Create Your DRF Account
New to DRF?
Everything you could possibly
need in one place
Register
Don't have an account? Register Here
DRF Logo
09/17/2009 3:46PM

Midshipman's Return

By Steven Crist
  • Print
Tweet
Email

When Midshipman makes his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in Friday's 3rd race at Belmont, he will be coming off the second longest layoff by any returning 2-year-old champion in the last 36 years:



A few thoughts:


--In total, 18 of these 35 2-year-old champs won their first start at 3, but it's a tale ot two streaks: They were 12 for 17 from 1972 through 1988, but only 6 for 18 since.


--All four 2-year-old champs who did not return for six months or more -- Macho Uno (264 days), Maria's Mon (282), Roving Boy (305) and Gilded Time (371) -- lost their debuts at 3. So did two of the three others whose first start at 3 came 150 days or more after their last start at 2: Capote (152 days) and Johannesburg (154 days.) Arazi won his first start at 3 off a 156-day break. So returning 2-year-old champs coming off layoffs of over 150 days are 1 for 7 since 1972.


--On the other hand, Godolphin has been popping with one long-layoff returnee after another in recent weeks. Vineyard Haven finished first (dq'd to second) in the G1 King's Bishop off a 198-day layoff; Sara Louise won the G3 Victory Ride off a 273-day layoff, and Girolamo won a Saratoha N1x off a 309-day break.


Midshipman2


Midshipman faces one hurdle no other 2-year-old champion ever has: He will be making his first career start on dirt after racing only on Del Mar's Pro-Ride and Del Mar's Polytrack synthetic surfaces last year. Also, he has caught a small but salty field for his return: He is the third choice on the morning line at 3-1 in a field of six behind Storm Play (8-5, and coming off a 294-day layoff himself) and Just Ben (9-5), who have recorded top Beyer Speed Figures of 110 and 109, respectively. Midshipman's biggest Beyers as a 2-year-old were 91's in his debut and the BC Juvenile.

  • Print



Most Popular

  • Stories
  • DRF Products
  1. 1.
    Wondrwherecraigis takes them gate to wire in Fire Plug
    Posted 01/29/2022 04:45PM
  1. 1.
    10-Card Formulator PP Plan
  2. 2.
    10-Card Classic PP Plan
  3. 3.
    DRF Plus One-Month Subscription
  4. 4.
    DRF Digital Newspaper
  5. 5.
    DRF Clocker Reports
Syndicate content Subscribe to this blog

DRFLogoFooter
DRF.com News Search
  • Horse Racing Events
    • Saratoga Meet
    • Kentucky Derby
    • Fountain of Youth Stakes
    • Preakness Stakes
    • Belmont Stakes
    • Triple Crown
    • More
  • Horse Racing News
    • Race of the Day
    • Track News
    • Top Headlines
    • Race Previews
    • Race Recaps
    • More
  • Tracks
    • Churchill Downs
    • Gulfstream Park
    • Belmont Park
    • Aqueduct
    • Saratoga
    • More
  • Handicapping & PPs
    • DRF Classic PPs
    • Formulator PPs
    • TimeForm US PPs
    • Daily Racing Program
    • DRF Picks
    • More
Get our free Newsletter, DRF Morning Line

Free Race-of-the-Day video analysis & PPs,DRF Bets Gameplan Play-of-the-Day, all the latest racing news and more.

Sign Up for Newsletter
  • Bet Now
  • Purchase PPs
  • DRF Sports
  • About
  • Betting 101
  • Handicapping 101
  • Help Center
  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Policies
  • Sitemap
© Daily Racing Form. All rights reserved
Download DRF Bets on your smartphone
Don't miss the break! Follow DRF
© Daily Racing Form. All rights reserved