While it is still much too early to proclaim a Kentucky Derby (USA-I) favorite, there is no question that Mohaymen has thrown down the gauntlet to the other Classic hopefuls of 2016 with the first truly outstanding performance of the year for this season's sophomores. The smooth-running gray had no trouble disposing of two well-regarded rivals in 2015 Champagne Stakes (USA-I) winner Greenpointcrusader and Conquest Big E in the Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (USA-II), and he did it under a hand ride while spinning the last 3/16 of a mile in a sharp 29.55. Granted, the early pace was tepid, but none of Mohaymen's defeated rivals showed the ability to accelerate off it; Mohaymen did.
It's impressive when a young horse runs fast, but it's even more so when a young horse seems to be doing so for the sheer pleasure of it. One need only think back to American Pharoah's Arkansas Derby (USA-I) or California Chrome's San Felipe Stakes (USA-II) for similar performances---both ran fast, both won for fun, and both came back with plenty of juice in the lemon. This isn't to say that Mohaymen has proved himself in the class of either champion yet, but the way he won today certainly suggests more good days ahead.
Like juvenile champion Nyquist, Mohaymen still has questions to answer about how far he really wants to go. While Tapit has a Belmont Stakes (USA-I) winner to his credit in Tonalist, it should be remembered that Tonalist's maternal grandsire is the staying Pleasant Colony. Quite a few other nice sons of Tapit haven't wanted to go nearly that far, and Mohaymen's dam line has a profile more suggestive of a miler than a classic horse. Mohaymen has already handled 9 furlongs without turning a hair, however, and his professional demeanor and easy way of going are both in his favor when it comes to stretching his speed still further. I wouldn't bet on him yet as the Derby champion---but I wouldn't bet against him either.
It's impressive when a young horse runs fast, but it's even more so when a young horse seems to be doing so for the sheer pleasure of it. One need only think back to American Pharoah's Arkansas Derby (USA-I) or California Chrome's San Felipe Stakes (USA-II) for similar performances---both ran fast, both won for fun, and both came back with plenty of juice in the lemon. This isn't to say that Mohaymen has proved himself in the class of either champion yet, but the way he won today certainly suggests more good days ahead.
Like juvenile champion Nyquist, Mohaymen still has questions to answer about how far he really wants to go. While Tapit has a Belmont Stakes (USA-I) winner to his credit in Tonalist, it should be remembered that Tonalist's maternal grandsire is the staying Pleasant Colony. Quite a few other nice sons of Tapit haven't wanted to go nearly that far, and Mohaymen's dam line has a profile more suggestive of a miler than a classic horse. Mohaymen has already handled 9 furlongs without turning a hair, however, and his professional demeanor and easy way of going are both in his favor when it comes to stretching his speed still further. I wouldn't bet on him yet as the Derby champion---but I wouldn't bet against him either.
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