The Road To Triple Crown Triumph: Top Ten Three Year Old Starters So Far

By Author: Lee Lane-Edgar
Total Articles: 365
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Algorithms and Alpha are pretty much ruling the top earners stand for this year’s current earnings status and that doesn’t seem surprising. The Pletcher conditioned Algorithms along with trainer McLaughlin’s favourite Alpha are holding up the grounds and prepping up solid for the Triple Crown journey, atleast as long as there are no upsetting surprises from the others. Stalking close are Breeder’s Cup Juvenile duellers Hansen and Union Rags. Here’s a curtain raiser to a few of the top starters so far this season; mind it, upsets are welcome.
1. Alpha
Owned by Godolphin Racing and bred by the reputed Darley Farms, Alpha is pretty much turning out to be the winner’s variable for the McLaughlin and R. Dominquez led crew. The Champagne Stakes runner up ended up at the trailing end in the Juvenile Breeder’s Cup annihilating all chances of a possible nomination for the top two year olds but starting 2012, the Bernardini colt, out of mare Munnaya by Ninjinsky, seems to be getting better. Undefeated currently with two starts, one graded, in Count Fleet Stakes and the Wither Stakes, Alpha is what many are riding ...
... their winning bets on.

2. Algorithms
Bernardini’s legacy is shaping up with two of his colts putting up a great sophomore season together, a feat that will shoot up their sire’s progeny earnings exponentially. The undefeated Pletcher trainee was last seen winning the Holy Bull Stakes completely out-running the early lead Hansen. Considering the strong nomination Hansen and Union Rags have in place for Triple Crown, Algorithms having demolished the former makes up for an interesting event we could anticipate.

3. Battle Hardened
The previous year when Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby and galloped away from the obvious choices like Dialed In and Mucho Macho Man, even Nehro running the latter down to third was a pleasant surprise. Upsets are adventurous despite the fact that they are upsets; Animal Kingdom and Brilliant Speed belong to the category and Battle Hardened has qualified for the same with his Grade 3 win at Sam Davis Stakes. The Giant’s Causeaway colt, out of Jen’s Fashion is being conditioned by Eddie Kenneally and the score of 3 in the money finishes out of 4 starts, looks good.

4. Creative Cause
This incredible Giant’s Causeway colt out of mare Dream of Summer by Siberian Summer is indeed an impressive three year old, never having finished out of money in 5 starts. Despite the fact that a maiden three year old start is pending which can very well be around the Gotham or Wood Memorial Stakes, Creative Cause is a Mike Harrington trained colt with in class racing experience as a two year old. The Breeder’s Cup Juvenile third runner up has previously won the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes along with Best Pal Stakes and finished second in Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity.

5. Hansen
He is probably riding the first early favourite for the Triple Crown following his Breeder’s Cup Juvenile win. Winner of the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes as well along with signing off as the runner up at Holy Bull Stakes to winner, Algorithms, this is a colt everyone would be looking out for.

6. I’ll Have Another
Despite a not-so-impressive two year old season with only the second place in Best Pal Stakes to show off, this sixth place finisher at Hopeful Stakes has recently returned to open his three year season with a maiden win. The incredible 96 BSF at Robert Lewis Stakes has brought I’ll Have Another back to the Triple Crown radar and a strong contention is the least to be expected.

7. Liaison
Winner of Cash Call Futurity may have fallen short of an electrifying thrust in the Robert Lewis Stakes but the Baffert candidature should rarely be challenged. A good layoff may bring back the colt in form, a feat he generously showcased as a two year old winning three races consecutively. Liaison is by Indian Charlie and even his disappointing eighth place finish in the Lewis Stakes is claimed to be due to clipped heels during the race. Would Baffert bring back the fire in connection? Wait and watch.

8. Reveron
The biggest advantage Reveron carries around his back is his ample exposure to distances and racing surfaces. Already having started in 6 races, Reveron has never finished out of money. The Gulfstream Park Derby winner gave Casual Trick a strong run for the money and maintained the form in the Sam Davis Stakes which he finished third within two lengths of the race upset and winner, Battle Hardened. Reveron is by Songandaprayer, out of Carolina Surprise by Awesome Again.

9. Speightscity
Latest news state Speightscity would be starting next in Gotham Stakes, and despite the rare exuberance depicted in the Withers Stakes, this colt’s racing has been more or less satisfactory. With a couple of wins primarily in allowance races, Speightscity has consistently failed to win; Count Fleet Stakes, Remsen Stakes and the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, have seen a trend of disappointing finishes overwritten only recently by the Withers. Does Speightscity have what it takes to be a true Triple Crown contender, March will decide.

10. Union Rags
This Dixie Union colt was last seen galloping through the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile as the runner up after having captured the Champagne Stakes, the Saratoga Specials and a maiden special weight. The three year old is yet to make a start this season and gauging the colt’s competence against thoroughbreds like Hansen, trainer Michael Matz may being upon the Kentucky Derby Trail a very renewed and fresh Union Rags ready to take over.
The contenders above form an independent listing based on their performances. To explore more about horse racing and the online horse games ,log on to HorseRaceGame.