HIDDEN SCROLL (c, Hard Spun-Sheba Queen, by Empire Maker)
'TDN Rising Star' O/B-Juddmonte Farms, Inc. (KY). T-William I. Mott. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $50,600.
Last Start: 4th, GII Fountain of Youth S., GP, Mar. 2
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 5.
'TDN Rising Star' Hidden Scroll will be a very dangerous and legitimate favorite in Saturday's GI Florida Derby. This Hard Spun-sired Juddmonte homebred has paired a freakishly fast maiden romp with a too-keen GII Fountain of Youth S. fourth. But his two-turn stakes debut was much better than it looks on paper considering he prevailed in an overly ambitious speed duel, then rebuffed both first and second runs on the turn before giving up ground without caving in deep stretch. Trainer Bill Mott's primary purpose since then has been schooling Hidden Scroll behind workmates to “eat dirt” while still finishing up into the bridle, and Mott told XBTV after a bullet five-eighths in 1:02.40 (1/7) on Friday that he is satisfied with the results. “I think this horse is fine in behind horses. I think he's fine on the lead if the pace is such that he needs to be on the lead,” he said. “Some horses will tend to kind of fall apart on you after a real hard race, but he seems like he's done well. He's just one of those horses that gets better with the work. He's got a really good hindquarter on him. He's not a big, heavy horse in front, which is to his advantage. I think it's good not to be [too] bulky. He's really a streamlined sort of horse. He's got a good hip, a lot of power, yet not so heavy that it's going to work against him.”
VIDEO PPS
| FINISH | RACE |
|---|---|
| 4th | GII Fountain of Youth S. |
| 1st | Maiden |
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