Saturday, May 29, 2004. The 7th at Belmont, at 1 1/16 miles, for older horses with money conditions at a mile or over, or non-winners of 4 other than... or with an optional claiming price of $100k shapes up like a stakes race and is as intriguing a contest as the actual feature, the Sheepshead Bay Hdcp. Plenty of well-known faces on the New York handicap scene unite, many coming off difficult races where they were entered out of their class. Michael Hushion's California shipper, Jets Fan, gets a new rider today in Jerry Bailey after a tough East coast debut in the Grade 3 Westchester Hdcp on opening day here. A potentially ludicrous underlay, this gelded 4 year old out of Gold Token needs to better his best races, which include a minor stakes victory at Golden Gate in February. The long stretch will probably do him in. Pressing him for the lead, directly to his right in the gate, will be Paraneck Stables' New York Hero, who has been brilliant on occasion at this allowance level. When able to get the lead early, as he did beating Big Sid's Party on the inner track at Aqueduct in February, he can be tenacious. Jorge Chavez is the right jockey for this colt, who's been nibbling at the fringes of the graded stakes competition. We're not crazy about the pace set-up for him today, but wouldn't criticize anyone for using him. Our choice for the win is the once highly touted Trial Prep, a winner two years ago of the New York Stallion Stakes and the New York Derby. As a 3 year old, he battled with Private Emblem for supremacy amongst New York-breds. After a year on the bench, trainer Steve Klesaris has brought back the 5 year old slowly and surely. In his last out, he finished 3rd behind Gander and Levendis in the $80k Kings Point after a slow start at 9 furlongs. The cut back in distance and this pace scenario suits him well. Free of Love returns today from a 5 month layoff. The 6 year old is a solid allowance racer with just under half a million dollars in earnings. He loves Belmont Park and is a good bet to hit the board with Mike Luzzi aboard and some speed to shoot for late. On the outside, Gallant Sir makes his Belmont debut, after racing primarily in New Jersey last season. The 5 year old gelding, trained now by Richard Dutrow won at 7 panels at Aqueduct last month, but seems a shade below this class. Veteran Almuhathir rose to public prominence after finishing third in the Whirlaway Hdcp at Fair Grounds 4 months ago. The 6 year old likes this track, but the inside post and 3 month layoff are a concern. Regal Sanction is another former star as a 3 year old who has fallen on hard times. Unlike Trial Prep, this James Jerkens trainee makes his first start off the bench after failing miserably in an attempted comeback last winter. We'll have to watch him once. In the best form of all these is probably Deeliteful Guy, a well-travelled 5 year old who ran out of gas against Seattle Fitz at Pimlico in his last start. Although not a likely win candidate, his consistency and the presence of no other deep closers, is a reason to include him underneath. SELECTIONS 3-8-4-2 FINISH 5-2-8-4 As expected, New York Hero (9-5) and Jets Fan (5-2) were ridiculously overbet and both were spent by the stretch after dueling for the lead from the outside. Edgar Prado and Gallant Sir (7-1) stalked those two and finished well to hold third. Jose Santos found the perfect trip for longshot Regal Sanction (12-1), saving ground on a rail trip, then slipping through on the inside in the upper stretch to win in 1:42.48 by a length and a half over closer Free of Love (13-1). With the top two betting choices out, the gimmicks paid well: the exacta returned $235.50 and the trifecta delivered $1,911.00. Friday, May 28, 2004. The 8th at Calder Race Course, for 3 & 4 year old fillies and mares who have never won 3 races, is a 6 1/2 furlong sprint with only one horse who likes the lead, She's Our Favorite. The 3 year old, trained by Manuel Azpuria, gets a 15lb advantage over the highweights due to her apprentice rider, Chris Creary, in just his 3rd career start. Dropping in price and shortening from a couple of experiments at a mile, this Proud and True filly has won at this level at Gulfstream Park, and has won over this oval. Can she be kept to task without a whip? If the price is right, we'll take the bet. Trainer Oliver Edwards has been forced to drop the price tag on once promising 3 year old, Jalyn, who has looked dismal since returning in April from a few months on the sidelines. Chase the Charmer caught a soft field in March to beat non-winners of two at Gulfstream. Badly outmatched since, she actually moves up in class today. Sword Dance filly, Miss Chalice, surprised a lot of people when she just missed beating 3 year olds at the $25k claiming level in February at Gulfstream. Today will be her first competition against older horses, but there aren't any world beaters here. After 3 turf routes, she's back to a distance at which she's been successful and Manny Aguilar should have her pressing the lone pace horse right from the gate. Veteran Unreal Fantasy hasn't won a race for a few years, but is a good bet underneath as she always makes some noise late and enters this out of a major key race at this level 18 days ago. Former allowance horse on the turf, Shahalie Lake, is entered here by floundering trainer, Richard Arnold, 0-17 on the meet. Claimed from Edward Plesa Jr.'s barn for $14k in March this 4 year old has been in decline since last summer and shows no signs of a reversal of form. Emanuel Tortora's Solamente won her last after pressing the pace through a half mile in 47.2 seconds. Although not a stalwart field, they won't let the front-runners get away with larceny like that. On the inside is lightly raced 6 year old, Lady On Tour, who spent over 3 years on the bench after winning her debut at the Meadowlands as a juvenile. Since her return to action, she has consistently shown a big late kick and is one we have to use in the gimmicks. In 8 career races, she's hit the board 5 times. SELECTIONS 7-6-1-8 FINISH 3-4-6-2 In, quite possibly the dullest race we've watched this year, Omar Klinger got Chase the Charmer (8-1) to the lead for the first time in 7 starts and rode him out to victory in a pedestrian time of 1:20.26. The order of finish mirrored the positioning the field had at the quarter pole, with no horse passing another for the entirety of the race. Solamente (14-1) got the place prize for a third straight on-the-board finish. Favourite Miss Chalice (8-5) played down to her competition finishing a non-threatening third. The gimmicks were huge with the exacta paying $205.40 and a trifecta returning $1,056.00. Thursday, May 27, 2004. There's a ton of early speed in today's 6th at Belmont, a 7 furlong sprint for 3 year old fillies with claiming prices of $40k down to $30k. After failing to win as a juvenile last fall in New York, Ace's Cappella, a $130k purchase at auction, was shipped down to Florida by trainer Frank Alexander and dropped to maiden claiming ranks, finally winning at $45k at Gulfstream Park over this distance. She ended her Florida sojourn with a surprising win against $60k claimers at 7-1. Her return to New York was a bizarre placement in a $75k optional claiming race with N2x conditions. A drop back to a more realistic class has us thinking she'll be one of the ones to catch late. Trainer Gregory Martin, winless at the meet, goes to apprentice Fernando Jara aboard Musetta's Waltz, who wired a bunch of $50k claimers in a quick mile at Aqueduct in March. A severe late fade in her last out sends out some alarm bells for us. Corinthian Star won in the mud last summer at Saratoga, then hit the sidelines. She flashed very brief speed in one of two starts at Gulfstream over the winter and reappears here today after being worked steadily over the track for 2 months. Jose Santos takes a pass and so will we. Santos jumps to Steppin Shoot, first off the claim by Gumpster Stable. Trainer Richard Ciardullo bumps him up from $25k claimers and tries him at a new distance. With a race over this track under her belt and a very good pace setup, we like this Salt Lake filly as a top value win choice. She was beaten in her last by Mecke's Presence, who takes the same rise in price today, but will be in tight early, starting from the 2 post. A possible underlay, we'd like to bet against her winning two in a row at this track. Outside horse, Amazem Grace, suddenly got very good over the winter, and was subsequently claimed 3 times, but is today dropped below her last claim price by trainer Scott Lake. At her best when she is able to control the rail and running over speed favouring tracks, the Dance Brightly filly is in tough today. Tiara Gin peaked in her maiden win in the mud at Aqueduct in the spring. The $100k purchase at auction looked dull before that and hasn't shown much in two mile tries since. Top Belmont jockey, John Velasquez, is a bright spot. Trainer Robert Barbara is having a dismal season. Inside horse, Smart Babe, will attract a lot of attention on the tote boards, considering her 5 straight on-the-board finishes and the drop in class. Edgar Prado will have to contend with the potential of them being squeezed early and a cut back in distance, when it seems to us that more distance is the order of the day. SELECTIONS 6-2-5-3 FINISH 5-2-8-1 A lot of contact out of the gate forced Sean Bridgmohan to change tactics with Ace's Cappela (5-2), directing her on a stalking trip and taking the turn 4-wide. She prevailed after a tough stretch duel with pacesetter Mecke's Presence (6-1), winning by a head in 1:26.12. Underlaid favourite, Amazem Grace (5-2), typically failed to get the lead from the outside, but bravely held on for third. The exacta paid $58.50 and the trifecta, with the top 2 choices in, delivered a handsome $212.00. Wednesday, May 26, 2004. The 6th at Churchill Downs is a 7 furlong sprint for 3 year olds and upward with claiming prices of $15k down to $12.5k. A dearth of pure speed leaves inside horse, 6 year old gelding Mount Everest, as the one to catch. Rafael Bejarano, the nation's leading jockey and tops at the current Churchill meet, sticks with the veteran after failing together at a $10k starters allowance two weeks ago. Although not especially fond of this course, the gelding has flashed some speed since being claimed by Steven Cahill for $10k out of Turfway Park in December. With rain predicted for today, we like this one to go all the way with an appealing price. Presuming jockey Joe Deegan has recovered from the scary spill in the final race here on Sunday, he will be aboard Steelyeyed, a 4 year old gelding who already boasts 3 victories at this track. Trainer Dale Romans, far and away the most successful trainer of the meet, won with this guy under the same circumstances in November at this track and a year ago he was winning against 3 year olds at twice the claiming price. A poor start cost him in his last after shipping down from Turfway Park. An alert stalking trip will have him poised well for the drive. Last summer as a 3 year old, under the tutelage of Jerry Gryczewski, Mister Fox was winning at Arlington Park with a $50k tag. Steve Flint claimed him at that price in September and the Mister Jolie progeny wasn't ready to be competitive until mid-February, and that was at the $10k level at Gulfstream Park. He now races for Randy Morse, who does well with horses first off the claim. The jump in class isn't out of reach and he's a very consistent, even runner who is always a threat to hit the board. Sharp Gold will take a lot of money due to his record 2 years ago as a sophomore: an impressive maiden allowance win at Fair Grounds at 20-1, picking off horses in the stretch for the victory going away; overcoming traffic trouble for his entry level allowance win at a flat mile here at Churchill Downs; going last to first, pickinp up 13 lengths to get a 2nd level allowance victory at Keeneland. After 17 months on the bench and two lacklustre races upon his return, trainer David Carroll will try blinkers. Robby Albarado stays with the gelding who won just under $100k as a 3 year old, but we don't like his form yet. Trainer William Bradley shortened up Briteliteinthenite at Turfway in January with positive results against non-winners of 2 lifetime. A win at Keeneland with a $15k price tag indicates the class is right, but this 4 year old gelding has had trouble in traffic and there will be plenty of it today in the second flight. Back class won't win this race, and K.C.'s Boy hasn't shown much positive form since returning from the sidelines last month at Keeneland. Six months ago, he closed with fury winning twice from the very back of the pack, aggressively splitting horses. This type of runner doesn't often win when it's confidence is compromised, as it currently appears to be. Broke But Stylin ships north from Tampa, where he was racing routes on the turf and dirt with mixed results. We'd like to see one here at this distance, before we invest. Outside horse, It's Triple George, throws in enough duds with no affinity for his starting post, that we'll just be watching this 6 year old closer today. Struggling David Vance drops Davey's Cutlass down from the $20k level, well below his claiming price in February at Oaklawn Park. On his best, the 8 year old gelding (a winner 12 times with nearly $400k in earnings) can toy with this bunch. The pace scenario doesn't set up well for him to win, but an on-the-board finish is a real possibility, adding value to the gimmicks. Also, Pat Day takes the mount. SELECTIONS 1-7-3-5 FINISH 8-1-7-6 Our eyes lit up when our top win choice, Mount Everest, was allowed to start at 7-1. He set the pace in honest time with favourite, Steelyeyed (2-1) pressing into the stretch. Surprisingly, the spoiler was Tampa shipper Broke But Stylin (13-1), given an excellent stalking trip by replacement jockey Jesus Castanon. The longshot winner now has a 3-2-2 record in 8 starts over a wet track. The monstrous exacta paid $293.80, the trifecta delivered $1,694.00 and the superfecta, with closer Briteliteinthenite (9-1), paid $8,141.20. May 23, 2004. The 8th at Churchill Downs is a competitive contest at a mile for 3 year olds with claiming prices of $80k down to $75k. Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's Gold Case colt, Korby Gold, will be the likely pacesetter from the 7 hole. Things were looking good for this one last fall after he finished second here in the Grade 3 Iroquois to The Cliff's Edge, then went on to a second in the $150k Houston Texan Juvenile less than 2 weeks later. A win in New Mexico was followed by a lacklustre stakes try, 2 months on the bench, a disastrous stakes try and then 3 months on the bench. Trainer Steven Asmussen and jockey Shane Sellers team up with the colt who's been working out all over the South and runs for a tag for the first time in his career. If you like him to win, you probably won't get value. Gelding Forth and Forever seems to like to win. After beating $15k maidens and being disqualified, he was moved up to face $50k maidens in his first two turn try. He won again. An even third at the $50k level off the bench has us thinking that if Calvin Borel can keep him close, hitting the board is a strong possibility. Charcot's near miss at 8 1/2 furlongs against non-winners of 2 at Oaklawn Park was fairly impressive, but he gets a serious class check here and he'll find the early going pretty contentious today. Trainer Tom Amoss, having a splendid Churchill meet, drops Chaseur from the allowance ranks for his first tag. This Dixieland Heat colt finished just behind Pro Prado and Pollard's Vision in October at Keeneland, suggesting to us that there is talent here we haven't been privy to just yet. Still developing, he has a great shot at a money finish. Orphan Bride has consistently weakened late in route races and was caught in the stretch in his last at 7 panels. Top national jockey in wins, Rafael Bejarano, keeps the mount. Elliot Walden's Greymon, from Maria's Mon, passed some tired horses in his return after more than a year on the shelf. We'd like to see one more before we invest. Bob Baffert's Determined overcame trouble to win his maiden race at Santa Anita a month ago, then was shipped to Kentucky where he came up flat at Keeneland without so much as a breeze over the track. With some acclimatization, this Real Quiet progeny is our value play of the day on top. Inside horse, New Element, was able to stalk syrupy slow fractions at Fair Grounds for his maiden win in February. The drop down to this claiming level won't be the last time he's dropped unless he learns to get involved early. Lost Rivers Mojo is a talented racehorse who gets a nasty setup from the 10 hole today. He's worth watching without a wager today. Cowboy Court appears to be a few steps below this bunch. SELECTIONS 6-7-scr-2 FINISH 7-6-5-1 Orphan Brigade (6-1) set quick fractions of 22.59 & 45.44 along the inside, and true to form, faded after 6 furlongs while managing to hold onto the show prize. Korbyn Gold (4-1), a surprising underlay, stalked the leader on the outside, took control going into the final quarter and won in a nifty time of 1:35.76. Our other win pick, Determined (2-1), the bettors' choice, was well-placed for the drive but couldn't pick up any ground on the deserving victor. New Element (14-1) slowly moved up from last place to gain fourth without ever threatening the leaders. The exacta paid a fair $34.80, the trifecta paid $152.60 and the superfecta delivered $784.20. Congratulations! May 22, 2004. Three sophomores out of the Kentucky Derby, three out of the Wood Memorial, the winner of the Florida Derby, two out of the Tampa Derby and the runner-up to Smarty Jones in the Rebel stakes go 9 furlongs today in the Grade 2 Peter Pan. A big race today by one or more of these 3 year olds could earn him a trip to the Belmont stakes in 2 weeks. Inside horse, Sinister G, winner of the Grade 2 Lane's End at Turfway Park gets blinkers from trainer John Toscano and will be sent to the lead, a quagmire for speed types at this meet. There will be enough early pressure to bother him and this field boasts an abundance of late speed to put him away. If you thought he tired badly in the Wood, just wait. Todd Pletcher's Pulpit colt, Purge, ran into Smarty Jones twice this spring, getting caught late in the Rebel stakes, then spitting the bit early in the Arkansas Derby. Today's outside post could prove a challenge for jockey John Velasquez aboard this colt who loves the lead but doesn't win when he gets it. The key is for JR to keep him under wraps early. Our choice here is Master David, who has run one poor race and it happened in the mud on the 1st of May. Jockey Alex Solis travels East for the mount and Bobby Frankel's blue chip prospect has the perfect pace set-up to re-establish himself as one of the top sophomores of 2004. A ground-saving trip is in the offing. Also on the front early will be Old Trieste colt, Wild Wadi, who tries to make the jump from a 1st level allowance victory at a flat mile. He's a strong, developing colt who is likely in a little tough here. Bob Baffert's Consecrate leads this field with appearances in 6 graded stakes races already in his career. Unfortunately, his best placement are a couple of thirds to Imperialism at Santa Anita in February and March. Baffert adds blinkers and top jockey Jerry Bailey today, but this colt has repeatedly failed to answer the bell when the competition toughens up. In the midst of a fine form cycle is Nick Zito's Pies Prospect, a winner in his last over Alumni Hall, who went on to easily beat N1x foes (including Rushaway stakes winner Brass Hat) in his next out. Leading Belmont jockeys in wins, Javier Castellano keeps his regular mount. Patrick Reynolds takes over the conditioning of Florida shipper, Zakocity, a stakes race also-ran, who needs one over this surface even with Jose Santos aboard. The Florida Derby wasn't even Friends Lake's best performance, although the odds couldn't be beat at 37-1. John Kimmel's A.P. Indy colt overcame a troubled trip to post a big win over New York breds in the $100k Sleepy Hollow right here at Belmont Park in his first route try. Take away his Derby debacle and we're looking at a colt who oozes class and is ready to take the next step. Intimidator, a $2.1 million colt owns a win at this distance, but seems to be developing a lot more slowly than his peer group. Breeder/owner Robert Evans has shown a lot of confidence in this Gone West progeny, but it may be a while before we see what he's really capable of achieving. We'll tab for later. We loved Swingforthefences in the Wood and with more conditioning and a longer stretch to work with, we feel he can make an impression here. What he and jockey Sean Bridgmohan learned last month at Aqueduct can be put to good use here as a springboard to the Belmont Stakes. SELECTIONS 4-5-2-6 FINISH 10-6-4-2 A brilliant ride by John Velasquez established Purge (2-1) as one of the top 3 year olds in the country and simultaneously assured the public that Smarty Jones need not fear any of these in two weeks at the Belmont Stakes. Since Purge has already been disposed of twice by the potential Triple Crown winner, it's unlikely that Todd Pletcher would subject him to another tough, discouraging defeat. Swingforthefences (6-1) ran his race, closing 4-wide, but was nowhere near good enough to challenge the winner and was beaten by 6 3/4 lengths. Master David (8-5) ran a bizarre race, trying to close from dead last through the stretch. Alex Solis had the bettors' choice under wraps early and didn't give him the slightest chance to finish on top. A distant third would have to be considered a grave disappointment to the Frankel barn. Pies Prospect (9-1) raced inside the whole way and completed the superfecta, finishing fourth. May 21, 2004. The 7th at Calder is a 6 furlong sprint for fillies and mares 3 years old and older, under the N2x condition or with a $25k claiming price. One of the two fillies with a tag today is likely pacesetter, Friendly Theresa. The 4 year old loves to win and loves doing it on this oval. With 6 victories already in her busy career and well-positioned today to take advantage of a strong speed bias present during this meet, she is our pick to go gate to wire. After an unhappy sojourn to Gulfstream Park, the Friendly Lover filly trained by Bob Hale, returns to the track over which she won 3 in a row to end the 2003 season. Regular rider Gary Boulanger stays in the irons. Code of Justice was developing nicely as a closer in the allowance ranks before she was shipped to Tampa for an $85k stakes for 3 year old fillies. A return to South Florida and the allowance competition was a bust, so she shortens to 6 furlongs today and with an effort reminiscent of her juvenile season, she can hit the board. Jules for A.J. hasn't won yet as a 3 year old and today's pace scenario could find her in tight on the rail and a little too close to the speed for her liking. Jockey Manuel Cruz will have to pick his spot carefully for her stretch drive. Hot trainer Martin Wolfson sends out lightly raced 4 year old, Sorbet, who exits a win at the N1x level. The probable favourite is a little vulnerable due to the step up in competition but a square effort puts her right there at the wire. Outside horse, Tasha Sangue, moves back to the dirt and shortens up after a couple of grass routes in April. The 4 year old woke up when lengthened to two turns. We don't think this is her spot. Prohibido Olividar has tanked since a win off the bench over $50k sophomore claimers in late March. Even with the 10lb apprentice allowance, this filly is a fringe player. Stakes placed Mystical Beauty was a 10 length winner in these ranks last fall. Hard times have befallen the William Kaplan trainee, unable to beat claimers or win at two turns. Today she carries a $25k price tag and it may not be a bargain. SELECTIONS 3-scr-5-1 FINISH 1-3-4-5 Our top choice, Friendly Theresa (2-1), was hustled to the lead, setting honest fractions of 22.03 & 45.24, bothered by Code of Justice (2-1) through the half-mile. With Sorbet scratched, there was plenty of room on the rail for Manoel Cruz to save ground with Jules for A.J. (2-1), until he sprung her in the stretch to move outside the leader and hit the wire in 1:12.02, a couple of lengths ahead of Friendly Theresa. Closer Prohibido Olividar (6-1) passed tired horses to be a well-beaten third. The exacta paid $23.80, the trifecta paid $83.00 and the very gettable superfecta returned $146.40. Congratulations! May 20, 2004. The 6th at Belmont today, for fillies and mares, is a 7 furlong allowance sprint for non-winners of two races, with a field of 8, including one 4 year old and 3 stakes placed sophomores. There is a block of speed in the 3,4,5 posts which will created an early speed duel, with Storm Minstrel on the inside. This Storm Cat filly, trained by Mark Hennig, has shown good speed as a 3 year old, hitting the board twice at Gulfstream Park, then going gate to wire in her Aqueduct debut. Jockey Richard Migliore, who is in the irons again today, couldn't get her to the front from the 7 post in her last, an entry-level try in late April. She's going to be a pace factor, but the extra furlong might prove to be her undoing. Trainer Ken McPeek was campaigning an extremely promising 2 year old last season, Deb's Charm, until she finished a well-beaten 3rd in the Grade 2 Alcibiades stakes and hit the bench for 7 months. Linda Rice takes over the conditioning and Jose Santos is along for the ride on this Silver Charm filly who broke her maiden at the distance in an impressive performance at Saratoga last August. If she's right, she's the speed of the speed. Inside horse, Gold Dancer, also won at 7 furlongs, getting her maiden win last out at Aqueduct with leading jockey Javier Castellano. As long as the rail isn't too deep after the rain yesterday, this one has a shot to hit the board. Richard Dutrow and John Velasquez team up with the lone 4 year old, Joanie's Smile, who gives away up to 6 lbs. to many of these. A winner as a juvenile, she has only raced 3 times since her debut victory. She risks being pinched back early today, and she has had difficulty out of the gate in the past. With speed horses to her right, it could be a rough ride today. She's a Mugs won by 10 lengths over Bank Audit in January in a $50k maiden claimer, but has found the competition much tougher since. Her most recent performance, a 2nd in a minor stakes race at Delaware Park, was disappointing for trainer Nick Zito and he tries her again at the allowance entry level. The K O Touch, a winner at 7 panels at Keeneland, was tried at a flat mile by trainer John Kimmel earlier this month at Aqueduct and found herself too forwardly placed on slow fractions. With speed to run at today, the Touch Gold filly, back at a distance she likes, is a likely candidate as a bomb in the gimmicks. Well-bred Showmesomelove (Montbrook - Dancin Kris, Kris S.) was tenacious in the $81k Busher stakes, lengthening to two turns for the first time. She got stuck trying to circle the field in the mud next out, then hit the sidelines for 2 months. Dominic Galluscio, having a fine meet, has had her working out consistently over this surface and switches to jockey Aaron Gryder for this trip. She is our top value choice of the day. Another closer worth looking at is California invader Linda Belinda, trained by Bobby Frankel, and boasting outstanding pedigree, a Grand Slam filly out of Like Liza Can, from Silver Deputy. Jerry Bailey gets the mount, and if connections alone aren't enough to sway you, this one won her first try at two turns and shows the top Beyer speed figure of the bunch. The distance should be perfect for her and she shows a couple of breezes over the oval. SELECTIONS 6-7-4-8 FINISH 5-4-8-1 Surprising favourite, Deb's Charm (8-5), stalked a quick pace set by Gold Dancer (12-1) and looked to be in control approaching the stretch on the outside, but a large hole on the rail was filled by a charging She's a Mugs (5-1), who was brought home the winner by Ramon Dominguez in 1:23.64. The favourite finished 2 1/2 lengths back in second, just ahead of strong closer, The K O Touch (9-1). The exacta paid $55.00 and the trifecta delivered a big $395.50. May 19, 2004. The 2nd at Churchill Downs is a claiming race at a flat mile for fillies and mares, 3 years old and upward, with prices of $30k down to $25k. Trainer Patrick Daly brings 4 year old Consoling Granny back to Churchill after a dreary winter at Turfway Park and a tuneup at River Downs. Late last summer, she got hot, hitting the board at a mile at Ellis Park in August, winning at the distance at Turfway in September and winning at Keeneland in October against open claiming company at today's price tag. As quickly as that burst of talent showed itself, her form went bad, reducing her to a $15k claiming race at River Downs in which she finished a fading third. If you believe that race was the beginning of a positive form cycle, by all means, play her on top. We'll pass today. Inside horse, Sweet Bernice, tries the distance for the second time in her career after fading badly at Oaklawn Park in March. The 4 year old barely held on to beat non-winners of 2 lifetime at 6 1/2 furlongs over this track two weeks ago. Although well bred for this (Formal Gold - Saucy Charmer, Capote), we'd like to see her give the distance one more try before we invest. Rafael Bejarano, still number one in the country in wins, sticks with Smiling Sky and trainer Paul McGee, today. The 5 year old mare, out since March 25, comes into this race with 3 straight wins and 7 straight in-the-money finishes. Despite having the versatility to win from off the pace and as a late closer, Bejarano will likely have her forwardly placed, as there is no serious speed to her left. She drops in price and recently won here with a $20k claiming tag. It looks like trainer William Connelly is trying to turn 5 year old Some Came Running into a router. After showing very little as a 4 year old on the dirt, Connelly tried her against optional claimers at Oaklawn at a mile and she responded by just missing at 11-1. Her tenacity in the stretch that day has made us believers and we'll use her underneath for value. Just Emma ran in some stakes for Indiana breds at Hoosier Park last fall before Stephen Margolis tried her in some turf routes at Gulfstream Park over the winter. What was more impressive in Florida was the closing ablility she displayed at Tampa Downs in the slop on Valentine's Day. She's also got some value underneath. Four year old Orangeberry has been a regular on the Ohio state-bred stakes circuit, with mixed results. Trainer Luis Palacios has been having an outstanding season, but the jump here might be too high. A third place finisher in 8 of 25 races lifetime, Go Jeanaie Go has never won at Churchill, but is very familiar with the distance. On the best form cycle of her life, and with Calvin Borel aboard, if things go extremely well for her and racing luck is with her, she could close to be on top. Third is more likely. Dale Romans and Pat Day team up with Slewgiana, who came off the bench in December to produce a career best performance over a good track at Turfway. She's been out since. A likely money pit who is our bet as underlay of the day. SELECTIONS 3-7-6-2 FINISH 2-3-8-6 Bejarano got Smiling Sky (1-1) out to an early lead and set quick fractions of 22.61 & 45.64, while under pressure from Consoling Granny (66-1) through the half mile. Jockey John McKee cleverly saved ground with Some Came Running (5-2) along the inside, then brought her out at the top of the stretch to wear down the leader for a 3/4 length victory in 1:37.41. We liked what this one showed at Oaklawn at the distance two back and she was able to improve on that race for the win here. Orangeberry (12-1), sent off at an enticing price, might belong at this level on the major circuit. We'll be very interested to see her next placement, class-wise. Her hard-fought third today is nothing to sniff at. The exacta paid only $17.20, but the trifecta was a gift at $149.80, considering the top two choices finished 1-2. The superfecta, with 3 of our 4 choices involved paid $485.40. Congratulations! May 16, 2004. An excellent betting race is on tap today in the 8th at Belmont Park, the $100k Bouwerie stakes for New York bred and foaled three year old fillies, to be run at 7 furlongs. There is a ton of inside speed, all vulnerable to the current dead rail bias of this meet. Speed of the speed will be Rodeo Licious, a Bruce Levine trainee, making her second start as a sophomore. She toyed with state-breds at the N2x level 6 weeks ago in her return to racing from a 10 month layoff. Winner of the $80k Fashion stakes (in open company) as a juvenile, she is the only legitimate speed threat to stick around for 7 panels. Jose Santos takes the mount on Then She Laughs, out since late November and winless since her debut at 5 1/2 furlongs in July of last year. Todd Pletcher's Capeside Lady has a tough assignment, starting from the inside post after 6 months and more on the sidelines. At her best, the runaway winner of the Joseph A Gimma stakes can beat these, but she gives away a big conditioning edge. John Velasquez returns to the irons. Richard Migliore rides Wild Berry, who's been flailing away in Maryland as a 3 year old. The Wild Event filly showed some talent last fall which could put her up with these, but her inconsistency scares us. Jay's Will is in tough trying for the lead from the 10 post. Without the lead, she's looked dismal. Trainer Robert Barbara, trying to break out of a season-long slump, sends out Leedle Dee, who looks better at a mile or longer. A change in strategy is necessary for Ihaveadate, who wired the field in the Park Avenue division of the N.Y. Stallion stakes. She's rated before, but we expect a bounce. Racing third off the bench, Clarksburg Queen, with Jorge Chavez up, has a legitimate shot at hitting the board, following a breakdown of the early pace. One of our big value plays today is You Promised, who has improved steadily in her two races as a 3 year old at Aqueduct. Capable of a big closing move, the Gary Contessa trainee could make a big splash on the board. Judy Soda, a well-beaten 2nd in the N.Y. Stallion stakes, risks losing touch with the field early. Richard Dutrow's Mistda, one of our favourite 3 year old fillies, has missed a couple of times, but when she's right (and Edgar Prado is aboard to help) she can demolish a group like this in the stretch. We like her to win at a very fair price. SELECTIONS 8-7-3-11 FINISH 3-8-1-4 Rodeo Licious (5-2) proved to be the "speed of the speed", breaking alertly, grabbing the inside from Capeside Lady (8-5), and set the pace in fractions of 22.16 & 45.48, then fought off a late charge from our top choice, Mistda (2-1), to win in 1:23.07, ahead by a length. Capeside Lady returned from the bench to be a clear 3rd. The exotics prices were kept low by all the chalk on the board, the exacta paying $17.80 and the trifecta $53.50. May 15, 2004. Today's 12th at Pimlico, the Preakness, will go a long way to defining Smarty Jones as a quick front-running horse who caught mud in the Kentucky Derby or as a Pennsylvania-bred people's choice working class hero, worthy of the kind of rabid attention Funny Cide and his ragtag band of owners received last year at this time. Nick Zito scratched his "A" horse, The Cliff's Edge, with a deep-seated foot bruise, and is left with Sir Shackleton, winner of the Derby Trial 3 weeks ago, as his lone entry here. The Miswaki colt has never tried two turns, and jockey Rafael Bejarano will likely have him forwardly placed. Is this the place for such an ambitious move forward? It's hard not to automatically play Lion Heart to place after 3 straight second place finishes this season. The admirable son of Tale of the Cat, a $1.4 million purchase last year by Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, will have a fine career but is looking a lot like a great miler. Front-runners weren't a sure bet yesterday, and we think this is the underlay today. Finally, Rock Hard Ten arrives from the West to exert his influence in the national sophomore division. Extremely well-bred for this (Kris S. - Tersa, Mr. Prospector), Gary Stevens returns from Europe for the ride, one where they will be well-positioned behind the pace horses, ready to surge in the stretch and do battle with Smarty Jones. The undefeated Kentucky Derby winner is impossible not to play. He's risen to the challenge throughout his career under a variety of circumstances, and gets another good pace setup to run at today. Borrego, runner-up in the Arkansas Derby, went off at 14-1 in Louisville, made a middle move, then faded. Victor Espinoza keeps the mount. The El Prado colt has yet to beat any of the major players in his career. Eddington, without enough graded stakes earnings to qualify for the Derby, brings solid form and an excellent workout regimen into this race. His sire, Unbridled is Kentucky Derby winner and this Hennig trainee had troube in the Wood Memorial and Gotham. An excellent overplay potential exists because of the layoff. Home-bred Water Cannon tries graded stakes competition for the first time. From the outside post, he's not likely to get the lead he generally craves. Trainer Kristin Mulhall has decided to ship Imperialism back again from California to compete here after a late rallying third in Kentucky. Kent Desormeaux didn't like the ride he got in Louisville and has exuded confidence in his rags to riches mount. We don't like them beating the best of this field, but the Langfuhr colt has shown tremendous heart in every race he's run since returning to the dirt. Paraneck Stable's Song of the Sword has proven consistently that he's more than a few notches below the best of these. Little Matth Man won the Whirlaway in the mud in February but hasn't improved since. SELECTIONS 10-7-8-9 FINISH 7-10-9-1 There is just no denying it: this year we have a legitimate Triple Crown threat, the most serious since Charismatic in 1999. Smarty Jones (3-5) demolished the field, stalking front runner Lion Heart (9-2) for 6 furlongs, angling inside and catching that one on the second turn, then pulling away decisively in the stretch to win by 11 1/2 lengths over our top choice Rock Hard Ten (6-1), who overcame traffic on the first turn and dug in to be clearly the best of the rest and, potentially set up a serious rematch in the Belmont Stakes. Out since the Santa Anita Derby, there is no reason to believe he won't improve next out. As we predicted, Eddington (13-1) was the value play to hit the board, closing to nip Lion Heart for third. The exacta paid a paltry $24.60, the trifecta came to $177.20 and the superfecta was a surprisingly low $230.70. Congratulations, anyway! May 14, 2004. The day before the Preakness at Pimlico features four important stakes races, starting in the 8th, the Pimlico Breeders' Cup Distaff, a Grade 3 for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. Last year's Black Eyed Susan winner, Roar Emotion, is our choice to win over seasoned veteran Smoke 'n Frolic. SELECTIONS scr-scr-2-9 FINISH 3-1-2-10 Our top choices, Roar Emotion and Smoke 'n Frolic, scratched leaving the race wide open for Friel's for Real (11-1) to make a 4-wide move near the quarter pole and move away from the field with a furlong to go, winning in 1:45.03. Saintly Action (7-2) took a lot of well-deserved betting support, but Jerry Bailey moved her out of the pack too late, leaving her 2 1/4 lengths back at the wire. Nonsuch Bay (3-1) just got up for third. The exacta was a juicy $104.80 and the trifecta paid $350.40. The superfecta, with Shiny Sheet (10-1), paid $1,830.80. The most intriguing race of the day could be the Grade 3 Ms Preakness, a 6 furlong sprint for 3 year old fillies. An outstanding field, full of early speed, presents an excellent handicapping race. Trainer Mark Shuman, not particularly successful in stakes competition, sends out Forest Music from a 4 month layoff. This daughter of Unbridled's Song won her debut at Laurel last year, completing 6 furlongs in an unreal 1:08.40 (faster than the Pimlico record at the distance). But, since that 8 1/2 length romp over maidens, the road to stardom has been full of peril. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile for fillies saw her set the pace, then fade to last, beaten by over 40 lengths. Shipped back to New York, she couldn't even get the lead in the Grade 3 Valley Stream Hdcp, then faded to a well beaten third in a minor stakes on the inner dirt track at Aqueduct. Without much of a work tab showing, there's no reason to suspect she'll reach back to her October form just yet. The speed of the speed will be Areek (Deputy Minister - Aljawza, Riverman), with Jerry Bailey aboard for the Mark Hennig barn. With the ability to rate, Bailey may be saving some ground early, looking for the perfect trip. We rate this one as a solid win candidate. Saint Ballado filly, Preach It, has one outstanding race at Gulfstream in her resume and, otherwise, looks like a horse who lacks stamina. On the upside, Pat Day gets the mount, and the filly has worked well over the track a few times in the past month. Ruthless Babe tries to make the jump from a maiden allowance win at Keeneland and is stranded in the outside post. She will likely find it difficult to get across. Our choice on top is extremely well-bred, Forestier (Forestry - D'Youville Nurse, Dr. Blum), who rated well to win under Chuck Lopez in an N1x condition allowance race at Aqueduct in March. Trainer Todd Pletcher usually has them ready for the big race. Trainer Graham Motion, having an outstanding season, can't seem to decide what kind of a runner Fall Fashion is. She broke her maiden sprinting at Delaware Park, beat winners for the first time routing at Laurel Park, and won her first stakes race at 7 panels at Gulfstream Park. We wouldn't blame anyone for using this Forestry filly (with Forty Niner underneath); we're just not sure who's going to show up and we tend to shy away from horses who aren't training towards graded stakes races. A Case of Class has home field advantage working in her favour, with two wins over this track. She just seems a couple of notches below this class of competition. Kentucky Derby winners, John Servis and Stewart Elliot, team up today with Stephan's Angel, starting from the inside post. After winning a stakes at Aqueduct this winter, this Crypto Star filly tried New Orleans and Arkansas competition without much success. Back in the East, we wouldn't be surprised to see her close for a minor share. Stakes-placed Baldomera tries again at this level and gets the perfect setup for her closing style. Shortening, after some tepid tries at 2 turns, she's back at a distance where she's picked up 3 victories. We'll be using her in some gimmicks. Unbeaten Among My Souvenirs, with Mario Pino up, looks like the real deal and is an excellent candidate as bomb in the exotics. Red hot trainer Richard Small hopes to ride his winning streak with Perilous Night, a winner of 2 in a row over this track, but she looks to be in pretty tough here. SELECTIONS 7-2-1-9 FINISH 4-1-8-7 A brilliant rating trip by Ramon Dominguez gave Forest Music (8-1) her first stakes win as she swung out to pass the tiring pacesetters to win by a head in 1:10.97. Stephan's Angel (6-1) closed strongly for the pace prize and longshot Fall Fashion (32-1) proved to be the last speed horse standing for the show. Our top choice, Forestier (7-2), dueled for the lead and tired in the stretch to finish fourth. The exacta paid $133.20, the trifecta paid $2,325.60 and the superfecta paid $9,869.40. May 13, 2004. The 2nd at Belmont Park is a claiming race at 1 1/16 miles for maiden fillies and mares, 3 years old and upward, with price tags of $40k-$35k. The only speed in the field, Krafty Kaper, will have to battle with the dead rail, a new, longer distance, a rise in class and the nasty habit she's developed of running out of steam in the stretch. Sean Bridgmohan stays in the irons in her second start for Ed Barker after leaving the Contessa stable. Trainer Michael Hushion tries blinkers on outside horse, Emptor, as she stretches out from 6 furlongs for the first time in her career. The A.P. Jet filly should find the distance to her liking and she has started to progress since being dropped down to the claiming ranks. Rider Aaron Gryder, off to a splendid start at this meet, won yesterday on a maiden going a mile on the grass. Inside horse, Haughty Lady, has turned out to be an expensive underachiever since being purchased as a 2 year old at auction for $100k. Apprentice jockey, Fernando Jara, will likely be looking to circle the field from way, way back once again. This type of racer rarely offers value, but she's necessary to pad the exotics tickets. Florida shipper, Suaviter, stopped in her last at Gulfstream Park, after getting nipped late for the win in February. She was claimed by John Pregman Jr. from the Ritvo stable after that one and returns here with Lasix and a new rider, Edgar Prado. She's good enough to hit the board against these. Well-bred Nismat really didn't like the turf at Aqueduct 2 weeks ago, drops back to the claiming level and returns to a spot where she can make a late splash. Leading Belmont jockey, Javier Castellano jumps aboard Laugh Last, who recovered impressively from an awful start in her debut in the mud a month ago. She picked up over 8 lengths against a much better field than is assembled today. Owner/trainer John Candlin would be well advised to try an even softer field than this with Dance Again, who's shown nothing in any race she's run thus far. SELECTIONS 5-1-6-4 FINISH 1-7-5-2 Fernando Jara held Haughty Lady (1-1) well back early, then let her go with perfect timing to blow past the field, making up 20 lengths from the quarter pole, to win by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:24.20. The addition of blinkers helped Emptor (4-1) focus on pressuring the pacesetting Krafty Kaper (11-1), then hold onto the place prize, well ahead of our top choice, Laugh Last (5-1). The exacta paid a measly $16.60 and the trifecta came in at $51.50. May 12, 2004. Today's 6th at Churchill Downs is a starters allowance for older fillies and mares who have started for a claiming price of $10k or less this year or last, run at a flat mile. Leading 2004 jockey Rafael Bejarano keeps the mount on 6 year old mare October Optimist, second by a half length at $15k at this track over the distance 2 weeks ago. Usually a sprinter, this daughter of Lord Carson might find herself too forwardly placed amongst this field lacking front speed. One horse not afraid of the lead is Daily Report, another sprinter who, in this case, has had great success at a mile, most recently at Turfway Park where she wired the field of $7.5-$6.5 claimers then came back at $10k and just missed. She didn't like the inside in her last out over this oval and gets a more favourable post position today. Outside horse, Summertide, goes for her 4th straight victory with Robby Albarado aboard for winning trainer Angel Montano. The 6 year old mare loves the distance and won her Churchill debut 2 weeks ago in good time with a $15k claiming tag. We have to use her on all the exotics tickets. Our value play today is Tampa Downs shipper, Rubikisses, another 6 year old exiting an impressive 8 length victory against low level claimers on the Gulf coast of Florida. She raced against better all last season in Illinois with varied results, then was claimed in December and shipped south. A win and a place and two claims later she returns north with $7,686 in purse money and another new trainer, Barbara McBride. A bridesmaid in half her races at this distance, the pace scenario sets up nicely for her to come home with the big prize at a decent price. Saintly Wish had a fine winter at Turfway and is entered here after 6 weeks on the bench after finishing third against the boys at a mile and a half. We'll give her one to get her sea legs. A winner at the N2x allowance condition last spring, Miles of Glory was claimed last month by Steve Asmussen for a paltry $12.5k, then promptly went to Arkansas to win at a mile with a price tag of $17.5k. Asmussen's top jockey, Shane Sellers, is in the irons and there might be a more than fair price for this projected overlay. We like her to hit the board, at least. Water Gap was a fairly promising 3 year old on the turf last year in the Midwest, but she seems to have regressed as a 4 year old and most of her best running has been on the grass. Possible betting favourite, Modern Marvel, was claimed from the strong Ronny Werner barn for $10k out of her last, a win at 7 panels at Keeneland a month ago. Four trips to the bench and a new trainer raise some alarm bells for us, and regular jockey Larry Melancon is replaced by Jeff D'Amico. If she's fit, she'll have something to say late. It's hard not to use her, but it's impossible to use her as the key in this race. SELECTIONS 3-2-7-8 FINISH 2-3-1-5 Our top choices were both sent off at a square price, with winner Miles of Glory (2-1) getting the glory, prevailing by a half length after a spirited duel with a strong second best mare, Rubikisses (5-1). Daily Report (16-1) was the casualty of the early contest to control the pace, as she tired at the top of the stretch after failing to hold the early lead 3-wide. Water Gap (13-1) was the only closer who offered a run, nosing out Daily Report for third. The exacta paid $33.40, the trifecta came out to $241.60 and the superfecta paid $2,389.60. Congratulations! May 9, 2004. Seven older fillies and mares compete at 5 furlongs on the turf at Churchill Downs in today's 4th race, with claiming tags between $62.5k and $55k. A year ago, Paul's Dream won here on the turf at the distance under exactly the same conditions. Pat Day was aboard for that victory and gets the mount today on the veteran 6 year old mare shipping in from Hawthorne for her first grass race of the year. She has both a conditioning edge and a great deal more turf experience than most of these and there could be some value for bets on top. Leading 2004 jockey Rafael Bejarano returns to outside horse, Cozy One, for trainer Greg Foley, who ships the filly from a minor stakes debacle at Turfway Park in March. The daughter of Slew City Slew makes her turf debut and, while she has had success over the Churchill main track, there is a good possibility that she will get hung on the outside trying to contest a tough pace. Aunt Connie had to be dropped to the $40k maiden claiming level to get her victory in the fall at Keeneland, but has shown very little since in the entry level allowance ranks. She has some turf experience from last summer but nothing to indicate she can be seriously competitive here. Miss Dakota set a quick pace at Belmont Park in her one turf try in September, then faded to fourth. Trainer Charles Simon then shipped her to Indiana for a series of stakes races at Hoosier Park. Out since November, we'll watch today. Probable favourite, Virginia Miss, ships in from Turfway and N2x competition and has some gaudy speed figures to show over "off" tracks. While there will be no value here, it's hard to leave her off the exotics tickets. Jockey Cornelio Velasquez sticks with Sunshine Dreamer off the claim from Michael Maker's barn and a significant rise in claiming price. A near miss at this distance on the grass at Gulfstream Park in late March indicates to us that this 5 year old mare could be the bomb in the gimmicks. A late move from Rhythm in Shoes could land her a minor share. Out since November, John Mckee is in the irons for trainer William Connely. SELECTIONS 5-4-2-6 FINISH 4-6-2-5 A surprising betting pool allowed Virginia Miss (9-2) to go off as a heavy overlay. We changed our mind at post time and keyed the Turfway shipper with great results, as replacement jockey Calvin Borel got the filly up to challenge for the early lead 4-wide and quickly took control, setting quick fractions without opening too much daylight between her and the bunched field. She hit the wire in :56.89 seconds, less than a length ahead of the late charging Rhythm in Shoes (8-1), who closed from last, going 6-wide in the stretch. Betting favourite, Sunshine Dreamer (2-1), was well place throughout but had no final kick and finished third, 3 lengths in front of Paul's Dream (2-1). The exacta paid $91.60 and the trifecta paid $321.60. Congratulations! May 8, 2004. Three year old fillies go 7 furlongs in the 8th at Belmont, the Grade 2 Nassau County Breeders' Cup. One of the few fillies with no stakes experience is California shipper, Grey Traffic, who is entered here by new trainer Bobby Frankel, out of an impressive debut maiden allowance victory a month ago at Santa Anita. Edgar Prado gets the mount and Frankel does well with new acquisitions, but between the shipping, the step up in class and a Belmont bias against front running rail speed, we are hesitant to use her on top. Pressing the pace right off the bat will be Forestry filly Frenchglen, who demolished a field of non-winners of two in the slop at Keeneland back in March after finishing a well beaten third behind Madcap Escapade and La Reina in the Forward Gal in Florida. Half of a very strong Todd Pletcher entry (with John Velasquez named on both), she appears to be the speed of the speed here. Entry-mate Cherry Bomb will also be vying for the early lead and is one of two in the field who has won at the distance. Hot property Stewart Elliot replaces Jerry Bailey on Whirlwind Charlott, who was outclassed in the Grade 3 Cicada at Aqueduct in March. Stakes-placed as a juvenile, this Real Quiet filly hasn't moved forward enough to seriously scare any of these. Bailey jumps to our top choice today, Bending Strings. She cuts back in distance after a game effort in the Grade 3 Comely stakes, wherein she finished 2nd to top-ten ranked Society Selection and beat Daydreaming (who came back to win impressively in the allowance feature Thursday. She should be able to save ground early, then come out for the closing move in the drive, and the price will be right. A third Pletcher trainee, the uncoupled Forestier, couldn't get the win against Maryland-breds in February and returns here after a 6 week layoff. Although talented and well-bred, the pace scenario doesn't shape up very well for this Forestry filly. Inside horse Slewville beat Illinois-breds in a minor stakes at Hawthorne and might find the competition too much today as she will have to circle the field to hit the board. A Lulu Ofa Menifee was going great guns racing around two turns at Fair Grounds over the winter, then flopped when she shipped north and tried a Graded stakes at Aqueduct. We'd like to watch this one and tab for later. Well-bred Delta Sensation (Thunder Gulch - Ski At Dawn, Baldski) will be closing late and has the look of the bomb in the exotics here. Trainer Frank Alexander is having a fine season and Jorge Chavez keeps the mount. SELECTIONS 3-scr-8-6 FINISH 3-6-5-8 The field lost a lot of early speed with the scratch of Frenchglen, leaving entry-mate, Cherry Bomb (2-1) to unsuccesfully duel with belligerent Cal-shipper Grey Traffic (8-5), who disposed of the former by the early stretch but found the inside a tough route and was beaten cleanly by outside pace presser, and our top choice, Bending Strings (5-2). The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee won her first stakes race, finishing the 7 panels in a sparkling 1:22.70. Latecomer, A Lulu Ofa Menifee (21-1), held onto the show prize. The exacta paid $26.40 and the trifecta paid $182.50. Congratulations! May 7, 2004. Calder Race Course quietly opened its fall session a week and a half ago and today we'll look at a $40k stakes, the Cut The Charm, run at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares 3 years old and upward. New York-bred Grab Bag, a winner of 5 straight allowance contests in 2002-2003 and unbeaten as a 3 year old, returns as a 5 year old from a 7 week layoff after a very rough trip in the Grade 3 Sabin at Gulfstream Park. With access to the rail and an effort even close to her performance over this track in the Stage Door Betty Hdcp in December, she has a shot at stealing this one. Trainer Gregory Griffith moves improving 4 year old, Sniffles, from turf to dirt and up from optional claiming ranks. A better horse on the lawn, this daughter of Dove Hunt has never shown much of a closing kick over a fast dirt track. Lightly-raced 5 year old, Honorville, also moves from turf after a hitting the board in all 5 races she ran as a last season. The move up in class doesn't bother us as much as the 9 month layoff. One of Florida's top trainers, Martin Wolfson, will send out the likely favourite, Pampered Princess. This 4 year old daughter of Indian Charlie has a win and two thirds since trying stakes company for the first time in December. Leading Calder jockey, Eddie Castro, will be trying to get this girl close to the front early so she can stalk and wear down the leaders. Out since mid-March, Sierra Lady hasn't hit the board in almost a year and, while 2 of her 3 career victories have come over this track, we still have to back away slowly. Tasso Run, an established turf horse, is in a tough form cycle and tries to move up from 2nd level allowance company. Miss Ptarmigan didn't seem to like Tampa Downs (dirt or grass) and now ships here looking for her first on the board finish since early November. Kathy Lee G., a winner at Tampa, will find this field much more competitive than she's ever seen. With any breakdown on the front end, Baiser d' Amour will be charging late with her patented strong close. She's a must on our exotics tickets. An even better closer is Secret Request, winner of the Sunshine Millions Distaff. She beat tough veteran Smoke 'n Frolic, one of the division leaders, that day and picks up Eibar Coa for the ride. This is out value play of the day. SELECTIONS 6-9-5-10 FINISH 6-2-5-8 We got pretty fair odds on Secret Request (2-1), who stayed out of things until the second turn, when Eibar Coa sent him 3-wide past favourite Pampered Princess (1-1) and pacesetter Grab Bag (7-2) to win by 2 1/4 lengths in an ordinary 1:47.14. Grab Bag set very slow fractions once again and faded to third, beaten a half length by Sniffles (15-1), who was allowed to run her race, saving ground off the pace and getting up for the place prize on the rise. The exacta paid $106.40, the trifecta paid $357.40 and, with longshot Sierra Lady (48-1) up for fourth, the superfecta came out to $2,736.00. Congratulations! May 6, 2004. The opener today at Belmont Park is a 6 furlong sprint for 3 year old fillies with claiming prices from $18k to $16k. With a lack of much early speed, Delaware and Monmouth claiming winner Illusionary Magic could inherit an undesirable lead. Claimed from Mary Hartman down in Florida in January, the colt raced once for the Galluscio barn, hit the bench and returns here with a drop in price. There was a bullet work recorded 3 1/2 weeks ago, but we note that he came up flat at Gulfstream off a bullet in February. We'll take a long look today for the future. Trainer Phil Johnson is coming off a strong Aqueduct meet and drops in Sully's Silver to a level at which the gelding might be more competitive. The son of Silver Ghost couldn't handle $50k runners in his first try against winners, but the strict front-runner could get loose today. A strong win candidate from the 2 post is Tomorrows Idol, dropping down from a loss to state-bred allowance foes at Aqueduct when he was crowded at the start. Trainer Todd Pletcher's go-to guy, John Velasquez, replaces Diane Nelson in the irons and we expect a more similar performance to his maiden win over Cluster Bomb in March. Scott Lake goes for a 3rd straight victory with well-bred Master Painter (Two Punch - September Sky, Septieme Ciel), who's been strong going wide over the oval at the Big A. A decent price could be in order as the bettors have been staying away from this guy all along. We think Aaron Gryder has another perfect setup for the gelding to stalk and pounce on tiring pace-setters. Outside horse, Power Knock likes the lead, but even Jorge Chavez will be hard pressed to get this out front today. Robert Klesaris has been trying to find the right spot for Terry Dancer, who handled non-winners of two at Gulfstream Park in February. Edgar Prado sticks with the Robyn Dancer colt despite finishing flatly against worse than these in his last outing in Florida. The inside post is a challenge, as well. Stormin Greek has been wildly inconsistent over his career and now starts for Joseph Imperio off the claim, not a strong angle for a terribly slumping trainer. Good bug Fernando Jara gets the mount. Usually sane Gregory Martin has entered Wesniak, who hasn't won a maiden race yet. If he runs, he'll be outmatched even by this mediocre group. Improving Prospect Bay gelding, Jim's Pal, has a big closing kick and we wouldn't be surprised to see Ariel Smith get him up late for a piece out of his impressive maiden win at a mile at Aqueduct 3 weeks ago. SELECTIONS 4-2-5-6 FINISH 8-7-1-5 The Belmont dirt track was tough on front-runners today and the favourite in this race, Tomorrows Idol (2-1), was no exception, setting the pace then folding it up near the top of the stretch. Norberto Arroyo kept Illusionary Magic (5-2) well off the pace and prompted him 4-wide approaching the stretch, bringing him in 1:11.46, nearly 8 lengths ahead of longshot closer Stormin Greek (11-1). Inside horse, Terry Dancer (5-1) held onto third. The exacta paid $91.00 and the trifecta came out to $509.00. May 5, 2004. Opening day feature at the Belmont spring meet is the Grade 3 Westchester Handicap, 1 mile on the dirt for 3 year olds and upward. Today's field is a Who's Who of last season's sophomore also-rans with a grizzled veteran and a couple of "down on their luck" 5 year olds. Three-time Grade 2 winner Lion Tamer will go head to head with the once-promising gelding Gygistar in a rematch of this year's Richter Scale BCH. John Velasquez is back in the saddle as Lion Tamer goes an extra furlong in search of his 4th straight victory as a 4 year old and will likely be on the front end early. The one-turn mile suits this Todd Pletcher trainee nicely. Trainer Mark Hennig goes to steady jockey Joe Bravo to bring home Gygistar after 3 off the board finishes in a row. This son of Prospector's Music likes the oval and has won here at 7 furlongs and 1 1/16 miles. He was closing well in a tough Carter at Aqueduct 3 1/2 weeks ago, and has looked very much like he has needed more distance since returning to the races in January. Northern California shipper Jets Fan was profoundly unimpressive in his graded stakes debut last month at Golden Gate, beating no one in the Berkeley BCH. Trainer Michael Hushion, having a fine season, takes over the conditioning of this 4 year old gelding by Gold Token. Despite winning twice at the distance in February, this one is in a little over his head today. Formal Attire has been a distinct failure over his career in stakes races and enters this one out of a 3 month layoff. The positives are the return of Edgar Prado, the 4 year old colt's versatility and his ability to win off the bench. But the negatives suggest to us that, even at his peak form, this chronic underachiever would need some serious racing luck to get the top prize. Eight year old gelding Black Silk (GB) shows up today in the best form of his career and trainer Laurie LaFavers is hoping to strike while the iron's hot. Of 45 races lifetime, he has finished second 13 times, which makes his 3 wins this year all the more notable. A closing type, Norberto Arroyo should have him going hard late to at least pick up a share at a nice price. Trainer John Scanlan continues on his roller coaster ride with the once highly touted Toccet. This near millionaire hasn't actually won a race since August of last season, moving from graded stakes routes to the Breeders' Cup Turf (what was that all about?) to the Cigar Mile to a Grade 1 sprint at Santa Anita back to graded stakes routes back to the turf and now to here. Sure, there have been some decent performances along the way, but who knows what horse will show up. The inside post will probably be a detriment, as well. Our wise guy choice in the 2002 Kentucky Derby, Saarland, gets Jerry Bailey for the trip today. Out since an optional claiming loss in the mud at Aqueduct in which he was too forwardly placed, this 5 year old is probably the most adept at the distance and has had some of his finest races at a mile over this track. Last year's Met Mile saw him close from 13 lengths back to just miss, finishing a neck back of Aldebaran. Not out of the question to win it, but we prefer him underneath. SELECTIONS 7-4-6-2 FINISH 7-2-6-5 It was front-running Toccet (17-1) who showed up today, setting moderate fractions of 24.26 & 47.54 along the inside, pressed by Formal Attire (7-1). Both pace players were done by the upper stretch. Our top choice Gygistar (4-1) was rated excellently by the under-appreciated Joe Bravo, took the lead after 6 furlongs and cruised through the long stretch to a 4 1/4 length victory over closer Saarland (5-2), an underlay if there ever was one. The connections of Black Silk (GB) (9-1) can't be disappointed with his third place performance as he held up well against some tough competitors. Betting favourite Lion Tamer (3-2) burned a lot of money, coming up with another flat route. Perhaps he doesn't go more than 7 panels. May 2, 2004. The 7th at Aqueduct is an entry level allowance fillies and mares 3 years old and upward to be run at a flat mile. A well regarded New Jersey-bred, Out of the Will was stakes placed last year at this distance in the mud at Monmouth Park. She rattled off 4 straight wins (at decent prices each time) between May and July, then was shut down in September. A tuneup on the turf at Gulfstream Park was a curious spot for her return in March. She was out of her class and trying the grass for the first time. Trainer Tim Kelly has shipped her north to a more appropriate placement and, with easy early fractions, she could wire the field at a nice price. Also on the front early will be Nick Zito's Double Lock, with Javier Castellano aboard. A $380k purchase at auction a year ago, she broke her maiden at the distance over this track and has twice placed at this level since being shipped back from Florida in March. The value won't be there but she is an obvious pick for the top spot. Honor Point exits her debut, a maiden allowance victory at 6 furlongs here 2 weeks ago. Jose Santos stays aboard for Allen Jerkens, who has had success with horses in their second career start. Edgar Prado takes the mount on The K O Touch, who won impressively at 7 furlongs at Keeneland, going 5 wide on the turn. Trainer John Kimmel, winless so far at the meet, does well with horses lengthening out and Prado will have him going late. Well-bred Unrepentant (Pleasant Tap - Roadie, Gate Dancer) has been on the shelf since November after a disappointing fall which saw her drop to the claiming ranks. Apprentice Pedro Cotto Jr. replaces Prado in the irons. Jungle Queen overcame a bad start in her debut at Gulfstream Park last month to prevail, as favourite, by a half length. Hotshot trainer Kiaran McLaughlin takes over and Richard Migliore picks up the mount on this Stronach owned filly. Her connections alone makes us want to include her. Behrnik has slugged away all winter in New York trying to bust the open allowance conditions. The 4 year old, with John Velasquez up, needs a fast pace which breaks down late. If all goes well, she has a shot. SELECTIONS 2-3-6-1 FINISH 7-5-2-3 Second-time starter, Honor Point (4-1), ran an impressive pace-setting race, setting fractions of 23.82 & 47.61, under constant pressure from Out of the Will (6-1), and hung on for second to a late charging Behrnik (3-1) who went 4-wide for the victory in her 7th try at this level. Our top choice and betting favourite, Double Lock (3-1), let the front-runners get away on her and had too much to do late. The exacta paid $43.00 and the trifecta earned bettors $111.00. May 1, 2004. Eighteen starters go today in the Kentucky Derby, carded as the 10th at Churchill Downs, without a clear favourite and with precious few horses to abjectly throw out. A wonderful betting race with huge potential payouts, we start with the early pace battle, likely with Lion Heart in the midst. This $1.4 million purchase is a strict front-runner without Classic pedigree who hasn't won at 3 years old. Juveniles can get away with wiring fields in stakes races. Any price under 12-1 keeps us away. Another potential underlay is Bobby Frankel's runner-up in the Wood, Master David. This Grand Slam colt, with Alex Solis aboard, has raced 3 times at 9 furlongs but has yet to win a graded stakes race. Quinton's Gold Rush impressed us with a gutsy performance in the Lexington, but has drawn the very outside post and will likely expend a lot of energy trying to get to the pacesetters early. Trained by Steven Asmussen, he has a lot of room to improve, so we'll be watching carefully. The impossibly game Pennsylvania-bred Smarty Jones will be gunning for Lion Heart and seems to have no business with these, but everywhere he's gone, with Philadelphia jockey Stewart Elliot in tow, he's won. We like his ability to rate, gets Lasix and posted a bullet over the oval last weekend. While his odds will likely stay too low to bet to win, he's one that will make it onto all exotics tickets. Friends Lake surprised us by winning the Florida Derby but hasn't been seen since. The March victory didn't convince us he's the real deal. We'll need to see more. Borrego will attract attention at the windows despite the fact he's never won a stakes race of any kind and has never won as a 3 year old. From a sentimental standpoint, Pollard's Vision is our horse; realistically, John Velasquez will have difficulty clearing the field from the outside so that the one-eyed wonder can race to his strength up front. Todd Pletcher has brought Limehouse along very nicely this season and his resume boasts fine performances against many tough fields. Last year's Derby winning jockey, Jose Santos, keeps the mount after finishing third at 6-1 in the Bluegrass. The inside post is a tough nut to crack today, as it forces Santos to try to circle the huge field. A tough break. It's silly to criticize the way Richard Mandella campaigns a horse, but Minister Eric has not faced much since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. And, against allowance runners, he's not been dominant. We like this one down the road. A Grade 1 winner as a 2 year old, Birdstone ships in from a very shaky performance in the Lane's End at Turfway. This one isn't Nick Zito's best chance at glory today. Trainer Richard Violette will again try to catch lightning in a bottle, bringing the talented Read the Footnotes into this spot off a 7 week break. Lack of competition didn't hurt him in the Fountain of Youth, but today's race is something else entirely. The layoff sets off too many alarm bells for us. Excellent California-based trainer Jeff Mullins ships Irish-bred Castledale out of a 9 furlong win in the Santa Anita Derby, only his second try on a dirt track. A two time stakes winner on the turf, Jose Valdivia will be letting this one loose late. We feel this is a top value play. Unraced as a juvenile, Song of the Sword has yet to race in a Grade 1 and hasn't shown much toughness in his two graded stakes defeats. Juvenile champion Action This Day might want to follow the lead of his counterpart Halfbridled and come up with some reason not to run today. In a horrible form cycle, he's one of the few headed in exactly the wrong direction. Former claiming horse, Imperialism, is a great rags to riches Derby story, and it's not unreasonable to suggest that the winner of the San Rafael and San Vicente and show horse in a tough Santa Anita Derby, is out of place here. While not on top of our list, we'll be including him underneath in the gimmicks. Trainer Robert Holthus is having a fine season and sends out Pro Prado off his third in the Arkansas Derby. If John McKee can keep him interested, he could have him flying late. We've tried to find the key to Tapit's success in this race, and, outside of his brilliant trainer (who won't actually be running on the track), we don't see him closing strongly enough to win it. The post position is problematic. Horse for the course The Cliff's Edge gets our endorsement as the winner today. Shane Sellers is having a brilliant season and trainer Nick Zito has pointed this Gulch colt perfectly to today's race. He'll have to pass virtually every horse on the track, but after watching his performance in the Bluegrass, we believe. Now, we just hope for a price. SELECTIONS 11-16-15-18-(10) FINISH 15 - 3 - 10 - 1 With rain off and on all day, the track came up sloppy for the big race, giving the front-running speed horses a huge advantage. No one can accuse us of snobbery, as we called favourite Smarty Jones (4-1) to be the speed of the speed and, indeed, after some bumping at the start, he pressed a moderate pace set by Lion Heart (5-1), then took over at the top of the stretch and pulled away for the win in 2:04.06. Imperialism (10-1) overcame trouble and went 6-wide to get up for show. The exacta, with the top two choices, paid $65.20. The trifecta came to a generous $987.60 and the superfecta, with longshot Limehouse (41-1), paid a huge $41,380.20.