:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32072963/20130504_jla_ar6_071.0.jpg)
Danza
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
Jockey: TBD
Sire: Street Boss
Dam: Champagne Royals (French Deputy)
Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0
Lifetime Earnings: $666,428
Future Wager Odds: Pool 1 - 4/5 (Field); Pool 2 - 3/2 (Field); Pool 3 - 3/1 (Field); Pool 4 - 5/1 (Field)
Notable Races: G1-Arkansas Derby (1st); G2-Saratoga Special (3rd)
The Good
If you took the "Field" in all four Kentucky Derby future pools, you've got one of this year's long shots for odds ranging from 4/5 to 5/1! Hmm...
Well, where do we begin with this guy? The Arkansas Derby winner took about as unlikely a path to the Derby as you'll find these days. He breaks his maiden at Belmont last July, followed by a half-length third in the Saratoga Special in early August. And then he's done for the year. Actually, he's done until March 1st of this year. I think it's safe to assume this colt ran into some physical issues otherwise it seems odd to take a promising juvenile and stick him on the bench for seven months.
So, Danza sits on the bench for over a half a year, returns in a optional claimer at Gulfstream and really doesn't put in much of a run. And then, of course, he pops up at Hot Springs and blows away the Arkansas Derby field by over four lengths. I'm sure we all saw that coming. [Pay no attention to the pile of ripped up tickets from the Arkansas Derby in my waste basket.]
I think Danza could be a really intriguing runner this summer, assuming his Arkansas Derby wasn't a fluke and he can continue to develop in the next few months. However...
The (maybe) Bad
This colt just ran by far the best race of his short career in just his second start after a seven month layoff. I think it's justifiable to be extremely skeptical as to whether he's fit enough to pop out another big effort on just three weeks rest.
Final Thoughts
His Arkansas Derby run was very good but you have to draw the line somewhere; I'll be betting against this colt putting forth another big run at Churchill on the quick turnaround.
Loading comments...