Next week this blog will officially switch over to Breeders' Cup Chat, where we can begin talking about the second half of the racing season. Before we do, let's review the 2011 Triple Crown by giving quick updates on all of the 3-year-olds that won graded races this year and what their immediate futures might hold.
As far as who the 3-year-old champion might be, it looks like the first horse to get a second grade I win will have the edge. You can vote for your pick at the bottom.
Also, I will be on vacation from July 11-19 and I am looking for a guest blogger or two during that time. You pick the subject. Let me know if you're interested.
3-year-old graded stakes winners of 2011
Sham (gr. III)--Tapizar--Still recovering from surgery to correct a bone chip suffered in Robert B. Lewis. No works since injury.
Lecomte (gr. III)--Wilkinson--Back on work tab June 28 three weeks after finishing ninth in the Ohio Derby. Maybe turf is in his future?
Holy Bull (gr. III)--Dialed In--Derby favorite will undergo knee surgery this week and miss the rest of the year.
El Camino Real Derby (gr. III)--Silver Medallion--Has been freshened since he finished fourth in the Lexington Stakes. No works since then.
Robert B. Lewis (gr. II)--Anthony's Cross--Never saw a reported injury but has shown no works since April 18, a week after finishing fifth in the Santa Anita Derby.
Risen Star (gr. III)--Mucho Macho Man--Will get a short breather after running in all three Triple Crown races and could be pointed to Travers.
Sam F. Davis (gr. III)--Brethren--After finishing 11th in Arkansas Derby, was working steadily for Pletcher in New York but missed about three weeks of training at the beginning of June. Returned to work tab June 21 with a slow four-furlong breeze.
San Vicente (gr. II)--The Factor--Still recovering from hairline fracture on hind ankle. Baffert is hopeful he can make it back for King's Bishop at Saratoga.
Southwest (gr. III)--Archarcharch--Unfortunately, was retired after fracturing front leg at the start of the Kentucky Derby.
Fountain of Youth (gr. II)--Soldat--Will go back to turf after failing in Kentucky Derby. Was being pointed for Virginia Derby in July but shows no works since June 6.
Hutcheson (gr. III)--Flashpoint--Working steadily at Aqueduct since finishing last in Preakness. Look for him in an upcoming sprint in New York or New Jersey.
Gotham (gr. III)--Stay Thirsty--Ran big to finish second in Belmont Stakes. Will point for Jim Dandy and Travers at Saratoga.
San Felipe (gr. III)--Premier Pegasus--Still recovering from surgery to repair a cannon bone fracture. No word on his current status.
Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II)--Watch Me Go--No races since finishing 18th in Kentucky Derby. Has been recently returned to training with a couple of breezes at Colonial Downs.
Rebel (gr. II)--The Factor--See above.
Louisiana Derby (gr. II)--Pants On Fire--Returned from the Kentucky Derby with an impressive win in the June 18 Pegasus (gr. III) and is being pointed to the Haskell next month.
Spiral Stakes--Animal Kingdom--Upset Kentucky Derby winner was tripped up by an injury after the Belmont and is being pointed for a fall return.
Sunland Derby (gr. III)--Twice the Appeal--Has not returned to the work tab since finishing 10th in the Kentucky Derby.
Florida Derby (gr. I)--Dialed In--See above.
Swale (gr. II)--Travelin Man--Finished fourth in Woody Stephens in most recent start. Top-level sprints are still in his future.
Wood Memorial (gr. I)--Toby's Corner--Forced to miss the Kentucky Derby after coming up lame, he has been shipped back to Fair Hill to resume light training with Graham Motion.
Bay Shore (gr. III)--J J's Lucky Train--Finished second in Woody Stephens.
Illinois Derby (gr. III)--Joe Vann--Finished fourth in Peter Pan and third in Matt Winn two weekends ago.
Santa Anita Derby (gr. I)--Midnight Interlude--After failing in Derby and Preakness, made a successful turf debut in Tsunami Slew Stakes June 17 at Hollywood.
Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I)--Brilliant Speed--Finished a good third in the Belmont and is being pointed for the Haskell.
Arkansas Derby (gr. I)--Archarcharch--See above.
Lexington Stakes (gr. II)--Derby Kitten--Third in Lone Star Derby on June 30. Will likely be pointed to major races this summer.
Jerome (gr. II)--Adios Charlie--Just missed in Peter Pan on May 14 and has been working regularly at Saratoga.
Derby Trial (gr. III)--Machen--Won Derby Trial, is expected to be entered in this weekend's Dwyer at Belmont.
Kentucky Derby--Animal Kingdom--See above.
Preakness (gr. I)--Shackleford--Ran well in all three Triple Crown races. On target for Haskell next month where he could be the favorite.
Woody Stephens (gr. III)--Justin Phillip--Breakthrough win for colt that had been close in previous starts. Returned to the work tab June 20 and June 27.
Belmont--Ruler On Ice--24-1 upsetter will also point for the Haskell.
Affirmed Handicap--Coil--Won in his first start around two turns. Will likely run in the Swaps on July 9 and point for the Haskell three weeks later.
Pegasus (gr. III)--Pants On Fire--See above.
Matt Winn (gr. III)--Scotus--Won Matt Winn for first stakes victory. Haskell and Travers are possibilities.
Iowa Derby (gr. III)--Prayer for Relief--Another Baffert late bloomer could show up in major New York races this summer.
Also, To Honor and Serve, who was third in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby before straining a suspensory ligament, had his first work back on June 26 at Belmont for Bill Mott.
"He's back on the track and had a little breeze," Mott said. "He's doing fine. We hope to have him ready for something at Saratoga."
The other top 3-year-old entering the season, Uncle Mo, continues to jog at WinStar Farm, where he has been since May 9. Up 110 pounds since his arrival, Mo will begin galloping next week and is doing very well according to Mike Repole.