arch0604

Wednesday, June 30, 2004.

Today's opener at Churchill Downs is a 6 1/2 furlong sprint for 3 year old fillies with claiming prices of $50k down to $45k. Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey's homebred, Hollywood Fever, will likely go off as the favourite and will also likely set the early pace. With 3 wins and a second in her 4 races as sophomore, there appears to be no reason to throw this one out; except that, trainer Michael Maker has seen fit to follow her victory against $75k claimers just 17 days ago with a significant drop in price. Why risk losing such a promising young filly? Jockey Rafael Bejarano, leading the meet and the country in wins, takes the mount from a departing Pat Day. Well-bred La Cerca (Pulpit - Fence, Boundary) will keep the early leader honest in her second start after a 9 month layoff. Her return race in May at the N1x level was inconclusive as she stumbled at the start and trainer Ronny Werner may be using that race to seduce potential claimants into thinking the horse is unfit at the allowance level. Her dominance as a 2 year old has us thinking she is actually the speed of the speed today. Cornelio Velasquez keeps the mount. Inside horse, Clever Maid, is on the drop from the same claiming race won by Hollywood Fever. An allowance winner at Hawthorne Race Course in March, this Confide filly doesn't appear to have enough early zip to clear the field today. Trainer Angel Montano goes to low percentage rider Dean Butler. Oro's Sugar has only beaten Indiana breds in her 10 race career. Trainer Robert Holthus gambled and lost when he dropped Bia Valentine to the $30k claiming level 3 weeks ago. Wayne Mogge claimed the extremely well bred filly out of Bianconi and lures top apprentice Brian Hernandez for today's ride, meaning she'll carry 11lbs less than ever before in her career. She's a serious threat to win.  Factory Reject might end up looking like just that as she shortens from a mile, her better distance. John McKee gets the mount and they'll be rumbling along with too much to do in the stretch. The most experienced of the bunch, Special Deed, makes her 16th start after being beaten 3 straight times by Hollywood Fever. The Alydeed filly, with Robby Albarado aboard needs just a little racing luck and a clean trip to hit the board at a good price. Our choice to win is outside horse, Cottonuous Peaks, making her 3rd start off the bench and returning to the claiming ranks after a wide, late closing try at a mile on the turf against allowance competition. The class break is considerable and anything close to her 7 length victory here in May brings her home easily the best. Jockey Day jumps from the probable favourite. We'll follow Day with our money.

SELECTIONS    8-scr-scr-5

FINISH          1-5-2-4

The scratch of La Cerca left inside horse, Clever Maid (7-1), with a clear shot at the rail, having only to do battle early with Factory Reject (11-1). As we expected, Hollywood Fever (2-1), proved to be the underlay of the day as she couldn't keep up with the pace while running 3-wide. Special Deed (7-2) stayed close enough to the front to hit the board for place money, beating Factory Reject by 2 1/4 lengths. The exacta paid $74.00, the trifecta returned $600.00 and the superfecta came in at $2,596.20.

Sunday, June 27, 2004.

Canada's Triple Crown begins today with the 1 1/4 mile Queen's Plate, carded as the 9th at Woodbine Racetrack. Thirteen Canadian bred 3 year olds will compete for a $1 million purse. Legendary Sam-Son farms sends out Silver Deputy progeny, Silver Ticket, trained by Mark Frostad and to be ridden by leading jockey Todd Kabel. The classic distance is tough to wire but this gelding will be game trying. Chiefswood Stable and trainer Eric Coatrieux have an uncoupled entry, beginning with outside horse, Niigon, who finished 2nd to probable favourite A Bit O' Gold in the $166k Plate Trial 3 weeks ago. The Unbridled colt (whose damsire is Nureyev) started this season at Gulfstream Park and moved north through Keeneland. The removal of blinkers here at Woodbine has done wonders and his experience in routes has us believing he is the most probable to upset. Roger Attfield's Just in Case Jimmy oddly won over $55k last season without having won his maiden race. With a great deal of big race experience, it would not be wise to throw this one out. Stronach-owned Night Sky improved dramatically when lengthened to two turns, but loses Kabel to Silver Ticket. Jim McAleney will ride. Archer Fleet doesn't appear to have the speed or the breeding to compete with the best of these. The formidable duo of Patrick Husbands and Mark Casse team up with Kent Ridge, owned by the Melnyks, but the Archers Bay colt would need marked improvement today to hit the board. Will He Crow has already been beaten badly by a few of these this season. Alleged Ruler (A.P. Indy - La Nana*Fr, Homme de Loi*Ire), the other Chiefswood Stable horse, has excellent breeding and will be well-placed to close on the field. Strike Em Hard missed by over 15 lengths in the Plate Trial. His Smoothness hasn't fulfilled the potential he promised as a juvenile. Stewart Elliott returns to Woodbine to ride inside horse, Long Pond, another Mark Casse entry owned by the Melnyks. The son of Grand Slam won at first asking around two turns and hasn't turned in a bad performance yet in his career. A winner of 2 stakes races and on the board in two others, Copper Trail has to be included on class alone. The likely favourite, A Bit O' Gold, will likely be trailing the large field early and is our pick to be the underlay of the day. We'd like to bet against him today.

SELECTIONS    13-6-12-2 
FINISH          13-10-3-12

What a difference a post position makes! In the $166k Plate Trial, Niigon (5-1) had to be steadied after running into trouble out of the 1 post. Today, the Unbridled colt started from post 13 and was aggressively ridden to the lead by Robert Landry. They coasted through easy splits, putting away Silver Ticket (5-1), then kept favourite, A Bit O' Gold (6-5), at bay through the stretch, winning by 3/4 of a length in a time of 2:04.72. Our top choice keyed an exacta worth $33.80 and a trifecta, with longshot Will He Crow (30-1), worth $742.40. The superfecta, with another of our choices, Just in Case Jimmy (23-1), paid a princely $10,687.40. Congratulations!

Saturday, June 26, 2004.

Two important stakes races finish today's card at Belmont Park. In the 9th,     3 year old fillies go 9 furlongs in the Grade 1 Mother Goose. Injuries have thinned this division over the year, but a quality field of 6 horses will compete today for a $300k purse. On the inside, well-bred Daydreaming (A.P. Indy - Get Lucky, Mr. Prospector) gets Jerry Bailey for the ride and will try to ride the momentum of a big allowance win over this strip last month. Shug McGaughey's filly has been a cut below the best of her generation, but her 9 length win over Marylebone might be an indication that she's hit a new level of maturity as a sophomore.  The best 3 year old filly, Ashado, starts here after a 2 month layoff. Trainer Todd Pletcher has been working her consistently over the track where she won her debut a year ago. Top Belmont rider John Velasquez is up for the leading trainer at the meet and this one had no trouble winning the Fair Grounds Oaks off the bench. We just can't bet against her. On the outside is the only horse in the field to have beaten Ashado. Allen Jerkens - trained Society Selection comes out of a tough loss to Island Sand (also entered here) in the Grade 1 Acorn earlier in the month. Rider Edgar Prado's challenge will be to try to keep this one from contesting the early pace as she did in two graded stakes races in Florida. Island Sand figures to be a factor late once again. In the Kentucky Oaks, picking up the place prize, she never truly challenged Ashado in the stretch, then ran a very similar race winning the Acorn. We won't be leaving her out of the mix. Bobby Frankel's surprise star of Stonerside Stable, Miss Coronado, has been posting some impressive works over the past couple of months. Able to come up with a big performance, we feel this group is a bit too tough. After 7 misses in graded stakes company, Stellar Jayne finally won the Grade 3 Dogwood BCH this month at Churchill Downs. Expect a letdown after her career best performance.

SELECTIONS    4-6-3-2 
FINISH          2-4-3-5

Far from a letdown, Stellar Jayne (29-1) actually raised the bar for her class, challenging Ashado (4-5) from the get-go through ho-hum fractions, then exploding through the stretch, completing the final furlong and a half in 37.16 seconds. Island Sand (5-2) looked to be making a strong move coming out of the turn, but came up empty in the drive, settling for third. With the longest shot on the board winning, the exacta paid a princely sum of $146.50 and the trifecta returned $386.50, great for a 6 horse field with the top two choices in. Congratulations!

The Big Apple Triple Crown begins today with the 10th race at Belmont, for 3 year olds bred in New York, to be run at 7 furlongs. We love the progeny of Ogygian and in the 11 post, trained by Todd Pletcher, is a phenom making his 2nd career start: Friendly Island. The Crafty Friend colt (Ogygian is the damsire) blew away the field in a maiden allowance victory 3 weeks ago, winning by 17 lengths and posting a time of 1:08.48, besting a heat of N1x company by a second and a half under no urging in the stretch. What a monster! JR gets the mount and the colt indicated we hadn't seen his best yet by posting a workout listed as 4th fastest of 43 runners a week ago. Today may be your only chance to get a price on this guy. Some runners to toss into the exotics are closer, Pay Attention, who overcame a rough start to just miss at a flat mile in the NY Stallion Times Square stakes in April, the third place finisher in that same race, Chowder's First (another closer), and California shipper, Multiplication, who gnaws at our subconscious with top connections and good zip.

SELECTIONS    11-3-4-6 
FINISH          6-12-7-10

Our subconscious proved right as Bob Baffert-trained Cal-shipper, Multiplication (3-1), outdueled Friendly Island (1-1) through punishing fractions of 22.23 & 44.28, then held off challengers in the stretch to win by a half length over Work With Me (10-1) in 1:22.56. Swinging Ghost (8-1) finished a close third. The exacta paid $57.50, the trifecta returned $380.50 and the late double, with our choices winning both races, paid $223.00. Congratulations!

Friday, June 25, 2004.

A strong collection of 3 year olds face a couple of 4 year old colts and a veteran 5 year old gelding in an entry level allowance race to be run at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. One of 3 sons of Pulpit in this field, Televangelist will try to make the improbable jump from a $30k maiden claiming win to success at this stratum. Top rider Rafael Bejarano keeps the mount on this front running router who grabbed control of the field from the 12 post in his victory last month after finishing second to Skip Vigorously, who just missed an allowance win next out, in the mud at Keeneland. After a couple of sprints in California, the Paul McGee trainee was unraced as a sophomore and has developed quickly since shipping north from Gulfstream to the Kentucky circuit. Although capable of winning at this level, the pressure may be too much today. We'll use him underneath. Other than an ill-advised turf try in early May, Mr. Trieste has never missed the money in 5 starts on the dirt. He broke his maiden over this track last year as a juvenile in his second career start then hit the sidelines for 9 months. Trainer Ken McPeek has entered him at this level at 4 different tracks this season and returns here from Arlington Park with a colt who looks to be ready to recapture his former star power. Apprentice jockey, Brian Hernandez, gets the call, allowing him 15lbs on some of his rivals. As an example of how classy this Old Trieste colt is, he beat Bwana Charlie by 3 1/2 lengths last June. He has a big shot today. After winning a long duel in the slop in mid-May, Rogue Scholar ran a tremendous race first out against winners, getting bumped in the stretch by the favourite and settling for 3rd at odds of 40-1. Willie Martinez returns and this is our guy to stalk the pace and be ready to deliver in the stretch at a good price. D. Wayne Lucas is having a fine meet and he enters a phenom from the West coast, another Pulpit colt named Stratostar, who has been putting up some gaudy speed figures sprinting in Kentucky this spring. His last outing, his maiden win, was at the in-between distance of 7 1/2 furlongs. The extra furlong and a sense that this is an underlay to stay away from keep gnawing away at the thought of trying to use what should be an obvious choice. Cowboy Court moves up from the claiming ranks and will be hard pressed to get the lead that he's shown he needs to be successful. In his first start against winners, we feel that outside horse, Pulpit's Edge (out of... guess who?), will be leaving too much to do in the stretch. A strong closing type, we'd still like to watch one before we invest. Inside horse, Radiant Cat, will get some well deserved attention at the betting windows due to his entry in the Grade 3 Jefferson Cup two weeks ago. After nearly catching Eddington in a maiden race in Florida, trainer Dale Romans switched this Tactical Cat colt to the turf where he broke his maiden at this distance. Jockey Mark Guidry defects and is replaced with Brice Blanc. The elder statesman of the group, Captain Wheat, exits a key race in which the Alumni Hall, Brass Hat and Fantasticat have all gone on to win next out. Stalled at this class juncture, the Judge T C progeny has been in declining form since last fall and is a fringe player at best.

SELECTIONS    7-3-2-6 
FINISH          6-2-3-8

Televangelist (7-2) set moderate fractions of 24.42 & 48.37, all the while pressed by Mr. Trieste (3-1), but it was the favourite, Stratostar (2-1), who took over after the turn after running a strong stalking trip. Stratostar won in a quick 1:43.72, finishing 4 1/4 lengths in front of Televangelist, who wouldn't be caught by Mr. Trieste. Our top choice was forced out nearing the stretch by the ultimately DQ'd Radiant Cat. The exacta paid only $19.80, the trifecta returned $60.40 and the superfecta, with Pulpit's Edge (12-1), came out to $327.00.

Thursday, June 24, 2004.

A field of seasoned veterans go 6 1/2 furlongs today in the 4th at Churchill Downs with claiming prices of $20k down to $17.5k. Trainer Michael Tomlinson wheels back 8 year old gelding, Privano's First, 11 days after claiming him out of the Stephen Asmussen barn for $15k. A winner of $58k last season, he ran a good race at Oaklawn Park over the winter and has hit the board twice at this level here. Watch new jockey Calvin Borel charge to the front in a race without much early speed. A bridesmaid 10 times in his career, it's not out of the question that he will be part of the exacta. A 12 time loser at Churchill, 6 year old gelding Mount Everest, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, drew the inside post. He lumbered to the lead in his last here, then faded in the stretch and now rises in class. We think this one needs more distance. Cancion Allegre won at this distance over this track under these conditions last November before wintering at Turfway Park. The 6 year old gelding will be well placed along the rail, tucked in behind the pacesetters. We'll throw away the turf try and look more to his third at Keeneland off the bench as an indication as to where he's at in terms of form. Coming off two wins at this meet and in his second start for the red-hot Barbara McBride barn, is 7 year old gelding Life Sayver, a veteran with 76 starts in his career. The outside post is perfect for his stalking style and Cornelio Velasquez replaces Bejarano in the irons. We like this one to win it. As a 3 year old, All American Blue went up against the likes of Coach Jimi Lee, Alke, First Blush and Lion Tamer under the tutelage of Stephen Asmussen and Stephen Margolis, who let him go this past April for $25k. This 4 year old gelding hasn't shown much serious interest in almost a year. Golden Oldie appears to be well off the form that has seen the 8 year old win over $260k lifetime. Trainer Mike Dini picked up 8 year old gelding, Davey's Cutlass, for $15k a month ago and hopes to regain the magic the two wielded last fall and winter when he campaigned the veteran at Hawthorne. A winner of 12 races from 60 starts, this one may not be a serious win candidate, but he could prove useful underneath.

SELECTIONS    7-scr-2-5 
FINISH          1-7-2-4

The expected pacesetter, Privano's First, was scratched, leaving only Cancion Alegre (9-1) to duel early with inside speed, Mount Everest (3-1), who put away the longshot on the turn, then was able to stave off a sustained effort by our top choice and betting favourite, Life Sayver (8-5), to win by a neck in a very quick 1:16.73. The exacta paid $18.20 and the trifecta returned $86.80.

Wednesday, June 23, 2004.

Seven New York-bred four and five year olds go 6 furlongs today in the 7th at Belmont Park in a 2nd level allowance race. Four strong speed factors are sandwiched by closers on the inside and out. Speed of the speed will be Dixie Preacher, a gelded son of Dixie Brass, off to a fine start in his 4 year old season with a gate to wire win off the bench at Aqueduct in April in his first try against winners. Jorge Chavez had him aggressively on the lead at Belmont last month and he got the place money after a stretch duel with Sway of Passion. Today, trainer James Bond goes to apprentice Fernando Jara, getting up to 6lbs over his rivals. Of the front-runners, this one is the cream of the crop. Five year old gelding, Karakorum's Appeal tries this level for the third time after a dismal effort at 7 furlongs a few weeks ago. In the same race Dixie Preacher finished second, this one was through before the stretch drive. There's just too much speed to expect him to last long today. Scott Lake trainee, John's Joy, nearly cracked this level last season as a 3 year old, finishing a half length behind Introspect who goes against open allowance company on today's card. After almost a year on the sidelines, this Missionary Ridge*GB progeny got interested late in his return race, then tired late after setting the pace in a 7 panel try earlier in the month. If the rail isn't too deep today, this could be your winner.  Majestic Miesque, on the board in half his 12 lifetime races, will be going 4-wide after being unraced since October. Even the 5lb apprentice allowance won't help much here. He needs one. Paraneck Stable's Uncalculated got hot racing from way off the pace last winter over the Aqueduct inner track. Four tries at this allowance level have been shockingly poor and the layoff of 10 weeks is another cause for alarm. Five year gelding, Lost in the Woods has just two wins to show for 28 starts. His last victory came in a route at Saratoga last summer. Undeniably not a pure sprinter, he has finished 3rd three times in sprints and earlier in the meet he picked up 12 3/4 lengths to hit the board. We're certainly not afraid to use him underneath. Trainer Tim Hills sends out well-bred 4 year old gelding Rhumjar (Gold Token - Theransompaid, Red Ransom) in his second start off the bench after a prolonged absence. After having displayed outstanding stalking abilities as a 3 year old, his comeback June 6 looks to be a fine tuneup to today's race, wherein he'll have plenty of speed to take aim at late.

SELECTIONS    7-3-2-5 
FINISH          3-7-2-5

Dixie Preacher (5-2) was really hustled quickly out of the gate and to the lead, setting fractions of 22.25 & 45.36 en route to a narrow victory over late charging Rhumjar (8-5), who left himself a little too much to do in the stretch. Dixie Preacher has now finished 1st or 2nd in 5 consecutive starts. John's Joy (2-1) was forwardly placed the whole way but let the winner get away from him on the turn and settled for third. The exacta paid $20.80 and the trifecta returned $45.60. We hope you pounded them. Congratulations!

Sunday, June 20, 2004.

The 4th at Churchill Downs is a maiden special weight race for 3 year olds and older at a flat mile on the dirt. Trainer Albert Stall adds blinkers to his Stormin Fever filly, Franscat, a $100k purchase as a yearling in 2002. Cornelio Velasquez will have her out front in a flash and with a complete lack of any other early speed, we like her to go gate to wire for the win. My Time Now (Unbridled - Darby Trail, Roberto) is coming off a near miss at the 7 1/2 furlong distance over this track 3 weeks ago. She'll have first shot at the pacesetter today, but jockey Anthony D'Amico will have to keep the filly from trying to do too much too early. John Oxley spent $750k two years ago at the Keeneland spring auction on a Pulpit filly named Pray for Aces, who has raced only once so far in her career. Her debut was uninspiring 4th in February at Gulfstream Park. While improvement is expected, the 4 month layoff is a concern. Trainer John Ward, who finally picked up his first win of the meet yesterday with Nannycam, has been working this under achiever pretty hard and consistently at Keeneland over the past 3 months. Maybe Cora was only beaten by a length by My Time Now 5 weeks ago at this distance. Bobby Barnett's 3 year old trainee might go off at a decent price and we feel she's worth playing at least underneath on the exotics. Kingmambo filly, Kastria, hasn't been in touch with the field in either of her two career starts.  Rafael Bejarano is back on the mount and she moves from turf to dirt. Apprentice Rafael Hernandez is aboard 2nd time starter Malfoy, one of two horses here trained by John Spurlock. The other is Playsamongthestars, with Willie Martinez up and with blinkers added. The Banker's Gold filly has a shot at hitting the board.

SELECTIONS    2-3-7-5 
FINISH          3-8-7-2

Jockey Anthony D'Amico gave the favourite My Time Now (6-5) the perfect ride, staying off the pace set by our top choice, Franscat (4-1), and making a move with a quarter mile left, then pulling away from the field to win by 7 1/2 lengths in 1:36.83. Best of the rest was Pray for Aces (2-1), who got an inside trip from John McKee. Maybe Cora (5-1) was a well-beaten third. With chalk all over the board, exotics prices were low; the exacta paid $16.80, the trifecta returned $54.20 and the superfecta, with Franscat, paid a measly $78.80.

Saturday, June 19, 2004.

Today's 2nd at Churchill Downs, to be run at a mile on the dirt, is an allowance race for 4 year olds and older who have started for a claiming price of $10k or less in 2004. Likely to get some betting support will be outside horse, talented 4 year old sprinter Mix It Up. The Brief Ruckus colt has been a different horse since being claimed out of a $10k claiming race in Florida and shipped up to Churchill, hitting the board in all 3 starts here moving up in class each race. The problem today is the extra distance and this colt's preference of staying very close to the front. The pace scenario and his post position will make it very challenging to stay close and we wonder if there will be much left in the tank for the stretch drive. Another newcomer to Churchill this meet is 7 year old veteran Cherokee Prospect, claimed by Patrick Byrne out of a $25k claiming win in the slop at Fair Grounds in April. Also a sprinter, the Cherokee Run progeny has better bloodlines for the distance, gets a weight break with apprentice Brian Hernandez up, and will have more savvy than to get caught in the probable early speed duel. We like this one at a price. Former star in the Handicap division, Generous Rosi (GB) is playing out the string on a long and successful career. A winner of just under $600k, the 9 year old was claimed by William Gowan in April for a mere $10k. Best on the lead, and with Calvin Borel in the irons, it's still tough to pick him as a winner based on back class. Seven year old gelding, Andrew the Man, has been bouncing around the Kentucky for a number of years and had to be dropped down to face $8k claimers at River Downs this spring for his first win in 10 months. This one's a little out of his class today.  Hold Your Thought came up with a huge race at Mountaineer Park 3 weeks ago, winning by 9 lengths at 1 mile and 70 yards. Not the first time this 4 year old gelding has brought it to another level seemingly out of the blue, he also put up some gaudy numbers at the Turfway winter meet. Eligible to bounce off the rise in class, the bottom of the exotics is all we can safely recommend for this one. Oldtimer Machine to Tower hit the board in 7 of 10 races last season and is well over 50% on the board in 74 lifetime races. The 8 year old gelding can certainly be there with his "A" race and there's no reason not to use him underneath. Nicely bred inside horse, Federale (Deputy Commander - Racin' the Rainbow, Meadowlake), was flattered when Traitor de l'Amour, whom he'd beaten by 4 1/4 lengths 12 days ago, came back with huge effort at long odds yesterday. Leading North American jockey, Rafael Bejarano is back in the saddle following the claim by top trainer Tom Amoss. An improving 4 year old colt with outstanding connections, we like this one to take a late shot at the big prize. Emporia was scratched. Bright Harbor was on his way to an outstanding season last year before injuries sent him to the bench for nearly a year. A couple of wins against claimers since his return in March indicate this son of Boston Harbor is moving in the right direction. A return to his form of last year beats this bunch easily, but even moderate improvement puts him in the mix.

SELECTIONS    5-1-8-4 
FINISH          3-1-9-5

When Federale (3-1) learns to rate, he'll become a very dangerous closer. Bejarano couldn't keep him off the lead and he was fending off all challenges until wily veteran, Generous Rosi (GB) (6-1), who'd saved ground the whole way, found room on the rail and got up to win by a neck in 1:36.70. As we expected, Mix It Up (3-1) couldn't get the lead, raced 3-wide much of the time and was empty in the stretch, holding on for third. The exacta paid $67.40, the trifecta returned $268.00 and the superfecta, with betting favourite, Cherokee's Prospect (2-1), delivered $555.80.

Friday, June 18, 2004.

The 8th at Churchill Downs, to be run at 1 1/16 miles, is for 4 year olds and older who have started for a claiming price of $5k in 2003 or 2004. Inside horse, Viagra River, owned and trained by Steven Asmussen, will by gunned for the lead by his number one jockey, Shane Sellers, in hopes of repeating the pace scenario which enabled him to wire the field at a flat mile in his last over this track under the tutelage of Tom Amoss. There's some extra distance and a tougher bunch assembled today.  Six year old gelding, Vinalhaven, has been second in 11 of his career 50 races and starts from the outside post today with leading 2004 jockey, Rafael Bejarano, again in the irons. Making his second start for his current connections, the Devil His Due progeny will have to be much improved over his inside loss to $8k claiming company at a mile two weeks ago. Every once in a while, Divine Spirit flashes some of the speed that has helped the 6 year old win over $170k in his lifetime. Jockey Joe Stokes may be asking for divine intervention if this horse thinks it can get away with a front running 3/4 mile in 1:14, as it did at Indiana Downs. We'll be keen to see how the veteran performs in his Churchill debut. Prolific winner Fan the Flame shipped into Churchill from a spring/summer campaign at Oaklawn Park and won a 6 furlong sprint off the bench in 1:10.40. Trainer Randy Morse wheeled the 7 year old back on 7 days rest and lengthened him out to 8 1/2 furlongs. He faded after a half mile and finished a best of the rest third. Expect a much improved effort today with Calvin Borel up once again. Rough Draft was the pacesetter who was able to get loose on the front in that race and who will catch a much tougher crowd to clear early. We won't leave out this son of Notebook, now a 7 year old gelding as he has won 5 of his last 6 races over three different tracks. Robby Albarado is again the rider. Traitor de l'Amour couldn't catch Federale at $15k after shipping south from River Downs. The 4 year old colt will be closing hard and has a great shot at hitting the board with a good price. Trainer Barbara McBride, sizzling hot right now, picked up Unrullah Bull for $5k last month and enters the 7 year old gelding here, hoping that one of his big closing efforts is about due. Book Seven, a 5 year old gelding out of Boone's Mill, might be bet because of his strong performance here for $20k. He'll need his best closing rush to make an impact from the back of the pack today. Turf specialist, Kendall Point, looked like he needed more than 7 panels in his last. But, with 3 wins in 39 starts, we'll need a more convincing argument to make an investment here. Linda's Lad, another suffering from a career afflicted by seconditis looks better suited in his advanced years to be a longer distance router.

SELECTIONS    scr-6-4-7 
FINISH           6-4-7-2

Our top choice was scratched, and a fortuitous scratch it was, as it left this race with only one obvious win candidate, allowing us to key Rough Draft (3-5) on top of all the gimmicks. Heavily overlaid Traitor de l'Amour (17-1) tracked the moderate pace set by Viagra River (7-2) and took over nearing the stretch to compete in a spirited duel to the wire with ultimate winner Rough Draft, who finished in a time of 1:45.40. Unrullah Bull (6-1) rumbled along way outside to gain the show prize. The exacta paid only $32.40, the trifecta returned a solid $294.40 and the superfecta was $1,490.20, with Kendall Point (18-1) fourth. Congratulations!

Thursday, June 17, 2004.

The 7th at Belmont is to be run at a mile on the turf for 3 year old fillies with claiming prices of $75k down to $65k. Forgotten Promise (Old Trieste - Brush Over, Broad Brush) was an expensive yearling at auction at $140k and she has earned only $32.95k over 8 career races. Trainer Carlos Martin has had success with horses in their first turf try and the dirt to turf angle has worked to his advantage, but why the drop in for a tag after hitting the board against allowance runners at Pimlico in May? Even more disconcerting is the 6 week layoff after that race, going into today. Rodney Soodeen, winless at this meet, gets the mount. Coming off a 5 month rest is Robert Barbara's Wild for Jeanne, with two wins on the grass as a juvenile to her credit. Steve Standridge, who campaigned her in South Florida, got away with sending her out for a front-running win against maiden claimers with a $25k price tag in October. That was followed two weeks later with an extraordinary performance, coming from 13 lengths off the pace, to win against N1x company. An ambitious attempt in the Hollywood Wildcat resulted in a respectable 4th, just a length and a quarter back of Vous, who finished 3rd in the Grade 3 Sands Point stakes last weekend. Her disappointing run in the $100k Tropical Oaks led into the layoff. With very little speed up front, we like her chances at stealing the top prize, with Richard Migliore aboard. Inside horse, Cupid's Arrow, received very little respect in her first turf try last month, just missing the win at 12-1. Javier Castellano keeps the mount and will have to manouevre the Awesome Again filly through traffic or try to keep her close to the hedge just off the leaders' flanks. Taking into account the rise in price, she'll need the perfect trip. Showmesomelove raced well over the Aqueduct inner track, nearly winning the $81k Busher stakes. But after a dull performance in the mud on the main track, she hit the bench and looked awful in her return here last month. Jose Santos comes aboard and trainer Dominic Galluscio is having a fine meet, but we'd like to see her run one over the grass at least once before we invest. Another filly in her turf debut is Goldie's Cat, who just missed at the distance on the dirt at Belmont in May. She'll be closing from the second flight with Edgar Prado guiding her home. Trainer Richard Dutrow has hit the board with nearly 50% of his entries at this meet. Outside horse Take Me There won 3 straight in Florida this past winter, including one on the turf at Tampa Downs, under the tutelage of Kathleen O'Connell. In her first turf try at Belmont, she got caught inside with nowhere to go and her second attempt was well out of her class. The drop from restricted stakes to a claiming race and the outside post should have her closing strongly through the stretch. Probable favourite, a veteran of 9 turf races, Really American drops in from the same stakes race as Take Me There. Trainer George Weaver's Real Quiet filly has been in tough against stakes company since competing with success at this claiming level in Florida. John Velasquez keeps his regular mount, who is the main threat to win from the back of the pack. Miss Park Place has bounced around from surface to surface at different tracks at different distances over her short career. Our judgement is that trainer John Hertler should try her in a turf sprint. It took Red Snoony 11 races to break her maiden, and when she did, it happened to be her turf debut. Javier Castellano is replaced by Jean-Luc Samyn, who will be bringing her home latest of all. We like her to hit the board at a decent price.

SELECTIONS    7-6-9-5 
FINISH          6-1-8-4

Our top choice, Wild for Jeanne (5-1), pulled up early and was vanned off. Cupid's Arrow (3-1) stayed at the front of the second flight of horses, stalking a quick pace of 22.82 & 45.63 set by erstwhile sprinter, Miss Park Place (26-1), who hit the 1/4 pole in 1:10.12 seconds. The leader faltered in the stretch, but it was betting favourite, Really American (5-2), who came 4-wide to engage Cupid's Arrow in a stretch duel, prevailing by a head in 1:34.09. Goldie's Cat (5-1) and Edgar Prado came rumbling along for the show. The exacta paid $27.80 and the trifecta returned $112.00.

Wednesday, June 16, 2004.

The second at Monmouth Park is a 5 1/2 furlong sprint for fillies and mares who have started for a claiming price of $8k or less since September 1 of last year. An eclectic field of 7 will hit the gate, beginning with inside horse and probable pacesetter, Sailor's Dream. This bred-for-speed filly (Iron Cat - Bold Lady Luck, Run of Luck) is now trained by Mark Shuman for the Michael Gill stable and gets Stewart Elliot in the irons. Claimed 4 times in California in just 3 1/2 months last fall and winter, the 4 year old filly wound up at Charles Town this spring, where she won an entry level allowance race against open company. With expected improvement in her 3rd start off the bench, she could be getting the first quarter in less than 22 seconds. The show horse in her last victory came back 11 days later to win going away. A specialist at this distance, she is our choice to wire it. Veteran 7 year old mare, Dear Prospector, a winner of only 4 races in 37 lifetime starts, has hit the board only once in nine tries since her last win, in a starters' allowance in the slop, here last June. Even at her best, she'd be hard pressed to hit the board against this field. Violanda may take some support at the windows based on a hot streak this spring which has seen her win 5 of her last 6 races. A class check shows us that beating conditioned claimers in Philadelphia and state-bred allowance runners with conditions at Finger Lakes doesn't necessarily translate into success on the Jersey shore. Two years ago, as a 4 year old, Talkin to an Angel won a 2nd level allowance race against open company at this track in good time. After 8 months on the bench, she was brought back by top trainer Richard Dutrow to be successful in the claiming ranks. A few claims later and another trip to the sidelines, new trainer Gary Kay tuned her up at Penn National with a win on the turf. She ships to New Jersey and we like her to be the main challenger to the speed. Trainer Derek Ryan claimed 4 year old filly All Ablaze out of an emphatic win over the slop here for $8k. This Citidancer filly struggled over the winter at the Aqueduct inner track, but jockey Michael Baze will have her well positioned today to close in on the front runners. Five year old Guardian Angel is a speedster without the speed to get to the front against this group. Arriving late to pick up the pieces could be Tell Laura, in her first start back since February. Tops among these in career earnings, the 5 year old has shown the ability to close well.

SELECTIONS    1-6-7-3 
FINISH          5-1-7-6

Jockey Jorge Bracho got Violanda (9-2) in front, hitting the first call at 22.52 seconds, and never looked back. The Finger Lakes shipper shaved a second and a half off her previous best at this distance, winning in 1:04.98, well ahead of our first choice and betting favourite, Sailor's Dream (6-5), who raced gamely but couldn't wrest the lead from the winner. Up for third was All Ablaze (5-1). The exacta paid $33.20 and the trifecta returned $106.40.

June 13, 2004.

Today's running of the Grade 3 Sands Point for 3 year old fillies is shaping up to be a very contentious affair. Carded as the 8th race and to be run at 9 furlongs on the inner turf track, 12 fillies are entered, with a two-horse entry from owner Robert Perez and trainer Alfredo Callejas. Inside horse, Savage Beauty, has already delivered two splendid performances on the grass at this Belmont meet, winning an entry level allowance race, gate to wire, at a flat mile and then getting nosed at the finish by Delta Sensation in a restricted stakes after starting from the 10 hole. With a notable lack of serious early speed, this Allen Jerkens trainee has a chance to open some daylight between herself and the pack. Look for Richard Migliore to be gunning her to the lead, hoping for a reasonably soft pace. She'll be tested early by sprinter, Cherry's Hunter, the less experienced half of the Callejas entry. Today will be her first try on the grass and at two turns, if she isn't scratched. A two-time grass winner at Gulfstream Park, Minge Cove might get some support at the windows. Out for over 2 months, the winner of the $68k Via Borghese stakes will get a ground saving trip from regular rider Chris DeCarlo. Another filly coming off an extended vacation is well-bred California shipper, Mambo Slew, (Kingmambo - Slew Boyera (Seattle Slew). Trainer Patrick Biancone has been working her out at the Saratoga training facility and jockey Mike Smith is flying in from the West Coast. She's never raced over a mile and the extra furlong today could be her undoing. Bobby Frankel puts blinkers on Gracefully (Ire), a graded stakes winner in England who has run into traffic in both her North American starts at Santa Anita. Javier Castellano gets the mount on this filly, who's been working well here at Belmont for the past month. Even a slightly sluggish pace keeps her in it with a great shot at the win with a sweet price. Delta Sensation improved by leaps and bounds when switched to the turf in her last out. Jorge Chavez keeps the mount on this Thunder Gulch filly trained by Frank Alexander. She can close well enough to get a piece today. Timothy Hills' well-travelled Vous will appreciate the extra half furlong but hasn't really shown much improvement from her win as a juvenile in the $110k Hollywood Wildcat at Calder. Outside horse, Fortunate Damsel, wasn't able to hit the board at the N2x allowance level a month ago against older fillies and mares. It looks like she's in a little deep here. Bobby Frankel and Jerry Bailey team up with Miss Coronado, who returns to the lawn after giving her best career performance in the Davona Dale, going gate to wire for the win at 8-1 odds. We'd like to give her this one after being on the bench for 6 weeks, but we'll be watching closely. Jose Santos sticks with turf specialist, Lucifer's Stone, a daughter of Horse Chestnut *Saf, a winner of 3 straight, including the Grade 3 Herecomethebride at Gulfstream at this distance. She's a logical choice to hit the board. The second half of the Callejas entry, Please Take Me Out, is 3 for 3 on the turf at Belmont. Today will be her most challenging race over this course, however, as she'll be hard pressed to be forwardly placed, the position she prefers to be in early on. Serendipitous, trained by James Bond, has a chance pick off some tired runners late. If Mike Luzzi can keep her interested, she could be the bomb on the bottom of your trifecta or super.

SELECTIONS    scr-6-2-9 
FINISH          5-6-10-9

Bobby Frankel scratched both his horses, Miss Coronado, and our top choice, Gracefully (Ire). Savage Beauty (7-2) was stuck in a duel with sprinter Cherry's Hunter (9-1) through 6 furlongs. When the pace broke down, hard closing favourite Lucifer's Stone (2-1) found himself with the lead at the 1/8 pole, dug in and was just beaten to the wire on the inside by Mambo Slew (5-1). Vous (16-1) closed for a non-threatening third prize, ahead of Delta Sensation (5-1). First and third betting choice in the exacta paid a decent $44.60 and the trifecta returned $413.00.

June 12, 2004.

Carded as the 14th race at Thistledown in Cleveland today is the Grade 2 Ohio Derby for 3 year olds at 1 1/8 miles. Locals, late-blooming sophomores and a couple of colts who fell off the Triple Crown tobbogan compete for the $350k guaranteed purse. Condition allowance winner, Avid Skier, will carry jockey Scott Spieth to the front unless trainer Gerry Bennett has taught this sprinter to rate. He showed some speed in Florida at the start of the Tampa Bay Derby but was through by the half mile. Hitting the board that day were The Cliff's Edge and Zakocity. This Appealing Skier colt is nowhere near the class needed to win today. Also challenging for the early lead will be Jandemar, who came out of nowhere to win a N2L condition allowance sprint here last month at 12-1. Jockey Irwin Rosendo, with only 5 wins in his last 84 starts keeps the mount on the Favorite Trick colt who is a top candidate to bounce, and badly. The expected quick pace set by the two sprinters should allow Ramon Dominguez to move Dashboard Drummer into an inside ground saving position. Winner of the Grade 3 Sapling and third in the Grade 1 Champagne (behind Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone) as a juvenile, trainer Allen Iwinski has brought the promising Oklahoma-bred along slowly as a 3 year old. After hitting the board at 7 panels in the Grade 3 Swale at Gulfstream Park, he ended up setting the pace in the Grade 2 Lexington at Keeneland. His sharp stalking performance in the $100k Sir Barton stakes at Pimlico looks to be an excellent tuneup for today. With a better timed move, Dominguez could have this in position to take the big prize. Mambo Train has been well regarded since his juvenile season, even nominated to the Triple Crown by trainer Marcelo Polanco. His first stakes win finally came in the $100k Turf Paradise Derby over a short field. He couldn't overcome trouble in the Arkansas Derby and again was done in by traffic problems in the Grade 3 Will Rogers on the turf at Hollywood Park last month. Longshot winner of the Rushaway stakes at Turfway Park, Brass Hat failed to win at the N1x allowance level at this distance at Churchill Downs recently. A solid pace presser who's also shown some ability on the grass, it wouldn't be a stretch to see this Prized colt add some value to the gimmicks. Regally bred, Trieste's Honor (Old Trieste - Jolie Bois, Woodman), ships in from California after rattling off 3 consecutive victories there, culminating in a win at this distance at Bay Meadows in the $100k Cal Derby. Michael Matz takes over the conditioning from Mike Puype and Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze makes the trip. We like this one at a decent price. Does anyone else feel Pollard's Vision might have peaked in the Illinois Derby? And why is Todd Pletcher dodging the really tough competition and only going up against stablemate Limehouse here? The pace scenario doesn't set up well for the Carson City colt, who will likely have to circle the field or hope for a hole late on the inside. He's never won under either circumstance, so we feel he'll be an underlay today. After 9 furlongs of the Kentucky Derby, Limehouse was a reasonably close third, only to be overtaken by closer Imperialism in the stretch. That race alone puts the Grand Slam colt head and shoulders above this field. The morning line of 5-2 is a bargain. With three graded stakes, over $600k in earnings and the presence of Jose Santos in Ohio, it's hard for us to play against him. Maryland-bred Water Cannon flopped in the Preakness after 5 straight wins at Laurel and Pimlico. Trainer Linda Albert couldn't convince Ryan Fogelsonger to make the trip and former jockey Dominguez goes with Dashboard Drummer. Top local jockey Huber Villa-Gomez gets the mount. Regardless, we feel this one is a notch or two below these.

SELECTIONS    3-6-8-5 
FINISH          5-1-8-6

More than add a bit of value to the exotics, Brass Hat (21-1) went last to first, demolishing the field, beating Grade 1 winner, Pollard's Vision (2-1), by 3 lengths in a time of 1:49.50. The two locals set a brisk pace which Pollard's Vision stalked, but left the Illinois Derby winner empty, as he once again couldn't win a race where 6 furlongs was run under 1:12.00. As we expected, a horse to watch is Trieste's Honor (5-1) who had the lead on the second turn, but faded to third in his first start outside California. The exacta paid handsomely at $178.00, the trifecta returned $1,124.40 and the superfecta, with Dashboard Drummer (6-1), was huge at $4,629.60.

Other stakes races on tap today:

G2 Brooklyn Hdcp    2. Newfoundland  4. Dynever  1. Seattle Fitz (Arg) 
FINISH    1-4-2    Seattle Fitz (Arg) goes over $400k in earnings for this year alone with his 2nd straight graded stakes win,  holding off Dynever in the stretch.

G3 Jefferson Cup    4. Prince Arch   6. Terroplane (Fr)  9. Kitten's Joy 
FINISH    4-9-5    At 5-1, Prince Arch went 5-wide in the stretch to get  the win by a head over favourite Kitten's Joy.

G3 Northern Dancer 9. Two Down Automatic 8. Courageous Act 10. J Town 
FINISH    4-10-6    Suave stalked J Town through the slop for a win at big odds after his disappointing Lexington.

G3 Regret    1. Western Ransom 8. Gingham and Lace  3. Jinny's Gold 
FINISH    4-1-3    Ken McPeek and Brice Blanc team up for their 2nd graded stakes win on the card with 8-1 longshot, Sister Star, in the rain.

G2 Fleur De Lys 6. Mayo On the Side (Scr) 3. Roar Emotion 8. Bare Necessities 
FINISH    1-8-9    Adoration wins her second Grade 1 race of the year  against a short field in the rain.

G1 Stephen Foster 2. Peace Rules 1. Perfect Drift   3. Southern Image 
FINISH    6-3-1    Colonial Colony came out of nowhere to edge out  favourite, Southern Image, in a very slow running of this race.

Friday, June 11, 2004.

Today's 2nd at Belmont Park is to be run at 7 furlongs, for older horses with claiming prices of $14k. Trainer Robert Barbara, who's shown signs of life lately, sends out Afortunado for his second try against winners. He broke his maiden on the front end at Gulfstream Park in April and will try to wire the field today with apprentice Rajiv Maragh aboard, entitling the Dayjur gelding to a 7lb weight break. Looking like he's regained the form he showed in the winter at Aqueduct, we like him to be around at the finish. Afortunado will have company early in the form of inside horse, Cabot Trail. The 6 year old gelding had been suffering from seconditis in his 47 race career until this spring when he rattled off two victories in the space of 4 weeks at this very claiming level. Trainer Peter Klesaris and jockey Sean Bridgmohan teamed up on Wednesday for a win with Yankee Doodle Boy, and are our pick to repeat with this one today. A former Barbara trainee, Brightest Ice, has shown his best form lately in two turn routes. He'll flash some early speed from the outside and that should be it. Another one shortening up is 4 year old colt, Judge Harper. Impressive last season as a 3 year old, the Patrick Reynolds' colt won at a mile over the Aqueduct main track at this price in late April. With his stalking style, the distance might be right up the Friendly Lover progeny's alley. Looks Expensive nearly won at this track at this distance in the late summer last year over much better than these. Things haven't gone too well since then and his form since coming off the bench in April has been almost embarassing. Not particularly fond of this oval, it might be wise for Bruce Levine to move him elsewhere.  At the Wheel raced only twice as a 4 year old last season and his recovery suggests that this is the best class for him. He's particularly useful underneath on the gimmicks tickets, as he's finished second 8 times in a 25 race career. Brocco Bry got a great ride from Raul Rojas two weeks ago to nearly upset the apple cart and win at 14-1 odds. Rojas moves over to Judge Harper and the 7 year old gelding is at risk for a bounce after handing in one of his finest performances to date. Outside horse, Stellianos, is another late runner who could easily find himself on the board if the pace of the race begins to disintegrate into a speed duel.

SELECTIONS    1-2-7-8 
FINISH          4-2-6-3

Brightest Ice (15-1) set an honest pace early and was collared by betting favourite, Looks Expensive (7-5), at the top of the stretch. The chalk went on to win easily on the drop, third off the bench, in a brisk 1:23.39. Over 7 lengths back was Robert Barbara's Afortunado (11-1), handing in another solid performance since shipping north from Florida. The exacta, with the public choice and our second pick, paid a generous $52.00. The trifecta also came up big, returning $454.50.

Thursday, June 10, 2004.

Today's feature at Churchill Downs, the 8th, is a 5 furlong sprint on the turf for fillies and mares, 3 years old and upward, with no conditions. A shade below a stakes race, some very classy girls have been entered and there is a whole lot of speed. A winner of 9 races last season as a 3 year old, Nicole's Dream has drawn the outside post today and looks for her second win of the meet after going gate to wire in the $117k Mamzelle stakes in late April. Losing jockey Robby Albarado to probable favourite, Put Me In, and the post are the only negatives to think about with regards to this filly who routinely runs a 1st quarter in under 22 seconds and hits the half mile in under 45 seconds. She's the one to catch and our top choice to win. Five year old mare, That's Our Tricky, makes her turf debut in an exceedingly difficult spot. Well-bred (Is It True - The Trick's On You, Phone Trick), this California shipper tired badly in the slop in her return to Churchill last month. We'd like to just watch the grass try today. Leading North American jockey, Rafael Bejarano, also replaces Albarado aboard promising 3 year old, Speedy Sonata, who was just nipped by Dyna Da Wyna and Boozin' Susan in the $85k Stravinsky stakes at Keeneland. Making that race all the more impressive is the realization that it was her first try against older horses. She bounced in her next outing, the $112k Open Mind stakes for sophomore fillies. Watch the tote board, particularly if there are any significant scratches from among the speed merchants. The winner of the Open Mind stakes, Anna Em, starts here from the inside post. The Our Emblem filly, trained by Tom Amoss, has won her last two starts by a combined margin of 18 lengths over two different surfaces. Larry Melancon just has to hold on as this girl will go head to head late with Nicole's Dream. Moonlit Romance comes off a win over non-winners of 3 races at Indiana, but hasn't shown much of an affinity to the grass. Trainer Steven Asmussen and jockey Shane Sellers teamed up for 6 stakes wins last week, and show up here with graded stakes placed Tina Bull, who makes her first career start on the turf. In the money in her last 9 races, it seems foolhardy to leave her out, even if we don't want to use her on top. On the board in 7 of 8 races as a 3 year old and winner of 2 stakes races this year, Put Me In, looks to be on of the classier entries here, except that she's yet to win on the lawn. A probable underlay, we'll be playing against the win. A couple of wins in Florida and 3 year old Charismatic Appeal has suddenly become a lot better than she looked last fall in Kentucky. This is probably the toughest group she's faced to date. We'll be interested to see how she responds. Once trainer Niall Callaghan resigned himself to the fact that New Zealand bred Ahuriri Hikawai (NZ) is a sprinter, he found himself conditioning a very tough competitor. The only pure closer in the group, she has been improving steadily through her 5 year old season, although she doesn't really turn 5 until September. Mark Guidry sticks with the Kiwi mare.

SELECTIONS    scr-1-5-scr 
FINISH           1-5-6-2

This race was moved off the turf, resulting in a number of scratches and a field of just five. Inside horse, and our top choice by default, Anna Em, set a blistering pace of 21.92 & 44.34, but was picked off by our second choice, Put Me In, the obvious pick once the race was moved to the dirt. In winning her 8th race from 16 career starts (8 for 14 on the dirt), the Take Me Out filly set a course record for 5 furlongs of 56.61, shaving 2/5 of a second off the previous best set by D'Nile 2 years ago. Today's exacta paid just $10.20. Congratulations, if you had the sense to really pound the exacta key.

Wednesday, June 9, 2004.

The 2nd at Belmont Park today is for older horses with claiming prices of $35k to $25k, to be run at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. All the speed in this field of 8 will start from the outside posts and all the stalkers have drawn inside. Likely the first to try sweeping over to the rail will be Sweepality, a six-time loser in the entry level allowance ranks after beating 3 year olds in September here at a flat mile. After setting the pace, then tiring badly on the turf at Aqueduct in April, trainer Michael Micelli has dropped him well below the $50k claiming price the Colleen S Stable paid for him last fall. The End Sweep colt likes the track but hasn't shown much against veteran rivals. The seven year old gelding, Beau Tie, has finished 2nd in 24% of his 50 lifetime races and picked up the place prize in 4 of his 12 Belmont tries. Jockey John Velasquez, leading the meet in wins, drops Fines Creek to take this mount and will have him forwardly placed as he did a month ago in a loss to the likes of Polish Times and Peekskill at the $50k claiming level. The drop in class should be enough to have this consistent performer in the money. Trainer Scott Schwartz, having a terrible meet, looks impetuous dropping Classic Endeavor, a winner of just under a quarter of a million dollars last year as a five year old, down to this level. Last fall and winter this horse was battling with Abreeze, Lord Ofthe Thunder, New York Hero and Big Sid's Party. After going off at 5-1 and tiring in the Stymie stakes and 3 sub-par performances at a mile, he picks up jockey Jorge Chavez on his way down the claiming ranks. At his best, he'd toy with these; today, he'll try for the lead and likely be the one they'll be trying to catch in the stretch. Outside horse, Fines Creek, loses JR in favour of the capable Mike Luzzi. Unable to win at this level in three tries, the 4 year old gelding lengthens out in hopes of regaining the form he showed late in his sophomore season. He beat some good horses in the slop in his last out and his price should be fair. Making his Belmont debut is another 4 year old gelding, Runaway Russy, starting from the inside post and trained by Robert Barbara. A two-time winner on the Aqueduct inner dirt track over the winter, Barbara has gotten his money's worth out of the $14k claim he made last December. Dropping from the N2x allowance level and shortening from 9 and 9 1/2 furlong events to a distance he knows and likes, will probably have this closer in range late. Claimed for a bargain price of $25k after a 9 month layoff, Yankee Doodle Boy was shipped north to try serious competition in the hopes of climbing back to the fringes of stakes competition. After a tough third against Polish Times and Ginzano, he gets a little more distance and a real class break today. The pace scenario sets up nicely for Sean Bridgmohan to ride a ground-saving trip. Likely favourite, Mister Hennessy, trained by Richard Dutrow, showed little on the turf at Aqueduct last month losing to stakes winner Artie Schiller. The 5 year old gelding has had most of his success in sprints and will be an underlay today worth playing against. Mount Intrepid, a 7 year old gelding, beat state breds (including Beau Tie) in a $35k starters allowance, then hit the sidelines for 6 weeks. Trainer Allen Iwinski goes for a weight break, using apprentice Fernando Jara on the Mount. He offers some value underneath, as he's finished 3rd in a full 25% of his lifetime races.

SELECTIONS    4-7-5-1 
FINISH          4-5-1-7

Jorge Chavez got Classic Endeavor (9-2) out to the lead, setting honest fractions of 23.52 and 46.46. Beau Tie (5-1) was close to the action the whole way and moved ahead of the leader at the top of the stretch, leaving a big hole on the rail, which was filled by our top choice, Yankee Doodle Boy (2-1), after a ground-saving trip. Yankee Doodle Boy dueled Beau Tie through to the wire and got the top prize by a neck in 1:42.61. Runaway Russy (9-1) closed well but ran into traffic in the stretch, gaining third by a nose over Classic Endeavor. The exacta paid $36.60, the trifecta returned a tidy $197.00 and Yankee Doodle Boy completed the Daily Double for a payout of $43.80 on a $2 ticket. Congratulations!

Sunday, June 6, 2004.

Today's 10th at Churchill Downs is for three year olds who have never won one other than... at 1 1/16 miles. Trainer Bernard Flint has a nice Hennessy colt, Scripture, who will likely be gunned to the rail out of the gate by Rafael Bejarano. There isn't a lot of other early speed here and after tiring late in his turf and route debut over a yielding surface here 3 weeks ago, the move back to dirt will likely be a positive move. We like this one to still be there late in the stretch. Rogue Scholar is entered here off his maiden allowance win in the slop at a flat mile. Winning jockey Robby Albarado jumps ship to a new colt in here and the pace setup looks to have this one hung up 3 or 4 wide in the early going. Elliot Walden's Victory Light, a $320k purchase at auction as a yearling has already earned $120k and is graded stakes placed on the turf. The Victory Gallop colt hasn't hit the board as a 3 year old but Walden has him in a pretty soft spot and the outside post will help Larry Melancon pick his spot. Blinkers are added today. Menifee colt, Steamboat Springs, has won on the lead and as a late closer in the claiming ranks this spring. Close to the inside, we suspect Mark Guidry will have him near the front wearing down the leader. The step up in competition is a concern. We'll tab for later. Albarado jumps to Dale Romans' Charismatic colt, Watershed Event, who tries two turns for the first time and jumps up from a maiden claiming victory.  Commandment has never actually finished first in a race, awarded his maiden victory by disqualification, and has never really been seriously competitive anywhere in Kentucky. Well-bred Kickboard (Kingmambo - Splashing*Ire, Sadler's Wells) hit excellent form at Oaklawn Park in the spring, stringing together 3 fine performances, winning in the slop in April. Trainer Robert Holthus thereupon moved him to the grass where he struggled badly. Two tough outings and he lands here with regular rider John McKee, ready to close hard on the tiring front runners. Inside horse, Fantasticat, with Calvin Borel up, will likely get some support at the windows, based on his last to first win at the Fair Grounds and a decent outing here at 9 furlongs after 2 months on the sidelines. Terrifika will be badly outmatched.

SELECTIONS    9-5-3-1 
FINISH          1-9-8-4

At 40-1, Rogue Scholar proved to be the bomb in the exotics, running a tracking trip, 3 and 4 wide, gaining the lead at the top of the stretch, then being bumped by our top choice, Victory Light (8-5), and settling for a hard earned third. Calvin Borel manoeuvred Fantasticat (3-1) through a rough start and traffic later on, split horses and came through on the inside to surprise the favourite, beating Victory Light by a length and a half, completing the race in a decent 1:44.87. The exacta paid $26.60 but the trifecta was a bargain, returning $372.20 with the top two choices first and second. The superfecta, with Watershed Event (13-1), came to $2,805.60.

Saturday, June 5, 2004.

The day has arrived! The most legitimate Triple Crown threat in years, undefeated Pennsylvania-bred Smarty Jones, goes today in the mile and a half Belmont Stakes, carded as the 11th at Belmont Park. A new wrinkle in the script today involves Todd Pletcher's late blooming Pulpit colt, Purge, who ran away with the Grade 2 Peter Pan over this track two weeks ago. Beaten twice already by the favourite in the Rebel stakes and the Arkansas Derby, we find it unlikely that John Velasquez will be able to take him gate to wire for the victory. But, he is an improved race horse who won't give it up willingly as he did at Oaklawn Park in the mud. He'll be bet down way below a fair win price, but is useful underneath as the main pace figure. Master David, trained by Bobby Frankel, gets a new jockey in Jose Santos and breaks today from the inside. After a bizarre trip in the Peter Pan, during which Alex Solis had the Grand Slam colt trailing the field for a half mile, expect Santos to drive to the lead producing some quick fractions with Purge. The track has been playing very fast all week and front speed has been unusually well rewarded lately. He is the only logical longshot to possibly hit the board. Big Kris S. colt, Rock Hard Ten, has never actually won a stakes race in his limited career, but raw talent and a pedigree for stamina keeps hinting to us that this is our boy to take the top prize today. As much as he looked outmatched in the Preakness, we note he was on the sidelines for 6 weeks going into that one and got a brutal start, getting hung 5-wide, yet still charging into the stretch with gas in the tank. Solis replaces Gary Stevens in the irons and at 8-1 odds in the morning, this is the best value of the day. Watching Smarty Jones pull away in the Preakness is an image that is difficult to shake. We can't argue that he's the best horse here and admit that the storyline is magical. But, winning the Triple Crown is an extremely difficult achievement that has been out of the reach of many of the past century's great horses. Often, we get the feeling that this blue collar hero is being handed the Crown by default. If it were that easy, Spectacular Bid would have made the list. Eddington is a useful horse to use underneath, but lacks the stamina to have any chance at winning today. The entry of Birdstone here is baffling as the winner of the Grade 1 Champagne as a juvenile has shown nothing as a 3 year old. Hawthorne shipper, Caiman, hasn't exhibited any form worthy of competing with this bunch. Another Nick Zito entry, Royal Assault, went off at 42-1 in the Wood, finishing fifth, then returned to win a minor stakes at Pimlico which looks as though it was run through syrup. We don't think he's ready for the challenge. Tap Dancer was beaten 3 lengths by Royal Assault in that race.

SELECTIONS    5-9-2-8 
FINISH          4-9-6-8

Purge (9-1) accepted the lead early, setting mild fractions of 24.33 & 48.65, with Rock Hard Ten (6-1) pressing in the 2 path and favourite Smarty Jones (1-5) going 4-wide into the backstretch with Eddington (14-1) also involved. Smarty Jones had nudged into the lead 6 furlongs in and was pressed hard on the inside with a half mile to go by Rock Hard Ten. That quarter mile took a lot out of the leader as he was not able to fend off a closing Birdstone (36-1), who got to the wire a length up on the Triple Crown contender, in 2:27.50, the second fastest time in this race since Tabasco Cat in 1994. It was Edgar Prado's second Belmont Stakes win in three years and Birdstone will be noted as the winner with the 4th highest winning odds in the history of the race. The exacta paid $139.00, the trifecta returned $1,589.00 and the superfecta paid $11,679.00.

Five graded stakes races lead up to the Belmont Stakes. Here are the selections:

G2 Vagrancy       4. Bear Fan  8. Beauty Halo (Arg)  3. Smoke'n Frolic 
FINISH    4-3-7    Bear Fan sets a new track record for 6 1/2 furlongs. With     8 wins in 12 starts, she rises in the older filly and maid division but still needs a Grade 1 victory.

G2 True North BCH   3. Speightstown    4. Cat Genius    9. Pohave 
FINISH    3-4-9    Speightstown made it 3 in a row after returning from injury and establishes himself as a seriously good sprinter, putting away Cat Genius in 1:08.04.

G2 Just A Game BCH 3. Dedication (Fr) 1. Intercontinental (GB) 7. Riskaverse 
FINISH    1-6-1A    Intercontinental (GB) is a perfect 3 for 3 in North America and gives notice that she's ready to meet the best turf milers on this continent.

G2 Riva Ridge BC   1A. Value Plus    3. Fire Slam    2. Saratoga County 
FINISH    3-6-7     Fire Slam is unbeatable in one turn races.

G1 Manhattan Hdcp  4. Stroll    2. Quest Star    6. Millenium Dragon (GB) 
FINISH    5-6-3      Cal-shipper, Meteor Storm (GB), wins first Grade 1 in first North American race outside the Golden State.

Don't forget that race 8, the Just A Game BCH, starts the $1 million guaranteed pick four.

Friday, June 4, 2004.

With top 3 year old fillies, Ashado and Madcap Escapade, missing from today's Grade 1 Acorn stakes at Belmont Park, another highly contentious and entertaining contest shapes up in what is undoubtedly the most interesting division in racing this year. The Acorn, today's 10th race, is to be run at a flat mile, a distance at which many of these sophomore fillies have little or no experience. Bobby Frankel's Grey Traffic, the beaten favourite in the Nassau Co. Breeders' Cup, will likely be on the front early again today. The Numerous colt, making only his third career start, went into his last without the benefit of a workout over the Belmont oval. With time to acclimate and little serious speed to his left, we like him to be stronger today in the deep stretch. Another California shipper, Bob Baffert's Friendly Michelle, will hook up with Grey Traffic from the outside post. The Artax filly was impressive winning the Grade 3 La Troienne at 7 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs 5 weeks ago. A winner of 4 of 6 races in her career, the only drawback today in her Belmont debut is her post position. Regally bred Bohemian Lady (Carson City - Weekend in Indy, A.P. Indy) has gone off at a short price every time out. If you're looking for value, here's the horse. But, she hasn't beaten any of the top players of her age group and meets more than a few here today. All three of Victory U.S.A.'s career victories have come in sprints. The one-turn mile could turn out to be the best distance for the horse who's gone head to head with Society Selection, Hollywood Story, Halfbridled as a 2 year old, Ashado and Madcap Escapade, and still has hit the board in 7 of 9 races. A game filly with no quit, we feel she's the one to beat today from off the pace. Bending Strings, a second stringer in this division, rewarded us with her nice win in the Nassau Co BC a month ago. The step up in competition today is profound and we're not willing to stay on Kiaran McGlaughlin bandwagon for the win. We will be using her underneath on the exotics tickets. Promising juvenile, La Reina, hooked up with Madcap Escapade twice as a 3 year old, with unsettling results. Out for 2 months, this seems like a tough spot for the A.P. Indy filly, as she's shown no real movement forward since her Grade 3 win at Aqueduct last fall in the Tempted stakes. Society Selection went off at 4-1 in last year's Breeders' Cup and with good reason. That race has turned out to be the only blemish on her young career. She is one of only 3 horses in the field with a win at the distance, coming in the Grade 3 Comely stakes at Aqueduct 2 months ago. This is her next start, and with Jorge Chavez in the irons once again, she's a great bet to circle the field for a big payday. Maryland shipper Pawyne Princess exits a 2nd in the Black Eyed Susan to try Grade 1 competition for the first time. A front running winner at Pimlico, this Saint Ballado filly will find it crowded early today. Jose Santos takes the mount on inside horse, Magical Illusion, a Pulpit filly trained by James Bond who won her maiden race a month ago by 17 lengths. The jump up in class is just too high for us take her seriously today. We'll tab for later. Island Sand provided us with some value in the Kentucky Oaks, closing for second at 16-1. There was a punishing speed duel to capitalize on that day, and, apart from the top two, the field may not have been as strong as the one here today. Because of the high speed figure she received in her last, we feel she'll go off as an underlay.

SELECTIONS    8-2-scr-3 
FINISH          5-2-10-3

Island Sand (4-1) performed the improbable and improved on her second in the Kentucky Oaks, getting a brilliant ride from Terry Thompson, taking advantage of a sizzling pace to sweep by the late leader, Friendly Michelle (7-1), and outlast charging favourite Society Selection (2-1) for the win in 1:34.89. The exacta paid $38.20, the trifecta returned $209.00 and the superfecta, with Bending Strings (13-1) earned you $987.00.

Thursday, June 3, 2004.

Eleven three year olds go 6 furlongs today at Churchill Downs in the 4th race, for maiden fillies with claiming prices of $50k down to $40k. There will be a lot of early speed, mostly from the inside, creating traffic out of the gate. Red-hot trainer Vickie Foley enlists jockey Mark Guidry aboard Wekiva Springs filly, Myfavoritepassion, making her sophomore debut. Last fall, she raced twice from the 12 post and was involved early both times at long odds before tiring. We'll be watching closely, but the long layoff suggests we take a pass for today. I Love the Organ shortens from 6 1/2 furlongs after tiring late as 2-1 favourite. Claimed from James Toner for $75k at the Saratoga meet last summer, then benched by Charles Simon, this Flying Chevron filly makes her second start at this price with top 2004 jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard once again. The cut back in distance has her right there at the end. Another Simon trainee, Dindi, out of Mr. Greeley, faded fast in the slop two weeks ago against allowance maidens after a rough start. John McKee is up today, and with one under her belt, she gives Simon another good shot at hitting the board. Well-bred Story of the Cat (Tale of the Cat - With Brilliance, Proud Appeal) showed nothing in her return to Churchill 12 days ago. The drop in class may not be enough, as she seems over her head against these. Trainer Ken McPeek, not particularly strong with firsters, sends out Raising Keene from the unenviable inside post. Hotshot duo, Steven Asmussen and Shane Sellers, team up with Silver Ghost filly, Ghostly Gal, a closer ready to graduate. The outside post will help her avoid early trouble and she should be able to pick off horses after the hot early pace begins to break down. On the very outside is capable miler, Satin Song, a front-running type who hasn't had much success in sprints. Justin Shepherd, no longer an apprentice, gets the mount. Trainer Carl Nafzger hasn't sent out a debut winner in 45 tries over the last couple of years and Don Combs is one of the least winning conditioners of the day, making things look bleak for Valliant Dancer and Classical Music. Send for an Angel is another who hasn't yet raced as a 3 year old. She gets blinkers for her return today from a 7 month layoff. Trainer Mitch Shirota has had some success at this meet and Chocotini has been worked steadily over the past 4 weeks. Brice Blanc gets the mount on one that could sneak into the gimmicks.

SELECTIONS    10-4-scr-11 
FINISH           4-2-6-7

With so much early speed entered, the scratch of Dindi was good news for Vickie Foley and Mark Guidry, who was able to stalk the early pacesetters with Myfavoritepassion (7-2), then take over at the half mile with little resistance. She wasn't able to hold off a charging I Love the Organ (2-1), the post-time favourite, who got a ground-saving trip from Rafael Bejarano and won in 1:11.01 by a length and a half. Turfway shipper Send for an Angel (28-1) added some value to the gimmicks, finishing third. The exacta paid $28.00, the trifecta was better at $424.60 and the superfecta, with first time starter Chocotini (40-1) returned $4,215.00.

Wednesday, June 2, 2004.

The opening race at Arlington Park today is a 7 furlong sprint for 3 and 4 year old maiden fillies and mares. Inside horse and likely pacesetter, Aloha Rosa, has raced most of her 17 starts in the allowance ranks and has dropped down before with no appreciable advantage. She ran a terrific sprint at Hawthorne in December, only to be nosed out for the win. Greta Kuntzweiler takes the mount and would be wise to gun the Silver Deputy filly for the lead and hope for the best on what will probably be an off track. Directly to her right will be Iowa-bred Anita's Charm, who has improved in every start and returns from a game try against state-breds at Prairie Meadows. Trainer Jeff Lynn goes to jockey Randall Meier, who hit the board with 3 longshots on Memorial Day, each time racing a stalking trip from an inside post position. Top Arlington jockey, apprentice Cruz Contreras was released from hospital after a spill on Monday, with a bruised shoulder. He's scheduled to ride 2nd time starter Double Cannon today. The Sefapiano filly gets blinkers from trainer Brenda Hill, after breaking slowly, racing wide and giving in early in her debut at Hawthorne against Illinois breds. We love Michael Stidham's Cape Town filly, Capespringseternal, also making her second career start. She returns with Lasix after gaining ground on the winner in the stretch at this claiming level two weeks ago. She has up to a 9lb advantage over her rivals today and gets solid apprentice James Graham in the irons. It wouldn't take much of an improvement for closer Rockroundtheclock to hit the board (and with a decent price). Racing first off the claim for Joel Berndt's barn, the 4 year old moves up from the $10k maiden claiming level. First-time starter, Western Lily, isn't particularly well-bred for this and trainer Michele Boyce hasn't had a great deal of success with maiden claimers or first-timers. Her works over the Hawthorne oval have been slow, even for that track. On the outside is another Lynn trainee, veteran maiden loser Miss Legend, who's shown strength in routes and on turf, but consistently weakens in sprints after trying to vie for the lead. Perhaps the extra distance today will keep her around a little longer. Regular jockey Larry Sterling is up once again.

SELECTIONS    3-scr-5-7 
FINISH          5-3-7-1

Trainer Joel Berndt claimed Rockaroundtheclock (14-1) for $10k and got nearly all of it back today when Carlos Montalvo brought her 4-wide into the stretch and put away heavy favourite, Capespringseternal (2-5), to win by a length and three quarters in 1:26.23. Our third choice, Miss Legend (7-2) pressed the pace, faded once again in the stretch and settled for the show prize. There was an inquiry regarding Capespringseternal lugging in in the stretch, but, despite forcing Miss Legend to check, it was ruled that the favourite had all the momentum at that point and the finish stood. The exacta paid a tidy $69.20 and the trifecta returned an even $200.00. Congratulations!