: 3-0-1
1st Up
1: 0-1-0
2nd Up
1: 0-1-0
3rd Up
1: 0-0-0
4th Up
1: 0-0-1
Metro
8: 1-3-2
Non-Metro
2: 2-0-0
Turf
2: 0-1-0
Dirt
8: 3-2-2
Fast
2: 0-1-0
Anti-Clockwise
10: 3-3-2
Jockey Stats
Horse
4: 2-0-1
Last 50
0: 0-0-0
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

1609m - 1811m

Comments
Grade 1 placegetter. Going well. Resumes off a 40 day let-up. Last start won by 1.0 len at Lone Star Park LR May 27 over 1710m defeating Dimatic carrying 56kg at $3. The run before that held ground to the line 3rd of 8 at Santa Anita in the G1 Santa Anita Derby on April 6 over 1811m, 3.5 len behind Stronghold carrying 56kg at $24.40. Sure to go well again.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
1st of 1027/5/24Lone Star Park1710mLR OPEN 32Mike E Smith56kgFast1:44.6258.8 km/h1.0L1-3$3.0051$458,716-

1. E J Won The Cup

2. Dimatic

3. Real Men Violin

51 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 86/4/24Santa Anita Park1811mG1 OPEN 38Mike E Smith56kgFast1:49.9859.3 km/h3.5L2-3$2423$1,152,074-

1. Stronghold

2. Imagination

3. E J Won The Cup

1st of 714/3/24Turf Paradise1710mLR OPEN 34Armando Ayuso55.5kgFast1:43.8059.3 km/h3.5L1-1$1.1020$92,308-

1. E J Won The Cup

2. Last Call London

3. Norwegian Callum

1st of 723/2/24Santa Anita Park1609mMDN OCLM 33Mike E Smith55.5kgFast1:37.2559.6 km/h0.8L1-1$1.3048$60,698-

1. E J Won The Cup

2. De' Medici

3. Mongolian Champ

48 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 106/1/24Santa Anita Park1207mMDN 310Mike E Smith55.5kgFM1:08.2763.6 km/h3.1L2-2$3.1044$95,308-

1. Nesso's Lastharrah

2. Money Makes Money

3. Island Cruiser

44 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 823/11/23Del Mar1006mMDN 27E Maldonado54.5kgFM0:57.9362.5 km/h0.5L2-2$2.2012$95,912-

1. Practically Broke

2. E J Won The Cup

3. Money Makes Money

8B H Cox
  • Dragoon Guard (8) 2x11
  • Trainer: B H Cox (USA)
  • Jockey: Florent Geroux
  • Weight: 56kg
  • Prize Money: $242,543
  • Win / Place: 66% / 100%
Jockey / Horse Combo
Going for the Hat-Trick

3 yo Grey/Roan Colt

Sire: ARROGATE (USA)

Dam: FILIMBI (USA)

Dam's Sire: Mizzen Mast

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years95

Rating

Stats
Career
3: 2-1-0
Season
2: 2-0-0
1st Up
2: 1-1-0
2nd Up
1: 1-0-0
Metro
3: 2-1-0
Dirt
3: 2-1-0
Anti-Clockwise
3: 2-1-0
Jockey Stats
Horse
3: 2-1-0
Last 50
0: 0-0-0
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

1408m - 1609m

Comments
Third-up today. First-up favourite; won by 4 len at Keeneland April 21 over 1408m defeating Term carrying 54.5kg at $1.67. Second run from a spell favourite; ran on from midfield and scored a big 3 len win at Churchill Downs June 2 over 1609m defeating Lat Long carrying 53.5kg at $1.82. Last-start winner who can measure up again.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
1st of 72/6/24Churchill Downs1609mALLOW OCLM 32Florent Geroux53.5kgSP1:35.9360.4 km/h3.3L3-1$1.8242$191,843-

1. Dragoon Guard

2. Lat Long

3. Indy Magic

42 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 621/4/24Keeneland1408mMDN 36Florent Geroux54.5kgFast1:27.3958.0 km/h3.8L4-1$1.67212$153,610-

1. Dragoon Guard

2. Term

3. Rock N Roll Bolt

212 Day Spell
2nd of 922/9/23Churchill Downs1408mMDN 24Florent Geroux54kgFast1:24.2860.1 km/h0.3L5-2$4.02-$185,471-

1. Otto The Conqueror

2. Dragoon Guard

3. Bourbon's Fault

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years

Racing and Sports™ Trusted form provider for 20+ years