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Program # TBA |
Post Position:  |
Photo By: Benoit & Associates |
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Recent Developments |
Japanese-bred Sunday Break (Jpn), third in the Wood Memorial (GI) but an unlikely participant in Saturday's (May 4) Kentucky Derby (GI) because of a lack of graded stakes earnings, nevertheless was sent to the track for a six-furlong breeze in company at Churchill Downs on Apr. 29 by trainer Neil Drysdale.
The Forty Niner colt had Marcelino Olguin up as usual and was timed in 1:14.40, pleasing his conditioner who won the Derby two years ago with Fusaichi Pegasus.
"He was spot on," said Drysdale. "He went in :25, :50 and when Marcelino asked him to pick it up in the final 70 yards he finished out strongly."
With Sunday Break (Jpn) unlikely to get into Saturday's (May 4) race, Drysdale said he will "see what shakes out after the Derby" and then decide about the Preakness (GI) or another opportunity.
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As A 3-Year Old |
Was beaten three-quarters of a length by Buddah in the Wood Memorial (GI), his stakes debut, at Aqueduct Race Course in Ozone Park, N.Y. on April 13
Has won all three of his starts by a combined total of 6 1/2 lengths at distances of 7 furlongs, 8.5 furlongs and 9 furlongs
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As A 2-Year Old |
Finished third, beaten three lengths, in a maiden race at Santa Anita on Dec. 26; had to steady at the 5/16ths pole
Missed breaking his maiden at first-asking by a head to the well-regarded Taillevent on Nov. 25 at Hollywood Park
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Derby Starter Background By: Jenny Kellner |
Bred in Japan and trained by Neil Drysdale -- the man who brought you Fusaichi Pegasus -- Sunday Break made big strides in the Wood Memorial in his fourth start this year, beaten less than a length for the win. After two starts at age 2, Sunday Break, a son of Forty Niner owned by Koji Maeda, broke his maiden on January 21 at Santa Anita, took an allowance there a month later, and then traveled to New York, where he survived a foul claim and took a 1 1/8th-mile allowance at Aqueduct in preparation for the Wood. Distance appears to be no problem for the colt, whose tactical speed is well directed by Gary Stevens; he figures to be well backed at Churchill Downs. |
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Pedigree Anlysis By: John Gaver III |
Born: April 19, 1999; Dosage Index: 2.37
The Japanese-bred colt Sunday Break (Jpn), who sports a blueblood pedigree, is by the champion Forty Niner (now stands in Japan), who is the sire of 11 crops and 42 stakes winners including Coronado's Quest, a $2 million earner and winner of the Haskell Invitational (GI); Editor's Note, a millionaire and winner of the Super Derby (GI); Ecton Park, a millionaire and winner of the Super Derby (GI); Distorted Humor and T.M. Southpaw (Jpn). Sunday Break (Jpn) is out of Catequil, a full sister to the multiple stakes winner Ocean Cat and a half-sister to Biwa Hayahide, Horse of the Year in Japan and earner of $7.5 million, as well as a half-sister to Narita Brian, also Horse of the Year in Japan. Sunday Break (Jpn) is a half-brother to Phalaenopsis (Jpn), a two time Japanese champion. Cateqil is by sire-of-sires Storm Cat, who is a sire of 138 producing daughters and 20 stakes winners as a broodmare sire including the dam aforementioned Phalaenopsis (Jpn); millionaire Black Tuxedo (Jpn); Max's Pal, an earner of $615,696; Berg Ticket (Jpn); two-time champion Mujahid; Baptize; Penny's Gold; Field Cat; Sahara Gold and Jump Start. Sunday Break (Jpn) is similarly bred to Fusaichi Pegasus, who won the 2000 Kentucky Derby (GI) for Neil Drysdale and Japanese connections, as he, like Fusaichi Pegasus, is an example of a Mr. Prospector (via Forty Niner) - Northern Dancer (via Storm Bird) pedigree cross, or nick. While 10 furlongs is pushing the distance limitations of Forty Niner's get, Sunday Break (Jpn) does get a dose of stamina (Northern Dancer influence) and a heaping helping of class from the distaff side of his family.
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