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Stars Aligned For Skyfall In Louisville
Original article written by Jack Meyer posted 9 years 1 week ago
Perfection comes with a price and it’s no different in the SIM, it places a big red bullseye square on your back. The Derby saw Doctor and Coronation come in with 16 others gunning for them; it was a race to remember with “The Doctor” going off as the post time favorite.
Hopes were high for so many owners heading into the race; I counted 16 of the 18 starters that had a legitimate chance at draping the roses over their shoulders as the gate opened. The Rydell barn had the aforementioned Doctor riding high off his week 3 final prep victory. The Nalbone barn had the talented Ace gearing up for a little revenge after the Steward’s Cup Juvenile. The Vandalay barn had the one-two punch of the perfect Coronation and the feisty filly Skyfall determined the stake their claim as number one. Erin Sanderson’s Through The Ghost, winner of the Steward’s Cup Juvenile, was coming in fresh off his Kentucky Blue Stakes victory over Linguistics avenging his only loss. Bill Outsilver’s Safe Passage, and Ali Weasley’s Proverb were set to throw down once again having not seen each other since the Juvenile the year prior, it was a star studded cast to say the least.
The Doctor was as advertised; he outgunned Hyperbole and Battle Ground for the lead early rating very nicely, his race was as perfect as his record until the crucial turn in to the stretch. The Doctor drifted a bit leaving the rail open as a determined Skyfall picking off colts one by one. If you can imagine for a second how long the Louisville stretch must’ve felt for Doctor, he set a moderate but honest pace, but this is still a young colt trying 1 ¼ miles for the first time. Skyfall was motoring down the stretch with each stride getting closer and closer, it was heart pounding for me, and I don’t even own either superstar. As the wire came, the heartbreak had set in for The Doctor as he did everything right until the turn home, but I honestly don’t think that would have mattered much, Skyfall was just too good, she was masterful in every way.
The word before the race from Art Vandalay himself was that he thought Skyfall was his better chance in the Derby, he believed Skyfall was better than his prized colt Coronation whom came in undefeated, imagine that. The queen knocked off the kings in Louisville, she didn’t jump out to the lead and have them chase her around the track, she wore them down, and she was truly the best Derby day, now the entire SIM knows how good she really is.
What’s next for Skyfall as the SIM nation prepares for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. I was told Skyfall will be there though she isn’t inked quite yet. I also see the duo of Cypher and Tightrope already slated to travel to Baltimore for the Crown, two colts that Skyfall and company didn’t see in the Derby. Cypher brings back memories of Harkness from last year, he skipped the Derby in favor of the Crown but got nabbed by Castle Keep, and word is this suits Cypher very well. The Louisville Oaks winner Gorgeous is heading for Baltimore as well, this time she isn’t testing the ladies in the Oaks, she is tackling the boys in the Crown. The Doctor is already slated to run in the Baltimore Crown as well, he seeks revenge for his loss in the Derby, and will likely get a lot of backing in the betting pool. Alysse Peverell’s dominant colt Tightrope is making the trip as well, those who don’t know yet should be aware that Tightrope’s 4th place finish in the New Orleans’s Derby could have been trainer error according to Alysse who asked a little much of her colt that day causing him to not be up to par as he usually is. Alysse pulled Tightrope from the Derby even though he vetted ok in favor of the Crown to give her colt more rest, this could be big trouble for Skyfall and company having a fresh Tightrope stalking them.
I for one am anxious to see Skyfall in the Crown, she mesmerized in the Derby and most certainly is all business when she hits the track. To have Cypher and Tightrope in here adds to the story as both colts are fresh, Cypher aiming for this from the start and Tightrope having to skip the Derby to try for a better race here. The Doctor coming back for round 2 with Skyfall makes for great conversation, add in the fact that the Oaks winner is trying to walk in the same footsteps as Skyfall and you have some of the best entertainment anywhere, and that’s not even half the field…..Stay tuned!
Jack Meyer