BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Trainer Michael Simone and owner Jane Perry likely did not have the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (Grade 1) in their plans when they claimed Micanopy for $8,000 at Tampa Bay Downs in April, yet here they are with the Florida-bred gelding. Tabbed at 15-1 on the morning line, Micanopy takes on 10 other 3-year-olds racing a mile-and-one-eighth.
In addition to the potential winning purse money earned, a victory in a Grade 1 run outside Florida by Micanopy would prompt a $7,500 Export Incentive for breeders Brent and Crystal Fernung of Ocala, Florida paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Although Micanopy faces a stellar group that includes 2-1 morning line favorite and three-time graded stakes-winner Further Ado, he does take a bit of a hometrack advantage into the race.
Last out on August 18, he won the $200,000 Smarty Jones by a length-and-a-half going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on a surface rated good, coming from three-lengths back to defeat Pennsylvania Derby-rivals Ponder and Dream in second and Freedom’s Echo in third. The 91 Beyer Speed Figure from that effort, while shy of the best numbers in the field, and a come from behind running style, are enough to designate him as a possible upset candidate for Saturday.
He is by Uncle Chuck, a winner at nine furlongs, and is out of the Belong to Me mare Golden Horseshoe, who won multiple times around two turns.
In three races prior, all at Delaware Park, he won a $20,000 optional claiming starter allowance by two lengths going a mile on May 28 then was second in a first condition, $75,000 optional claiming going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the turf on June 13. Before heading to Parx for the Smarty Jones, Micanopy was fourth, beaten two-and-a-half lengths in a first level allowance race going a mile-and-70 yards.
Micanopy has four wins and two seconds in 10 career starts with earnings of $204,420 and will be ridden for the first time by Paco Lopez from post 10.
Along with his program favoritism, Further Ado is the richest among the Pennsylvania Derby entrants with earnings of $1,476,958.
A 20-length winner of a maiden special weight at Keeneland in October of last year, Further Ado then took the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs.
Second to Pennsylvania Derby foe The Puma in the Grade 3 ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby in March, he blossomed next out to win the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) by 11 lengths at Keeneland on April 4. He did not meet expectations as the 5-1 favorite in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), finishing 11th, but came back strong a month later to win the Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs by two lengths on June 7.
Trained by Brad Cox for Spendthrift Farm, Further Ado was fifth last out in the Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell at Monmouth Park on July 18.
Further Ado is by Gun Runner and will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post seven.
Completing the entries are Zihnal with John Velazquez in the irons, Jose Ortiz has the call on Iron Honor, Our Moneyman teams with jockey Manny Franco, Igniter will have Luis Saez up, Ruben Silvera will guide Talk to Me Jimmy, Javier Castellano has the assignment on The Puma, no rider has been named for Freedom’s Echo, Sassmaster will have Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle and Mychel Sanchez be aboard Ponder and Dream.
Return to the September 18 issue of Wire to Wire
