US Racing / Nick Shiambouros / 15 February 2008 /

In today's US Racing we've got the latest on the track troubles at Santa Anita, a look ahead to the weekend, and news of an expensive retirement.

Things at Santa Anita slowly got back to normal after the track was closed for repairs last week but there are still concerns amongst trainers and jockeys with regards to the safety of the track. High profile jockey Garrett Gomez refused to ride Warren's Adventure in the sixth race on Wednesday citing a very hard and unsafe track as the main reason. He said, "It's my life out there. I am not a test pilot."

Following more repairs on Wednesday night things appeared to be getting back to normal on Thursday; but Santa Anita president Ron Charles warned that the newly renovated track would need more maintenance than previously thought.

At The Fairgrounds on Saturday Pyro put a sensational effort in The Risen Star, coming from last at the top of the lane to mow down his rivals with an explosive turn of foot to win going away. I must admit I was a little concerned by the confidence with which Sean Bridgemohan rode this son of Pulpit but he knew what he had in reserve on this colt. I think Pyro is a deserving favourite for The Kentucky Derby and I think that his price of [7.0] on the exchange is fair . The runner up Z Fortune ran well but could not withstand the winner's turn of foot.

In The Mineshaft for four year olds and upwards Grasshopper showed he will be a force to be reckoned with this year when showing a good turn of foot to win this Grade 3 event. I think he could be competitive at the highest level later on in the year and is a horse to keep on the right side.

Back to Santa Anita and on Saturday Golden Doc A produced a very game effort in winning the Grade 1 Las Virgenes. He got up close home to beat Lovely Isle in a thrilling finish. Grace Anatomy had every chance but faded in the lane.

On Sunday in the Grade 2 San Vincente, Into Mischief, and Massive Drama cut each others throats in a fierce pace duel and this set up the race for Georgie Boy to cut them both down close home in this Derby trial. I think the winner had the race to suit so I would take this form with a grain of salt.

Now on to some more great racing this weekend as the race for the Kentucky Derby heats up.
Over at Gulfstream on Saturday I do like the look of Cowboy Cal in the Hallandale Beach Stakes , a race run on the turf over a mile and one sixteenth. His trainer Todd Pletcher thinks that this horse could develop in to a serious Derby horse and should he run well here he will go to Keenland for The Blue Grass Stakes. I hope I can back this horse at around [3.0] for this event but he could go off shorter given these high profile connections.

Also on Saturday, at Tampa Bay Downs, The Sam F Davis Stakes is a very interesting race and features some very useful three year olds. Either of Smooth Air and Z Humour have a chance and I will be backing them both in this hot contest. I've got my fingers crossed that I will be able to get around [4.0] for each.

On a final note, it has just been announced that The Green Monkey has been retired to stud after a total of three starts in his career and not one victory to his name. This $16m purchase is to stand in Ocala at the farm of Randy Hartley and Dean De Renzo. I am truly amazed that his owners have made this decision which I can only imagine is based on his inflated purchase price as a result of a bidding war between Coolmore and Godolphin, not his performance on the racecourse. I wish them luck in this venture because they will certainly need it. By the way, it will be 2009 before he starts his duties at stud.

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