April 30, 2004. Six stakes races are on tap today at Churchill Downs as the elite of racing have conglomerated in Louisville for Derby week. The highlight of the day will be the highly contentious 10th race, the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, for 3 year old fillies, to be run at 1 1/8 miles. Did Victory U.S.A. peak too early when she went head to head with Halfbridled and dominated in the 7 furlong Beaumont 3 weeks ago? She swung past the field that day but rider Pat Day will probably have her more forwardly placed today, if not on the lead. The distance is a legitimate question as she has never one in a route. Another Baffert trainee, Class Above, has tanked in two graded stakes tries and will be trying to get to the front from the 11 post. Regally bred Silent Sighs (Benchmark - Quiet Romance, Bertrando) will attract some attention at the betting windows, coming out of a win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks over Halfbridled and A.P. Adventure. There have been 3 layoffs in the filly's young career and she returns today from 6 weeks on the sidelines. Julio Canani can certainly have them ready under such circumstances but we feel this one will prove an underlay. Another who may have peaked early is Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Halfbridled, who hasn't moved forward a bit out of that race under the tutelage of hotshot trainer Richard Mandella. Her performance in the Beaumont was dismal to the point of being embarassing. Under-rated trainer Ron McAnally and jockey Shane Sellers team up with House of Fortune, who was beating California-breds in the fall before being moved up into graded stakes company. She won a minor stakes race at Golden Gate in March by 17 lengths, then romped at Oaklawn Park in the Grade 2 Fantasy over some of these. Third off the bench, this filly can still improve. We get the feeling A.P. Adventure has always needed a little more ground to cover. Today, she gets it. Mike Smith is in the irons for this one who has also been out since the Santa Anita Oaks. We like her today for value. The only bad race Hollywood Story has run was at the Breeders' Cup and today's contest shapes up with a similar pace scenario, as she will be forced to circle a large field after starting on the inside. Some of the more impressive performances in this division have come from Ashado, who is dangerous once again out of her familiar inside post. John Velasquez (her rider in the Breeders' Cup) gets the mount and will have to try not to let her lose contact with the leaders. A win today would not be a surprise. Undefeated Madcap Escapade gets Jerry Bailey for the ride today, and is a great story flashing her overpowering speed to win every race gate to wire. She's never had more than one horse ahead of her for any substantial time and today's early mayhem could affect her more adversly than the others. Last Song rates a long look as she is the only entrant who has won at this distance. Edgar Prado will have her coming late. Island Sand is a great choice to fill in the bottom of the exotics tickets, remembering she finished 2nd to House of Fortune at Oaklawn Park this month. Stellar Jayne was third that day. The veteran of 7 stakes races already, she looks to be a touch below these where class is concerned. SELECTIONS 5-1-9-3 FINISH 1-3-6-8 Madcap Escapade (3-1) got away cleanly en route to setting very quick fractions on her own of 23.29 & 46.00. She was still leading after 6 furlongs, clocking an ambitious 1:09.99 but had had enough by the top of the stretch and started to pack it in as she was caught by favourite Ashado (2-1), who was well handled by John Velasquez on the way to victory in 1:50.81, a length and a quarter ahead of the late closing Island Sand (16-1), our pick as a potential bomb in the exotics. Pat Day had Victory U.S.A. (10-1) forwardly placed but she came up empty for the drive and remains winless at two turns, finishing an even fourth. Silent Sighs (7-1) provided no value as she was through after 6 furlongs. House of Fortune (8-1), racing inside, loomed with the winner but failed to menace after the second turn. The scratch of Halfbridled meant a lot of money moved over to Ashado and she went off as a deserving favourite. We hope you followed our lead and focused on the exacta pool, consequently being rewarded by the big race run by Island Sand, producing a payout of $126.60. The trifecta was compromised by the presence of underlaid Madcap Escapade in third, paying $492.80. Congratulations! April 28, 2004. Today's 9th race at Churchill Downs, the Grade 3 La Troienne, is run at the unusual "in-between" distance of 7 1/2 furlongs for 3 year old fillies. Trainer Bob Baffert has shipped in Friendly Michelle off a win in the 6 1/2 furlong 82k Santa Paula stakes at Santa Anita. The Artax filly is more successful racing off the pace and will have to be cleverly rated by Alex Solis to keep off the lead today. A game third in the Grade 1 Las Virgennes, she is obviously the one to catch. With 4 wins already at this meet, D Wayne Lukas is holding an unusually hot hand and today sends out Katestormedthebird who went up against the top sophomore fillies in the Grade 2 Beaumont. She was badly outclassed that day, but if she brings her "A" game she'll be the one who wears down Friendly Michelle. Poised to run a perfect stalking trip, Bohemian Lady tries these fresh off a win in the Grade 3 Cicada at 7 furlongs over the Aqueduct main track. Winning jockey Edgar Prado goes again for trainer Todd Pletcher, who's off to a spectacular start this season. A winner of 3 straight stakes races at Calder and Tampa Downs, Ender's Sister (A.P. Indy - Gold Rush Queen, Seeking the Gold) will be in tough trying to wrest the lead from more talented competition than she's seen yet in her career. We'll be watching closely to see how she responds. Closer Saltwater Runner has 4 wins from 5 career starts and is entered here by trainer Robert Holthus out of a dominating 6 furlong stakes victory at Prairie Meadows. With a potentially lethal speed duel projected, the pace breakdown could work beautifully for this Salt Lake filly. Fond surprised us with a 21-1 win in the $81k Busher stakes at Aqueduct in February. She needs the lead and likely won't get it today. Two turns is her preference. Another closer who could be ignored by the betting public is inside horse Pick of the Pack, trained by Bernie Flint, coming out of an off the pace victory against N2x company at Keeneland 11 days ago. Her improvement has been steady since returning from the bench in February and jockey Rafael Bejarano is having a fine meet. SELECTIONS 6-2-3-1 FINISH 3-4-6-1 Alex Solis asked Friendly Michelle (2-1) for a little more after she was caught on the lead with 2 furlongs left, and the Baffert trainee found more gas in the tank, coming back strongly on the inside to win by a half length in 1:28.26, just off the track record. Tampa shipper Ender's Sister (4-1) was impressive stalking the winner all the way and briefly getting the lead before settling for a hard fought second. Our top choice and betting favourite, Bohemian Lady (1-1), ran a smart stalking race, reaching the lead with a furlong to go but was undone by the fast early fractions and settled back to finish third. Longshot Pick of the Pack (47-1) was indeed ignored by the public and our readers benefited if they used her in the superfecta, which paid $425.20. The exacta paid $30.60 and the trifecta only $65.20. April 28, 2004. The 8th at Churchill Downs is a 6 1/2 furlong sprint for 3 year olds and older carrying claiming tags of $20k down to $17.5k. Most of the early speed in the 11 horse field is on the inside, but looking to clear the bunch from the 9 hole will be Devil's Triangle, a 4 year old colt who showed speed on the dirt and grass last summer at Ellis Park. Off the track since September, this will be the first time he's run with a tag since his juvenile season. Trainer Robert Holthus has been working him regularly at Oaklawn Park and jockey John McKee will try to have him flying early. Jump for Joyeux jumps in class from N3L claimers at Oaklawn to this bunch. After a stop and start sophomore season, trainer Ralph Nicks has brought the gelding around nicely since taking over the conditioning in February. Pat Day, who was aboard for a strong performance over this track last June, gets the mount again today. If you're looking for the horse in peak form, stop here. Top trainer Steven Asmussen and his ace jockey Shane Sellers team up with the inside horse, Privano's First, another Arkansas shipper who beat $15k claimers under a stalking trip at Oaklawn. Sellers could get this veteran 8 year old gelding the perfect trip. Bondsman makes his Churchill debut off the claim by stone cold trainer Michael Lauer. This Skip Trial colt was climbing the allowance rungs in West Virginia last season, then got stalled at the N3L claiming level at Oaklawn Park this year. Robby Albarado keeps the mount and they'll be involved with the early pace. Raise the Stakes hasn't shown much spirit when he's behind horses. With a couple of Turfway wins, where he was on the pace, and a third at the n1x allowance condition, this could be the right class, but the pace scenario doesn't help him at all today. Scouts Emblem earned $74k as a three year old, but after a couple of dismal efforts against allowance foes at Fair Grounds, trainer Robert O'Connor drops him to the lowest level of his career. There are alarms ringing, but it would be inadvisable to leave him out of the mix entirely. Well-bred 5 year old gelding Irish Legacy (Storm Cat - Ingot Way, Diplomat Way) raced here brilliantly in November and the race sets up much the same way today. Solid Kentucky jockey Calvin Borel picks up the mount on yet another Oaklawn shipper who should be arriving late to add some value to the payouts. Hall Lass, an expensive purchase at auction as a yearling, throws in too many duds for us to back him. Court of Maximus is in tough, making his first start since November. K.C.'s Boy won near this level over this track in the fall, but a tough winter schedule appears to have left this 5 year old a little weary come springtime. Eight year old gelding, Davey's Cutlass, has been plummetting down the ladder since last summer and, while he has earned a shade under $400k lifetime, it sure looks to us as though he's lost more than a step. SELECTIONS 4-1-10-3 FINISH 4-5-1-6 Jump for Joyeux (2-1), our top choice, flashed his superior form today, grabbing the lead under Pat Day and sailing through honest fractions to go gate to wire in 1:17.60 without much urging from the jockey. Scout's Emblem (5-1) stalked the leader to the half but had nothing left for the drive, finishing 5th, just ahead of a disappointing Irish Legacy (6-1). Not able to seriously compete for the lead, Raise the Stakes (7-1) went outside and finished well to gain place, a length ahead of Privano's First (3-1), who circled the field 6-wide after being outrun on the inside. Congratulations! April 25, 2004. Today's 8th at Aqueduct is the $150k New York Stallion Times Square, run at a flat mile for 3 year old colts and geldings eligible for the New York Stallion Stakes. Trainer Michael Hushion has ambitiously entered Barry Schwartz' Bogota Bill, a gelding who looked impressive winning over the main track 2 1/2 weeks ago after being dropped down to meet $35k claimers. This sprinter likes to duel early for the lead and today there will be plenty of takers. He could be in trouble late. Another gelding lengthening from 6 furlongs is Patrick Reynolds trainee Eros, who tries these off a maiden allowance win over state breds. He hasn't shown the necessary speed to be competitive today. In March, Gregory Martin claimed Strider's Ormsby (Ormsby - Country Strider, Country Pine) from the John Parisella stable for a mere $18k, then moved him up to meet state-bred allowance foes. With good apprentice rider Fernando Jara aboard, the gelding has shown improvement in both races for the new barn and exits a front-running win at a mile in the mud over this track. Todd Pletcher runs a formidable entry today with West Virginia on the inside, ridden by John Velasquez. This colt, who had been nominated to the Kentucky Derby, has already won two stakes races for New York breds, one sprint and one route. The victory in the Damon Runyon was more impressive due to the sloppy inner track at Aqueduct and the outside post. A disastrous try at 9 furlongs on the turf in the Grade 3 Palm Beach at Gulfstream Park has to be thrown out. The colt was training well in Florida and should return to a triumph in his home state. Entrymate and half-brother Tomorrow's Magic, with Richard Migliore, goes an extra furlong today after a dominating win at 7 panels, beating entry level state-breds by over 11 lengths ten days ago. Despite having already earned over $81k, Pa Pa Da has only one win in his career, a maiden win on the turf at a mile at Belmont Park as a 2 year old. David Donk wintered him at Gulfstream Park, racing 3 times on the grass at 9 furlongs, hitting the board twice, including a third in Palm Beach at 16-1. The game gelding gets red-hot Edgar Prado for the ride and the distance will be no problem. Top jockey Pablo Fragoso jumps to Chowder's First, who seems a notch below the best of these, but could get a favourable ride behind a heated speed duel. Heathrow looks to be outmatched. Throwing out his maiden win at even money, Icicle Charlie is a colt lacking stamina. The closer who could make splash late is Pay Attention, currently on a 3 race win streak. Winning jockey Javier Castellano stays aboard for trainer Scott Schwartz and will have the Take Me Out colt flying late. In the outside post, Ron Greschner is up against it, trying to jump from the maiden ranks. SELECTIONS 1-3-7-5 FINISH 1-5-4-2 Our top choice, betting favourite West Virginia (1-1), stalked Strider's Ormsby (14-1) through early fractions of 22.92 & 46.52 before taking the lead heading into the stretch and holding on for the win in 1:39.04, a neck in front of late charging Pay Attention (5-1). Pa Pa Da (5-2) had a troubled trip, finishing 6th. Fragoso rated Chowder's First (20-1) nicely, bringing him in gamely for third. The exacta paid only $19.40 but the trifecta was a nice $150.50. April 24, 2004. The Grade 3 Derby Trial, today's 9th at Churchill Downs, is an opening day tradition that no longer acts as a legitimate prep for the big race. Only 2 of this year's field, 3 year olds going 1 mile, had been nominated to the Derby. Big Bwana Charlie can take hold of this bunch today and wire the race for a win at a big price. One of our favourite sophomores, this colt developed too late for Steven Asmussen to seriously think about the Triple Crown, but this race sets him up nicely to try the Preakness in 3 weeks. Bob Baffert has shipped Courageous Act from California out of a sprint win in the 83k San Pedro stakes. Purchased at auction for half a million dollars by the Lewis's as a yearling, the Exploit colt has yet to live up to his breeding. An affinity for the lead won't likely work for him today. Well bred Honolua Storm (Old Trieste - Honolua Bay, Storm Bird) tries this off a strong maiden win at 7 furlongs at Keeneland. Trainer Roger Attfield goes to Robby Albarado for the ride. We'll tab this one for later. Leading jockey Rafael Bejarano sticks with Nick Zito's Sir Shackleton, who has a good chance at hitting the board with a late run at tiring front-runners. Inside horse Quick Action finished 2nd to Bwana Charlie in the Lafayette but the added distance and the long stretch at Churchill could expose this Carson City colt as a better sprinter than miler. Santa Anita shipper, Rock Hard Ten, will take a lot of money at the windows in a race where there has been much speculation as to whether he'll run at all. Nominated to the Derby, he's on the bubble in terms of winnings, and Jason Orman could gamble that a spot on will open up on May 1. Otherwise, this could be a prep for the Preakness. Regardless, there will be no value at all and there is a suspicion on our part that a win today isn't part of the overall game plan. We'll play against the place horse in the Santa Anita Derby. SELECTIONS 3-scr-2-5 FINISH 2-5-3-4 Bwana Charlie (7-5) just wasn't up to dueling three different competitors for the lead from the outside. After 6 furlongs, he was through, conceding the lead to winner, and favourite, Sir Shackleton (6-5). Shane Sellers was able to keep Courageous Act (7-2) toward the back of the tight pack, and loosed him at the top of the stretch. While he couldn't catch the winner, he did grab the place prize, easily best of the rest. The exacta paid $15.20 and the trifecta paid $33.40. An easy superfecta came out to $66.80. April 23, 2004. The final race on today's card, the 9th, at Aqueduct is a 7 furlong sprint for 3 year old New York-bred fillies, with allowance conditions of N1x. Trainer William Badgett's Fair Grounds shipper, Money Trust, will take an awful lot of money at the wickets based on a front-running romp over N2L conditioned claimers in February. The Hennessy filly didn't beat much that day and will find the pressure a lot more intense today. A definate underlay, we're not even sure she'll hit the board. Outside horse, Jay's Will, will be trying to clear the field with apprentice Alan Garcia. Her maiden win came in the mud on the inner track from post 11. Even with the 5lbs allowance and blinkers added, she'll be in tough. A winner at this distance, White Dragon has yet to race on a dry surface. The Phil Johnson trainee, with Aaron Gryder aboard, will be a pace factor. Trainer Frank Martin goes to red-hot jockey Edgar Prado for Dance All Night's second try at this level. She looked impressive in her maiden win on the inner track and had a rough ride in her last outing. Prado should be able to get her the perfect trip today. You Promised was a 6-1 winner a week ago, coming from off the pace, but Gary Contessa doesn't have a lot of success wheeling horses back quickly. We'll just watch today. Leading Aqueduct jockey Pablo Fragoso chooses to keep the mount on Bundle of Roses, who rebounded from a rough start in her debut, then won on the main track at this distance, just getting up for the win. With a clean start, she could be involved late. Trainer Jason Servis, having a fine season, sends out Aurora Too with Lasix added after she got the lead and tired at a flat mile last month. This one battled hard in her maiden win and Servis has success with horses cutting back in distance. Any improvement gets her in the money. The inside post is a tough place to start for Luminescing, who was impressive picking off the field in her maiden win in her debut on the muddy main track. Here's another filly we'll be watching closely. Struggling trainer Kelly Breen adds blinkers to Contemptuous, who won her maiden race at 1 mile & 70 yards and has failed to keep up with sprinters so far in her career. Eligible to hit the board at a nice price is Moochie Magnum, a 6-1 winner on the inner track, then a 31-1 place horse in her next out on the main track, rallying from last. Not a win candidate but usable in the gimmicks. SELECTIONS 4-9-7-8 FINISH 10-9-1-3 The scratch of highly touted Money Trust left outside horse Jay's Will (8-1) as the only legitimate speed in the field and she was up for the task, dueling Contemptuously (7-1) from the outside through fractions of 23.27 & 46.67 before pulling away at the top of the stretch to win in 1:25.94, ahead of closer Bundle of Roses (6-1) by 2 lengths. Luminescing (10-1) provided value to the trifecta, closing well in her 2nd career start to gain the show. The exacta paid $131.00, the trifecta came to $1,350.00 and the superfecta, with Contemptuously fourth, paid $7,211.00. April 22, 2004. The 4th at Keeneland is a 6 1/2 furlong sprint for older horses with claiming tags of $35k. Six year old veteran, Source, is the inside horse and a good bet to go gate to wire for the victory. He weakened late in a useful tuneup against $50k claimers two weeks ago after 7 weeks on the bench. This winner of 10 lifetime races can be deadly on the lead, as witnessed by his superb victory at Saratoga last summer when he set fractions of 21.80 & 44.60 en route to a finish in 1:15.80. He was claimed out of that race by Steven Asmussen, who campaigned him steadily in the South over the winter. Four year old gelding, All American Blue, an expensive $260k at auction as a yearling, started out the season competing against some of the top sprinters in North America. A serious downturn in form led trainer Stephen Margolis and owner Padua Stables to let him go for $25k two weeks ago. Any hint of a return to his sophomore form gets him to the edge of the money today. Outside horse, Somethingdangerous, gave a good account of himself here in October, mis-timing the close against N2X opponents. A bizarre turf sprint in New Orleans served as a refresher before arriving at Keeneland. Robbie Albarado gets the mount. Padlock, a stakes competitor in Texas and Arkansas last year will be hard pressed to wrest the lead from Source. Shortening from 6 straight 2-turn races, Scalia will be hoping for an off track as 4 of his 6 wins have come in the muck. The 5 year old gelding ships in from Turfway Park, where he had a pretty successful meet, winning three, including a 1st level allowance race in February and an optional claiming race early this month. Perhaps not a true win candidate, but certainly a good choice to fill out your gimmicks. Chronic underachiever, Game Called, had some success at Ellis Park last summer, but has consistently struggled against the tougher competition here and at Churchill Downs. Trainer David Vance sends out Davey's Cutless, who was on a tear last summer and fall in the mid-west. A winner of 12 races lifetime, he doesn't appear to be in a positive form cycle and he moves up in class along with the switch in venues from Oaklawn Park to Keeneland. We feel this might be a costly underlay. SELECTIONS 1-7-6-5 FINISH 2-7-1-5 Shane Sellers got our top choice, Source (4-5), out to the lead swiftly in the slop on a day when early speed had ruled. In the opening two races, 7-1 and 4-1 front runners beat their fields by a combined 12 3/4 lengths. But, Padlock (8-1) ran back to his 2003 form, pressing the pace, then taking over after 4 1/2 furlongs to win by 4 1/2 lengths in a sharp 1:16.47. As expected, Somethingdangerous (5-2) closed well late for the place prize, beating favourite Source by a length and three quarters. The exacta was a nice payout of $75.00 and the trifecta paid $214.00. April 21, 2004. The 4th at Keeneland is a sprint, about 7 furlongs, for older horses who have not won 1 other than... This field, mostly comprised of 4 year olds, lacks any true front-runners. The pace will likely be set by Stoker, with Pat Day aboard, who will have no trouble gaining the rail. This gelded son of Gone West has raced nine times (and won twice) at the distance. After trainer Carl Nafzger removed the blinkers in February at Gulfstream, a new attitude of toughness emerged and he rattled off 2 hard fought victories. He weakened late in his first try at this allowance level 19 days ago, after setting a quick pace. With little pressure on the front end, we like this guy to go the whole way at a very nice price. A 6 year old veteran, with 33 races under his belt, Bully Bully gets another kick at the N1x can after being campaigned as a 25k claimer at Fair Grounds against N2L company. His maiden win came over this course at this distance and he is a dependably sort who rarely misses the board these days. Not a top win candidate, but it's probably wise to include him underneath on the exotics plays. Another Fair Grounds shipper, trained also by Jeffrey Thornbury, is lightly raced 4 year old gelding Nine Chimes. His lone try at Keeneland was a game effort in October where he proved best of the rest. Apprentice rider, James Graham, again takes the mount and could, potentially, be too forwardly placed to use his late speed. Off for 6 weeks and shortening from a couple of routes, this guy is still too talented to throw out. The horse for the course is Unbridled Trick, trained by Steven Asmussen and ridden by hot jockey Shane Sellers. A 5 for 5 record for hitting the board at Keeneland means we can't leave him out, but 2 wins from 24 starts lifetime means we can't use him on top. Out of the same conditions as Bully Bully at Fair Grounds, he's another who can be involved late. On the inside is Autopscot, who exploded to win his maiden race in February at Fair Grounds. He'll have to circle the field under his usual rider Larry Melancon. It's a tall order to fill. Westendvalues took 12 races to break his maiden, then hit the sidelines for 3 months. This is a much tougher field than the 25k maidens he beat in January at Turfway Park. Well-bred Aerial Command (Runaway Groom - Rullah Storm, Storm Cat) has delivered a couple of spectacular late-closing performances in sprints over the course of his 10 race career. In his career debut at Calder, he closed from last of 10 horses to win by a neck and in January at Gulfstream Park, again off the bench, he made up 9 lengths to miss by a neck at 7 furlongs. We'll be watching the tote board. With rain predicted, the outside horse Desert Monarch deserves a look. Not truly a sprinter, all his wins (including a DQ at N1X at Turfway) have come in the mud and he won his maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs. A $260k purchase by Bob & Beverly Lewis at auction two years ago, Native Bull won his debut convincingly at Turfway last month. Going off as 6-5 favourite, the 4 year old gelding got away with a slow start. That won't be the case today, as trouble early could leave him out of touch. Captain Wheat, a horse who's best performances have come at two turns, returns from a 3 month layoff. Today's placement looks like a tuneup. SELECTIONS 4-7-5-8 FINISH 3-6-4-9 As post time approached, it became clear that our value plays were misplaced. Our top choice, Stoker, as 3-1 favourite made him a less than favourable win play and he delivered a disappointing even performance, finishing a non-threatening third. Bully Bully (14-1) set a moderate pace and was through by the half, pressured all the way by Unbridled Trick (7-2), who had nothing left for the drive. Aerial Command, a steal at 7-1, was brought late 4-wide with a rush for the win by 2 1/2 lengths over longshot Captain Wheat (21-1) in 1:28.58. The win by Aerial Command completed a nifty Pick 3 including gimme Cherokee Prospect (9-5) in the 2nd and speedy Wall Street Afleet (5-1) in the 3rd. The trio paid $346.20. The exacta in this race paid $284.00 and the trifecta was a whopping $1,141.60. The superfecta came to a life-altering $12,691.00. April 18, 2004. The 7th at Aqueduct is a 6 furlong sprint for New York breds, 3 years old and upward at the N1x level. There's quite a bit of speed, beginning with the outside horse, El Cisc, a 4 year old gelding owned by Michael Gill and trained by Phil Schoenthal. Picked up on the claim for $25k last September, this guy has shown the same lack of finish in New York that he did at Calder as a sophomore. He's hit the board in 7 of 13 lifetime starts, but we'll demand a price. A better speed alternative might be inside horse Doctor Who, a loser in the maiden claiming ranks who suddenly fired a gate to wire win against state-breds at 15-1 just 4 days ago. Out for 8 months, Mistical Fastness returns hoping for a wet track. His only decent races were run in the slop. A dry or drying surface and the layoff add up to trouble. Dixie Preacher is another 4 year old who hasn't competed in nearly a year. Jorge Chavez resumes riding duties for trainer James Bond and, after wintering in Florida, has put up some fast works over the Belmont training track. Bond has had success with horses off the bench. Derby nominated Tomorrows Idol defeated Cluster Bomb 3 weeks ago in his debut. That horse was beaten 12 lengths on Thursday at this level in the mud. Jockey Diane Nelson returns from injuries sustained in a nasty spill last fall. Trainer Todd Pletcher wins often with 2nd time starters. We have to use this one in the gimmicks. Karakorum's Appeal has encountered speed duels often in his young career and only won once. There are more than a few horses here today who have shown more speed and stamina than this 5 year old gelding. Apprentice jockey Alan Garcia gets the call. Brimming with back class, Sherm, another 5 year old gelding, poses as the wild card in this field. A duplication of his debut wins this, but that race happened over 2 years ago. His last wasn't bad, as he contested the pace from the 11 post, then faded. We'd like to see one more. Bellagio Bob was scratched from the race Thursday won by Tomorrow's Magic in the mud. We've been waiting anxiously for his next start, as we figured he was the only other serious competition in the race that day. His debut was more than impressive as he broke slowly from the outside, then swept by the entire field to win by almost 4 lengths on the tight inner track. With all that speed in front of him today, we expect to see him in the winner's circle. SELECTIONS 2-3-scr-6 FINISH 3-7-8-6 With Doctor Who a late scratch on the inside, it left the rail open to Jorge Chavez and our 2nd choice Dixie Preacher (3-1), who took advantage and set very solid fractions of 22.37 & 45.66 en route to a second consecutive victory in a time of 1:11.40. El Cisc (7-1) once again gave it up in the stretch, faltering after chasing the pace and ending up third, beaten a half length by longshot Mistical Fastness (36-1), who had no trouble with the fast track, picking off tired horses to gain the place prize. April 17, 2004. Five years ago Jerry Bailey rode Charismatic to victory in the Grade 2 Coolmore Lexington on the way to an improbable Triple Crown run for the former claiming horse. There is precedent for a winner of this race to win the Kentucky Derby. A field full of underachieving 3 year olds goes 1 1/16 miles in the 9th at Keeneland. In a field without too much early speed, Gamblin may inherit the lead. The Niall Callaghan trainee shipped east from California to try turns for the first time in the Rushaway stakes, finishing 3rd, at Turfway Park a month ago. Not bred for the distance, we don't see this one lasting. Craig Perret takes the mount on inside horse, Tiger Heart, a Ken McPeek sprinter trying to win his first route. Purchased as a yearling for $150k, he couldn't clear the N1x hurdle in Florida, so McPeek dropped him to face N2L foes and shortened him up to 6 1/2 furlongs. A probable underlay, he will figure in the pace set-up. Solid Saratoga County has drawn the unfavorable 14 post, putting jockey Javier Castellano in the unenviable spot of needing to clear 13 horses to his left to try to stay in touch with the leaders. He had trouble with traffic in the 7 furlong Hutcheson at Gulfstream in February and goes two turns for the first time in his career. Bob and Beverly Lewis purchased Race for Glory for $600k at last spring's Keeneland auction. They and D. Wayne Lucas, having another dismal season and winless at this meet, have gotten little bang for the buck as the Cape Town colt has just a 5 furlong maiden win at Arlington and a 7 furlong victory in an 80k stakes for Cal-breds last October. Top trainer Steven Asmussen has taken over the care of Padua Stables' surprise star sophomore Quinton's Gold Rush. The son of Wild Rush lost a speed duel for 4th in the Santa Anita Derby after a wide 4th in the San Rafael is the only colt in the field who has faced Grade 1 competition as a 3 year old. Ace jockey Jerry Bailey accepts the mount. His sire, known primarily as a sprinter or miler, won the Illinois Derby as a 3 year old, setting a stakes record and finished in a memorable dead heat with Silver Charm the following year in the Kentucky Cup Classic Hdcp, missing the stakes record by 5/100 of a second. This is our value play in a big field. Dashboard Drummer finished 3rd in the Champagne Stakes last October in Belmont. Only racing flatly in a 7 furlong tuneup since then indicates some lack of readiness in this Oklahoma-bred colt. Pomeroy beat The Cliff's Edge in September in the Grade 3 Kentucky Cup Juvenile, then hit the bench for 6 months. Jockey Mike Smith likes to race off the rail and got away with it in this guy's comeback in the Gotham. Getting the inside trip and digging in is the key today. Another California invader, Boomzeeboom, beat Derby-bound Minister Eric in an entry level allowance race at Santa Anita 3 weeks ago. The time was excellent and it was no fluke as he had exited a very fast win at 6 furlongs 3 weeks before that. We'll try to catch this freaky fast lightning in a bottle as the placement is appropriate and price will be fair. Barclay Tagg's Bride's Best Boy has been brought along slowly and Tagg seems to be reluctantly entering him here. A 9 furlong try at Gulfstream Park was disastrous. Bob Baffert has shipped Totally Platinum from a 6th in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate. This one is a cut below these. An experienced router, Suave, will attract attention from the bettors based on his 3rd in the Illinois Derby where he got stuck racing 4-wide. An even more crowded trip today doesn't play into his strength as pace presser. Nick Zito takes the blinkers off El Prado Rob, who has a win over this track. The well-bred colt has run 4 straight stakes races without hitting the board. Pat Day takes over in the irons on Fire Slam, who will be firing late. As a juvenile, he just missed in $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot, then won the Grade 3 Lecomte at Fair Grounds before being caught on the lead in the Louisiana Derby. If Day can keep him off the pace, this son of Grand Slam could hit the wire first. After 3 straight wins, Song of the Sword, finished 2nd in the Illinois Derby, putting up an eye-popping 103 Beyer figure. Here is a horse, trained by Jennifer Pedersen, who will be the underlay as he he'll have to circle the field to have a shot. On the "Also Eligible" list is New Element, who doesn't belong with these. SELECTIONS 10-6-7-2 FINISH 10-6-2-4 Our top value choice, Quintons Gold Rush (5-1), seemed to be toying with the field after he swung over to press the early pacesetter, then got the lead after 6 furlongs in 1:12.00 and pulled away for the win in 1:43.82, ensuring a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Pat Day had Fire Slam (9-2) moving well in the stretch but finished a well-beaten second, a neck in front of favourite Song of the Sword (4-1), who ran into traffic early then saved ground till the stretch duel. The exacta paid $83.80, the trifecta paid $285.40 and the superfecta, with Pomeroy (6-1), paid $1,884.80. Congratulations! At Aqueduct, older fillies and mares go 1 mile in the Grade 3 Bed o' Roses BCH, the 8th race, with a purse of $150k. A winner of 4 straight in California, including the Grade 2 El Encino, Victory Encounter should bounce back from a problem trip in the Grade 2 La Canada, a race won by Cat Fighter (who shipped East to finish 2nd in the $100k Doubledogdare at Keeneland yesterday). Buy the Sport, making her first start since the Breeders' Cup Distaff, won a listed stakes under these conditions, going gate to wire, as a 3 year old in England. Veteran Smoke 'n Frolic, in the outside post, rarely delivers a sub-par performance, but generally likes more distance. She finished 2nd in this race to Raging Fever last year. Passing Shot got hot last summer in New York, winning 3 in a row including the Grade 1 Personal Ensign. Any improvement over her 4th in the Next Move last month could get her a share. SELECTIONS 4-scr-7-1 FINISH 1-7-3-4 Speed horse, Buy the Sport, was scratched leaving our top choice, Victory Encounter (5-1) on the front, setting quick fractions. She was caught in the stretch by a charging Passing Shot (7-1) who won in 1:35.50 by 2 1/4 lengths over Smoke 'n Frolic (3-5), a bridesmaid again this year. Nonsuch Bay (9-2) closed for third. The exacta paid $39.40 and the trifecta paid $104.50. Woodbine opens today and the feature race is the $125k Jacques Cartier, for older horses at 6 furlongs, being run as the 9th on the card. Last year's leading jockey at the track, Todd Kabel, jumps off two of these to take the mount on Stronach Stables' 4 year old gelding I'm the Tiger, who ran a couple of strong optional claiming races at Gulfstream Park, giving him a conditioning edge over many in the field. Top winning trainer of 2003, Bob Tiller sends out Forever Grand, who won 4 stakes races last year, including the Grade 3 Highlander, for earnings of $385k. He'll be closing fast. Seven year old gelding Chris's Bad Boy, the likely favourite, will be dueling on the lead and is tough in the stretch. SELECTIONS 2-7-3-1 FINISH 3-2-5-4 It was chalky in the first stakes of the season at Woodbine, with favourite Chris's Bad Boy (6-5) stalking 2nd choice I'm the Tiger (9-5), then pulling away in the stretch for the win in 1:08.75. Longshot Slim Dusty (25-1) was gaining late but had to settle for third. The exacta paid only $9.90, but the trifecta paid a generous $93.80. April 16, 2004. With a purse of $50k up for grabs in the 8th at Gulfstream Park, 3 year old fillies go 7 furlongs in the The Charon stakes. All the speed is on the outside, starting with Forestry filly Fall Fashion, a probable pacesetter shortening from a couple of route sprints in stakes races at Tampa Downs. Despite an allowance win at two turns, this filly is better bred for sprints and is trying 7 panels for the first time. Eddie Castro gets the mount and will have a challenge trying to keep this girl off the lead. On the outside is Intrueflight, exiting a mediocre showing in the 50k sprint at Ocala last month. She won her debut over this track in style, finishing 7 3/4 lengths in front as an 8-1 longshot. With only 2 starts, she gives up a lot of experience to many of these and the post position doesn't help. Veteran rider Joe Bravo will be in the irons. Jules for A.J. earned over $54k as a juvenile for owner/breeder Peter Fuller last year. She peaked in the fall at Calder winning two straight before being benched for 2 1/2 months. With an expected careful pace today, she may find herself too close to the action early. Jockey Aurelio Toribio Jr. has been aboard 2 of Outrageous Queen's 3 career victories and, presumably, understands the notion that this filly needs to be withing striking distance of the lead right from the get-go. This Jekyll & Hyde runner won at the distance as a maiden in December at Calder, then was moved to the turf in routes at this racetrack. Jockey Gary Boulanger will be along late with inside horse, Special Report, who ran very well at this distance in January. This Notebook filly was second best in the $100k championship at Ocala and cuts back to a better condition today, making her our favourite value play. Marina de Chavon has been battling the top fillies for most of her career. She is clearly a cut below the best of her generation, but shouldn't have any trouble with the group she encounters today. She'll attract money, dropping out of Grade 2 races, but this front-runner could be an underlay as she hasn't had the lead in a race since her maiden win last August. Trainer Edward Plesa Jr. has taken over her conditioning. We'll watch this one closely today. Gulf of Gdansk raised some eyebrows after her 1st level allowance win over this track in January, prevailing by 5 lengths at 7-1 in a final time of 1:10.80. That performance earned her a stakes try against Madcap Escapade and Smokey Glacken in the $100k Old Hat. If you remove the fast race from her past performances, she looks to be a cut below these in speed and class. SELECTIONS 1-6-4-5 FINISH 5-7-1-2 Betting against the favourite was definately the play. There were 4 gate to wire winners over the Gulfstream oval as speed ruled the day and Eddie Castro sent a game Fall Fashion (6-1) to the front in fractions of 23.15 & 46.19, dueled down the stretch with Intrueflight (6-1), and won by a neck over that rival in a neat 1:23.61. Jockey Gary Boulanger had Special Report (3-1) up too close early, leaving her with nothing left for the drive. Ed Plesa Jr. will have to re-evaluate the future of money-burning favourite, Marina de Chavon (1-1), who finished dead last off the drop and the cut back. The exacta paid $79.80, the trifecta paid $289.20 and the superfecta paid $1,523.60. April 15, 2004. The 5th at Aqueduct is a n1x allowance for New York state-bred 3 year olds at 7 furlongs on the dirt. Todd Pletcher has enlisted top jockey Jose Santos to ride the promising Tomorrows Magic, who displayed outstanding speed in his debut victory last summer in the mud at Belmont Park. Two long stretches on the sidelines brought him to an uninspiring third here a few weeks ago. The only one of the bunch nominated to the Triple Crown, he'll be alone in front today with control of the rail and a smart rider. Pletcher must have seen something to like as he brings him back quickly at the same level. Patrick Reynolds trainee Eros arrives out of a gate to wire maiden allowance win but will find the competition much sharper today. William Badgett ships Special Diamond from New Orleans where he beat 15k maiden claimers with a sudden reversal of form in his 3rd start off the bench. We fear a bounce today as the Senor Speedy colt will be forwardly placed from the outside post. Scooty has never gotten out of the gate cleanly in 5 career starts. Usually, he recovers with a strong late rally and has won at the distance. It's probably a more perilous assignment today for the adjacent horses out of the gate. Inside horse Take Me Out John was most impressive beating state-bred maidens a few weeks ago, winning by a 7 1/2 length margin as 2-5 favourite. Despite facing winners for the first time, he has to be considered a major player. Sean Bridgmohan keeps his usual mount. Jennifer Pedersen and Paraneck Stable send out Cluster Bomb, who won a soft mile as even money favourite 13 days ago. Norberto Arroyo Jr. stays on and must keep this guy close to the action for a chance at hitting the board a 5th straight time. Well-bred Aly's Alpha Boy caught a soft group for his maiden win at 17-1 a month ago. Stamina hasn't been evident in most of his races. Bellagio Bob debuted at the end of January over the inner dirt with a brilliant closing sweep of the field for his maiden victory then strictly trained for 2 1/2 months under the watchful eye of red-hot trainer Gary Contessa. Prime New York rider Richard Migliore joins the team in what could be a second straight victory for the $125k purchase. His workouts have been strong, although there was a 4 week break, hinting that the layoff wasn't by choice. SELECTIONS 2-scr-1-5 FINISH 2-3-1-6 A number of scratches left us with a 5 horse field and without a late threat to our top pick Tomorrows Magic (2-1), going off as 2nd choice to inside horse Take Me Out John (8-5). Those two dueled through pedestrian fractions of 23.39 & 48.18 before the favourite lost interest at the half mile marker, settling for a meak third. Cluster Bomb (3-1) got up for place, easily best of the rest, but beaten almost 12 lengths by Tomorrows Magic, who won in 1:26.61. The exacta was the play here where, with the bettors' choice out, it paid $23.20. The trifecta, with the top three in, paid a miserly $36.40. April 14, 2004. With rain expected in New York and Kentucky, and bouyed by our longshot winner on Sunday, we stay in South Florida to look at the 6th at Gulfstream Park, 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The race is for 3 year olds under n2x conditions. All but two of these have competed in graded stakes already in their careers. Only one hasn't tried a stakes race. After 2 front-running turf victories as a juvenile at Calder Race Course, Gold Shield tired on the lead in the Grade 3 Palm Beach. Dropped back to this allowance condition last month, she got away slowly, went wide on the first turn and closed late without threatening. Manny Aguilar is the new jockey and trainer Joe Calascibetta removes the hood. This colt has shown the speed to get the early lead, but may not want it anymore. Potomac Chase was dropped to the claiming ranks after being badly outclassed in the Tropical Park Derby on New Year's Day. The son of Smoke Glacken showed excellent closing ability in both claiming starts, winning at 9 furlongs from the outside post last month. While not really in the same class as many of these, the pace scenario sets up nicely for new jockey Rene Douglas to stay close to a pace duel without getting used up early. We expect a move in the stretch. Inside horse, Austin Barber, with Eddie Castro up, will likely get the early lead by forfeit. The gelding, out of Boston Harbor, has won a few speed duels but more often than not he gets caught late and he wasn't able to negotiate the lead from the inside in his last at 23.60 seconds. Irish-bred Cohn Blue is the wildcard here, making his first North American start for Christophe Clement, after winning at a mile and a mile and a quarter in England. He was benched after a disastrous trip to France for a Grade 1 try at Saint-Cloud in November. If he hits the board, we won't be surprised, but I'd like to take a look first. Trainer Frank Gomez has brought along Gin Rummy Champ nicely as a 3 year old, clearing the n1x hurdle at Calder at this distance on the turf, then a gutsy pace-pressing performance at 44-1 in the Grade 3 Palm Beach followed by a near miss shortening to a mile on the grass over this course. Any forward development at all gets this son of Jeblar into the winners' circle today. Cheetah Speed shows a spectacularly fast win at 6 1/2 furlongs at Calder in late October. Take away that freaky race and we're left looking at sub-par speed figures for this level and a decidedly downward turn in form. The move to turf at this juncture seems rash. Hopefortheroses has raced once on the lawn, a dismal 8th in the 67k Caltech last month. After clearing the n1x level in a syrupy slow event in December, he hasn't shown much courage in the stretch. Trainer Daniel Hurtak claimed Platinum Priced for 40k, on behalf of Olympia Stables, 2 weeks ago. The gelding won over n1x rivals at Tampa Downs in January at this distance on the grass, but caught a very soft field. The rise in class is ambitious, to say the least. SELECTIONS scr-7-scr-scr FINISH 1-4-2-7 With this race moved off the turf and 3 of our 4 choices scratched, this effectively became a non-event. Inside horse Austin Barber (3-1) was allowed to set a comfortable pace and just lasted, winning in 1:46.58. Closer Hopefortheroses (4-1) just missed, settling for place money and Cheetah Speed (2-1) added a 4th third place finish in his 10th start. The exacta paid $29.80, the trifecta paid $65.40 and the superfecta was a gettable $161.20. April 11, 2004. A light menu across North America on Easter Sunday leaves us with a 5 furlong turf sprint at Gulfstream Park, the $50k Yankee Affair, to examine. The 9th race features a mixed bag of older horses and geldings, most of whom are trying to reclaim former glory. Stone cold trainer Jose Pinchin sends out Callthesheriff, who finished 5th in this race last year, then picked up some decent cheques with on the board finishes in the Calder Turf Sprint Hdcp and the Kentucky Cup Turf Dash. Cornelio Velasquez picks up the mount on the grass specialist who hasn't raced since some off the turf failures at Tampa Downs. Well-bred Cripple Creek (Carson City - Cally, Salt Lake) will get a lot of support at the windows based on a huge Beyer he earned two back in a 1st level allowance win on the dirt. His grass debut 3 weeks ago was solid, but if one ignores the freak performance, his speed rating fits in with these and he lacks the experience that many in this field have to draw upon. Seven year old gelding True Love's Secret is a specialist at this distance on the grass, having won 11 times under these circumstances. He's coming off a front-running victory against claimers and has the ability to win from off the pace. This is our top value win bet today. Hot trainer Stanley Hough sends out lightly raced Canadian Frontier, who has raced just once on turf, 19 months ago at Belmont in a maiden allowance try. Since returning from Arabia last year, this one has never turned in a poor performance. We expect him to be there in the stretch. With a ton of back class and a close 2nd in this race last year, Take Achance On Me would be a cinch. The 5 month layoff is a concern, although the 6 year old gelding has been training well at Bowie over the past few weeks. The outside post is an extra bit of trouble. Former sprint prospect Handsome Hunk got hurt in this race last year and returned strongly at Tampa after 9 months on the bench. This 5 year old throws in too many clunkers to get our backing. David Fawkes takes over training 7 year old Twilight Road and, curiously, enters him here with only 1 turf try in 39 career starts. Usually this winner of over $425k lifetime likes more distance than 5 furlongs. Inside horse Ghostly Numbers makes his Gulfstream Park debut after 5 1/2 months off the track. He had a good run last summer at Monmouth and Laurel in turf sprints, ultimately earning nearly $60k in 2003. We'd like to watch at least one of this guy's comeback races before we invest. SELECTIONS 4-6-5-8 FINISH 4-8-1-6 We were thrilled to see our top choice True Love's Secret get away at 11-1, the bargain of the month. Jockey Julio Garcia hooked him up early with pacesetting inside horse Ghostly Numbers (4-1), who gave a good account of himself off a 6-month layoff, finishing third. After racing through fractions of 21.11 & 42.58, True Love's Secret held off stalker Take Achance On Me (5-2) for the win in 53.85 seconds, shattering the course record set by Bop in the 2003 edition of this race. Our big longshot winner paid $25.00, $10.20 and $6.00, keying the exacta of $116.80 and the trifecta of $384.40. The superfecta paid $1,384.00. Congratulations! April 10, 2004. On the last weekend of preps for the Kentucky Derby, it's time to turn our attention to this year's Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, the 8th on the card. Last year's derby winner, Funny Cide, came out of the Wood and in 2000 Fusaichi Pegasus used this 9 furlong race as his final prep before the big race in Louisville. Value Plus, winner of the slow Florida Derby, will be on the front today and, without much serious pressure, jockey John Velasquez should be able to comfortably control the pace, leaving the son of 1996 Wood winner Unbridled's Song with plenty of juice in the stretch. Trainer Nick Zito's well-bred entry Royal Assault (Kris S. - Fit for a Queen, Fit to Fight) tried 9 furlongs at Gulfstream Park four weeks ago and was beaten by Suave, who came back to finish 3rd in the Illinois Derby. The inside post is troublesome and jockey Javier Castellano will have to keep a tight rein to avoid going head to head early with Value Plus. Bob Baffert trainee, Consecrate, a winner of only 1 in 10 starts has nibbled at the edges of stakes races in California, just missing in the $500k WinStar Derby at Sunland. Jorge Chavez takes the mount and could have the gelding forwardly placed. Bobby Frankel ships a monster from Santa Anita in Master David (Grand Slam - Nadra*Ire, Sadler's Wells), who arrived in North America off a maiden stakes win on the turf in England to finish 2nd in the Remsen over this track at this distance. A slow start cost him the Grade 2 Santa Catalina in January before he won the $81k Sham stakes. Jockey Alex Solis makes the trip from California. A clean start will put this one in the picture for the big money. Sinister G will challenge Value Plus for the lead, but he won't find things as free and easy on the front as he did in the Grade 2 Lane's End at Turfway Park. Eddington has received a lot of attention despite finishing 3rd in the Gotham last month. Well-bred (Unbridled - Fashion Star, Chief's Crown), he gets regular rider Jerry Bailey back and more distance. Contending with the crowd on the backstretch will be the major challenge here. Don't expect value at the betting window. Another highly regarded 3 year old, Tapit, will try to navigate the early going from the inside after failing miserably in the Florida Derby at 5-1. His win in the Laurel Futurity isn't standing up too well as the season proceeds. A horse on the rise is closer Swingforthefences, who has won demonstrably at the distance, then got caught near the front in the Tampa Derby while shortening. If Sean Bridgmohan can rate him early, we feel he's the top value win play. Front-runner Cuba is stuck starting from the very outside post. Hornshope tries the jump from a 1st level allowance win over this surface. Top jockey Pablo Fragoso rides Little Matth Man, who ran out of real estate in the Lane's End. Fragoso had a lot of horse left, and with a few stakes attempts under his belt, this colt could have his timing down today. SELECTIONS 4-6-5-7 FINISH 2-5-8-4 Things were looking good for our top pick, Swingforthefences (10-1), as he was swung out 4-wide to take over the lead at the 1/8th pole from early pacesetter Value Plus (5-2), who had battled hard with Sinister G (17-1) and had little left for the drive. From the very back of the pack, however, came Tapit (5-1) to avenge his Florida Derby showing, closing brilliantly to win by a half length over inside horse Master David (7-2). Eddington (3-1), who'd run close to the action on the outside, finished for show, a length and a half ahead of a tiring Swingforthefences. The exacta paid $66.50 and the trifecta paid $223.50, while the superfecta came in at $1,317.00. While the Grade 1 Blue Grass stakes, the 9th at Keeneland, looks like Lion Heart's East coast introductions to the winner's circle, he will be dogged by Nick Zito's Gulch progeny, The Cliff's Edge, who has shown great versatility in his young career. A tough start in the Florida Derby cost him some time, though he did pick up 12 lengths to finish 3rd. Jockey Shane Sellers will be circling the field, hoping to pick off a snoozing front-runner. We see a big value play here. Mustanfar just missed in the Tampa Derby, gets Richard Migliore, and will be flying late again. The regally-bred colt (Unbridled - Manwah, Lyphard) broke his maiden at this distance. In his stakes debut in the Louisiana Derby, Breakaway finished 3/4 of a length behind Pollard's Vision. Any forward movement gets him into the mix today. SELECTIONS 3-7-9-6 FINISH 3-6-4-7 As expected, Lion Heart (4-5) set an honest pace, dueling with Limehouse (6-1) for a half, then was caught in the stretch by our top choice, The Cliff's Edge (5-1), who had been jockeyed inside and out by Shane Sellers, then was rallied perfectly for a 1/2 length victory in 1:49.42 over the favourite. Limehouse finished a well beaten third and Mustanfar (10-1) completed the superfecta. The exacta paid $40.80, the trifecta paid $160.40 and the superfecta paid $949.60. Congratulations! On the Wood undercard, the 7th race is the Grade 3 Bay Shore, 7 furlongs for three year olds. Last Minute Detail, shipping from Santa Anita, cuts back after fading in the Grade 2 San Felipe to a more suitable distance and will be the big closing talent able to take advantage of a hot pace. SELECTIONS 7-2-4-1 FINISH 2-1-6-4 Our top choice, Last Minute Detail (9-2), hit the gate at the start and was never in touch with the field. Forestry colt Forest Danger (1-1) flashed the speed that his breeding suggests, dueling early with Indian War Dance (31-1) through fractions of 22.39 & 44.39, then pulled away at the top of the stretch to win by 7 1/2 lengths over Abbondanza (8-1) in a near record time of 1:20.67, just 2/3 of a second slower than Artax five years ago. The exacta paid $24.40 and the trifecta produced a generous payout of $304.00. April 9, 2004. Top turf horses have converged at Keeneland for the $200k Grade 2 Maker's Mark Mile, to be run as the 9th race today. On the outside is surprise Sunshine Millions Turf winner Hear No Evil, a Florida based 4 year old whose previous most notable performances were in minor stakes races as a sophomore at Calder and Tampa Bay. The well-bred (Carson City - Nizy, Cox's Ridge) James Hatchett trainee will be in tough today trying to clear a big, fast-breaking field. Thomas Amoss has had a great start to the season and ships last year's Maker's Mark Mile winner, Royal Spy, up from New Orleans after a couple of optional claiming allowance tuneups at Fair Grounds. Amoss used the same strategy last year and the 6 year old has once again been granted an optimal post position giving him every opportunity to be the controlling speed in the contest. Robby Albarado, 3rd nationally in wins, keeps the mount and a repeat win is not out of the realm of possibilities. Burning Roma, a star as a 3 year old, has fallen on hard times in the past couple of years. His only wins in the last 18 months have come in the Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup, a turf highlight at that meet. With only 3 starts on the grass in his career, this is an ambitious placement; however, the 6 year old veteran is fit and in a very positive form cycle. Back class indicates he can compete at this level and with his "A" game, he's a contender at a dandy price. Millenium Dragon (GB) was put through an arduous summer/fall campaign last year after arriving from Dubai in June. An impressive gate to wire win in the Grade 3 Appleton Hdcp at Gulfstream puts this 5 year old in the same class as these. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has been working him well at Palm Meadows and jockey Richard Migliore keeps the mount. Can he wire the field today? We'd like to give him one before we back him for the win. A winner of just under $400k as a 3 year old grass specialist, Stroll makes his 4 year old debut, cutting back from his preferred distance of nine furlongs. The Mott/Bailey combination is formidable and with a clever stalking trip, a win wouldn't be a huge surprise. But, demand a decent price. Hard luck Perfect Drift makes his return to competition after going wide in the Breeders' Cup Classic. His only turf win came at this distance off a break, but against much weaker rivals. Pat Day on board is a bonus, but this really isn't his game and we won't be getting a very fair price. Five year old Honor in War is about to break through as a major player in the turf division, after wins last year in the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs and the Arlington Hdcp and a near miss in the Keeneland Turf Mile. Things got rough down the stretch in a tuneup at Gulfstream 3 weeks ago, but the regally-bred 5 year old stayed in there, missing by a length. He's missed the board only once at a mile on the grass and loves the turf course at Keeneland. After winning the Keeneland Turf Mile last year, Perfect Soul (Ire) came up flat in the Breeders' Cup Mile. The 6 year old returns today with Edgar Prado and a great pace scenario to close in on. Inside horse Freefourinternet spiked last fall in the Kelso BCH, taking advantage of a speedy 3rd quarter to blow by the field for an upset win at 20-1. It's been all downhill since, and the field here is far superior to that Belmont bunch in October. Needwood Blade (GB) ships in from California without having hit the board in almost a year. Sprinting looks to be his specialty. SELECTIONS 2-3-8-7 FINISH 7-3-2-8 Can you spell "superfecta"? We sure can. One of the finest races of the year resulted in a new course record for a mile on the turf at Keeneland and we had all four horses on top. Royal Spy (12-1) was let off at disrespectfully high odds and set quick fractions of 23.03 & 45.29. They dueled with Burning Roma (18-1) through to the deep stretch, exchanged some bumps, with last year's winner getting headed for place by the Tampa shipper. It was, however, a late closing Perfect Soul (3-1) keeping his Keeneland turf record perfect, who picked up the win money, finishing 6-wide in a course record time of 1:33.54. Honor in War (4-1) came from last to finish fourth. The exacta paid $113.60, the trifecta paid $1,306.40 and the superfecta cashed out $8,504.60. Congratulations! The 3 year old fillies are competing at Aqueduct in the Grade 3 Comely, a flat mile contest on the dirt. Society Selection, who beat Victory U.S.A. and Ashado as a juvenile in the Grade 1 Frizette, looks to be the player to beat. We're not convinced there's anyone in this field who can. Trainer Todd Pletcher ships north a freaky fast filly named Irish Melody (Unbridled's Song - Irish Coco, Capote), making the jump from 1st level allowance competition. She'll be a pace factor and will get a gut check in the stretch today. Jockey Jose Santos jumps into the saddle of new Barclay Tagg recruit, A Lulu Ofa Menifee, who'd been putting up some eye-popping speed figures at Fair Grounds under the tutelage of Ronny Werner. Connections alone suggest we take this one seriously. Rare Gift, also-ran to the also-rans in this division, starts from the inside post position and has a lot to prove today. She looks like a fringe player. SELECTIONS 6-4-9-scr FINISH 6-7-3-8 The only surprise here was the betting public letting Society Selection go off at 8-5. Jorge Chavez brought her home handily in 1:35.89. Irish Melody was sent off at 9-5, making her unusable today and A Lulu Ofa Menifee (7-1) was through at the half. Bending Strings (10-1) stalked and led but was no match for the winner, while remaining best of the rest. Daydreaming (6-1) got show. The exacta paid $36.40 and the trifecta paid $151.50. April 8, 2004. Today's feature race at Keeneland, the Grade 2 Beaumont at 7 furlongs for 3 year old fillies, has attracted top sophomore fillies including the juvenile champion Unbridled and Breeders' Cup 3rd place finisher Victory U.S.A. There will be a lot of thrashing about and potentially some hard hitting early as this field has no shortage of speedsters. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has taken over the conditioning of freaky fast Katestormedthebird, a $3,500 purchase as a yearling at the September Keeneland sale in 2002. After a so-so debut at Delta Downs in December, the Out of Place filly dueled to a victory at Oaklawn Park in January, then toyed with first level allowance 3 year olds 6 weeks ago. If new jockey Robby Albarado can run a ground saving rail trip, they could hit the board. It's tough to play her on top. After a troubled trip in the slop on Valentine's Day in the Grade 2 Silverbulletday, Movant went to the bench. Trainer Tom Amoss has been working her well at Fair Grounds, but unless some significant physical maturation has taken place, we'd have to place her a notch below some of these. Also out since mid-February, Sweet Vision returns with regular rider Jorge Chavez. She finished nearly 12 lengths behind Madcap Escapade in the 100k Old Hat at Gulfstream and would have to improve on that time to be competitive here. She has not shown a great deal of stamina in her career and lengthens out to 7 panels for the first time today. Hoping to shed the bridesmaid label, trainer Bob Baffert sends out Victory U.S.A. at a distance which she has won at decisively. Top North American jockey Jerry Bailey gets the call. Bailey was aboard for the Grade 1 Frizette and the Breeders' Cup when both times the filly got to the lead too early for 8 1/2 furlongs. The cut back in distance could be perfectly timed as she again was fading late in the Fair Grounds Oaks a month ago against Ashado. Bailey can get the perfect trip and we think she's a good value play on top. Thisgirldontlaugh tries the jump from 1st level allowance at Turfway Park to this. Tough spot. Trainer Kiaran McGlaughlin, having a monster season so far, teams up with jockey Pat Day on Wildwood Flower who ships East from California after a 5th place finish in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby, under the tutelage of Jerry Hollendorfer. The daughter of Langfuhr dominated Northern California as a sprinter in the fall, but hasn't enjoyed the routes. She is an excellent choice to be cleaning up late after the outside start. Jockey Larry Sterling Jr. has his work cut out for him with the very outside horse Very Vegas, as they'll give it all they've got to clear the field early. The Storm Boot filly has had some success in minor stakes in California and Arizona but the class jump here will likely be too formidable. Maryland-bred She's a Rebel Too starts from the inside and is a candidate to be squeezed early and face the prospect of either circling the field or finding room on a crowded rail. And then there is Juvenile champion, Halfbridled, who suffered her first defeat 4 weeks ago in the Santa Anita Derby. Last August, she beat Victory U.S.A. at this distance in the Grade 1 Delmar Debutante. But, how often have we seen a juvenile peak in the fall for the Breeders's Cup, then spend their 3 year old season trying to re-establish suddenly lost dominance. Trainer Richard Mandella is the hottest property in the world right now, coming off the big win at Dubai, and jockey Alex Solis comes East for the mount. Today, though, is a good day to play against the chalk. SELECTIONS 6-8-4-2 FINISH 6-4-8-2 Jerry Bailey and Victory U.S.A. (5-2) left no doubts in anyone's mind as they blew past the field with a furlong left and finished the 7 furlongs handily in 1:27.06, 8 lengths in front of last year's juvenile champion (but winless as a 3 year old) Halfbridled (2-5). Very Vegas (31-1) managed to clear the field and set quick fractions of 21.83 & 44.51, but was finished by the stretch. Wildwood Flower (9-1) stalked the leaders but couldn't cope with the charging winner and finished third. Our four choices fulfilled the superfecta, paying $185.40. The exacta was a miserly $14.20 and the trifecta paid $46.60. Win bets on our top choice was the way to play today. Congratulations! April 7, 2004. The 7th at Aqueduct is a 1st level allowance sprint at 6 furlongs for older fillies and mares. A speedy field assembled, Marionette will lead the way for trainer James Jerkens with new jockey Jorge Chavez in the irons. This 5 year old New Jersey-bred grand-daughter of Mr. Prospector was sidelined for 8 months after 6 splendid races to start her career. In her return a month ago at Gulfstream Park, she encountered some traffic and was steadied on the backstretch against 100k optional claimers. Back to a track where she's enjoyed success and with an aggressive jockey aboard, there's no reason she can't take the top spot at a decent price. Top jockey Pablo Fragoso drops 3 of these to keep the mount on another New Jersey bred, Catessa. After 4 sub-par performances on the inner track, trainer Allen Iwinski tries her for the 6th time at this level. The outside post has not been advantageous to her in the past. Jolie, a 3-time winner over New York-breds as a 3 year old, has had injury problems and emerges here as a tired 5 year old without the requisite speed or stamina to compete with these. The 3rd New Jersey-bred in the field, Primary Colors, got caught on the lead a month ago under these same conditions over a sloppy inner track. Twist an Pop blew past for the victory. New jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. must rate this 5 year old behind the front runners and hope for a hole late on the rail. Inside horse, Reaching Up, returns to the allowance ranks after a horrible showing in a stakes race for New York-breds. Jockey Javier Castellano returns to team up with the 4 year old Lisa Lewis trainee. Together they had their way with state-breds over the winter and a patient stalking trip today could lead to victory. Half of the Scott Lake entry, Cologny, has endured bizarre management decisions the past 4 months. After a mediocre 3 year old campaign, she found success on the Aqueduct inner track, starting with a foggy front-running victory in December. She came back to win a 2nd level allowance race for state-breds in January, beating the likes of Fly With Karakorum and Queen of Saratoga. Trainer Carlos Morales then inexplicably dropped her for a 25k tag, a race which she won and from which she was claimed by Lake, who immediately moved her into open allowance ranks where she just missed at n1x, then finished 2nd in a n2x condition. She now drops back and, with some weight off due to apprentice rider Fernando Jara, could compete for the top spot. Outside horse El's Red Cat is out of her league here and the post position doesn't help. The last time Jose Santos rode Notmyfault was her last race over the main track, a maiden allowance win in early November. On the bench for 2 months, this filly will have to be forwardly place early to be competitive today. Lake's other horse, deep closer Heavenly Rose, tries the jump from claiming ranks and would benefit from a pace breakdown due to a speed duel. SELECTIONS 5-2-1A-3 FINISH 1A-3-5-1 Four outstanding performers made for a spectacular photo finish at the wire after our longshot pick, Primary Colors (11-1), set a blistering pace of 21.87 & 44.47 and dueled Cologny (2-1) right to the finish. The apprentice allowance might have been the difference as Cologny won the photo by a nose over Primary Colors in 1:10.36. Our top choice, Marionette (9-5), raced 3-wide and closed with a fury, picking up 3 lengths in the stretch but had to settle for third prize as he missed by a head. All our choices paid out today and it's a shame their was no superfecta wagering on this race in New York as we had that pegged with Reaching Up (7-1) finish fifth behind the other half of the Lake entry, Heavenly Rose. As it stood, the exacta paid $44.60 and the trifecta paid $122.00. Congratulations! April 4, 2004. While none of the horses in today's 8th at Keeneland, the Grade 3 Lafayette, are likely to find themselves running in the Kentucky Derby, one or more of them will definately be influential within the division by year's end. The 7 furlong sprint for 3 year olds features many horses who are cutting back in distance. One of them, inside horse Tales of Glory, showed big speed in New York last fall, winning his maiden race at this distance at Belmont, then wiring a flat mile at Aqueduct. A trip to Louisiana was disappointing as he faded fast in his stakes debut in the $1 million dollar Delta Downs Jackpot in December. But, he returned from a 3 1/2 month layoff with a strong pace-setting performance at Turfway Park in the 100k Rushaway stakes two weeks ago. Trainer Todd Pletcher goes to top jockey Jerry Bailey for the ride, and it's hard to find anyone better to take a horse home on the inside. With 4 seconds in 7 starts, it's tempting to build tickets around Paraneck Stable's Risky Trick, starting from the outside post. Already displaying a lack of stamina, the post position will likely exhaust this one early. A 240k purchase at auction a year ago, Bwana Charlie had a dull juvenile campaign, but has exploded as a sophomore, winning twice decisively at Fair Grounds, handling a 6 furlong sprint and a flat mile. Shane Sellers stays on and trainer Steven Asmussen is having a huge year. Worked at regular intervals throughout March, this one will be well-placed to take the big prize today. A maiden winner at Ellis Park at 5 furlongs in July and out since October 11, Perpetual Peace, trained by Ronny Werner, appears to be in tough with this group. Another Pletcher trainee, Wulpe, stumbled out of the gate as even money favourite in the 42k Hansel stakes at Turfway. John Velasquez rejoins the Montbrook progeny and they should be flying late. Trainer Niall Callaghan chose to run Call Me Shane here rather than in the Lost Code Breeders' Cup yesterday at Hawthorne Park. Coming off an impressive maiden win at Gulfstream Park from the 11 post 5 weeks ago, it wouldn't be a surprise to see this son of Tale of the Cat, with Edgar Prado aboard, hit the board. D. Wayne Lukas charge Quick Action had success against New York breds over the winter but doesn't appear to be in a good form cycle at the moment. SELECTIONS 3-1-2-5 FINISH 3-4-1-5 Tales of Glory (2-1), sent off as the favourite despite not having run a sprint since October (the influence on bettors of top connections), was a bit slow out of the gate, then rushed into a meat grinder of a speed duel, grabbing the lead and setting a first quarter fraction of 21.68. He was done by the half mile and settled for third prize. Our top choice, Bwana Charlie (2-1), pressured the pace from the get-go between horses, putting away Wulpe (6-1) and Tales of Glory at the quarter call and Quick Action (4-1) at the half. He drifted out a bit in the stretch but won easily in 1:24.73. Lucas had to be pleased with the gutsy performance by Quick Action, outmatched by the winner but definately best of the rest. His place showing completed a decent exacta worth $41.60. The trifecta paid $109.80 and the superfecta came out to $254.40. Congratulations! April 3, 2004. An exciting racing day unfolds, with major stakes races being running all over the country. We've been eagerly awaiting freakishly fast 3 year old filly Madcap Escapade to try Grade 1 competition and she gets thrown into the fire at Keeneland in The Ashland, facing champion 2 year old and Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Halfbridled and 4-time graded stakes winner Ashado, as well as improving McGaughey trainee La Reina and Florida stakes winner Last Song. SELECTIONS 3-2-scr FINISH 3-2-5 A bittersweet Grade 1 victory it is for Madcap Escapade (3-5), who will have to wait until the Kentucky Oaks to meet champion filly Halfbridled, scratched yesterday after cramping up. Our top choice led the whole way, hitting the wire in 1:44.55. Ashado (8-5) completed the chalky exacta, which paid $5.40. Seattle Fitz, banged around in the rough New Orleans Handicap in February is the only horse in the field of the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap who has raced the classic distance before. While Todd Pletcher trainee Newfoundland will take some action at the windows, this race belongs to Kiaran McGlaughlin's star pupil Seattle Fitz. Indy Dancer, 3rd in last year's Florida Derby, still hasn't cracked the N2x allowance level. Front-runner Gran Cesare (Arg) comes out of a 6th at the Bud Challenger 75k stakes at Tampa Bay. We respect Shug McGaughey's decision to enter Jackpot here in his first career stakes race. Predominantly a turf runner last year as a 5 year old, his 2 dirt starts this season have him pointed to a big performance from off the pace. After wins in the "off the turf" Grade 3 Canadian Turf Handicap and the Grade 3 Skip Away, Pletcher is almost obliged to enter Newfoundland here, but the pace scenario doesn't set up well for him and, with Jorge Chavez aboard, there is danger that he could get caught up in an early speed duel. The Judge Sez Who isn't the same horse who won a Grade 3 at Calder last year. The Lady's Groom is a promising 4 year old front-runner who hasn't had problems in the past with the outside post. SELECTIONS 5-7-3-4 FINISH 3-4-7-6 Shug McGaughey was rewarded with a huge closing performance by Jackpot (17-1), who took advantage of quick fractions set by The Lady's Groom (16-1) to blow by stalker Newfoundland (9-5) and win in 2:02.80. Favourite Seattle Fitz (Arg) (3-5) was through by the top of the stretch. Funny Cide returns to New York in the Grade 3 Excelsior Breeders' Cup Handicap, after a game showing in the New Orleans Handicap. He'll be running down the outside horse Host (Chi), a 3-time graded stakes winner in Chile trained in North America by Todd Pletcher and moving from the turf to the dirt. Mike Luzzi takes the mount with John Velasquez in Kentucky and will have to try to wire it today. There will be value here. Veteran gelding Evening Attire returns from a 7 week layoff after a run in February at Laurel Park. It's never wise to throw out this winner of 10 lifetime for over $2 million in earnings. Snake Mountain has had injury problems since his fine 4 year old season in 2002. Ground Storm is another one of many here who like the wet going and rain has hit New York all week. SELECTIONS 3-6-2-5 FINISH 3-2-6-5 Hometown hero Funny Cide (6-5) made good on his return to the sight of his 2nd place finish in last year's Wood Memorial, the race that propelled him to the spotlight of his improbable Triple Crown run. He stalked pacesetter Host (9-2), took over going into the stretch and held off a late charging Evening Attire (7-5) for the win in 1:49.57 over a sloppy course. There wasn't any value here as the exacta paid $7.20 and the trifecta paid $21.20. Our old friend, the one-eyed Pollard's Vision, goes at Hawthorne today in the Grade 2 Illinois Derby, where East meets West in another Kentucky Derby prep. Lacking in early speed, our choice should take advantage of this as his ticket to Louisville. The hot Paraneck Stable has entered the probable favourite, Song of the Sword, after winning his first 3 races at Aqueduct. The question here is, why ship the horse when the Wood Memorial is upcoming on a track he loves? It seems as if Jennifer Pedersen may be trying to avoid an Eastern rival and that does not instill confidence. Well-bred Pure American (Quiet American - Pure Wool, Relaunch) exits a heady performance at Oaklawn Park in a 1st level allowance race. Greta Kuntzweiler keeps the mount and will have the gelding well-placed for a stretch run. Of the 2 California-breds entered today, we prefer O.K. Mikie, who finished 2nd to Skipaslew in Golden Gate Derby, then just missed in the El Camino Real Derby. SELECTIONS 2-5-8-9 FINISH 2-5-4-9 Pollard's Vision (8-5) made it look easy going gate to wire, repelling a challenge from Song of the Sword (3-1) in the upper stretch to win in 1:50.80. A trip to the Kentucky Derby is now assured for the one-eyed wonder, a 70k purchase at auction a year ago. Suave (9-2) lacked a finish, but accounted well for himself in his stakes debut and should continue to improve as the season wears on. Our favourite Cal-bred O.K. Mikie (12-1) completed the superfecta, closing from the very back of the pack. The exacta paid $20.20, the trifecta was a meagre $66.40 and the superfecta paid $402.40. April 2, 2004. The new season is in full swing as the Keeneland spring meet opens today, featuring a Grade 3 stakes race, The Transylvania, for 3 year olds at a mile on the turf. Hopefully, the projected showers hold off and the race stays on the lawn as it shapes up to be an excellent showcase for the Eastern turf juveniles. Woodbine trainer Roger Attfield has been readying well-bred Dynafire (Dynaformer - Ring of Fire, Nureyev) for his first start since November, jumping from a third in a 1st level allowance to this. Craig Perret gets the mount and may find he's got an early lead, with a big crowd on his tail. Another Woodbine shipper, Bachelor Blues, will be one of those forwardly placed. After winning the hotly contested Grade 2 Summer stakes in Canada in September, trainer Josie Carroll tried a Grade 2 dirt route with disastrous results. The Smoke Glacken progeny then was shipped south, set the pace and faded over this course in a stakes try, then hit the bench till the Gulfstream meet opened. He finished a fine second in the Black Gold stakes at Fair Grounds and was sent to the wolves in the Grade 2 Hutcheson in Florida. Last month, he was steadied twice in a 2nd level allowance won by Grand Heritage. Mark Guidry takes the mount and with a performance close to his best, he'll be one to catch at the wire. Jockey John Velasquez jumps over to 2-time Keeneland winner, Commendation, who has struggled in 2 turf tries in Florida over the winter. Trainer Graham Motion is having a fine season and can have a horse ready for the big race. Attfield's other horse today, Ontario-bred Mr J.T.L., tries this field in his 4th career start, exiting his maiden win February at Gulfstream Park. Hitting the board seems improbable. Starting from the 8 post, Exploited Storm, has had great difficulty from the outside, excelling in short fields when he can easily get to the pacesetter. Today's crowd might not suit his style. Timo will likely be the favourite and his last race, an 8th in the Tropical Park Derby at Calder, can be excused because of a poor start. The inside post today will be a challenge as will his return from a 3 month layoff to face fit horses. Defeating Imperialism puts him in this class, but a win may be one race away. Lost in Transit ships from Turfway Park and is way out of his league. Elliot Walden and Jerry Bailey team up with the outside horse, Ballado Breeze, who has had a scattershot career up till now. Impressive in 2 losses on turf, it wouldn't be a stretch to use this guy on some exotics tickets. With 3 wins on the grass already and Pat Day on board, Grand Heritage has to be considered a major player in this group. Bill Mott tuned him up in a 2nd level allowance 3 weeks ago and he was flying through the final quarter. With a fair amount of early speed, the pace scenario sets up nicely for this late closer to get the big prize. America Alive may find he's left himself too much to do late. The Neil Howard-trainee is good at the distance and will offer a fair price. If AE Captain Prudent draws in, he will be badly outclassed. SELECTIONS 2-scr-5-1 FINISH 1-4-6-2 With the scratch of Bachelor Blues, a key pace player was eliminated, allowing Mr. J.T.L. (26-1) to set honest fractions without being crowded. Prado kept Timo (2-1) close to the action on the inside, eased him out at the top of the stretch, full of horse, and won by 3/4 of a length over the longshot pacesetter. As we suggested, latecomer America Alive (11-1) offerred good value, catching third by a neck over fellow closer Grand Heritage (5-2). The exacta paid $140.40, the trifecta paid $1,264.40 and the superfecta paid $8,985.20. April 1, 2004. The 4th at Aqueduct is a 6 furlong sprint for maiden 3 year olds. Trainer Michael Brice has gone to jockey Jorge Chavez for help getting Power Knock to keep driving to the wire. The gelding turns back from a flat mile from which the place horse, Fire Captain, broke his maiden next time out (with Chavez aboard). An aggressive ride might be enough to beat this ordinary group of maidens. Mt. Vernon Rd. dropped from maiden allowance to this level in his last outing, dueled to the stretch through very slow fractions and lost a fair amount of ground to the wire. Today, with Ariel Smith aboard, he starts from the outside post. We'd need an awfully good price to travel this road. Whenever a field comes up as weak as this, a 1st time starter merits extra attention. Today, Timothy Hills (having a fine season), sends out 25k auction purchase Finny (Peaks and Valleys - Not What I Do, Parfaitement) who's been working well at the Belmont training facility. Hills is outstanding with debut horses and hot jockey Sean Bridgmohan gets the ride. Trainer Robert Barbara tries blinkers on Noise Maker, who likes the lead but hasn't shown any staying power. With a few other speed horses in the mix, this colt will be tried early, but Barbara must have seen something he liked as he brings him back on 10 days rest. Gina's Star has yet to remain involved beyond 4 furlongs and a drop from maiden allowance last time out didn't help. Trainer John Candlin goes to 10lb apprentice Eriluis Vaz. Undaunting returns after a 5 month layoff following a disastrous debut at the Meadowlands in which he was beaten by 35 lengths. Joe Orseno trains and Jose Espinoza is aboard. We'd like to watch once before investing. If the 6 furlong race could be won in 1:15, inside horse Beau Allure might be your pick. Until he shows he can shift gears, we'll keep our money in our pockets. Trainer Roberto Corrado sends him out for the 3rd time in 21 days. Adaptation, although not bred as a sprinter, showed more closing zip in his one-turn tries on the inner track this past winter. He drops from Maiden Special Weight for state-breds and keeps regular rider Chuck Lopez. SELECTIONS 3-2-5-4 FINISH 2-1-4-5 Our top choice, Finny (3-1), didn't get out of the gate very well and seemed decidedly put off by the slop once he did get going, finishing a green 6th. The good news is he was claimed by the hot Gregory Martin barn. Keep an eye out. The jockey switch to Chavez did the trick for Power Knock (2-1) as he was hustled to the front and drove to the wire in 1:12.95. Noise Maker (5-2) was ill-advisedly sent out to challenge the favourite, then had to fend off Gina's Star from the outside, leaving him unable to hold the place at the wire, headed by Beau Allure (6-1), who took advantage of a gap on the rail to get up late. The exacta paid $28.40 and the trifecta paid $74.00.