Holy Bull Stakes awaits Hansen

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hallandale Beach, FL (Sports Network) - Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Hansen will make his 2012 debut in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on January 29. The three-year-old colt is owned by Dr. Kendall Hansen and trained by Mike Maker.

"This horse has been such a dream," Dr. Hansen said about the Eclipse Award finalist. "Right now, all I can think about is January 29 and the Holy Bull Stakes. I've never been to Gulfstream Park before and we have a group of about 20 or 30 people set to make the trip."

The Holy Bull comes 13 days after the 2011 Eclipse Awards are announced in Beverly Hills.

"In my mind, we've already won," said Dr. Hansen. "We're going to be involved in the six-month discussion leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Because the horse will be getting all of this recognition, I feel we've already won.

"I can understand the conflict voters have with Union Rags (Juvenile runner- up) getting a wide trip, but I think all you can do is settle it on the racetrack. That's what races are run for. We had our share of disadvantages too. If speed and the rail were good that day, we might have won by five lengths."

The other finalist for the Eclipse Award as champion two-year-old male is Creative Cause who was third in the Juvenile. The colt had won the Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita along with the Best Pal at Del Mar.

Hansen defeated 11-10 favorite Union Rags by a head after setting most of the pace in the 1 1/16-mile race. Creative Cause was another length back as the 5-1 second choice.

Last year Dialed In won the Holy Bull on his way to capturing the Florida Derby. The colt would go off as the 5-1 favorite in the 2011 Kentucky Derby, but finish eighth.