Fasig-Tipton Swale Stakes 2015; Horses With Derby Aspirations

Fasig-Tipton Swale Stakes 2015; Horses With Derby Aspirations: The Swale Stakes (G2) is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2015, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. The race is for three-year-olds and is run over the dirt at a distance of seven furlongs for an attractive purse of $200,000. Although the Swale Stakes does not offer Derby points, some horses use it as a springboard to attempt a Derby Trail race afterwards. The race was named in honor of the colt Swale, trained by the legendary Woody Stephens and winner of the Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby, and Belmont Stakes. In a surprising and tragic twist, he died suddenly of a heart attack a few days after his Belmont feat. Last year, Spot, a son of Pulpit, won the Swale and then tried the Florida Derby to earn points but failed badly and did not make the starting gate for the roses. This year, horses with Derby aspirations are again running in the Swale Stakes 2015 in hopes of eventually gaining enough points to make the field of twenty.

The Pletcher-trained Daredevil returns after a disappointing effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile won by Texas Red. Daredevil broke from the outside and was forced to run very wide. To add to Daredevil’s problems, there were also too many horses trying to take the lead, all but destroying his chance to win. Thus, Daredevil was no threat in the race and finished last. Daredevil was undefeated before that performance and looked like a Derby hopeful. Returning from a break, this colt has been working very well at Palm Beach Downs and looks fit for this race in which leading jockey Javier Castellano has the mount.

Unbeaten in three starts leading up to his run in the Juvenile, Souper Collosal faded in the stretch to finish seventh after setting blazing fractions. Souper Collosal returned on February 7, 2015, to take the Texas Glitter Stakes over five furlongs on the turf. He finished his preparations for the Swale with an easy four furlongs in :50.20.

X Y Jet, winner of one race and gutsy son of the sprinter Kantharos, was second in the Hutcheson Stakes (G3) over seven furlongs, just a half-length behind the talented colt Barbados. Running at a distance with which he is comfortable, this colt will use his natural speed to try to win gate-to-wire.

The lightly-raced but talented colt Ready for Rye was second in the Spectacular Bid Stakes over six furlongs as the heavy favorite. In his debut he achieved a solid second in which he only finished behind promising Derby contender Carpe Diem.

The rest of the field consists of Senor Grits, a winner of two races out of four starts and runner-up in the James F. Lewis III Stakes at Laurel Park; the Ontario-bred Grand Bili, a winner in his debut on February 1, 2015, at Gulfstream Park; and Twotwentyfive A, a horse who is looking to bounce back after a series of disappointing efforts.

Fasig-Tipton Swale Stakes 2015 Post Positions & Odds
Race #10 5:00 PM ET
1 Daredevil 1-1 Castellano/Pletcher
2 Senor Grits 12-1 Leparoux/Wilkes
3 Ready for Rye 9-2 Ortiz, Jr./Albertrani
4 Twotwentyfive A 20-1 Hernandez/Gold
5 Souper Colossal 4-1 Rosario/Plesa, Jr.
6 Grand Bili 15-1 Saez/Delgado
7 X Y Jet 5-1 Zayas/Navarro