THE WOODFORD SUN, Versailles, Ky. March 8, 2012 11 Hansen is back, wins Gotham Stakes BY RICK CAPONE WOODFORD SUN SPORTS EDITOR After suffering the only de- feat of his career to Algorithms this past January at Gulfstream Park in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), some “experts” won- dered if Hansen would still be strong enough in his three- year-old campaign this year to be a top contender for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 4. Well, Hansen, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill this past November to end his undefeated juvenile season, gave notice to all those doubters on Saturday, March 3, that he is still a horse to contend with on the 2012 Derby Trail. In a strong performance, in which he rated behind horses for the fi rst time in his career, Hansen took charge of the race on the fi nal turn, then charged down the stretch to win the 60th running of the $400,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aq- ueduct by three lengths over My Adonis. Finnegans Wake THERE WAS HORSE RACING coast-to-coast this past Saturday. At Aqueduct, came in third. Hansen, top photo, with jockey Ramon Dominguez riding, grabbed the lead in Hansen, who is out of Tapit- Stormy Sunday, by Sir Cat, the stretch and powered to a three-length victory in the Gotham Stakes (G3) at ran the 1-1/16th-mile race in Aqueduct on Saturday, March 3. Also at Aqueduct, It’s Tricky, top right photo, 1:43.84. Barring injury, with returned to the track for the fi rst time since her second place fi nish to Royal Delta his race winnings, Hansen also in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic, and with jockey Ramon Dominguez aboard, earned himself a spot in the won the Top Flight Handicap. Meanwhile, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., starting gate for the Kentucky George and Lori Hall’s Pants On Fire, middle right photo, with jockey Paco Lopez Derby – Take that, experts! riding, took to the track for the fi rst time this year and ran away with a with a 4- “He really took the step 1/2-length win in a $54,000 allowance race. The Halls own Annestes Farms in Versailles. Finally, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., Ron forward as far as maturing,” the Greek, bottom right photo, with Jose Lescano riding, won the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap. (Top left photo and middle-right photo said Hansen’s jockey, Ramon by Coglianese Photos; top right photo by Adam Mooshian / Coglianese photos; bottom right photo by Benoit Photos) Dominguez in an Aqueduct press release. “He actually fi eld turned for home, Hansen been sent to Turfway Park in this year. starts, three seconds, one third Ron the Greek ran the 1-1/4- did it better than I expected took over the lead, drew clear Florence, Ky., to prepare for “It’s great,” he said in a and $860,860. mile race in 2:00.41. – he was so relaxed. Coming and, with Dominguez keep- his next race. March 4 article in the Thor- At Santa Anita Park in Ar- The fi ve-year-old son of to the three-eights pole when ing him to task, fi nished three In other racing news this oughbred Times Today. “She’s cadia, Calif., on Saturday, Ron Full Mandate-Flambe’, by he switched to his left lead lengths ahead of My Adonis, past weekend… kind of a special filly for the Greek upset the 13-horse Fortunate Prospect, now has and I got after him he went on who also ran a solid race, Also at Aqueduct on Sat- everybody involved with her, fi eld to win the $750,000 Santa six wins in 17 career starts, beautiful. He really did it as while Finnegans Wake came urday, It’s Tricky made her or not involved with hers. It’s Anita Handicap (G1) by 3-1/2 three seconds, one third and nice as I could expect. I was in third, three lengths behind 2012 debut with an impressive nice off four months for her lengths over second-place fi n- $769,665. hoping that he could take the My Adonis. 2-1/4-length victory in the to win. … But, she won, and isher Setsuko. Finishing third He is owned by Brous step forward, mind-wise, but Hansen really does not have $200,000 Top Flight Handicap that’s important. She’s trained was Uh Oh Bango, while race Stable, Wachtel Stable and he really took it further than I to run again until the Derby. (G2). Finishing second was great.” favorite, Ultimate Eagle, faded Jack Hammer and trained by expected. Awesome. Galloped However, Dr. Hansen said he Love and Pride, while Bahama Ridden by Ramon Domin- to 10th place. Bill Mott. out like a freight train, too.” would probably run one more Bound fi nished third. guez, It’s Tricky now has six Ridden by Jose Lezcano, With the win, Hansen, who time prior to the Derby, with The four-year-old fi lly out wins in 10 starts, three seconds is trained by Michael Maker, one possibility being the $1 of Mineshaft-Catboat, by Tale and $1,166,500 in earnings. and owned by Dr. Kendall million Resorts World Casino of the Cat, was coming off a In Florida, Pants On Fire, WOODFORD FEED CO. Hansen and Dr. Harvey Dia- New York City Wood Memo- great three-year-old campaign, who is owned by George and mond, now has four wins in fi ve rial Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct which saw her score four Lori Hall, owners of Annestes 498 Lexington Rd. • Versailles career starts, one second and on April 7. wins, which included the TVG Farms in Versailles, saw his $1,473,305 in earnings. “(The Wood has) a lot of Coaching Club American Oaks fi rst action of the 2012 season 873-4811 In the race, Hansen, who history, and it’d be a real thrill (G1) and TVG Acorn Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream was running without blinkers to have a chance to win that,” (G1) last summer, and two Park, and won a $54,000 al- Complete line of for the fi rst time, broke cleanly said Dr. Hansen. “We don’t seconds. lowance race by 4-1/2-lengths then raced four-wide into the have to run again (before the However, she ended the over second place finisher Horse Feed & Supplies clubhouse turn. He then settled Kentucky Derby). We may year with some disappointing Hunters Bay. Meistersinger comfortably on the outside, make that decision, whatever finishes, which included a fi nished third. stalking the race leaders, also is best for the horse. As long as second place fi nish to Royal He ran the eight-furlong something new for him. everything stays on schedule, Delta in the Breeders’ Cup race, his fi rst since last July, Snow day with Monarchos At the midway point in the we’ll probably run him one Ladies Classic at Churchill in in 1:35.94. fi nal turn, he began to make more time. I think a mile and November. Trained by Kelly Breen a bid for the lead from King an eighth would be good for But, with this latest win, her and ridden by Paco Lopez, the and Crusader, who would him to build up to a mile and trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin, is four-year-old colt out of Jump ultimately fi nish eighth in the a quarter.” pleased with how she ran and Start-Cabo de Noche, by Cape 13-horse fi eld. Then, as the Until then, Hansen has is hoping for more successes Town, now has four wins in 12 doubles record last season as in doubles, while Sandknop Other athletes returning to TENNIS a seventh grader. had an 8-1 singles record the team to try and play into a Continued from pg. 9 According to Watts, Least and an 11-12 doubles record. spot are seniors Parker Cau- Jobe, Ellington King and sixth will be one of the key players Also, Brown fi nished with an fi eld and Alec Holman, juniors grader Jessy Sanders. on the team and the coach sees 8-1 singles record and a 12-8 Elijah Hack and Paul Taylor, big things ahead for his young doubles record, McGeorge had eighth graders Will Luckett and Boys’ Team player. a 4-2 singles record and an 11- Wesley Smith and sixth grader “Luke was our number 3 doubles record and Favetto Ben Luckett. The Woodford boys’ team one player last year and he’s fi nished 4-2 in singles and 6-6 As previously mentioned, lost two of its six top players going to be our number one in doubles. Woodford opens its season last year in Logan Pauley and player again,” Watts said. “He’s In addition, another player with the boys’ and girls’ teams been playing all the time and coming out to play and who playing Dunbar at home on the MONARCHOS, who won the 2001 Kentucky Ashford King. Derby in the second-fastest time in history behind During the season, Pauley, taking lessons and he’s much might have an impact on the courts at Falling Springs on who played No. 2 singles, improved. I can see him get- team, according to Watts, is Monday, March 12. Secretariat, was out grazing in the snow in his fi nished with a 13-9 singles ting to the quarterfi nals (of the Hunter Boyd.