Correll’s Top Ten: Catching Freedom moves up, Track Phantom moves down

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview

Catching Freedom; Hodges Photography

TRINITY, Fla. – Catching Freedom came the widest of all off the second turn to storm down the long stretch at Fair Grounds in New Orleans to win the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 23.

The son of Constitution picked up 100 points and a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. Trainer Brad Cox has six weeks to keep this colt happy and healthy before the “Run for the Roses.”

“I didn’t know what to make of it early on, being so far back and with not much pace, but Flavien (Prat) did a great job of letting him inch up. He needed pretty much the entire stretch to get there and I am very proud of the effort,” Cox said.

Track Phantom, the post-time favorite in the race, faded to fourth after controlling the early pace. The colt has enough points for the Derby, but I think he is better suited as miler.

The other Derby points race on March 23 was the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., and a colt that never has run on dirt took home the top prize and 100 points. Endlessly, a son of Oscar Performance, won the race on fake dirt (Tapeta) and trainer Michael McCarthy said the colt is headed for Louisville, but to run in the American Turf on the Derby under-card.

West Saratoga, who was second in the Ruby and picked up 50 points, will point to the Derby.

Nysos (sire: Nyquist) was scratched from the San Felipe and trainer Bob Baffert said he would wait for the Santa Anita Derby on April 6.

Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) received a 98 Equibase speed figure in winning the Risen Star.

Timberlake (Into Mischief) earned a 105 E-speed figure for his effort in the Rebel.

Catching Freedom (Constitution) won the Louisiana Derby.

Dornach (Good Magic) won the Fountain of Youth on March 2 at Gulfstream Park and trainer Danny Gargan is looking at the Florida Derby on March 30 or the Blue Grass on April 6 at Keeneland.

Muth (Good Magic) was second in the Juvenile and won the San Vicente on Jan. 7 at Santa Anita in Southern California. He is trained by Baffert.

Fierceness (City of Light) was third in the Holy Bull.

Maymun (Frosted) is another Baffert that won’t be in the Derby but is one of the better 3-year-olds in the country. He’s waiting for a stakes race.

Imagination (Into Mischief) won the San Felipe on March 3 and you guested it, he’s another Baffert.

Endlessly (Oscar Performance) is the best 3-year-old grass horse in the country.