Michael Maker’s vivid dream portrays Hansen untouchable in the Derby
Strategies and tactical side of horse racing for any race is resurfaced after draws and post positions for the particular race, and for the 2011 juvenile champ, Hansen, it was heart in mouth stuff for his connections when only two spots are left and Hansen’s
name was yet to be uttered.
It was a major relief when Hansen drew post number 14 and the post number 1 was given to the Aidan O’Brien trained Irish based, Daddy Long Legs.
It didn’t take the trainer, Michael Maker, that much time to envision how his light gray runner is going to approach the race, and with his front running style exposed in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes by Dullahan going 9 furlongs, Hansen will have
to resort to his versatility.
The son of Tapit showed in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes that he came come off the pace, stalk, and pack a mean punch in the stretch run, and it seems Michael Maker is leaning towards that sort of a run in his arsenal.
“Ideally it plays out in my head that Bodemeister and Trinniberg run off in about :44 (for a half-mile), I’m about eight lengths back in third, and there is another 10 lengths back to fourth and beyond. We turn for home and draw off,” said Maker, standing
outside of Barn 42 on May 3.
“And that’s when my alarm went off.”
Hansen will have an advantage of being at familiar territory where he won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last fall, and against eight opponents out of the full field of 20 that he defeated on that day, and Maker’s vivid dream could play out the same
way he envisioned the whole thing.
The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes ensured one thing, and that is Hansen can carry his electric speed for long distances, and though he was run down by Dullahan at the eight pole, it sat Hansen up well for the Kentucky Derby.
Dr. Kendall E. Hansen, co-owner and breeder, said that he will win the Blue Grass Stakes, is still pretty confident that they can conjure up a perfect trip, and steal it from the rest like they did last time at Churchill Downs.
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