3 for 4 in his nearly undefeated career; reigning 2 Year Old Champion.
His only loss was an unfortunate second, in which he struggled with an off track and a stumble at the gate.
He's coming back off fast works, rearing to go in his next start - the $400,000 Gotham Stakes (March 3rd).
What's not to love?
Hansen romping home to win the Kentucky Cup Juvenile
by a sensational 13 lengths.
Plenty of things, according to the 13 horse field - a record total for the 1 1/16 mile Derby prep.
In spite of his phenomenal 2 year old season, Hansen's scaring away no one.
Questions have arose surrounding the Tapit colt's 3 year old debut. Hansen stumbled at the gate before rushing off at sharp fractions to head the field by several lengths - a gap that was quickly eaten by Algorithms (now off the Derby trail due to an injured right foreleg), who soared past Hansen to win it by 5.
Although Hansen supporters may blame it on the off track & his unfortunate plunge at the start, others are pointing to the grey colt as a prime example of a precocious 2 year old whose peers have finally caught up to in the trying metamorphosis from front-running colt to Derby contender.
In absence of Algorithms, Hansen will be faced by My Adonis - the horse who rallied from 20 lengths behind in the Holy Bull to finish a half length behind Hansen. My Adonis will go down as the second favorite to Hansen in the Gotham Stakes.
And then there's Dan and Sheila & Raconteur, the two entrees from trainer Todd Pletcher. Should they preform well, they'll will be off on their quest for the Kentucky Derby. A notable long shot would be Maan - going off at odds of 15-1, the colt from Cloverleaf Farms is undefeated in 2 career starts. He's never ran farther than 6 1/2 furlongs, so the question will be if he can stretch out - especially when accompanied by stakes quality 3 year olds.
Hansen will have to run hard to prove himself - not only against the favorites, but by several up-and-coming long shots. Trainer Mike Maker hopes that by taking his blinkers off, Hansen will run more relaxed than in previous races.
"I feel like he was extra sharp in the Holy Bull," says jockey Ramon Dominguez. "He (Maker) said all along, although he would have liked to win that race, it wasn't the ultimate goal. I'm pretty optimistic that with that race under him, he will be a little more settled."
And settled he must be, to overcome not only the large field, but an unlucky position in gate 12.
But it could be worse.
At least he's not in gate 13.
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