If you go strictly by speed figures, the fastest healthy three-year-old colt in North America wasn’t included in the Kentucky Derby field. With a 110 Beyer Speed Figure and a 4 on the Ragozin Sheets, the lightly-raced Social Inclusion missed a Derby berth by the bob of a head. Come Preakness time, however, he’ll break from starting stall #8.
Social Inclusion was a runaway winner of his debut on Feburary 22 at Gulfstream Park. That afternoon he went right to the lead from his rail position and rocketed to a 7 1/2-length score, covering six furlongs in an impressive 1:09.35. His next start was a mile an one-sixteenth Allowance heat in South Florida, designed as a first test of his distance capability. That race also happened to be the 2014 starting point for Derby favorite Honor Code, an impresive graded winner last year at two. The betting public made Honor Code the odds-on favorite but Social Inclusion made everyone take notice with another dominant performace. He ran away from Honor Code by over 10 lengths, earning the aforementioned speed figures.
The Wood Memorial was up next for the speedy colt and another big effort was needed to secure enough points to make the Churchill Downs starting gate on the first Saturday in May. Under jockey Luis Contreras, Social Inclusion ceded the early lead to Schivarelli in the Wood but was right at that one’s throatlatch after a quarter mile. He was traveling easily on the outside down the backstretch and entering the home stretch the colt looked well in command. It wasn’t until the 3/16ths pole that he appeared a little weary and from there he weakened more noticably. Wicked Strong was running best late and surged by him in the final yards from the far outside. The previously unbeaten Samraat was also along to grab second place, and crucial Derby points from Social Inclusion.
Without those points, Social Inclusion stayed in South Florida and was to prep for the Preakness Stakes in the Sir Bear Stakes. A minor foot bruise kept him out of that event but he appears to have recovered fully and has worked spectacuarly since.
The question for Social Inclusion going into Saturday’s Preakness Stakes is his ability to handle a Classic distance. His Wood Memorial left plenty of doubts, but supporters can point to the fact that it was only his third career start. His pedigree is also mixed bag. His sire, Pioneerof the Nile, ran second in the Kentucky Derby and is the the son of a Belmont Stakes winner (Empire Maker) and grandson of a Kentucky Derby winner (Unbridled). His dam, however, the graded-placed Saint Bernadette, was a two-time winner, both at sprint distances.
Social Inclusion’s gaudy speed figures and workouts will certainly attract a lot of wagering dollars. In fact, he’s the second choice on the morning line at 5-1. Based on his running style his supporters will most likely have something to root for at the top of the stretch. That’s when it will get interesting for Social Inclusion.
Matt O'Neil Consulting 