Upstart to Holy Bull

THE Kentucky Derby trail begins early in the US and the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream tonight sees the reappearance of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile third, Upstart. A dual winner at Saratoga, he also finished second to Daredevil in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont - his four juvenile runs. Godolphin have two runners - Frosted and First Down.

The Michelle Nevin-trained Frizette Stakes winner By The Moon returns in the Grade 2 Forward Gal after disappointing at the Breeders Cup. Dual winner Enchantress represents the Magnier/Tabor/Smith alliance.

Chrome fires up for return

CALIFORNIA Chrome resumed training ahead of his 2015 debut in the nine-furlong San Antonio Stakes on the main track at Santa Anita on February 7th where he may meet Bayern and Shared Belief.

The newly crowned Horse of the Year drilled seven furlongs at Los Alamitos Race Course on Monday.

Perry Martin, co-owner/breeder of California Chrome along with Steve Coburn, reported that the colt appears ready for a big run.

“I just got off the phone with Art [Sherman],” Martin said. “He said Victor’s [Espinoza] arms were sore trying to hold him back. He’s ready to fire his best. We’re looking forward to quite a show.”

Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern has been recovering from an abscessed hind foot.

Texas jockey banned

JOCKEY Roman Chapa has been suspended by Texas Horse Racing Commission stewards pending an investigation into his winning ride aboard Quiet Acceleration in a stakes race on January 17th at Sam Houston Race Park.

A photograph from the race, taken by the official track photographer, showed what appears to be an object in Chapa’s left hand.

The photograph and questions about it were brought to the stewards’ attention by The Paulick Report.

Chapa has been suspended twice previously for possessing a banned electrical device.

Ramsey’s hope for new Star

NORTH America’s leading owner and breeder, Ken and Sarah Ramsey found their first potential contender for the 2015 Kentucky Derby when International Star easily won the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes last Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Running down War Story and Tiznow R J in the final yards, the New York-bred son of Fusaichi Pegasus gained 10 points on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

Jockey Miguel Mena waited patiently while giving International Star a ground-saving rail trip as Tiznow R J and War Story engaged in a battle for the lead through a mile.

Mena switched International Star off the rail to the centre of the track and the colt accelerated with ears pricked to pass his rivals in the final half furlong.

“He’s been training very well,” Maker said.

“We expected a big race - maybe not that big - but he was coming into the race great. We’ll bring him back to Florida and take a hard look at the [February 21st] Risen Star.”