April 30, 2005. 8th Aqueduct - The Withers - Grade 3 - 1 mile - 3 year olds An excellent field of 3 year olds has been assembled for this year's running of the Grade 3 Withers, many of whom have recently dropped off the Triple Crown trail. There is an abundance of speed, which will make for a crowded backstretch, with Gotham stakes winner, Survivalist, one of the main contenders to control the rail. The decision to keep this Danzig colt well off the pace cost him in the bizarre Wood Memorial as he was only able to get within 17 1/2 letngths of runaway winner, Bellamy Road. Usual rider, Richard Migliore, may want to keep the Shug McGaughey trainee closer to the action, particularly with the cut back in distance. His two wins at a one turn mile have us convinced to use him in the exotics. Outside starter, Scrappy T, broke his maiden at a flat mile at Delaware Park before putting in some strong front running efforts over the Aqueduct inner track. When stuck on the outside, however, in the $84k Whirlaway stakes, the modestly bred gelding was unable to clear the field and will have a similar challenge today. Fusaichi Pegasus colt, War Plan, makes his first start in a stakes race and lengthens out from a second place finish at 5 1/2 furlongs against conditioned allowance foes here two weeks ago. This might be a tough spot, although trainer, Allen Jerkens, has enlisted Jose Santos for the ride. Our choice for the win comes from the outstanding Gulfstream Park meet, which produced High Fly, Noble Causeway and Bandini. A colt that was a significant pace presence in both the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and the Grade 1 Florida Derby, B.B. Best, may have been spotted perfectly here by trainer Edward Plesa. The top earner in the field, with over $500k in purse money accumulated already, will be extremely tough to catch under the expected aggressive riding of Jorge Chavez. We predict a gate to wire victory for the tough Florida bred sophomore. A potential underlay is Todd Pletcher's enigmatic $450k colt, Proud Accolade, winner of the Grade 1 Champagne stakes as a juvenile and the Grade 2 Hutcheson in February at Gulfstream. Capable of putting forth a dominating performance, using his threatening stalking style, the Yes It's True colt seems just as likely to deliver an explicably dull trip. We have already jumped off this bandwagon, but it is probably wise to use him on saver tickets. Naughty New Yorker was one of the top colts this winter in his home state and ran into trouble in the deep stretch in the Gotham. His disappointing showing in the Wood leaves us cold. Ridgling Anthony J. has not raced since a rallying third in the Delta Downs Jackpot in December. This appears to be a very tough spot to return after 5 month layoff. As it turns out, Park Avenue Ball didn't beat much early in his career, then was consistently an also-ran against this level of competition. SELECTIONS #3. B.B. Best #2. Proud Accolade #4. Survivalist A new order was established among the top sophomores in New York as the Aqueduct spring meet winds down. War Plan (12-1) was tough on the front end in the fog, getting caught at the quarter pole eventual winner, Scrappy T (7-1), who went on to win in a time of 1:35.74, comparable to Survivalist's winning time in the Gotham. Park Avenue Ball (13-1) got up late for the place prize and War Plan held third. The exacta paid $145.00 and the trifecta returned $1,346.00. April 29, 2005. 1st Keeneland - Claiming 15000 - 1 1/16 miles - 4+ Going into the final day of the Keeneland spring meet, Todd Pletcher has the trainer title locked up, but there is still an edgy competition between veteran rider, John Velasquez, and young Rafael Bejarano, last year's winningest jockey for the spring meet riding title. Velasquez leads by two wins, but Bejarano has booked 7 mounts today, a number of them on live horses. In the opener, Bejarano takes the reins aboard Conto de Natal, a 7 year old gelding shipped in from his home base at Mountaineer Park in West Virginia. This move was tried by trainer, Don Combs, last season when the gelding shipped in and was soundly defeated by $25k claimers. That time he dropped in from N2X company and this year he moves up from a second place finish versus $10k claimers. This career bridesmaid would need a return to his early career form to beat these. Count On Sam, a 4 year old sprinter, breaks from the outside post on the move up in class. He tired at 7 furlongs here two weeks ago and picks up 7 lbs. A perfect fit at this level is Brian's Echo, a 6 year old gelding who won his Keeneland debut 12 days ago under exactly these conditions. Once again, the pace scenario sets up for him to press moderate early fractions and have enough in the tank to be taken first to the wire under able rider Corey Lanerie. Trainer, John Botty, based out of Suffolk Downs, claimed Runs With Scissors for $10k out of a 9 furlong heat two weeks ago in which the 4 year old gelding finished a fading third. Botty raises the price and is using this race as another freshener before shipping the Louisiana bred gelding north for the summer. A rail skimming trip should get this Seacliff progeny a piece of the pie. Bold and Royal could not beat non-winners of two races at Turfway Park in three tries there this year and he never got started in a 6 1/2 furlong attempt here two weeks ago. The Dare and Go colt has not hit the board in 5 Keeneland races lifetime. There is a lot of back class to 6 year old, Vivid Views, who was bounced around last season from River Downs to Arlington Park to Thisdledown Park to Keeneland, racing distances ranging from 5 furlongs on the dirt to 1 1/2 miles on the turf. He overcame a poor start to stay on in an extended stretch duel at 7 furlongs in his return from 4 months on the sidelines at Gulfstream Park in February. Any movement forward from that performance should get this one into the mix. Party On has not showed the form that made him an exciting allowance racer as a sophomore two years ago. SELECTIONS #4. Brian's Echo WIN 7.00 3.80 3.00 #6. Vivid Views #1. Runs With Scissors PLACE 4.60 3.40 Runs With Scissors (7-2) was sent to the lead by Dean Sarvis and set a quick opening fraction of 23.95 along the rail before settling down in the slop for a half mile in 48.30 with our top choice, Brian's Echo (5-2), tracking him on the outside. It was never more than a two horse duel and Brian's Echo simply wore down the Louisiana bred and nipped him at the wire by a neck in 1:47.61 for his second consecutive trip to the winner's circle here at Keeneland. Illinois-based trainer, Michael Stidham, claimed the winner for owner Philip S. Maas. The exacta paid $29.60 and the trifecta, with Conto de Natal clear for third, returned $114.00. Congratulations! April 28, 2005. 9th Aqueduct - Claiming (30-25) N2L - 7 furlongs - f&m 4+ Native New York fillies dominate the field in today's last race at Aqueduct, a 7 furlong claiming event for non-winners of two races. The only two decent performances ever turned in by veteran 5 year old, Go See Michelle, came at a mile over this surface. The Victor Cuadra trainee prevailed by 12 1/2 lengths here for her maiden victory over a thin group of state bred maidens and, once racing shifted off the inner track, came up with a tough second against open claiming company. Cuadra, who yesterday claimed veteran Gibbons Terrace, has yet to record a victory at this meet. A more likable front runner is Boston Harbor filly, Harbor House, who crushed $35k maiden claimers on the inner track in February, then failed to stay with the pace at 3-5 in her first try against winners. Trainer, Bruce Levine, didn't panic and an effort anywhere near her maiden breaker will get her on the board today. Devil's Last Dance races third off the bench for trainer Joe Aquilino, who goes to apprentice Channing Hill for the mount to get a weight break. This Distinctive Pro filly fits at this level but has tired at 6 furlongs in her last two outings. Michael Hushion is second to only Richard Dutrow in the trainers' standings and sends out, Game Lady, our top choice for the win. The pace scenario should give the Roy filly more room to breathe than she had in tight on the rail 3 weeks ago when she closed gamely for second to Moon Rainbow at 7-1 odds. The pace setter in that one, Madison's Wish, is far more effective as a closer and will get the chance to show it under leading rider, Richard Migliore. Outside starter and probable favorite, Deedle E Dee, races with a tag for the first time in her career. The challenge for rider Sean Bridgmohan will be to keep this Prosper Fager filly under wraps till the drive. Spectacular Bid filly, Overtimeangie Baby, is almost a year away from her best form. Inside starter, Secret Troika, out for 7 months following her maiden victory at Belmont Park, needs to step it up a few notches. Trainer Linda Rice does well horses off the bench and lures Jose Santos for the trip. Tough City Girl needs more distance. SELECTIONS #5. Game Lady WIN 5.20 3.10 2.40 #3. Harbor House PLACE 4.20 3.10 #9. Deedle E Dee SCRATCHED #4. Madison's Wish Hushion obviously saw something he liked out of that last race run by Game Lady (8-5), as he gave rider Eriluis Vaz th egreen light to go for the lead and gun the filly to a gutsy gate to wire victory, the first time she has ever raced on the front end in her career. She dueled with Devil's Last Dance (10-1) through fractions of 22.64 & 45.91 and put that one away after the turn. Our top choice had to fend off our second choice, Harbor House (7-2), who was never far back and mounted a furious challenge in the deep stretch only to come up a neck short. Miler Tough City Girl (6-1) was along for the show. The exacta paid $19.60 and the trifecta returned $87.00. Congratulations! April 27, 2005. 2nd Keeneland - Claiming 15000 - 6 furlongs - 4+ With rain predicted all week in Lexington, the prospect of an off track for today's second race at Keeneland presents a better variety of betting options. Inside starter, Right to Run, a top candidate on a dry surface, drops off the map when examined with reference to the 4 year old's quartet of surprisingly poor showings in the slop and mud. A winner against conditioned claimers at Ellis Park and Turfway Park, this gelding fits at this level, but only with his best effort. Tijur, a gelded son of Dayjur, had an injury-shortened sophomore season and then was sidelined last year in June after breaking his maiden in a 4 1/2 furlong dash at Charles Town and winning an entry level allowance race at Pimlico in his turf debut. We suspect this fellow is talented but will only be watching today. Our choice for the win at a price today is lightly raced 5 year old gelding, Don's Revenge, who cuts back in distance after 5 consecutive routes at Turfway with diminishing returns. As a sprinter and miler in the maiden claiming and conditioned claiming ranks, this Don Hughes Sr trainee was solid front runner who improved every time out and looked particularly good in the slop. The distance today better suits his pedigree and he should be able to take advantage of the faltering speed to his left. The likely favorite today will be Scattle Bud, a 5 year old veteran making his 40th career start, but first at Keeneland. A career bridesmaid, this All Gone horse drops to his lowest claiming price in some time, racing first off the claim for the Vickie Foley stable. Note that 6 months ago, the Florida allowance regular was entered an overnight stakes. Senor Gran Day, shipping from Oaklawn Park, seems to lack the necessary speed to be a successful sprinter. Skip to Mizzou, a winner in the fall at Great Lakes Downs, is well out of his league amongst these. Occasionally, Trail shows a monster late kick, but not at this distance. SELECTIONS #3. Don's Revenge WIN 7.20 4.60 2.80 #4. Scattle Bud SHOW 2.40 #6. Trail Corey Lanerie hustled Senor Gran Day (3-1) to the lead, hoping to take advantage of the scratched speed, Right to Run. That strategy worked to the advantage of our top choice, Don's Revenge (5-2), who was allowed to stalk the front runner and pace presser, Tijur (13-1), through fractions of 22.41 & 46.33 before challenging Tijur at the top of the stretch and winning a tough duel to the wire, posting a time of 1:12.57. The game Tijur should be backed in his next start, whether it is in Kentucky or back at Pimlico. The Dayjur gelding proved to us today that he can win against better than these this summer. Betting favorite and underlay of the day, Scattle Bud (6-5), ridiculously overbet, once again showed no winning bid, despite threatening in the stretch. He finish a length and a quarter back for the show. The exacta paid $83.00 and the trifecta returned $229.80. Congratulations! April 23, 2005. 9th Keeneland - The Coolmore Lexington - Grade 2 - 1 1/8 miles - 3 year olds The final realistic prep for the Kentucky Derby goes today at Keeneland and a few in the field still need to qualify with earnings in stakes races while others are using this heat as a physical stepping stone to the big day. There is a lot of early speed in this edition of the Grade 2 Lexington, starting with Todd Pletcher's Anees colt, Coin Silver, who enters this out of a third in an entry level allowance race at Gulfstream Park. While his Wood Memorial was anything but memorable, we are willing to give Going Wild one more chance to redeem himself on the East Coast after winning three straight at Santa Anita. Trainer D Wayne Lucas had no explanation for the flat performance 2 weeks ago at Aqueduct and it is encouraging to see him wheel the Golden Missile colt right back into the fire. The deserving favorite will be Rockport Harbor, who has already qualified for the Kentucky Derby, and is, by our accounts, the strongest colt of his generation at this time. His breeding suits the distance and the trainer/jockey combo is only a year away from winning the Run for the Roses with Smarty Jones. The pace scenario compromises his front running style today so it is no lock, but we feel it would be foolish to bet against the monster today. Lucas has brought another colt from California, Skye'n Thunder, a Thunder Gulch progeny who is one of two entered today not nominated to the Kentucky Derby. Starting from the inside, Actxecutive, has never stayed on against stakes company and would need a acareer performance to even by competing in mid-stretch today. Forever Wild exits the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby, in which he finished 3 1/4 lengths behind Sun King, who showed (in our estimation) the limits of his abilities in the Wood. Sort It Out, a New York bred son of Out of Place, is developing into a dependable allowance runner who might take advantage of the odd stakes race that shapes up well for him. The best closer in the field, and not an unrealistic win candidate, is Fair Grounds shipper, Storm Surge, who has been clambering for more distance since winning the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at a flat mile in mid January. SELECTIONS #5. Rockport Harbor #4. Going Wild #3. Storm Surge SHOW 4.20 Sadly, this year's running of the Lexington marks the end of the Triple Crown run for Rockport Harbor (3-5), sent off as a prohibitive favorite, only to race off the pace for the first time in his career, then come up flat in the stretch, finishing a distant sixth. Instead, it was Javier Castellano, guiding Todd Pletcher trainee, Coin Silver (13-1), who locked up a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate by staying close to the dueling Going Wild (4-1) and Storm Surge (8-1), before moving out 4-wide at the top of the stretch to gain control after moderate fractions, and make it to the wire in 1:45.76, a relatively pedestrian time for this event. New Yorker, Sort It Out (6-1), finished 3 1/2 lengths back for the place money and Storm Surge held on for the show. The exacta paid $127.40 and the trifecta returned $638.20. April 22, 2005. 7th Aqueduct - Alw N2X *S* - 1 mile - 3 year olds foaled in N.Y. Both Bailero (Arg) and Big E E got wins yesterday at a flat mile running on the lead over a very quick surface. If that trend continues today, expect a a big performance from inside starter, Time to Rap, a speedy 4 year old gelding looking for his third consecutive victory this season at Aqueduct. Top local trainer, Bruce Levine, took over the conditioning of the state bred gelding last fall and shipped him north from Churchill Downs, bumping him up from maiden claiming competition to face state bred allowance maidens. All three of his starts at this facility have been impressive and the Silver Music progeny has improved his speed and stamina every time out. Richard Migliore stays with the mount, who should go off as an appealing second choice on the tote board. Veteran 5 year old gelding, Got a Beep, will be in tough breaking from the outside and carrying more weight than he has had to since last summer. The Wild Rush gelding has been going for the lead lately and fading in the stretch. Today's pace scenario does not bode well even for an "on the board" finish. Run Along Sonny got a rail skimming trip from Jean Luc Samyn for a win at the entry level state bred allowance level over the Aqueduct inner track in February. There must be an easier spot for this 5 year old gelding. Promising Subordination colt, Fiddlers Pride, finished third in an overnight stakes at Finger Lakes at 40-1 last summer before being shipped to Belmont Park to try racing around two turns. New trainer Gary Contessa couldn't get him to hang on in the stretch until he shortened him to 6 furlongs at the winter meet. A game performer, we will use him underneath at a distance which will prove a little long. Likely betting favorite, Storm Thief, was beaten in his debut by Naughty New Yorker then proceeded to bully his way through the state bred conditions, battling every time on the front end. The Cat Thief gelding has never finished worse than second in 5 starts and will loom dangerously in the stretch today. The fractions will be quicker than he has encountered and that may give the Richard Dutrow trainee a lot to do in the stretch. With Approval colt, Qualified Opinion, got banged around in the $83k Count Fleet stakes after rattling off two game come from behind victories here in the late autumn. We will be watching this one closely to see how he responds after 3 months on the bench. Twooutsintheninth has shown his best turn of foot around two turns. Mark Hennig turns out career bridesmaid, Tomorrows Banquet, and we wouldn't argue if the public wants to use the veteran 5 year old gelding underneath on exotics tickets. SELECTIONS #1. Time to Rap #2. Storm Thief WIN 3.80 2.50 2.10 #5. Fiddlers Pride There was no denying Storm Thief (4-5), who took over from Time to Rap (5-1) at the quarter pole, completing 6 furlongs in a leisurely 1:11.07, then cruised home for the win in 1:36.17. Qualified Opinion (5-2) closed well for the place prize and Tommorows Banquet (15-1) just got up for the show. The exacta paid $9.50 and the trifecta returned $52.50. April 21, 2005. 8th Gulfstream Park - Alw N1X - 7 furlongs - f&m 4+ Today's feature race at Gulfstream Park, an entry level allowance sprint at 7 furlongs, lacks much early speed in the field. T E Jones, the only 5 year old facing fillies, has raced close to the front on the turf at Colonial Downs and on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs, but hasn't shown much stamina since her 19-1 upset victory here a year ago against maiden allowance company. Boundary filly, Miss Belga Bound, has been on the sidelines since November, when former trainer, James Dodgen, tried to move her to the turf at Churchill Downs after a couple of strong sprints at Mountaineer Park. Another filly entered here off a long layoff is Secret Forest, a 4 year old daughter of Forestry, who has not missed the board in any of her 5 career starts. She tried the distance 3 times last summer in New York with positive results and, though her win came around two turns, we still feel this is the filly to beat today. Complete Lady will, once again, find the competition stiffer than what she is comfortable with. A winner against conditioned claimers two back, the move up to allowance company looks to be too much. Outside starter, Turmalina, showed a tremendous late kick, going wide for a dominating victory over $32k maiden claimers last month. We will be tabbing this one for a value play down the road. On the inside is I've Got to Win, a winner of 7 races in 15 starts, who looks to be ready for the move up to allowance competition. Joe Bravo should be able to negotiate a ground saving ride and get her up in time for a strong move in the stretch. Another one tough in the drive will be Starlet Note, a Notebook filly, beautifully bred for this distance, who has come close to clearing this condition more than once over the winter. Trainer Peter Walder, having a fine meet, has won a couple of times with Classic Example, whom he claimed for $20k last summer at Monmouth Park. He shortens the filly from a mile and enlists Eibar Coa for the ride in what will be the Maria's Mon filly's first try at 7 panels. The lack of a quick pace will help her but, still, we feel this could be an underlay of the day. SELECTIONS #3. Secret Forest WIN 6.80 5.20 3.60 #1. I've Got to Win PLACE 6.00 4.20 #2. Starlet Note SHOW 4.00 Watching the tote board, we were pleased to see Classic Example (8-5) sent off as the bettors' choice and more than pleased to see her try for the lead with Miss Belga Bound (5-1) through fractions of 22.92 & 46.01, times too fast for either of them to sustain their action. Our top choice, Secret Forest (5-2), proved to be in fine shape as she was brought 4-wide on the turn to put away the pacesetters, getting to the 1/8 pole in 1:10.40, then outdueled our second choice, I've Got to Win (5-1), through the stretch, hitting the wire in 1:23.12, three quarters of a length up on I've Got to Win. Our third choice, Starlet Note (6-1), rallied for the show. Our picks brought home an exacta worth $42.80 and a trifecta which returned $147.80. CONGRATULATIONS!! April 20, 2005. 2nd Aqueduct - Claiming (30-25) N2L - 6 furlongs - 4+ An eclectic group of claiming horses, all non-winners of two races, have been assembled for today's second half of the daily double at Aqueduct. There is an abundance of early speed here, starting with outside horse, Frantic Pace, racing third off the bench and making his second start for new trainer, Patrick Reynolds. Hot apprentice rider, Channing Hill, gets the call once again aboard this 4 year old gelding, the only horse in the field to have beaten open maiden allowance company. That win came at Monmouth Park last May and proved to be the culmination of a strong spring campaign mounted by the Lil's Lad progeny, who returned to the North East by way of Oaklawn Park and Churchill Downs. Stuck with an outside post in his last start here, the gelding set the pace and tired in the stretch. But, today's field lacks a closer to bear down on this one and so, we like him for the top spot. Another 4 year old who broke his maiden at Monmouth is Datsallme, a Kelly Breen trainee who returns to racing after a 9 month break. A talented colt by Souvenir Copy, this grandson of Mister Prospector put away $40k maiden claimers in his debut, winning by a margin of 12 1/2 lengths at odds of 7-2. He is talented enough to hit the board but we'd like to see him take a race to shake off the rust. Montbrook gelding, Shake You Up, trained and owned by Stanley Hough, has been up against inferior company and simply has not indicated that he can get 6 furlongs in less than 1:11, which will be necessary today to beat either of the top two contenders. Trainer Bob Klesaris sends Starship Outlaw third off the bench at double the claiming price in his last start despite having shown a lack of stamina in Florida other than his front running maiden win as 9-5 favorite. Richard Migliore takes his regular mount aboard Wild Geese, who has not missed the board in 8 consecutive starts. The $125k Is It True colt got caught wide in his last start but still battled on for third. A clean break could get him in prime striking position for the drive. Once a promising New Jersey bred allowance sprinter, 6 year old gelding, Spirit of Jack, failed to clear this condition in five tries over the inner track this past winner. Inside starter, Toora Loora Mukora, was a career maiden who got lucky against a poor field last month over the inner track. SELECTIONS #7. Frantic Pace SHOW 2.30 #4. Datsallme PLACE 4.10 2.50 #3. Wild Geese WIN 6.20 2.90 2.10 Our top choice, Frantic Pace (3-2), was hard used at the start, struggling to clear a fast breaking field, and getting the first quarter in a lightning fast 21.67. Richard Migliore's experience paid off, as he kept Wild Geese (2-1) close along the rail and had plenty of horse for the drive to get to the wire for the win in 1:10.02. Datsallme (7-2), claimed after the race by Scott Lake, was impressive with a late kick to get up for the show, finishing 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Frantic Pace. The exacta paid $26.80 and the trifecta, using all our choices, returned $44.00. Congratulations! April 16, 2005. 9th Keeneland - The Toyota Blue Grass - Grade 1 - 1 1/8 miles - 3 year olds With 3 weeks left to the Kentucky Derby, the last serious prep races are being run this weekend and, perhaps, the most impressive collection of talent is concentrated in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland today. Each one of the seven colts has either won or is graded stakes placed and all but one are coming out of extremely strong heats. Although shipping from California, Consolidator, trained by D Wayne Lucas, had debuted as a juvenile in Kentucky at Churchill Downs and ran his first two turn race here at Keeneland, winning the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity. We don't think he was quite ready for the Breeder's Cup Juvenile but wintering at Santa Anita has done wonders for the Storm Cat colt and he showed off his sophomore form with dominating win over highly regarded Giacomo in the Grade 2 San Felipe stakes, a race won in the recent past by the likes of Medaglia d'Oro, Point Given and Fusaichi Pegasus. Was the Tampa Derby a strong enough prep race to ready Sun King for today's tough field? This Charismatic colt, trained by Nick Zito, has always struck us as a notch or two below the best of his generation. A blowout in Florida last month might have changed our minds, but his performance was a little pedestrian. An exciting entrant is Fusaichi Pegasus progeny, Bandini, making only his fifth lifetime start (much the same way his sire trained) and exiting an outstanding performance in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, in which, with a few more yards he might have caught High Fly. His relative lack of experience may keep him from the top spot today, but he is clearly our second choice and we expect this Todd Pletcher trainee to be a force in Louisville as well. Jockey Gary Stevens and trainer Patrick Biancone shipped in from California to endure a major disappointment from Spanish Chestnut in the Grade 2 Lane's End Stakes. The $500k son of Horse Chestnut*SAf beat Texcess in the Grade 2 San Rafael stakes, but, has otherwise failed against top competition. And, notably, Texcess has been kept off the Derby trail. Trainer Kiaran McGlaughlin will argue the merits of Closing Argument, who packaged together a second to Texcess in the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot and a win in the Grade 3 Holy Bull stakes at Gulfstream Park over High Fly. Undoubtedly a talented colt, the 10 week layoff coming into this event scares us off today. High Limit got loose at the Fair Grounds speed favoring rail to wire the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby over a dodgy field. Undefeated, this Bobby Frankel trainee had done nothing wrong over his 3 race career. We just think today's test will be too tough for the Maria's Mon colt. The closer we like as an exotics candidate is inside starter, Mr Sword, who gets Jerry Bailey in the irons. The Rizzi colt got an overenthusiastic ride from the aggressive Norberto Arroyo Jr in the Lane's End and was left with nothing in the stretch. A more patient handler,such as Bailey, could get this home with a big price. SELECTIONS #4. Consolidator #7. Bandini WIN 8.00 3.80 3.20 #1. Mr Sword Today's performance by Bandini (3-1) removes the mystery surrounding the Pletcher second banana among this year's crop of three year olds. John Velasquez, who chose to ride here over Afleet Alex, who won the Arkansas Derby today, gave our second choice every chance to take control of the race and he did so, pulling away from the field for a 6 length victory over betting favorite, High Limit (5-2), in a time of 1:50.16. A rematch with High Fly is in store on May 7th at Churchill Downs and Bellamy Road, Afleet Alex and Rockport Harbor will all be there to face the colt who threatens to be as dominant a sophomore as his sire, Fusaichi Pegasus. Closing Argument (12-1) held on for the show. The exacta paid $34.80 and the trifecta returned $217.80. April 15, 2005. 6th Laurel Park - Claiming (10-9) - 1 mile - 3 year olds Over half the field of 3 year old claimers running in the 6th at Laurel Park are coming out of a heat run under the same conditions on the last day of March. Inside starter, Irish Family, took the long route that day and finished a disappointing sixth at 4-1 odds. While racing at Pimlico as a maiden, this Family Calling gelding showed good early speed and, in fact, worked out an 18 length lead at the half in his win in the slop in November. Neither his Charles Town or Laurel performances have hearkened back to his heady juvenile days. Another vulnerable speed merchant is Siberian Halo, who beat allowance maidens at Charles Town in December and followed that up with a near miss against N2L allowance foes at 6 1/2 furlongs. Like Irish Family, however, this one's form has dropped off as a sophomore. The pace scenario sets up nicely for Wingback to swoop around the tiring front runners and control the second half of the race. A former Allen Iwinski trainee, this Philadelphia shipper showed some great rating tactics at Thistledown and new trainer, Christopher Grove, is outstanding with horses making their first start for his barn. Fred Bob, a gelded son of Exploit, set an excruciatingly slow pace against these last month, then tired in the stretch. Worray is a strong closer and should be putting the heat on Wingback in the late going. Bob's Triumph has been a very temperamental animal over four starts. Always Close is usually close enough that we will be using him in the gimmicks. SELECTIONS #7. Wingback #2. Always Close WIN 5.80 3.00 2.40 #5. Worray PLACE 2.80 2.40 By the time Siberian Halo (13-1) had hit the quarter pole in a leisurely 1:15.41 it was a three horse race to the finish. Always Close (9-5) made it two wins in a row for new trainer John Rigatierri by closing with a rush on the outside, outfinishing Worray (8-5) once again, this time by a mere neck in a final time of 1:42.62. Siberian Halo stayed on for third. The exacta paid $14.60 and the trifecta returned $135.00. April 14, 2005. 4th Gulfstream Park - Cl 20000 N3L - 1 mile - 4+ A group of struggling veteran claimers, all non-winners of three races, try to break that condition at a flat mile over a Gulfstream Park track that was not particularly speed favoring yesterday. There aren't any early burners amongst this field and the probable pace setter, Novantuno, should be able to get away with moderate fractions. A former Woodbine allowance competitor, this 5 year old gelding trained by Robert Dibona, missed his entire 4 year old season and has progressed very smoothly back into shape this spring in Florida. At the distance over this track, he just missed against open claimers, then returned to dominate non-winners of two as 4-5 favorite. The move up in price and class shouldn't be held against him as he appears to be the fittest one on the track today. On the inside, Ringing Rock will also be up front early and might take some action based on his 30-1 "on the board" finish at this level here 5 weeks ago. That performance was a career best and he was not threatening in the lane. Chuck Lopez replaces Jose Santos in the irons aboard a 5 year old whose wins have come against lesser lights at Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park. Sun Stroke has been clogged at this condition all year and, now that he seems to have solved his problems getting out of the gate, is a solid choice to hit the board. Trainer Charles Fontana goes to Gary Bain to ride this 4 year old gelding first off the claim. Meadow Fun has finished in the money 5 times in 8 starts at this distance, but is generally a well beaten third and his speed figures don't match up today. Flamingo Red has had success at Calder at this distance around two turns but has shown nothing over the new Gulfstream track. This 5 year old gelding, who always closes, may be a victim of the bias of the new surface. One closer who is more than a little intriguing is 4 year old colt, Moon Warrior, who was dropped for a tag last out and was immediately claimed by Chris Gatis, who is excellent with runners first off the claim. SELECTIONS #5. Novantuno #7. Moon Warrior WIN 7.00 3.60 2.80 #2. Sun Stroke Novantuno (5-2) has no excuses after breaking well and getting away with moderate to slow fractions of 23.86 & 46.62 before hitting 6 furlongs in 1:11.92. But, it was our second choice, Moon Warrior (5-2), who went off as the post time favorite, closing on the outside for another win by trainer Chris Gatis with a horse first off the claim. The Migrating Moon colt hit the wire in 1:37.77, well ahead of Ringing Rock (3-1), who overcame a bad start with a good late rush, something the 5 year old had not shown in some time. Mr. Lion (7-2) held on for the show. The exacta paid $24.80 and the trifecta returned $76.40. April 13, 2005. 7th Keeneland - Alw N3X - 6 furlongs - f&m 4+ A strong allowance field of older fillies and mares will be trying to beat the monster, La Reina, who had been competing in Grade 1 events last season as a sophomore filly. Control of the rail and being a prominent pace presence is key at this meet and one of the first to the lead today will be 5 year old Carson City mare, Kuanyan, whose last victory came at 7 panels over this oval in the mud almost a year ago. After that N2X win, trainer John Kimmel shipped her north for a devastating defeat in the Grade 2 Vagrancy at the hands of runaway winner Bear Fan. Her forays beyond allowance company have been discouraging and today's field comes up strong enough to warrant this being regarded as a move up in class. As a 3 year old, Crow Jane, might have scared up some support but, after missing her entire 4 year old season, this daughter of Indian Charlie is simply trying to find her place in competition again. Since returning from over a year on the bench, the Jeff Thornbury trainee, who had gone off at 5-2 in the 2003 La Troienne stakes, has not shown her early zip and faded late in each Fair Grounds start. We usually don't like backing horses coming out of a long layoff, but inside starter, Flaming Dixie, has been posting some quick morning moves and will have first shot at the rail under Rafael Bejarano. Impeccably bred (her grandsire is Northern Dancer and her damsire is Mr. Prospector), this filly hit the board in 9 of 11 starts as a 3 year old and nearly held on at this track at this level in October. Two Punch Gal took the $75k Politely stakes, for Maryland bred sophomore fillies, in November but will have to have improved her speed out of the gate to make much of an impact today. At most other North American tracks, Beautiful Bets would be our top choice, but she will running against the Keeneland bias today, trying to maximize her prodigious closing bid. The 5 year old mare won a couple of allowance sprints at Arlington Park last summer before being converted into a turf miler for the rest of the year. It wasn't until new trainer, Lori Hendrickson, shortened her back up at Fair Grounds that she started to again show her strengths. Making her 4 year old debut, La Reina is the horse to beat. Not a sprinter, the A.P. Indy filly is being pointed to a bigger race by Shug McGaughey and a win today may not be foremost in their minds as the stakes star returns to competition after 8 months on the sidelines. Among her achievements are a loss by a nose to Ashado as a juvenile in the Grade 2 Demoiselle stakes at 9 furlongs at Aqueduct, a runner up to Madcap Escapade (who races in the feature today) in last year's Grade 2 Forward Gal stakes at 7 furlongs at Gulfstream Park and a fourth place finish in her first Grade 1 try, last season's Ashland stakes, the showcase event for sophomore fillies at the Keeneland spring meet. Michigan bred filly, Cats Copy, will be outmatched by these. Former trainer, Edward Plesa, had Pick of the Pack poised to move into graded stakes company at Calder last year, but the wheels came off that cart after successive last place finishes in the $100k Hollywood Wildcat stakes and the Grade 2 Davona Dale stakes. After being moved to the Bernard Flint stable, she was finally shut down for 2003 after a busy spring and summer. The closer has talent but we would like to watch one before investing. Irish bred Sobinka (Ire) makes her third North American start after a couple of runaway wins in turf marathons in France. Dallas Stewart takes over her conditioning from Kiaran McLaughlin and, curiously, tries a move to a dirt sprint from turf routes. SELECTIONS #1. Flaming Dixie #4. La Reina PLACE 3.80 2.60 #2. Beautiful Bets SCRATCHED Kuanyan (7-2) was tough on the lead early over this muddy track and our top choice, Flaming Dixie (2-1) never could get by her inside and bled. Two Punch Gal (5-2) was given a strong stalking ride from Robby Albarado, who got her clear at the top of the stretch en route to a relatively easy win in 1:11.06, mirroring her last trip over this surface (also a muddy track that day), an allowance win in October. La Reina (2-1), the overlaid favorite, was 6 1/4 lengths back for second and Kuanyan held on for show. The exacta paid $27.40 and the trifecta returned $110.20. April 10, 2005. Early speed is prevailing once again at Keeneland and this sprint for older fillies and mares features a field with front running types inside to out. Classy 5 year old Hush U Dreamer, trained by Bernard Flint, makes her first start since last July and takes a big drop from the N2X allowance condition at Ellis Park. She has beaten better than this and is particularly fond of the Churchill Downs track, so, wary of the severe price drop, we think we'll wait till Churchill opens before jumping at this girl. Wild Rush filly, Wild Bertie, was claimed from the Steve Flint stable last spring for $30k and her struggling at Churchill, found herself in 4 1/2 furlong dashes at Charles Town this past winter. Now trained by Christopher Bindner, she doesn't appear ready to compete seriously on the "A" circuit. Promising as a juvenile, Rebel Lil's 3 year old campaign last year became a write off as she collapsed against stakes company at Oaklawn Park and sat out summer racing, compiling only $8k in earnings. Now conditioned by Steven Asmussen, the Lil's Lad filly has reverted to the pace setting horse she was as a youngster and should be the toughest to take down in the stretch today. Veteran 5 year old, O'Lee's Story, enters this out of a win at Turfway Park a month ago with the same price tag. She has hit the board in 5 straight starts, but the field today represents a bump up in class and it may be enough of a stretch to knock her out of contention. Pk's Gal doesn't possess the early speed necessary to contest the pace. The only other trip Cahill Holly has had over this oval was a fading fifth against $50k claimers in the fall. This is an easier bunch, but her class edge might be overwhelmed by a pace scenario which doesn't suit her pace pressing style. Under the guidance of Allen Iwinski, Par de Deux was becoming a strong allowance sophomore filly in 2003. The daughter of Joyeux Danseur was claimed out of a Monmouth Park heat after her summer campaign soured and she then endured an attempted conversion to a router by Tim Hooper before hitting the sidelines in November. Gamaliel Vasquez brought her down to New Orleans in January and got her back on track in a couple of smart claiming sprints before she was claimed by her current connections. The most recent turf sprint was a curious decision by Angel Montano but today the spot looks ripe for her to get a ground saving trip along the rail under wily rider Eddie Martin Jr. Salma must improve her speed. SELECTIONS #1. Par de Deux #5. Cahill Holly WIN 6.00 3.60 2.60 #2. Rebel Lil PLACE 4.00 2.80 Rebel Lil (3-1) did, indeed, prove to be the toughest filly to take down in the stretch. She disposed of pace setter, Salma (7-1) at the top of the stretch and had the race in hand until she began to drift out towards the wire, bumping closer Cahill Holly (2-1), who had run a smart pace pressing race under Robby Albarado. After a stewards' inquiry, the win was awarded to the favorite, Cahill Holly, and Rebel Lil was dropped to second. O'Lee's Story (4-1) finished a well beaten third. The exacta paid $22.00 and the trifecta returned $69.00. April 9, 2005. 9th Aqueduct - The Wood Memorial - Grade 1 - 1 1/8 miles - 3 year olds There aren't any scorchers in this even field of talented sophomores, meaning the first turn and the backstretch run will likely be tight, with jockeys playing a waiting game, hoping they find a hole at the right time leaving the second turn. Pavo surprised everyone except trainer Jennifer Pedersen with his gutsy closing try in the Grade 3 Gotham stakes here at a flat mile. The Marquetry colt was disqualified when the stewards deemed that jockey Alan Garcia's whip had struck Naughty New Yorker in the pinball game they called a stretch drive that day. That decision notwithstanding, Pavo was able to capitalize on an insane pace in that race, something that will likely be missing and we will be shocked if he and new jockey Jerry Bailey will be able to sneak up on the pace contestants in this matchup. Scrappy T, winner of the Count Fleet stakes in mid-January on the inner track when he was able to hold off Naughty New Yorker at 11-1 odds, will get a ground saving trip from Rafael Bejarano, who is having another fine meet and sits second in the jockey standings for wins, one back of veteran Richard Migliore. This Robert Bailes trainee couldn't get the lead from the 10 post in the Whirlaway stakes but still finished a game third. The gelding by Fit to Fight looks like a price play underneath. Cherokee Run gelding, Byanosejoe, attracts rider Jose Santos for his first try at two turns. The Richard Dutrow trainee ran into trouble in the stretch in the Gotham and is another who will have a big price for this one. The winner of the Gotham, Survivalist, went 5-wide in the stretch to take home the top prize last month and it will be Migliore's challenge to rate the Danzig colt in order to give him another shot at the closing bid. Morning line favorite, Bellamy Road, beat Louisiana Derby winner Scipion, in the Grade 3 Cradle Stakes at River Downs as a juvenile, then was caught in the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. Today marks the Nick Zito trainee's second start since that disappointment and follows a sharp tuneup against allowance company in a one turn mile at Gulfstream Park. Although it appears to be Zito's year for 3 year olds, we think this Concerto colt will find the stretch long stretching out to 9 furlongs for the first time. After wintering in California, Going Wild, trained by D Wayne Lucas, returns to New York with a trio of impressive gate to wire victories over some tough customers at Santa Anita. The Golden Missile colt will be one of the ones to catch in the stretch. Mike Luzzi did well to rate Galloping Grocer off the hot pace in the Gotham and must take it a step further today. Resisting jumping to the lead is the key to this race and this talented A.P. Jet gelding needs to reproduce the patience that earned him a second to Rockport Harbor in the Grade 2 Remsen stakes as a 2 year old. Our choice for the win is New York bred Naughty New Yorker, who ran into a myriad of trouble late in the Gotham. This Quiet American colt has been wanting this distance since disposing of state bred stakes company on the winter track. Regular rider Jean-Luc Samyn is in the irons and backers will be rewarded with long odds. SELECTIONS #8. Naughty New Yorker #7. Galloping Grocer #3. Bellamy Road WIN 7.10 4.90 4.10 This year's lead up to the Kentucky Derby could be subtitled The Story of Zito, as the trainer with a 3 year old in every pocket tossed another serious contender into the mix in the form of Bellamy Road (5-2), a Concerto colt owned by George Steinbrenner. The Florida bred sophomore went straight to the front, set respectable early fractions of 23.13 & 46.08 before edging away resolutely on the second turn and finding a reserve of power which sent him home in a track record 1:47.16 and besting Private Terms' stakes mark from 1988. Gotham winner, Survivalist (5-1) finished second, beaten 17 1/2 lengths and Scrappy T filled out the trifecta, which paid $254.00. The exacta returned $39.20. April 8, 2005. 8th Keeneland - The Central Bank Transylvania - Grade 3 - 1 mile (Turf) - 3 year olds A veritable sign that spring has arrived is the opening of the Keeneland meet and today, on the first card of 2005 in Lexington, the feature race is the Grade 3 Transylvania stakes, to be run at 1 mile on the turf. Trainer Todd Pletcher has an outstanding uncoupled entry and it will be hard to look past Dubleo, the dominating Southern Halo colt who has already amassed a shade under $400k in earnings and has a Grade 2 and Grade 3 victory to his credit. The likely front runner can produce fractions which will leave many in this field gasping before the second turn. Pletcher's main man, John Velasquez retains the mount and the challenge for the wiseguys today will be to find the diamond in the rough who can collar this monster in the stretch. Main Point enters this out of a fifth in his first try against winners. It took the Earl McDonald trainee 10 races to break his maiden. British bred Moth Ball (GB) produced some big performances on the grass in sprints in England. His North American debut was inauspicious at best, enduring a tough trip in a minor stakes at this distance on the lawn at Santa Anita. Jockey Mike Smith makes the trip East for the ride. The only horse to have defeated Dubleo on grass is Rey de Cafe, who took the $112k Bourbon County stakes here in late October. That race followed a tough Grade 2 victory at Woodbine by Dubleo in the Summer stakes and today Rey de Cafe, trained by George Arnold, comes in off a 3 month break. The overlay play has to be on inside starter, Guillaume Tell (Ire), who was just nosed out for a Grade 3 win at Saint-Cloud in France in October and has delivered a couple of strong performances since crossing the Atlantic. This is Pletcher's "B" horse and if he runs to his North American debut at Gulfstream Park in late January, he will be giving fits to Dubleo in the deep stretch. The show horse in the Bourbon County, Ready Ruler, returns to the races here and, while Steven Asmussen clearly has high hopes for this More Than Ready colt, this spot looks a little tough. Fair Grounds shipper, Cosmic Kris, is wonderfully bred for this but must improve his early speed to be competitive with this field. B Trick races third off the bench for unlucky trainer, Jack Allen, in his grass debut. Bobby Frankel's $250k War Chant colt, Chattahoochee War, often leaves himself too much to do, and with the strength up front today, we have to back off and wait for an easier spot for this talented closer. SELECTIONS #7. Dubleo #4. Rey de Cafe SHOW 3.40 #1. Guillaume Tell (Ire) PLACE 4.60 3.40 British import, Moth Ball (GB)(16-1), drew favorite Dubleo (1-1) into a speed duel early and worked the star over through three quarters in 1:09.88. The front runners were easy pickings at the top of the stretch for our other two choices, Rey de Cafe (5-1) and Guillaume Tell (Ire)(4-1), who blew by them 3 and 4 wide. Rey de Cafe was clear but couldn't hold off Guillaume Tell and closer Chattahoochee War (3-1) in the final yards. After an inquiry and a photo, it was determined that Frankel's $250 million dollar colt had gotten the nod and had not significantly interfered with Guillaume Tell in the late going. The win, in his first East Coast start, gives Chattahoochee War earnings in excess of $175k. The exacta paid $43.00 and the trifecta returned $152.20. April 7, 2005. An octet of solid non-winners of three races try the two turn mile one last time on closing night of the Turfway Park spring meet. Once a promising son of Seeking the Gold racing in allowance company at Aqueduct for Bill Mott, Cayenne Gold was acquired privately by Donald Harneck last year. The 6 year old Kentucky bred gelding needs the lead but hasn't shown enough early foot this year to break free of the speedsters to his inside today. Suz Boy had to leave this circuit to finally break his N2L condition last year, returning to his home in Indiana to win an allowance for state breds in the slop at Hoosier Park. Willie Martinez was aboard the Wheaton gelding last fall for a couple of decent starts at this distance over this oval, but there is a tendency for this 4 year old to find himself wide on the turns and he just doesn't have enough of a speed edge to get away with that kind of a trip against these. Donald Hughes' home bred, Don's Revenge, didn't race until December of last season as a 4 year old. The Devil His Due gelding quickly worked his way up the claiming ladder, quadrupling his price tag in two months before moving on to allowance company. Despite early pressure from the two outside of him in the gate, this class dropper should be the pace horse to catch on the second turn. Dropping in from the very same N1X heat, Genuine Draft will be breaking from the outside post. A two-time winner at the distance, including one at Turfway, the prospect of a 4 or 5 wide trip scares us away from this normally playable gelding. The last time Roger Wilco raced for a tag was mid-summer of last year at Churchill Downs against $80k sophomores. Trainer Paul McGee moved the Victory Gallop gelding to Ellis Park and then to Turfway in an attempt at breaking the entry level allowance condition, always sprinting. Today, he tries two turns for the first time against a much easier group than he's ever encountered. With a three way speed duel developing in front of him, Rafael Mojica Jr should be able to rate this one and gear him up for a big move on the second turn. There will be some action directed at Forth and Forever, due to his win two back at Fair Grounds when Corey Lanerie took advantage of a pace breakdown to bring home the 4 year old Favorite Trick gelding at 6-1 odds. A vexingly inconsistent performer, this Carl Bowman trainee needs everything to go right before he has a serious chance at the top spot. Orlando Mojica chooses to ride Bird Call over Suz Boy and Roger Wilco today and, while they have a shot at a perfect trip skimming the rail, we note the 5 year old was stuck at the N2L condition for a long time and had to be dropped to face $10k claimers to break through. Runaway leader in jockey wins, Dean Sarvis, gets the mount aboard Fire Strike, another 4 year old trying two turns for the first time. Racing first off the claim for Dan Smithwick (winless at the meet), and first after a 6 1/2 week layoff, a winning bid would be a surprise, but an "on the board" finish is a good bet at a price. SELECTIONS #7. Roger Wilco SHOW 2.60 #2. Don's Revenge #6. Fire Strike WIN 9.00 4.80 3.00 Smithwick picked up his first trainer win of the season in grand style as his new claim, Fire Strike (7-2) delivered an eye-popping pace pressing performance in the slop, getting home in 1:35.47, finishing up 4 1/2 lengths ahead of Forth and Forever (6-1), whom he had overtaken on the second turn. Rafael Mojica Jr left Roger Wilco (2-1) with far too much to do in the stretch and he finished a well beaten third as favorite. The exacta paid $58.80 and the trifecta returned $172.40, a nice payout considering the top two choices were in. April 6, 2005. 6th Laurel Park - Alw N1X - 1 mile - f&m 4+ Most of the pace pressing types in this entry level allowance at a flat mile will be breaking from the outside trying to get over to catch the speedy Princes Alileigh, a 4 year old filly who was unraced until this past January. The daughter of Capote, campaigned by Dale Capuano has quickly gained experience in controlling the pace and holding the rail over her three starts this year. Jockey Erick Rodriguez, who guided the filly to her maiden breaker here at 7 furlongs, is back in the irons and should have no problem fending off the early contenders. The question today, in her first start against winners, is whether she can hold off the closers. Meadowlake filly, Charlomaine, has been stalled at this condition for an awfully long time and, while her pedigree suggests she will enjoy the extra yardage, we cannot endorse this filly as she has consistenly begun to fade in mid-stretch in sprints. Jockey Steve Hamilton will be hoping for a scratch or two, otherwise he will be using this girl early to keep her within reach. Many horses simply hate the Aqueduct inner track and immediately revert to form once they are moved off in the spring. We suspect this may be the case with Gershowitz, a claimer who broke her maiden at this distance on the Aqueduct main oval in November, then tossed in 3 duds in a row at the winter meet. With Pablo Fragoso aboard, she showed signs of life against conditioned claimers and could be ready to hit the board with a big price with Ramon Dominguez at the helm today. Dangerous on the inside will be Saltster, who finished a game second at this level at 6 furlongs a month ago, in her first start in 14 months. Trainer Allen Ferris had turned the juvenile claiming horse into an allowance runner in 2003 and she even made a start in an overnight stakes, going off at 10-1 odds. With regular rider Mario Pino up once again, we feel her solid tune up race was simply a taste of things to come. Malibu Moon filly, Malibu Punch was on the sidelines for 11 months, then didn't show much in her comeback here in the slop at 7 panels. Trainer Rodney Jenkins, fourth in wins at this meet with an outstanding win and "in the money" percentage, sends out the intriguing Kyushu, a Hennessy filly making her third career start and second at this distance over this track, her first being her maiden victory by a head a few weeks ago. This is a tough spot for the lightly raced filly, but we will be tabbing her performance for later. Broad Brush filly, Broad Sound, a former Todd Pletcher trainee, has been more effective in two turn routes. Triple J, the lone mare in the group, is a 5 year old with impeccable pedigree who has repeatedly failed to fire a winning volley. SELECTIONS #1. Saltster PLACE 3.40 2.60 #2. Princes Alileigh SHOW 3.00 #6. Gershowitz As we feared, Princes Alileigh (5-2), after gaining a clear lead at the top of the stretch, was collared by the more experienced closers and had to settle for third. Saltster (2-1) stalked the leaders the whole way and made a strong bid in mid stretch only to be outfinished by Broad Sound (3-1), the winner by a length in a time of 1:39.10. The exacta paid $27.00 and the trifecta returned $75.00. April 3, 2005. 6th Tampa Bay Downs - Alw N4L - 7 furlongs - f&m 4+ Trainer Kirk Ziadie has been nearly unstoppable at this meet and his filly, Jewels N Gems, has drawn the inside post for this 7 panel allowance contest for non-winners of 4 races. This lightly raced Acceptable filly was impressive winning her Tampa debut against N2X foes in January and the only other time in her career that she has drawn an inside post, she dueled for her entry level allowance victory at Calder Race Course in the fall. Hooking up with her early will be Deb's Favoite Gift, who finished second at 21-1 odds at this level here a month ago at 6 1/2 furlongs. That career best performance was long awaited as she had been entered and hit the board in a number of restricted stakes races at her home track, Great Lakes Downs. Still, we expect the Michigan bred filly to bounce off that showing. In that same 6 1/2 furlong tilt here in March, Lunes Grito tried and failed to find running room. Today, T.D. Houghton takes the reins aboard this filly who went off at 123-1 in last year's Indiana BC Oaks. Holdamearound has been successful against conditioned claimers but has failed repeatedly when moved up into the allowance ranks. We also suspect more distance is optimal. Florida bred Formal Dinner filly, Maddashfordinner, is more than a few notches below this field where speed is concerned. One of the classier performers in this field is P.J.'s Eskimo, who was a regular in the overnight stakes series at Calder as a 3 year old, going against Spectacular Lisa, Dakota Light and Redoubled Miss. After a year on the sidelines, this 5 year old mare nearly caught some of these second off the bench and is one to be taken seriously. Impressive Star is probably best suited to claiming company. Our choice for the win is Defrere filly, Debere, who sailed past N1X foes after being outrun in the 60k Wayward Lass. Possessive of a monster late kick, we like the extra furlong to go in her favor today. SELECTIONS #8. Debere PLACE 3.40 2.80 #1. Jewels N Gems WIN 4.20 3.00 2.60 #3. P.J.'s Eskimo There was no question as they left the turn that Jewels N Gems (1-1) would get to the winner's circle today. She pulled away for a 3 3/4 length victory over our top choice, Debere (7-2), in a time of 1:24.82, after stalking the early front runner, Impressive Star (18-1) through fractions of 22.92 & 46.14. Lunes Grito got up for third, her 16th on the board finish in 23 career starts. The exacta, using our top two choices, paid $20.60 and the trifecta returned $92.00. Congratulations! April 2, 2005. 12th Gulfstream Park - The Florida Derby - Grade 1 - 1 1/8 miles - 3 year olds The Grade 1 Florida Derby, one of the most important preps for the Kentucky Derby, usually showcases a few of the top performers who will run for the roses in May. This year's edition looks to resemble it's major prep race, the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, in terms of a pace scenario and four of the nine entered today ran in that one here a month ago. Notably absent is Bandini the horse who stood to improve most of that experience, finishing a game second to favorite High Fly. The field today comes up rather paceless, with most of these 3 year olds already trained to rate off the leaders and make closing bids. Winner of the Grade 2 Futurity as a juvenile at a flat mile at Belmont Park in September, Park Avenue Ball may have had an excuse in the Fountain of Youth after a rough start, but this Citidancer colt has yet to show the kind of marked improvement as a sophomore to move him forward at this level. We looked around but couldn't find a horse we like better than High Fly, whose only loss came in the Grade 3 Holy Bull, his first try around two turns. One of two top notch Nick Zito trainees in this field, he once again attracts Jerry Bailey for the ride and should be tucked in on the rail within striking distance of whoever decides to jump on the front end. His game effort in the Fountain of Youth was exhilarating and his main opponent on this circuit dodges the probable favorite today. We expect an improved effort from California shipper, Papi Chullo, who was compromised early in the Fountain of Youth, his first start in his home state, and had to make up more ground than he is accustomed to in the stretch. With a better start under new rider, Robby Albarado, the modestly bred maiden has a good shot at hitting the board with a big price. Wallstreet Scandal, trained by Richard Violette, finished 3 lengths back of Park Avenue Ball in the Futurity and has done his best running since then on the lawn. His uninspiring fourth in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby didn't do anything to raise his flag in our corner. Vicar won this race in 1999 and his son, Vicarage, will be one of the better backed colts in here based on his coming out party at Fair Grounds when he finished second to High Limit in the Louisiana Derby, his first try at two turns. Trainer Todd Pletcher can bring a colt along quickly, but, while we will be keeping a close on how well John Velasquez can rate this one, we think we have to back off today. The real puzzler is inside starter, and the second of two high profile Zito colts, Noble Causeway. The Giant's Causeway colt already has two wins at the distance, as Zito preferred to work on the distance and worry about class later. Consequently, today's heat will be this colt's first move beyond the entry level allowance condition. At this point in a horse's career, experience counts for a lot, so we are willing to use this guy on all tickets. Speedy B.B. Best will have to dig deeper in the stretch to hold off this gang of closers. The Yes It's True colt filled out the trifecta nicely in the Fountain of Youth at 16-1 odds, but, overall, this is a tougher field and his distance limitations could be exposed today. Mighty Mecke enters this out of a win at the restricted OBS Championship, his second lifetime start. The class and experience edge he gives up will probably be insurmountable. Evil Minister appears to have peaked as a sprinting juvenile last summer. Bailey jumps ship and is replaced by Clinton Potts. SELECTIONS #4. High Fly WIN 4.40 2.60 2.60 #7. Papi Chullo #1. Noble Causeway PLACE 3.60 2.80 This was virtually a replay of the Fountain of Youth, with Jerry Bailey holding back High Fly (6-5) until the far turn, then letting him loose and hand guiding him to the wire in 1:49.43, a length and a half better than the late running Noble Causeway (3-1). The hand ride produced a better time than Monarchos in 2001 and was about a third of a second slower than Empire Maker in 2003. Once again, B.B. Best (7-1) held on to third after setting the pace. The exacta paid $16.80 and the trifecta returned $65.00. Congratulations! April 1, 2005. 3rd Laurel Park - Claiming (10-9) - 5 1/2 furlongs - 3 year olds Holy Bull colt, Bull Power, appears to be the speed of the speed amongst this mostly sluggish field of three year olds. Rider, Pedro Monterrey Jr should have no trouble getting control of the rail and we think this horse will best these in gate to wire fashion in his first start for trainer William Harfield after being claimed at this price out of the Scott Lake stable. Beer Stien wintered at the mid-Atlantic tracks and didn't face the kind of competition Bull Power was up against at Gulfstream Park. The California bred gelding broke his maiden early in his juvenile at Hollywood Park and won again against conditioned claimers in January at Philadelphia Park. Because he beat Bull Power last out, there will be some action on this horse in the hopes he can improve on the career best he delivered here two weeks ago. Shipping in from Penn National Racecourse, Trail Drive has looked like a completely different horse since returning to action with Lasix in mid-February after a 3 month break. The Texan bred gelding, trained by John Zimmerman, is into a positive form cycle and races third off the bench. Stormy Atlantic colt, Double No, has not improved appreciably since his debut victory at Colonial Downs in July over $40k maiden claimers. Monster Zone won at this distance at Pimlico in November but lacks the speed to remain in contact with the front runners. Even a repeat of his unlikely maiden victory at Penn National wouldn't land inside starter, Pius Aeneus, a spot on the board against this bunch. A bust since being purchased at auction last year for $50k, Grand and Warren, finally broke his maiden carrying a mere $9k price tag at Pimlico in early December. The gelding could typify progeny of Marquetry and be a late bloomer, but we have to remain "hands off" for today. Affirming Rush showed a good closing kick in New Orleans as a juvenile but hasn't impressed since heading north and switching from the Larry Robideaux barn to the handling of Baden Hughes. The likely favorite, Trego, once again attracts Ramon Dominguez for the ride and draws the extreme outside post. While, this one is a good bet to hit the board, we don't like the "win" price that is anticipated. SELECTIONS #3. Bull Power SHOW 2.80 #9. Trego PLACE 2.80 2.20 #6. Trail Drive WIN 8.80 3.80 2.80 Trainer John Zimmerman has to be pleased with the splendid effort put forth by Trail Drive (3-1), who went to the lead and fought off a three horse barrage in the stretch to prevail by a length and a quarter over betting favorite, Trego (6-1), in a time of 1:05.23 for his second consecutive victory in his Maryland debut. Bull Power (7-2) raced inside and got the photo for third. The exacta paid $24.60 and the trifecta, with all our choices in, returned $73.20. Congratulations!