There is only one two-year-old maiden special weight race scheduled to be run this afternoon at Saratoga, where the feature race of the day is the grade I Coaching Club American Oaks. Still, it looks like an interesting one and I wouldn't be surprised if some nice horses emerge from it.
Saratoga Race 2
Entries:
Program #/Horse/Morning Line Odds
1 Laurie's Rocket 5-1
2 Zellers 12-1
3 Harry Consolidator 20-1
4 Mr. Continental 6-1
5 Covert Ops 8-1
6 Whinston 8-5
7 How Do I Win 5-2
The morninge line favorite is Whinston, a Steve Asmussen-trained son of Pomeroy. He has raced once before, finishing a distant fourth in a five-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. But he didn't get the greatest of trips in that race and should turn in an improved effort today.
How Do I Win is an intriguing horse. Owned by Repole Stable, trained by Todd Pletcher, and to be ridden by John Velazquez, he has the connections to be a star. He turned in a bullet five furlong work in :58.89 handily from the gate on July 16th, and may be set to win in the first race of his career.
Laurie's Rocket brings experience to this race, having one start under his belt already. In his debut, a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, he made a five-wide rally at nearly 48-1 to finish second, beaten 5 1/4 lengths by Bonaparte. The latter subsequently returned to finish sixth of seven in the Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III), although he really didn't perform to badly there. Trained by Dallas Stewart, Laurie's Rocket will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux.
The fourth choice is Mr. Continental, and unraced son of Corinthian. Trained by Nick Zito, the colt has turned in some good looking workouts and may be sitting on a big effort. Leading rider Ramon Dominguez will be in the saddle, so don't be surprised if Mr. Continental wins impressively.
Convert Ops is another unraced colt, but the son of Smoke Glacken has been working steadily at Belmont Park for Shug McGaughey. Alex Solis will have the mount.
Zellers finished seventh in his only race thus far, a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, he would have to show considerably more to be a contender here today. Robby Albarado will ride.
Finally, we come to Harry Consolidator. Trained by Doodnauth Shivmangal, he has never raced before but has breezed four times in the last three weeks. Rajiv Maragh has the mount on the son of Consolidator.
My selections for this race are:
1 How Do I Win
2 Laurie's Rocket
3 Whinston
Enjoy the race!
Previous Results
July 22nd
In the fifth race of the day, a 5-1/2 furlong maiden special weight for two-year-old fillies, My Miss Aurelia pulled off a mild upset under Julien Leparoux to score at 3-1. After tracking a solid early pace of :22.02 and :45.02 set by Delightful Magic, My Miss Aurelia tackled the pacesetter in the homestretch and drew clear late to win by an impressive length. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the daughter of Smart Strike out of the Storm Cat mare My Miss Storm looks like a potential star. The final time was 1:03.59.
Stopshoppingmaria finished two lengths further back in third after stumbling at the start.
In the seventh race, a 5-1/2 furlong maiden special for New York-bred two-year-old fillies, Pure Gossip pulled off a stunning upset at 37-1. Under Alex Solis, the daughter of Pure Prize stayed on the rail all the way around the racetrack, shot clear along the rail, and drew away to score impressively by 3 3/4 lengths. The final time was 1:04.89, considerably slower than My Miss Aurelia ran just two races earlier. Pure Gossip is trained by Philip Serpe. Lenders Way finished second, 2 1/4 lengths in front of Wildcat's Smile.
Finally, in the ninth race, the Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III) for two-year-old fillies, odds-on favorite Georgie's Angel drove past Gypsy Robin in the stretch of the six-furlong event to win by a length and a half. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, the daughter of Bellamy Road rated comfortably three wide in third before launching her bid for the lead. She is now 2-for-2 and the early leader of her division. She stopped the clock in 1:10.68. True Feeling made a strong bid for second, finishing 5 3/4 lengths in front of third-place finisher Force de La Nature. Gypsy Robin tired late to end up fourth.
-Keelerman
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
The Juveniles at Saratoga -- July 22nd, 2011
Because so many terrific two-year-olds and future Kentucky Derby starters debut every year at Saratoga, I thought that it would be interesting to begin a series of posts focusing on all of the maiden special weight races run there this summer. It will be fascinating to look back on these posts a year from now and see where the winners of each race ended up. If we're very lucky, we might even watch the debut of a 2012 Kentucky Derby winner!
The first race that we shall cover is the fifth race this afternoon, a $50,000 old maiden special weight for fillies. Eight were entered, but one has scratched.
Here are the entries:
Race 5
Program #/Horse/Morning Line Odds
1 Stopshoppingmaria 6-1
2 Delightful Magic 7-2
3 My Miss Aurelia 5-2
4 Bourbonesque 20-1
5 Refining 6-1
6I Know You Know (Scratched)
7 Party of Interest 12-1
8 Bargain Blitz 3-1
I'll shall make this brief, for we will have many more races to go through before the meet ends, but here I go.
I will not be surprised if Stopshoppingmaria ends up going off at lower odds than 6-1, simply because of her connections. Owned by Repole Stables, she is trained by Todd Pletcher and to be ridden by John Velazquez -- the exact same connections of last year's two-year-old colt champion Uncle Mo. A daughter of More Than Ready out of Skybox, this will be her debut race. The rail might not be the best place for her to start, but don't be surprised if she turns in a stunning effort today.
Delightful Magic is another first-time starter. Trained by Mark Casse, she has turned in some very good workouts recently, including three furlongs in :35.17 from the gate on July 16th. A daughter of Mineshaft out of Magic Kitty, Shaun Bridgmohan has the mount on the promising-looking filly.
My Miss Aurelia fascinates me. A daughter of Smart Strike out of My Miss Storm Cat, she breezed four furlongs in :49 2/5 just three days ago. Trained by Steve Asmussen, she is owned by Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton, who own the magnificent sprinter The Factor. With Julien Leparoux in the saddle, I suspect that My Miss Aurelia may be sitting on a winning debut.
Bourbonesque is the longest shot in the field at 20-1. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, she has shown little in two starts, finishing eighth in both. However, this will be her first start on Lasix, which could yield an improved performance. Alan Garcia will ride the filly, who is a daughter of Dynaformer out of Rhineland. Seeing this pedigree, I wouldn't be surprised if Bourbonesque improves with more distance.
Refining is the only non-Kentucky-bred in the field, being a Florida-bred. By Malibu Moon out of Good Cause, the Bill Mott-trainee has never raced but has shown some good breezes and may be sitting on a strong effort.
Party of Interest has a nice pedigree, being by Bernardini out of the Seeking the Gold mare Search Party, but the Shug McGaughey-trainee hasn't show the greatest of workouts among these starters. This will be her first race, and she should be able to work out a nice trip from gate seven, but she'll have to run well to win this race. Alex Solis has the mount.
Finally, there is Bargain Blitz. A daughter of Rahy out of Freedom of Speech, she has raced twice so far with mixed results. In her first race, she reared at the start and ended up finishing last. In her next start, she broke cleanly and pressed the pace three wide and led passing the eighth pole before finishing second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths. Trained by Neil Howard, Robby Albarado has the mount.
Race 7
The seventh race at Saratoga is a $40,000 maiden special weight for New York-bred two-year-old fillies. Eleven have entered, ten of which have never raced before. Because of this, there really isn't a whole lot to say about them, but I'll mention some of the more intriguing contenders.
Here are the entries:
Program #/Horse/Morning Line Odds
1 Kibosh 6-1
1A Project Runaway 6-1
2 Pure Gossip 8-1
3 Lenders Way 8-1
4 Cinnamon Stick 15-1
5 Sing Like A Bird 3-1
6 Karma Police 5-1
7 Barrel of Joy 20-1
8 The Funky Express 10-1
9 Wildcat's Smile 4-1
10 Proud and Charming 12-1
Cinnamon Stick is the only horse in the field to have raced before. In his lone start, she finished fifth of sixth in a five furlong maiden special weight at Belmont Park behind the promising filly Hook It Up. Trained by Cloum O'Brien, the daughter of Freud out of Super Blue will be ridden by Ryan Curatolo. Her recent workouts haven't been phenomenal, but she is eligible to improve in her second start.
The morning line favorite is Sing Like A Bird, a daughter of Lawyer Ron out of Birthday Wire. She has shown some good workouts and will be ridden by one of the leading riders in the country, Ramon Dominguez. She will break from gate four and should get a good trip.
Javier Castellano, one of the leading riders in New York, will be aboard second-choice Wildcat's Smile. By Forest Wildcat out of Serenity's Smile, she had had a pair of strong five-furlong breezes recently and could be sitting on a winning performance.
Karma Police has been training well at Keeneland, but thus has no experience at all on dirt. Still, with Rajiv Maragh in the saddle, the Eoin Harty-trainee may have a shot at pulling a minor upset at 5-1.
Race 9 - Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III)
Entries:
Program #/Horse/Post Position
1 Force de La Nature
2Five Star Momma (Scratched)
3Dorothy's Aurora (Scratched)
4 True Feelings
5 Alydarla
6 Gypsy Robin
7 Vukovar
8Flashy Lassie (Scratched)
9 Georgie's Angel
The morning line favorite, and perhaps the most intriguing horse in the race, is Georgie's Angel. Owned by Sheffer Racing Stable, the daughter of Bellamy Road out of Lalka is trained by Todd Pletcher and will be ridden by John Velazquez -- always a promising duo. Georgie's Angel won her only start to date, a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. She stopped the clock in a quick :51.23 while winning by 6 1/4 lengths in a gate-to-wire performance. She will have to stretch out to six furlong today, but she is going to be a tough filly to beat and looks like a potential star.
Gypsy Robin is the second choice. Trained by Wesley Ward, she has had an interesting career thus far. After breaking her maiden in April at Keeneland by 7 1/2 lengths, she shipped to Royal Ascot in England to compete in the group II Queen Mary Stakes, where she finished seventh. She will have to prove herself on dirt today, but looks like a strong contender. Jeffrey Sanchez will ride.
Force de La Nature broke her maiden going five furlongs at Churchill Downs by 1 1/4 lengths, defeating the above-mentioned Bargain Blitz, who will be running in the fifth race at Saratoga today. How well Bargain Blitz performs could give a clue as to how well Force de La Nature will compete today. Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Julien Leparoux has the mount.
The cleverly-named Alydarla is going to be a longshot -- simply because she has never raced before -- but with only six fillies scheduled to compete, she might just be able to secure a major piece of the purse. She has been training very well for James Chapman and has the top rider Edgar Prado in the saddle. I have this suspicion that she may run better than expected.
True Feeling won her only race to date, a five-furlong maiden special weight at Delaware Park. She was visually impressive there, charging from off the pace to win by 3 3/4 lengths. However, she will have to turn in an improved performance to contend in a strong race like this one. Jeremy Rose will ride the Anthony Dutrow-trainee.
Finally, there is Vukovar. She won her only start, a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight at Parx Racing, by 6 1/2 lengths. While very impressive, Vukovar is going to have to turn in a very strong performance to beat this field. David Cohen has the mount on this Eric Guillot-trained filly, who did turn in a sharp five-furlong workout for this start.
Enjoy the races everyone!
-Keelerman
The first race that we shall cover is the fifth race this afternoon, a $50,000 old maiden special weight for fillies. Eight were entered, but one has scratched.
Here are the entries:
Race 5
Program #/Horse/Morning Line Odds
1 Stopshoppingmaria 6-1
2 Delightful Magic 7-2
3 My Miss Aurelia 5-2
4 Bourbonesque 20-1
5 Refining 6-1
6
7 Party of Interest 12-1
8 Bargain Blitz 3-1
I'll shall make this brief, for we will have many more races to go through before the meet ends, but here I go.
I will not be surprised if Stopshoppingmaria ends up going off at lower odds than 6-1, simply because of her connections. Owned by Repole Stables, she is trained by Todd Pletcher and to be ridden by John Velazquez -- the exact same connections of last year's two-year-old colt champion Uncle Mo. A daughter of More Than Ready out of Skybox, this will be her debut race. The rail might not be the best place for her to start, but don't be surprised if she turns in a stunning effort today.
Delightful Magic is another first-time starter. Trained by Mark Casse, she has turned in some very good workouts recently, including three furlongs in :35.17 from the gate on July 16th. A daughter of Mineshaft out of Magic Kitty, Shaun Bridgmohan has the mount on the promising-looking filly.
My Miss Aurelia fascinates me. A daughter of Smart Strike out of My Miss Storm Cat, she breezed four furlongs in :49 2/5 just three days ago. Trained by Steve Asmussen, she is owned by Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton, who own the magnificent sprinter The Factor. With Julien Leparoux in the saddle, I suspect that My Miss Aurelia may be sitting on a winning debut.
Bourbonesque is the longest shot in the field at 20-1. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, she has shown little in two starts, finishing eighth in both. However, this will be her first start on Lasix, which could yield an improved performance. Alan Garcia will ride the filly, who is a daughter of Dynaformer out of Rhineland. Seeing this pedigree, I wouldn't be surprised if Bourbonesque improves with more distance.
Refining is the only non-Kentucky-bred in the field, being a Florida-bred. By Malibu Moon out of Good Cause, the Bill Mott-trainee has never raced but has shown some good breezes and may be sitting on a strong effort.
Party of Interest has a nice pedigree, being by Bernardini out of the Seeking the Gold mare Search Party, but the Shug McGaughey-trainee hasn't show the greatest of workouts among these starters. This will be her first race, and she should be able to work out a nice trip from gate seven, but she'll have to run well to win this race. Alex Solis has the mount.
Finally, there is Bargain Blitz. A daughter of Rahy out of Freedom of Speech, she has raced twice so far with mixed results. In her first race, she reared at the start and ended up finishing last. In her next start, she broke cleanly and pressed the pace three wide and led passing the eighth pole before finishing second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths. Trained by Neil Howard, Robby Albarado has the mount.
Race 7
The seventh race at Saratoga is a $40,000 maiden special weight for New York-bred two-year-old fillies. Eleven have entered, ten of which have never raced before. Because of this, there really isn't a whole lot to say about them, but I'll mention some of the more intriguing contenders.
Here are the entries:
Program #/Horse/Morning Line Odds
1 Kibosh 6-1
1A Project Runaway 6-1
2 Pure Gossip 8-1
3 Lenders Way 8-1
4 Cinnamon Stick 15-1
5 Sing Like A Bird 3-1
6 Karma Police 5-1
7 Barrel of Joy 20-1
8 The Funky Express 10-1
9 Wildcat's Smile 4-1
10 Proud and Charming 12-1
Cinnamon Stick is the only horse in the field to have raced before. In his lone start, she finished fifth of sixth in a five furlong maiden special weight at Belmont Park behind the promising filly Hook It Up. Trained by Cloum O'Brien, the daughter of Freud out of Super Blue will be ridden by Ryan Curatolo. Her recent workouts haven't been phenomenal, but she is eligible to improve in her second start.
The morning line favorite is Sing Like A Bird, a daughter of Lawyer Ron out of Birthday Wire. She has shown some good workouts and will be ridden by one of the leading riders in the country, Ramon Dominguez. She will break from gate four and should get a good trip.
Javier Castellano, one of the leading riders in New York, will be aboard second-choice Wildcat's Smile. By Forest Wildcat out of Serenity's Smile, she had had a pair of strong five-furlong breezes recently and could be sitting on a winning performance.
Karma Police has been training well at Keeneland, but thus has no experience at all on dirt. Still, with Rajiv Maragh in the saddle, the Eoin Harty-trainee may have a shot at pulling a minor upset at 5-1.
Race 9 - Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III)
Entries:
Program #/Horse/Post Position
1 Force de La Nature
2
3
4 True Feelings
5 Alydarla
6 Gypsy Robin
7 Vukovar
8
9 Georgie's Angel
The morning line favorite, and perhaps the most intriguing horse in the race, is Georgie's Angel. Owned by Sheffer Racing Stable, the daughter of Bellamy Road out of Lalka is trained by Todd Pletcher and will be ridden by John Velazquez -- always a promising duo. Georgie's Angel won her only start to date, a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. She stopped the clock in a quick :51.23 while winning by 6 1/4 lengths in a gate-to-wire performance. She will have to stretch out to six furlong today, but she is going to be a tough filly to beat and looks like a potential star.
Gypsy Robin is the second choice. Trained by Wesley Ward, she has had an interesting career thus far. After breaking her maiden in April at Keeneland by 7 1/2 lengths, she shipped to Royal Ascot in England to compete in the group II Queen Mary Stakes, where she finished seventh. She will have to prove herself on dirt today, but looks like a strong contender. Jeffrey Sanchez will ride.
Force de La Nature broke her maiden going five furlongs at Churchill Downs by 1 1/4 lengths, defeating the above-mentioned Bargain Blitz, who will be running in the fifth race at Saratoga today. How well Bargain Blitz performs could give a clue as to how well Force de La Nature will compete today. Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Julien Leparoux has the mount.
The cleverly-named Alydarla is going to be a longshot -- simply because she has never raced before -- but with only six fillies scheduled to compete, she might just be able to secure a major piece of the purse. She has been training very well for James Chapman and has the top rider Edgar Prado in the saddle. I have this suspicion that she may run better than expected.
True Feeling won her only race to date, a five-furlong maiden special weight at Delaware Park. She was visually impressive there, charging from off the pace to win by 3 3/4 lengths. However, she will have to turn in an improved performance to contend in a strong race like this one. Jeremy Rose will ride the Anthony Dutrow-trainee.
Finally, there is Vukovar. She won her only start, a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight at Parx Racing, by 6 1/2 lengths. While very impressive, Vukovar is going to have to turn in a very strong performance to beat this field. David Cohen has the mount on this Eric Guillot-trained filly, who did turn in a sharp five-furlong workout for this start.
Enjoy the races everyone!
-Keelerman
Opening Day at Saratoga!
Are you ready?
This afternoon, one of the most prestigious race meets in the country begins at Saratoga race course in New York. Countless graded stakes races will be run, with several past and future champions likely to race there. And don't forget the incredible maiden special weight races -- Uncle Mo, To Honor and Serve, Astrology, Anthony's Cross, and More Than Real were among the juveniles that debuted at Saratoga last year.
The 2011 meeting kicks off with a ten-race card that features two stakes races, the $100,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III) for two-year-old fillies, and the $75,000 James Marvin Stakes for three-year-olds and upward.
The first race of the day is a $43,000 allowance race at a mile and a sixteenth of the turf for New York-bred three-year-olds and upward. The 7-2 morning line favorite is Gamblin Fever, who has actually only won twice in 37 starts but has been racing rather well as of late. A five-year-old gelding, he possesses a serious late turn of foot, and has run second in two straight allowance races similar to this one at Belmont Park.
The lightly-raced five-year-old Boat, who actually only made his debut in late 2010, is the second choice on the morning line. He too has been running well in allowance company, but finished 5 1/4 lengths behind Gamblin Fever last time out.
The Noz broke his maiden here at Saratoga last year, but has not finished better than third in six starts since then. Last time out, he was third in a seven-furlong turf allowance race. Perhaps he will enjoy the stretch-out in distance, but I believe that he will have to run an improved race to contend here.
Fizzano, a three-year-old gelding, will be ridden by Ramon Dominguez and is the co-third choice along with The Noz. He is coming off of a victory in a maiden special weight going a mile and a sixteenth of turf, where he was allowed to set a dawdling pace before drawing away for a 2 1/4 length victory.
Dual Citizen was eased in his last start, but has previously performed well and has the early speed to go to the lead. If he gets involved in a speed-duel with Fizzano, it could be bad for both of them, but if the pace in slow Dual Citizen could take them gate-to-wire. I'm going to guess that he bled or something similar in his last start and will run an improved race today.
Warrior Up, Rocky World, Mr. Hooker, and Tapitdar complete the field.
My top three picks are:
1 Dual Citizen
2 Gamblin Fever
3 Boat
More analysis on other races will follow!
-Keelerman
This afternoon, one of the most prestigious race meets in the country begins at Saratoga race course in New York. Countless graded stakes races will be run, with several past and future champions likely to race there. And don't forget the incredible maiden special weight races -- Uncle Mo, To Honor and Serve, Astrology, Anthony's Cross, and More Than Real were among the juveniles that debuted at Saratoga last year.
The 2011 meeting kicks off with a ten-race card that features two stakes races, the $100,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III) for two-year-old fillies, and the $75,000 James Marvin Stakes for three-year-olds and upward.
The first race of the day is a $43,000 allowance race at a mile and a sixteenth of the turf for New York-bred three-year-olds and upward. The 7-2 morning line favorite is Gamblin Fever, who has actually only won twice in 37 starts but has been racing rather well as of late. A five-year-old gelding, he possesses a serious late turn of foot, and has run second in two straight allowance races similar to this one at Belmont Park.
The lightly-raced five-year-old Boat, who actually only made his debut in late 2010, is the second choice on the morning line. He too has been running well in allowance company, but finished 5 1/4 lengths behind Gamblin Fever last time out.
The Noz broke his maiden here at Saratoga last year, but has not finished better than third in six starts since then. Last time out, he was third in a seven-furlong turf allowance race. Perhaps he will enjoy the stretch-out in distance, but I believe that he will have to run an improved race to contend here.
Fizzano, a three-year-old gelding, will be ridden by Ramon Dominguez and is the co-third choice along with The Noz. He is coming off of a victory in a maiden special weight going a mile and a sixteenth of turf, where he was allowed to set a dawdling pace before drawing away for a 2 1/4 length victory.
Dual Citizen was eased in his last start, but has previously performed well and has the early speed to go to the lead. If he gets involved in a speed-duel with Fizzano, it could be bad for both of them, but if the pace in slow Dual Citizen could take them gate-to-wire. I'm going to guess that he bled or something similar in his last start and will run an improved race today.
Warrior Up, Rocky World, Mr. Hooker, and Tapitdar complete the field.
My top three picks are:
1 Dual Citizen
2 Gamblin Fever
3 Boat
More analysis on other races will follow!
-Keelerman
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Opening Day at Del Mar!
The sun is shining this afternoon at Del Mar, where the historic racetrack will kick off it's 2011 meet with a fine card of ten races, featuring the one-mile on the turf Oceanside Stakes, won by leading older horse Twirling Candy last year.
The first race on the card is one-mile main track allowance optional claiming race for three-year-olds and up. The morning line favorite is Eye On Jacob, a lightly-raced son of A.P. Indy trained by Bob Baffert. Winner of a maiden special weight race at Belmont Park in 2009, he apparently suffered some sort of setback after that for he did not race again until May 2011 where he ran fourth in a Hollywood Park allowance race. Two subsequent performances in similar races yielded a second and a third. He is not entered to be claimed today, and has Joel Rosario in the saddle, so he should have every chance at securing a second career victory today.
Times Gone By is the second choice, most likely due to his close fourth-place finish in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (gr. I) a few starts back. But since then, he has finished fifth in an allowance race, last of nine in the San Francisco Mile Stakes (gr. III), and third in a $50,000 claiming race.
Interestingly, Times Gone By will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano. He and Joel Rosario have been the two leading riders in California for some time now, and the races for meet titles between them are often quite close. I think it's nice that in the first race of the Del Mar meet, they will be riding the two favorites.
In the Oceanside Stakes, following five scratches, nine horses will head to post. The morning line favorite at 5-2 is Mr. Commons, making his first start since finishing eighth in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I). His lone start on turf came in a maiden special weight earlier this year, which he won in brilliant fashion by 5 1/2 lengths. Trained by John Shirreffs, the colt will be ridden by Mike Smith and should have every chance at victory.
His main competition will likely come from Extensive, winner of the Dayton Andrews Dodge Sophomore Turf Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs back in April. In his lone start since then, he finished a strong third in the Arlington Classic Stakes at Arlington on May 28th.
Joel Rosario will be aboard Fort Hastings, a lightly-raced son of Aragorn who has done all of his racing in Europe. This will be his first start in the United States and his first for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. 6-1 on the morning line, he too could have a good shot at winning this race.
The last race I shall mention is the fourth on the card, a five furlong maiden special weight for two-year-old fillies. There are many intriguing fillies in the race, with the morning line favorite being Cha Cha Latte, who finished second in her only start to date. Trained by Kathy Walsh and to be ridden by David Flores, she has drawn the far outside post position but could break through with an impressive victory today.
There are two first-time starters in the race: Smoke Train, a Dean Greenman-trained filly with Mike Smith in the saddle; and Weemissfrankie, a Peter Aurton-trained filly with Rafael Bejarano aboard.
It's going to be a great day of racing! Enjoy!
-Keelerman
The first race on the card is one-mile main track allowance optional claiming race for three-year-olds and up. The morning line favorite is Eye On Jacob, a lightly-raced son of A.P. Indy trained by Bob Baffert. Winner of a maiden special weight race at Belmont Park in 2009, he apparently suffered some sort of setback after that for he did not race again until May 2011 where he ran fourth in a Hollywood Park allowance race. Two subsequent performances in similar races yielded a second and a third. He is not entered to be claimed today, and has Joel Rosario in the saddle, so he should have every chance at securing a second career victory today.
Times Gone By is the second choice, most likely due to his close fourth-place finish in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (gr. I) a few starts back. But since then, he has finished fifth in an allowance race, last of nine in the San Francisco Mile Stakes (gr. III), and third in a $50,000 claiming race.
Interestingly, Times Gone By will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano. He and Joel Rosario have been the two leading riders in California for some time now, and the races for meet titles between them are often quite close. I think it's nice that in the first race of the Del Mar meet, they will be riding the two favorites.
In the Oceanside Stakes, following five scratches, nine horses will head to post. The morning line favorite at 5-2 is Mr. Commons, making his first start since finishing eighth in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I). His lone start on turf came in a maiden special weight earlier this year, which he won in brilliant fashion by 5 1/2 lengths. Trained by John Shirreffs, the colt will be ridden by Mike Smith and should have every chance at victory.
His main competition will likely come from Extensive, winner of the Dayton Andrews Dodge Sophomore Turf Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs back in April. In his lone start since then, he finished a strong third in the Arlington Classic Stakes at Arlington on May 28th.
Joel Rosario will be aboard Fort Hastings, a lightly-raced son of Aragorn who has done all of his racing in Europe. This will be his first start in the United States and his first for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. 6-1 on the morning line, he too could have a good shot at winning this race.
The last race I shall mention is the fourth on the card, a five furlong maiden special weight for two-year-old fillies. There are many intriguing fillies in the race, with the morning line favorite being Cha Cha Latte, who finished second in her only start to date. Trained by Kathy Walsh and to be ridden by David Flores, she has drawn the far outside post position but could break through with an impressive victory today.
There are two first-time starters in the race: Smoke Train, a Dean Greenman-trained filly with Mike Smith in the saddle; and Weemissfrankie, a Peter Aurton-trained filly with Rafael Bejarano aboard.
It's going to be a great day of racing! Enjoy!
-Keelerman
Saturday, July 16, 2011
BLIND LUCK WINS THE DELAWARE HANDICAP!
In a thrilling stretch duel, champion 3yo filly of 2010 Blind Luck edged her longtime rival Havre de Grace in the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (gr. II) this afternoon at Delaware Park.
Under Garrett Gomez, the filly broke a step slowly but quickly settled into the fourth spot in a five horse field as Life at Ten and Thundering Emilia set the pace. 3-5 favorite Havre de Grace, coming off of an easy win in the Obeah Stakes (gr. III) last month, was a bit headstrong in third, hauling her rider Ramon Dominguez into the race early on. Love's Blush trailed the field.
Through moderate fractions the positions remained unchanged, but moving into the final turn Havre de Grace inched up on the outside and then blew past the leaders, entering the homestretch with the lead. But Blind Luck had been kept closer to the pace by Garrett Gomez, and the two fillies confronted each other with three-sixteenths of a mile to go.
An amazing stretch duel ensued, with both fillies clinging together and opening up a huge lead on the rest of the field. In the final yards, Blind Luck stuck her head in front and kept it there to cross the wire the narrow winner. The daughter of Pollard's Vision stopped the clock in 2:01 1/5 seconds.
Havre de Grace lost nothing in defeat, putting up a magnificent fight. Life at Ten held off Love's Blush for third, with Thundering Emilia just behind them.
-Keelerman
Under Garrett Gomez, the filly broke a step slowly but quickly settled into the fourth spot in a five horse field as Life at Ten and Thundering Emilia set the pace. 3-5 favorite Havre de Grace, coming off of an easy win in the Obeah Stakes (gr. III) last month, was a bit headstrong in third, hauling her rider Ramon Dominguez into the race early on. Love's Blush trailed the field.
Through moderate fractions the positions remained unchanged, but moving into the final turn Havre de Grace inched up on the outside and then blew past the leaders, entering the homestretch with the lead. But Blind Luck had been kept closer to the pace by Garrett Gomez, and the two fillies confronted each other with three-sixteenths of a mile to go.
An amazing stretch duel ensued, with both fillies clinging together and opening up a huge lead on the rest of the field. In the final yards, Blind Luck stuck her head in front and kept it there to cross the wire the narrow winner. The daughter of Pollard's Vision stopped the clock in 2:01 1/5 seconds.
Havre de Grace lost nothing in defeat, putting up a magnificent fight. Life at Ten held off Love's Blush for third, with Thundering Emilia just behind them.
-Keelerman
Guest Blog at Bloodhorse.com!
I am pleased to announce that I have written a guest blog post for Jason Shandler's "Breeders' Cup Chat" at Bloodhorse.com. The post covers the Delaware Handicap this afternoon--where Havre de Grace and Blind Luck will meet for the sixth time--as well as the Virginia Derby.
If you would like to read it, click here.
-Keelerman
If you would like to read it, click here.
-Keelerman
Saturday, July 09, 2011
CAPE BLANCO WINS THE MAN O' WAR!
Irish invader Cape Blanco denied Gio Ponti his third consecutive win in the $600,000 Man o' War Stakes (gr. I) this afternoon at Belmont Park when he held off the latter for a two length victory in the historic event.
Sent off as the 3-1 second choice under Jamie Spencer, the four-year-old colt broke cleanly from the far outside post position and sprinted away to challenge Mission Approved for the early lead. Mission Approved, winner of the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (gr. I) last time out, broke like a rocket from the rail and went straight to the lead as usual. Boisterous was settling into third, followed by Al Khali, Bearpath, and the two-time Man o' War winner Gio Ponti, who trailed the field.
The early pace was not very quick, with Mission Approved running the opening fractions :23 3/5 and :50 1/5. Mission Approved continued to lead until the field entered the far turn, where Cape Blanco moved up to take a narrow advantage. In the meantime, Gio Ponti was swinging into contention on the far outside and was gaining ground rapidly.
Entering the homestretch Cape Blanco held a narrow lead over Mission Approved, but the latter had something left and was fighting on gamely. Gio Ponti was closing in with every stride, but Cape Blanco stayed on strongly to the finish to win by two lengths in 2:14 3/5.
Gio Ponti finished a clear second over Boisterous, with Mission Approved tiring very late in the race to finish a close fourth.
-Keelerman
Sent off as the 3-1 second choice under Jamie Spencer, the four-year-old colt broke cleanly from the far outside post position and sprinted away to challenge Mission Approved for the early lead. Mission Approved, winner of the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (gr. I) last time out, broke like a rocket from the rail and went straight to the lead as usual. Boisterous was settling into third, followed by Al Khali, Bearpath, and the two-time Man o' War winner Gio Ponti, who trailed the field.
The early pace was not very quick, with Mission Approved running the opening fractions :23 3/5 and :50 1/5. Mission Approved continued to lead until the field entered the far turn, where Cape Blanco moved up to take a narrow advantage. In the meantime, Gio Ponti was swinging into contention on the far outside and was gaining ground rapidly.
Entering the homestretch Cape Blanco held a narrow lead over Mission Approved, but the latter had something left and was fighting on gamely. Gio Ponti was closing in with every stride, but Cape Blanco stayed on strongly to the finish to win by two lengths in 2:14 3/5.
Gio Ponti finished a clear second over Boisterous, with Mission Approved tiring very late in the race to finish a close fourth.
-Keelerman
BREEDERS’ CUP COUNTDOWN ---- July 9th, 2011
The Hollywood Gold Cup! The Man o’ War! The Princess Rooney! The Smile Sprint! Today’s lineup of Breeders’ Cup prep races is a magnificent bunch.
In the Hollywood Gold Cup, leading older male Twirling Candy takes on Game On Dude and Setsuko in a Santa Anita Handicap rematch, with Awesome Gem trying to fend them off to score a repeat victory in the historic race.
In the Man o’ War, three-time Eclipse award-winning Gio Ponti will attempt to win the event for the third straight year, but will have to defeat the rapidly improving former claimer Mission Approved in order to do so.
In the Princess Rooney, leading female sprinter Sassy Image takes on two-time grade I winner Champagne d’Oro in what should prove to be a thrilling race. Let’s take a closer look at these and the other great races coming up later this afternoon. . .
Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I)
This historic grade I, mile and a quarter event has been won by countless good horses over the decades, with Seabiscuit taking its inaugural running. This year’s edition could potentially produce a true leader for the older males division, which lacks anything that even resembles a leader.
The morning line favorite at 4-5 is the above-mentioned Twirling Candy. An immensely talented four-year-old son of Candy Ride, the colt won the Malibu Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita last December, sprinting the seven furlongs in track record time. An overwhelmingly easy victory in the Strub Stakes (gr. II) set him up for a run in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), where he was bumped hard and repeatedly at the top of the stretch before backing up to finish fifth. Three months later, he returned to the races in the Californian Stakes (gr. II), where the front-running colt showed a new dimension by closing strongly from off the pace to win under a hand ride. That was his most recent start to date, and if he runs back to it he should win today’s Gold Cup. But Twirling Candy has had some issues with rating and relaxing in the past, and we still don’t know if he can succeed in a ten furlong race of this caliber.
Other leading contenders are the two “Dudes” from the Baffert barn, Game On Dude and First Dude. It seems impossible that two horses with dude in their name – from the same crop no less – would meet up as often as they have. They met for the first time in the 2010 Florida Derby (gr. I), where First Dude ran fifth and Game On Dude seventh. They met again in the Belmont Stakes, where First Dude ran third and game On Dude fourth. Most recently, they ran sixth and first, respectively, in the Santa Anita Handicap. Although First Dude has defeated Game On Dude in two of their three meetings, Game On Dude seems to be in better form this year. It will be interesting to see who does better this afternoon.
Awesome Gem, winner of this race in 2010, goes for a repeat victory. He’ll be a bit of a longshot, but he defeated heavily favored Rail Trip in this race last year, so he has some experience defeating heavy favorites. He is a true mile and a quarter horse, so if Twirling Candy falls apart in the final eighth of a mile, Awesome Gem may just be able to pick up the pieces.
Setsuko, runner-up in the Santa Anita Handicap to Game On Dude, didn’t race again until the Californian Handicap, where he ran second to Twirling Candy. He didn’t get the cleanest of trips that day, and should be sharper this time out, but he’ll have to run his best to win a race like this.
Miss Match, a close third in the Vanity Handicap (gr. I) last time out, gets into the race with only 110 pounds and is thus receiving twelve from Twirling Candy. A distance loving mare, she won the Santa Margarita Invitational (gr. I) over the very nice filly Switch earlier this year and – if she gets a perfect trip – may be good enough to secure a sizable piece of the purse.
Soul Candy, fourth in the Californian, and Dark Cove, third in the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes, complete the field.
Man o’ War Stakes (gr. I)
Can Gio Ponti win his third straight Man o’ War Stakes? That is the question that all are asking. The champion turf male in this country for two straight years, the Man o’ War has been part of his Eclipse-award winning resume on both occasions. With the division still wide open this year, a victory in the Man o’ War could potentially launch Gio Ponti on his way to an unprecedented third straight championship.
But he has a worthy rival facing him this year in Mission Approved. The colt, who was available to be claimed twice last year, entered the 2010 Man o’ War Stakes as a 53-1 shot. Despite his huge odds, he succeeded in slowing the pace down to a crawl and nearly held off Gio Ponti, who closed his final quarter mile in :21 and change to win by a neck.
Setbacks kept Mission Approved away from the races for eleven months after that. The seven-year-old horse returned to the racetrack in the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (gr. I) against Gio Ponti. Once again, Mission Approved slowed the pace down to a crawl. This time, he was not caught. He blazed home his final quarter mile over a yielding track in :23.88 to win by a length and a quarter over Bim Bam, who held second by a neck over the late-running Gio Ponti.
Who will win the 2011 Man o’ War? Whether it’s Gio Ponti or Mission Approved, you can bet that they’ll put on a good show.
. . . on the other hand, it’s fairly possible that neither will win. Foreign invader Cape Blanco, a group I winner in Europe, has been entered. Beaten just a length in this year’s Dubai World Cup – a race in which he finished ahead of Gio Ponti – he has proven to be an extremely talented competitor on turf and may prove just too good for Gio Ponti and Mission Approved to handle. At the very least, the colt – who has good tactical speed – will ensure an honest pace.
Al Khali, fourth in the Manhattan; Bearpath, second in the Louisville Handicap (gr. III); and Boisterous, winner of the Three Coins Up Stakes last time out, complete this talented lineup of turf males.
Swaps Stakes (gr. II)
A compact field of five sophomores is scheduled to head to post for the 2011 edition of the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park. The 6-5 morning line favorite is the up-and-coming Bob Baffert-trained Coil, winner of his last three starts. Last time out, he flew to a sharp victory in the Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) in his two-turn debut. With Martin Garcia in the saddle, I would not be surprised if the colt totally dominated his opposition this afternoon.
On the other hand, I would not be surprised if Runflatout catches him today. The colt, who broke his maiden sprinting six furlong in 1:07.70, was charging late at the finish of the Affirmed Handicap to fall just a length short of Coil. With an extra sixteenth of a mile to run today, he may just be able to catch Coil this time around.
Uncle Sam, eighth in the Lone Star Derby on the turf and a close second in the Alydar Stakes; Dreamy Kid, fourth in a recent allowance optional claiming event; and Spud Spivens, third in the Affirmed, round out the field.
Princess Rooney Handicap (gr. I)
Champagne d’Oro and Sassy Image are the two big names here. Champagne d’Oro, winner of the Acorn Stakes (gr. I) and Test Stakes (gr. I) last year, proved herself to be among the best female sprinters of 2010. This will be her first start since El Encino Stakes (gr. II) back in January at the end of an extremely long campaign. Sassy Image was a classy stakes winning two-year-old, but setbacks kept her away from the races for much of her three-year-old season. But this year, she has proved herself to be a talented sprinter by taking the Humana Distaff (gr. I) and the Winning Colors Stakes (gr. III) to establish herself as the leader of the division.
The only other horse expected to give the top two contenders a run for their money is Derwin’s Star. Winner of the Charles Town Oaks last year, she has only made one start in 2011, that being a dominating victory in a 6-1/2 furlong allowance optional claiming race at Parx Racing despite a bit of traffic issues. Although Champagne d’Oro and Sassy Image bring better credentials to the table, Derwin’s Star may be good enough to beat them both. It should be a good race.
Smile Sprint Handicap (gr. II)
Noble’s Promise was showed a great deal of talent and two and three. This year, he has a shot at being a champion.
The male sprinter division lacks any form of a leader this year, with last year’s champion Big Drama unraced since a strong victory in the Mr. Prospector at the beginning of the year. Thus, Noble’s Promise has as good a shot as any at claiming leadership of the division.
After finishing a troubled fifth in his 2011 debut, the Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II), Noble’s Promise impressively defeated the inconsistent but talented Atta Boy Roy in the Aristides Stakes (gr. III) in his most recent start. A late-running sprinter with the tactical speed to secure good position early, Noble’s Promise should be a dangerous contender here if he takes to the Calder strip.
Other logical contenders are Giant Ryan, winner of four straight races including the Ponche Handicap here at Calder; and This Ones for Phil, distant second to the budding superstar Trappe Shot in the True North Handicap (gr. II) last time out.
Irrefutable, winner of two straight allowance races for Bob Baffert’s Royal Tricon, second to Giant Ryan in the Ponche; and How’s Your Halo, winner of the 2009 Ponche in his last victory, complete the field.
* * * * *
Those are the big races of this Saturday. Of course, there are many other fine stakes races to watch, including a fabulous three-stakes card at Arlington, but I’m afraid I can’t cover them all. But you never know where a Breeders’ Cup contender will come from, so if anything impressive happens in a race I didn’t mention, I’ll be sure to write up the details and tell you about it.
Enjoy the races everyone!
-Keelerman
In the Hollywood Gold Cup, leading older male Twirling Candy takes on Game On Dude and Setsuko in a Santa Anita Handicap rematch, with Awesome Gem trying to fend them off to score a repeat victory in the historic race.
In the Man o’ War, three-time Eclipse award-winning Gio Ponti will attempt to win the event for the third straight year, but will have to defeat the rapidly improving former claimer Mission Approved in order to do so.
In the Princess Rooney, leading female sprinter Sassy Image takes on two-time grade I winner Champagne d’Oro in what should prove to be a thrilling race. Let’s take a closer look at these and the other great races coming up later this afternoon. . .
Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I)
This historic grade I, mile and a quarter event has been won by countless good horses over the decades, with Seabiscuit taking its inaugural running. This year’s edition could potentially produce a true leader for the older males division, which lacks anything that even resembles a leader.
The morning line favorite at 4-5 is the above-mentioned Twirling Candy. An immensely talented four-year-old son of Candy Ride, the colt won the Malibu Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita last December, sprinting the seven furlongs in track record time. An overwhelmingly easy victory in the Strub Stakes (gr. II) set him up for a run in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), where he was bumped hard and repeatedly at the top of the stretch before backing up to finish fifth. Three months later, he returned to the races in the Californian Stakes (gr. II), where the front-running colt showed a new dimension by closing strongly from off the pace to win under a hand ride. That was his most recent start to date, and if he runs back to it he should win today’s Gold Cup. But Twirling Candy has had some issues with rating and relaxing in the past, and we still don’t know if he can succeed in a ten furlong race of this caliber.
Other leading contenders are the two “Dudes” from the Baffert barn, Game On Dude and First Dude. It seems impossible that two horses with dude in their name – from the same crop no less – would meet up as often as they have. They met for the first time in the 2010 Florida Derby (gr. I), where First Dude ran fifth and Game On Dude seventh. They met again in the Belmont Stakes, where First Dude ran third and game On Dude fourth. Most recently, they ran sixth and first, respectively, in the Santa Anita Handicap. Although First Dude has defeated Game On Dude in two of their three meetings, Game On Dude seems to be in better form this year. It will be interesting to see who does better this afternoon.
Awesome Gem, winner of this race in 2010, goes for a repeat victory. He’ll be a bit of a longshot, but he defeated heavily favored Rail Trip in this race last year, so he has some experience defeating heavy favorites. He is a true mile and a quarter horse, so if Twirling Candy falls apart in the final eighth of a mile, Awesome Gem may just be able to pick up the pieces.
Setsuko, runner-up in the Santa Anita Handicap to Game On Dude, didn’t race again until the Californian Handicap, where he ran second to Twirling Candy. He didn’t get the cleanest of trips that day, and should be sharper this time out, but he’ll have to run his best to win a race like this.
Miss Match, a close third in the Vanity Handicap (gr. I) last time out, gets into the race with only 110 pounds and is thus receiving twelve from Twirling Candy. A distance loving mare, she won the Santa Margarita Invitational (gr. I) over the very nice filly Switch earlier this year and – if she gets a perfect trip – may be good enough to secure a sizable piece of the purse.
Soul Candy, fourth in the Californian, and Dark Cove, third in the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes, complete the field.
Man o’ War Stakes (gr. I)
Can Gio Ponti win his third straight Man o’ War Stakes? That is the question that all are asking. The champion turf male in this country for two straight years, the Man o’ War has been part of his Eclipse-award winning resume on both occasions. With the division still wide open this year, a victory in the Man o’ War could potentially launch Gio Ponti on his way to an unprecedented third straight championship.
But he has a worthy rival facing him this year in Mission Approved. The colt, who was available to be claimed twice last year, entered the 2010 Man o’ War Stakes as a 53-1 shot. Despite his huge odds, he succeeded in slowing the pace down to a crawl and nearly held off Gio Ponti, who closed his final quarter mile in :21 and change to win by a neck.
Setbacks kept Mission Approved away from the races for eleven months after that. The seven-year-old horse returned to the racetrack in the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (gr. I) against Gio Ponti. Once again, Mission Approved slowed the pace down to a crawl. This time, he was not caught. He blazed home his final quarter mile over a yielding track in :23.88 to win by a length and a quarter over Bim Bam, who held second by a neck over the late-running Gio Ponti.
Who will win the 2011 Man o’ War? Whether it’s Gio Ponti or Mission Approved, you can bet that they’ll put on a good show.
. . . on the other hand, it’s fairly possible that neither will win. Foreign invader Cape Blanco, a group I winner in Europe, has been entered. Beaten just a length in this year’s Dubai World Cup – a race in which he finished ahead of Gio Ponti – he has proven to be an extremely talented competitor on turf and may prove just too good for Gio Ponti and Mission Approved to handle. At the very least, the colt – who has good tactical speed – will ensure an honest pace.
Al Khali, fourth in the Manhattan; Bearpath, second in the Louisville Handicap (gr. III); and Boisterous, winner of the Three Coins Up Stakes last time out, complete this talented lineup of turf males.
Swaps Stakes (gr. II)
A compact field of five sophomores is scheduled to head to post for the 2011 edition of the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park. The 6-5 morning line favorite is the up-and-coming Bob Baffert-trained Coil, winner of his last three starts. Last time out, he flew to a sharp victory in the Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) in his two-turn debut. With Martin Garcia in the saddle, I would not be surprised if the colt totally dominated his opposition this afternoon.
On the other hand, I would not be surprised if Runflatout catches him today. The colt, who broke his maiden sprinting six furlong in 1:07.70, was charging late at the finish of the Affirmed Handicap to fall just a length short of Coil. With an extra sixteenth of a mile to run today, he may just be able to catch Coil this time around.
Uncle Sam, eighth in the Lone Star Derby on the turf and a close second in the Alydar Stakes; Dreamy Kid, fourth in a recent allowance optional claiming event; and Spud Spivens, third in the Affirmed, round out the field.
Princess Rooney Handicap (gr. I)
Champagne d’Oro and Sassy Image are the two big names here. Champagne d’Oro, winner of the Acorn Stakes (gr. I) and Test Stakes (gr. I) last year, proved herself to be among the best female sprinters of 2010. This will be her first start since El Encino Stakes (gr. II) back in January at the end of an extremely long campaign. Sassy Image was a classy stakes winning two-year-old, but setbacks kept her away from the races for much of her three-year-old season. But this year, she has proved herself to be a talented sprinter by taking the Humana Distaff (gr. I) and the Winning Colors Stakes (gr. III) to establish herself as the leader of the division.
The only other horse expected to give the top two contenders a run for their money is Derwin’s Star. Winner of the Charles Town Oaks last year, she has only made one start in 2011, that being a dominating victory in a 6-1/2 furlong allowance optional claiming race at Parx Racing despite a bit of traffic issues. Although Champagne d’Oro and Sassy Image bring better credentials to the table, Derwin’s Star may be good enough to beat them both. It should be a good race.
Smile Sprint Handicap (gr. II)
Noble’s Promise was showed a great deal of talent and two and three. This year, he has a shot at being a champion.
The male sprinter division lacks any form of a leader this year, with last year’s champion Big Drama unraced since a strong victory in the Mr. Prospector at the beginning of the year. Thus, Noble’s Promise has as good a shot as any at claiming leadership of the division.
After finishing a troubled fifth in his 2011 debut, the Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II), Noble’s Promise impressively defeated the inconsistent but talented Atta Boy Roy in the Aristides Stakes (gr. III) in his most recent start. A late-running sprinter with the tactical speed to secure good position early, Noble’s Promise should be a dangerous contender here if he takes to the Calder strip.
Other logical contenders are Giant Ryan, winner of four straight races including the Ponche Handicap here at Calder; and This Ones for Phil, distant second to the budding superstar Trappe Shot in the True North Handicap (gr. II) last time out.
Irrefutable, winner of two straight allowance races for Bob Baffert’s Royal Tricon, second to Giant Ryan in the Ponche; and How’s Your Halo, winner of the 2009 Ponche in his last victory, complete the field.
* * * * *
Those are the big races of this Saturday. Of course, there are many other fine stakes races to watch, including a fabulous three-stakes card at Arlington, but I’m afraid I can’t cover them all. But you never know where a Breeders’ Cup contender will come from, so if anything impressive happens in a race I didn’t mention, I’ll be sure to write up the details and tell you about it.
Enjoy the races everyone!
-Keelerman
Saturday, July 02, 2011
EXFACTOR WINS THE BASHFORD MANOR!
Exfactor simply blew the doors off his six rivals in the $100,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) for two-year-olds at Churchill Downs, drawing away for a daylight victory in the six furlong event.
Under Calvin Borel, the colt settled off of a very fast early pace set by Friscan, who ran the opening quarter in :21.59. 4-5 favorite Sum of the Parts was tracking the pace in second.
Turning into the homestretch Sum of the Parts confronted Friscan for the lead, but both were easily passed by Exfactor, who turned in a simply explosive stretch run. He was on the lead in seconds and powered home to win in 1:10.30. It was the third win of the day for Calvin Borel.
Power World rallied well for second, while Friscan turned back Sum of the Parts for third.
-Keelerman
Under Calvin Borel, the colt settled off of a very fast early pace set by Friscan, who ran the opening quarter in :21.59. 4-5 favorite Sum of the Parts was tracking the pace in second.
Turning into the homestretch Sum of the Parts confronted Friscan for the lead, but both were easily passed by Exfactor, who turned in a simply explosive stretch run. He was on the lead in seconds and powered home to win in 1:10.30. It was the third win of the day for Calvin Borel.
Power World rallied well for second, while Friscan turned back Sum of the Parts for third.
-Keelerman
TEAKS NORTH WINS THE UNITED NATIONS!
Teaks North engaged favored Stacelita in a stretch duel and held off a late run from Chinchon to win the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (gr. I) by three-quarters of a length.
Under Eddie Castro, the colt settled off of the early pace set by Pulsion, who sprinted away to a sizable early lead. Racing rank in second was Sleepless Knight, followed by Bourbon Bay. Stacelita was toward the rear of the pack, with Chinchon trailing the field, nearing twenty lengths behind Pulsion early on.
Entering the homestretch for the first time Pulsion slowed the pace down, going from a quick :23 3/5 opening quarter to a slow :48 2/5 for the half-mile. He continued to slow the pace through three-quarters in 1:14 4/5.
Suddenly he had company. Sleepless Knight drew up on the outside, and suddenly Stacelita was on top of him. Stacelita had made a bold run past a number of horses and took over the lead under no urging from jockey Joe Bravo as the field rounded the final turn. Bravo took a look back turning for home, then asked his filly for run. Entering the final stretch, the French mare appeared to be on her way to becoming the first filly or mare to win the United Nations.
But Teaks North was charging up on the outside, and gained the lead inside the final sixteenth. Chinchon was rallying furiously, and Stacelita was game, but Teaks North held on for a three-quarter length victory. He ran the mile and three-eighths race in 2:13 1/5.
Chinchon edged out Stacelita for second, while Bourbon Bay came home fourth.
-Keelerman
Under Eddie Castro, the colt settled off of the early pace set by Pulsion, who sprinted away to a sizable early lead. Racing rank in second was Sleepless Knight, followed by Bourbon Bay. Stacelita was toward the rear of the pack, with Chinchon trailing the field, nearing twenty lengths behind Pulsion early on.
Entering the homestretch for the first time Pulsion slowed the pace down, going from a quick :23 3/5 opening quarter to a slow :48 2/5 for the half-mile. He continued to slow the pace through three-quarters in 1:14 4/5.
Suddenly he had company. Sleepless Knight drew up on the outside, and suddenly Stacelita was on top of him. Stacelita had made a bold run past a number of horses and took over the lead under no urging from jockey Joe Bravo as the field rounded the final turn. Bravo took a look back turning for home, then asked his filly for run. Entering the final stretch, the French mare appeared to be on her way to becoming the first filly or mare to win the United Nations.
But Teaks North was charging up on the outside, and gained the lead inside the final sixteenth. Chinchon was rallying furiously, and Stacelita was game, but Teaks North held on for a three-quarter length victory. He ran the mile and three-eighths race in 2:13 1/5.
Chinchon edged out Stacelita for second, while Bourbon Bay came home fourth.
-Keelerman
FLAT OUT WINS THE SUBURBAN HANDICAP!
Flat Out drove past favored Rodman in the stretch of the Suburban Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park to post a dominating victory in the historic race and stake his claim as one of the potential leading older horses in the country.
Under Alex Solis, the colt settled into fifth early on as heavily favored Rodman, coming off a runner-up effort in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I), set the pace. He was being tracked by Colizeo and Hymn Book, with Convocation sitting fourth. Icabad Crane trailed the field.
On the far turn, Flat Out eased into contention four wide as Rodman led the way into the homestretch. Then Solis asked his mount for run and Flat Out responded with an incredible burst of speed, driving away to win by six or seven lengths in a blazing 1:46.64.
Hymn Book out-dueled Rodman for second.
-Keelerman
Under Alex Solis, the colt settled into fifth early on as heavily favored Rodman, coming off a runner-up effort in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I), set the pace. He was being tracked by Colizeo and Hymn Book, with Convocation sitting fourth. Icabad Crane trailed the field.
On the far turn, Flat Out eased into contention four wide as Rodman led the way into the homestretch. Then Solis asked his mount for run and Flat Out responded with an incredible burst of speed, driving away to win by six or seven lengths in a blazing 1:46.64.
Hymn Book out-dueled Rodman for second.
-Keelerman
KENSEI WINS THE SALVATOR MILE!
Kensei rallied strongly on the far outside and held off a late charge from Soaring Empire to win the $200,000 Salvator Mile Stakes (gr. III) by three-quarters of a length.
Under Edgar Prado, Kensei settled into the three-path in the early stages, sitting in third behind a moderate pace set by Rule and Morning Line. The latter, sent off as the 9-5 favorite, broke a step slowly and was hustled hard by jockey Eddie Castro to get into contention early. Friesan Fire was on Kensei's inside racing fourth, followed by Cactus Charlie, Motovato, and Soaring Empire.
On the far turn, Eddie Castro asked Morning Line for everything and the colt took the lead from Rule as Kensei ranged up into contention. Turning into the homestretch, Morning Line had every chance at victory but could not sustain his run. Surprisingly, Rule was not yet done and came with another rally to take the lead back briefly.
But Kensei was charging strongly and took over the lead nearing the eighth pole. Rule fought hard, and Soaring Empire was coming late, but Kensei held on gamely for the victory.
The final time was 1:36 4/5. Soaring Empire finished second, a neck in front of Rule. Motovato, Morning Line, Cactus Charlie, and Friesan Fire completed the order of finish.
-Keelerman
Under Edgar Prado, Kensei settled into the three-path in the early stages, sitting in third behind a moderate pace set by Rule and Morning Line. The latter, sent off as the 9-5 favorite, broke a step slowly and was hustled hard by jockey Eddie Castro to get into contention early. Friesan Fire was on Kensei's inside racing fourth, followed by Cactus Charlie, Motovato, and Soaring Empire.
On the far turn, Eddie Castro asked Morning Line for everything and the colt took the lead from Rule as Kensei ranged up into contention. Turning into the homestretch, Morning Line had every chance at victory but could not sustain his run. Surprisingly, Rule was not yet done and came with another rally to take the lead back briefly.
But Kensei was charging strongly and took over the lead nearing the eighth pole. Rule fought hard, and Soaring Empire was coming late, but Kensei held on gamely for the victory.
The final time was 1:36 4/5. Soaring Empire finished second, a neck in front of Rule. Motovato, Morning Line, Cactus Charlie, and Friesan Fire completed the order of finish.
-Keelerman
DOMINUS WINS THE DWYER!
Under Julien Leparoux, Dominus got away with an easy lead in the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) this afternoon at Belmont Park and held off all challengers to post a two length victory.
Sent off as the 5-2 second choice, Dominus broke cleanly and was sent up to take the early lead. 4-5 favorite Adios Charlie sat tracking him in second, with Harlan's Hello, Tech Fall, Cool Blue Red Hot, and Malibu Glow following in the tightly-packed field. The pace was not quick, as Dominus was allowed to escape with moderate fractions of :24 1/5 and :47 4/5.
Turning for home, Julien Leparoux asked Dominus for his run and the colt responded gamely, turning back bids from Adios Charlie and Cool Blue Red Hot in the stretch to win in sharp fashion. The final time was 1:41.74 for the mile and a sixteenth.
Adios Charlie came home second, followed by Cool Blue Red Hot and Tech Fall.
-Keelerman
Sent off as the 5-2 second choice, Dominus broke cleanly and was sent up to take the early lead. 4-5 favorite Adios Charlie sat tracking him in second, with Harlan's Hello, Tech Fall, Cool Blue Red Hot, and Malibu Glow following in the tightly-packed field. The pace was not quick, as Dominus was allowed to escape with moderate fractions of :24 1/5 and :47 4/5.
Turning for home, Julien Leparoux asked Dominus for his run and the colt responded gamely, turning back bids from Adios Charlie and Cool Blue Red Hot in the stretch to win in sharp fashion. The final time was 1:41.74 for the mile and a sixteenth.
Adios Charlie came home second, followed by Cool Blue Red Hot and Tech Fall.
-Keelerman
Salvator Mile Analysis
It is currently seventeen minutes until post time for the grade III Salvator Mile Stakes at Monmouth Park, which has drawn a great field of seven horses.
The current favorite at 9-5 is Soaring Empire, winner of the Hal's Hope Stakes at Gulfstream Park in early January. That performance was followed by a pair of runner-up efforts in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship Stakes (gr. II) and the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II). In his most recent start, he finished a disappointing seventh in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) as the second choice. He has had one breeze since then, working five furlongs in :59 flat at Monmouth on June 14th. Why he hasn't worked since then I don't know, but he should run better today than he did in the Met Mile.
Morning Line is currently the second choice. Beaten a head in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) last fall, he finished third in the Hal's Hope Stakes behind Soaring Empire before running second in the Donn Handicap (gr. I) and winning the Carter Handicap (gr. I) last time out. But the Carter was in early April, and foot issues have kept Morning Line away from the races until today. He has had only two breezes since early May, and may be a but short today, but this should be a good return race for him.
Rule has not won a race this year, but has turned in some good efforts, most notably a close third in the Donn Handicap (gr. I). He ran very poorly last time out when ninth in the Charles Town Classic, but he probably had a good reason and I expect him to be sharper today.
Kensei has not won a race since August 2009 and was most recently eleventh in the Met Mile. Motovato won the Memorial Day Handicap at Calder last time out, but will have to run even better to win a race like this. Cactus Charlie won a pair of allowance races at Parx Racing in March and April, but ran fourth in the Skip Away Stakes last time out. Friesan Fire, distant fourth in the Texas Mile Stakes (gr. III) last time out, completes the lineup.
-Keelerman
The current favorite at 9-5 is Soaring Empire, winner of the Hal's Hope Stakes at Gulfstream Park in early January. That performance was followed by a pair of runner-up efforts in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship Stakes (gr. II) and the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II). In his most recent start, he finished a disappointing seventh in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) as the second choice. He has had one breeze since then, working five furlongs in :59 flat at Monmouth on June 14th. Why he hasn't worked since then I don't know, but he should run better today than he did in the Met Mile.
Morning Line is currently the second choice. Beaten a head in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) last fall, he finished third in the Hal's Hope Stakes behind Soaring Empire before running second in the Donn Handicap (gr. I) and winning the Carter Handicap (gr. I) last time out. But the Carter was in early April, and foot issues have kept Morning Line away from the races until today. He has had only two breezes since early May, and may be a but short today, but this should be a good return race for him.
Rule has not won a race this year, but has turned in some good efforts, most notably a close third in the Donn Handicap (gr. I). He ran very poorly last time out when ninth in the Charles Town Classic, but he probably had a good reason and I expect him to be sharper today.
Kensei has not won a race since August 2009 and was most recently eleventh in the Met Mile. Motovato won the Memorial Day Handicap at Calder last time out, but will have to run even better to win a race like this. Cactus Charlie won a pair of allowance races at Parx Racing in March and April, but ran fourth in the Skip Away Stakes last time out. Friesan Fire, distant fourth in the Texas Mile Stakes (gr. III) last time out, completes the lineup.
-Keelerman
BREEDERS' CUP COUNTDOWN ---- July 2nd, 2011
It's a big 4th of July weekend for horse racing! Countless early prep races for the Breeders' Cup are scheduled to be run, and by the time the dust settles we should have a much better idea of who the leading contenders are for many of the divisions. Even the two-year-olds will start sorting themselves out this afternoon as they battle in the Bashford Manor Stakes! Here are my thoughts on many of the races:
Suburban Handicap (gr. II)
A very small but intriguing field has turned out for the 2011 edition of the historic Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. The nine furlong event has drawn six runners.
The 8-5 morning line favorite is Rodman, who ran a strong second at huge odds in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) back in May. This will be his first start since then, and if he runs back to his Met Mile form than he should be a major contender.
Hymm Book is the second choice at 5-2. In nine starts, he has finished worse than third only once, that poor performance coming in his very first start. He has started twice this year, finishing a late-running second in a turf allowance race at Keeneland before defeating I Want Revenge in the Three Coins Up Stakes at Belmont Park last time out.
Colizeo ran second to Apart in the William Donald Schaefer Memorial Stakes (gr. III) last time out at Pimlico and had been pretty consistent this year. With a good trip, he could contend. Flat Out has made just three starts since April 2009, but his last two have been strong efforts in the Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III), where he finished second, and the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), where he ran a close sixth.
Convocation ran second to Haynesfield in this race last year and has been running fairly well as of late. He is fond of this track, and a fast pace would greatly help his chances. Icabad Crane, third in the William Donald Schaefer, completes the lineup.
Dwyer Stakes (gr. II)
The 1 1/16th miles Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park for three-year-olds and up has drawn a fascinating field of sophomores pointing toward races such as the Jim Dandy, Haskell, and Travers Stakes later this year. The 6-5 favorite is Adios Charlie, a lightly-raced colt that won the Jerome Stakes (gr. II) and finished second beaten a head in the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II). He hasn't raced since mid-May, but he has been training sharply and should be able to win this race even if he isn't 100% sharp.
Cool Blue Red Hot turned in a brilliant late-running performance last time out in a mile and a sixteenth allowance race at Belmont Park, and appears to be rounding into his best form. On the other hand, he got a pretty perfect trip in that race and will likely have to run even better to defeat Adios Charlie.
Dominus was beaten a neck last time out in the Derby Trial Stakes (gr. III) on April 30th, where he ran extremely well on the front end before tiring in the final strides. He hasn't raced in two months, but has been working bullets and should be sharp.
Malibu Glow, third in the Spend a Buck Stakes; Harlan's Hello, fourth in the Pegasus Stakes (gr. III); and Tech Fall, a promising allowance race, complete the field.
Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III)
This afternoon at Churchill Downs, the six furlong Bashford Manor Stakes for two-year-olds is set to be run. One of the first major juvenile races of the year, it routinely turns out promising horses that perform well later in the fall, or the following year as sophomores.
The 3-1 morning line favorite is Sum of the Parts, who turned in a brilliant performance in his only start to date. In a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, he broke poorly but went straight to the lead and drew away for a 2 3/4 length victory in :51.03. If he can stretch out to six furlongs, he can dominate.
Exfactor, second to Sum of the Parts in the latter's maiden win, returned three weeks later to break his maiden going 5 1/2 furlongs by 4 1/2 lengths. It will be interesting to see if he can defeat Sum of the Parts today, which he possibly could since he has more experience now.
Power World won his only race to date, and it was impressive. Bumped and pinched back at the start of a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight, he rallied furiously from six lengths back at the eighth pole to win by a length. In a race that seems to be filled with speed, he may have the talent to blow past them all.
Bonaparte, a front-running maiden special weight winner; Hot Speed, a maiden claiming race winner; Chalybeate Springs, fifth in a maiden special weight; and Friscan, a gritty maiden special weight victor, complete the field.
Shoemaker Mile Stakes (gr. I)
The Shoemaker Mile, a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" prep race for the Breeders' Cup Mile, has attracted a strong field of seven horses led by Courageous Cat. The colt, who ran second to Goldikova in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. I), won the one-mile Poker Stakes (gr. III) at Belmont Park in his 2011 debut under a hand ride. Anything close to his best performance would put him in contention for the win here.
Victor's Cry, winner of this race last year, goes for a repeat. He has not raced since finishing fifth in the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) at Meydan in March, but has been training well for his return. Still, it usually takes a race or two for horses to recover from the long trip to Dubai, so Victor's Cry may not be ready to run his very best race. Interestingly, he will be racing on Lasix for the first time.
Liberian Freighter won the Arcadia Stakes (gr. II) and Inglewood Handicap (gr. III) earlier this year before running fifth in the American Handicap (gr. II). But in the American, he got into a speed duel with the front-running Sidney's Candy and was not able to keep up. If he can get a lonely lead, he can steal this race.
Caracortado has run sixth and fifth in his last two starts, but they have been deceptively good performances. In the Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, he ran sixth, but was beaten just three-quarters of a length. And this was a race on dirt, a surface on which Caracortado is not at his best.
In the Arcadia Stakes, where he finished fifth behind Liberian Freighter, he was allowed to drop way too far back and was 6 1/2 lengths behind passing the eighth pole. Despite this, he managed to close the gap to only 1 1/2 lengths at the finish. He is a a proven grade I-caliber miler, as he ran second beaten a head in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (gr. I) back in March.
Blue Chagall has only won twice since late 2009, but occasionally turns in a good effort. He was beaten a half-length by Liberian Freighter in the Arcadia Stakes three starts back, and if he runs back to that effort he could potentially hit the board.
Smokey Lonesome defeated Blue Chagall by a half-length in a mile and a sixteenth turf allowance race last time out, and a decent pace to run at would help his chances. Ashtar, a Chilean-bred colt that has run well in his native country, will be making his United States debut.
* * * * *
One non-stakes race that I will be watching is the eleventh race at Churchill Downs this afternoon, where Dublin will make his return to the races in a 6-1/2 furlong allowance race. Unraced since running fifth in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) last year, he was my pick to win that year's Kentucky Derby and I have always been fond of him. It's nice to see him getting back to the races at last!
I shall post additional racing thoughts later this afternoon, including analysis of the United Nations Handicap (gr. I) and the Triple Bend Handicap (gr. I). Enjoy the races!
-Keelerman
Suburban Handicap (gr. II)
A very small but intriguing field has turned out for the 2011 edition of the historic Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. The nine furlong event has drawn six runners.
The 8-5 morning line favorite is Rodman, who ran a strong second at huge odds in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) back in May. This will be his first start since then, and if he runs back to his Met Mile form than he should be a major contender.
Hymm Book is the second choice at 5-2. In nine starts, he has finished worse than third only once, that poor performance coming in his very first start. He has started twice this year, finishing a late-running second in a turf allowance race at Keeneland before defeating I Want Revenge in the Three Coins Up Stakes at Belmont Park last time out.
Colizeo ran second to Apart in the William Donald Schaefer Memorial Stakes (gr. III) last time out at Pimlico and had been pretty consistent this year. With a good trip, he could contend. Flat Out has made just three starts since April 2009, but his last two have been strong efforts in the Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III), where he finished second, and the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), where he ran a close sixth.
Convocation ran second to Haynesfield in this race last year and has been running fairly well as of late. He is fond of this track, and a fast pace would greatly help his chances. Icabad Crane, third in the William Donald Schaefer, completes the lineup.
Dwyer Stakes (gr. II)
The 1 1/16th miles Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park for three-year-olds and up has drawn a fascinating field of sophomores pointing toward races such as the Jim Dandy, Haskell, and Travers Stakes later this year. The 6-5 favorite is Adios Charlie, a lightly-raced colt that won the Jerome Stakes (gr. II) and finished second beaten a head in the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II). He hasn't raced since mid-May, but he has been training sharply and should be able to win this race even if he isn't 100% sharp.
Cool Blue Red Hot turned in a brilliant late-running performance last time out in a mile and a sixteenth allowance race at Belmont Park, and appears to be rounding into his best form. On the other hand, he got a pretty perfect trip in that race and will likely have to run even better to defeat Adios Charlie.
Dominus was beaten a neck last time out in the Derby Trial Stakes (gr. III) on April 30th, where he ran extremely well on the front end before tiring in the final strides. He hasn't raced in two months, but has been working bullets and should be sharp.
Malibu Glow, third in the Spend a Buck Stakes; Harlan's Hello, fourth in the Pegasus Stakes (gr. III); and Tech Fall, a promising allowance race, complete the field.
Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III)
This afternoon at Churchill Downs, the six furlong Bashford Manor Stakes for two-year-olds is set to be run. One of the first major juvenile races of the year, it routinely turns out promising horses that perform well later in the fall, or the following year as sophomores.
The 3-1 morning line favorite is Sum of the Parts, who turned in a brilliant performance in his only start to date. In a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, he broke poorly but went straight to the lead and drew away for a 2 3/4 length victory in :51.03. If he can stretch out to six furlongs, he can dominate.
Exfactor, second to Sum of the Parts in the latter's maiden win, returned three weeks later to break his maiden going 5 1/2 furlongs by 4 1/2 lengths. It will be interesting to see if he can defeat Sum of the Parts today, which he possibly could since he has more experience now.
Power World won his only race to date, and it was impressive. Bumped and pinched back at the start of a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight, he rallied furiously from six lengths back at the eighth pole to win by a length. In a race that seems to be filled with speed, he may have the talent to blow past them all.
Bonaparte, a front-running maiden special weight winner; Hot Speed, a maiden claiming race winner; Chalybeate Springs, fifth in a maiden special weight; and Friscan, a gritty maiden special weight victor, complete the field.
Shoemaker Mile Stakes (gr. I)
The Shoemaker Mile, a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" prep race for the Breeders' Cup Mile, has attracted a strong field of seven horses led by Courageous Cat. The colt, who ran second to Goldikova in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. I), won the one-mile Poker Stakes (gr. III) at Belmont Park in his 2011 debut under a hand ride. Anything close to his best performance would put him in contention for the win here.
Victor's Cry, winner of this race last year, goes for a repeat. He has not raced since finishing fifth in the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) at Meydan in March, but has been training well for his return. Still, it usually takes a race or two for horses to recover from the long trip to Dubai, so Victor's Cry may not be ready to run his very best race. Interestingly, he will be racing on Lasix for the first time.
Liberian Freighter won the Arcadia Stakes (gr. II) and Inglewood Handicap (gr. III) earlier this year before running fifth in the American Handicap (gr. II). But in the American, he got into a speed duel with the front-running Sidney's Candy and was not able to keep up. If he can get a lonely lead, he can steal this race.
Caracortado has run sixth and fifth in his last two starts, but they have been deceptively good performances. In the Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, he ran sixth, but was beaten just three-quarters of a length. And this was a race on dirt, a surface on which Caracortado is not at his best.
In the Arcadia Stakes, where he finished fifth behind Liberian Freighter, he was allowed to drop way too far back and was 6 1/2 lengths behind passing the eighth pole. Despite this, he managed to close the gap to only 1 1/2 lengths at the finish. He is a a proven grade I-caliber miler, as he ran second beaten a head in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (gr. I) back in March.
Blue Chagall has only won twice since late 2009, but occasionally turns in a good effort. He was beaten a half-length by Liberian Freighter in the Arcadia Stakes three starts back, and if he runs back to that effort he could potentially hit the board.
Smokey Lonesome defeated Blue Chagall by a half-length in a mile and a sixteenth turf allowance race last time out, and a decent pace to run at would help his chances. Ashtar, a Chilean-bred colt that has run well in his native country, will be making his United States debut.
* * * * *
One non-stakes race that I will be watching is the eleventh race at Churchill Downs this afternoon, where Dublin will make his return to the races in a 6-1/2 furlong allowance race. Unraced since running fifth in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) last year, he was my pick to win that year's Kentucky Derby and I have always been fond of him. It's nice to see him getting back to the races at last!
I shall post additional racing thoughts later this afternoon, including analysis of the United Nations Handicap (gr. I) and the Triple Bend Handicap (gr. I). Enjoy the races!
-Keelerman
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