DerbyTrail
07-01-2005, 12:22 PM
The big events Saturday are the Suburban at Belmont and the United Nations at Monmouth. Both Gr. I races hearken back to golden eras in American thoroughbred racing with their majestic heritages, classic distances and heroic lists of victors.
One rare element of the two events, is that their respective distances have never fluctuated. The Suburban, first contested in 1884 at Sheepshead Bay, has always been a mile and a quarter. The United Nations, which was inaugurated on the wonderful Atlantic City Race Course lawn in 1953 was a mile and three sixteenths until it was forced to move to Monmouth Park where the configuration stretched it to 11f.
The lists of winners of the two Independence Day weekend standards is a who's who of the world of turfdom. Suburban winners? Salvator, Ben Brush, Beldame, Grey Lag, Equipoise, Eight Thirty, Assault, Tom Fool, Nashua, Sword Dancer, Kelso, Buckpasser, Dr. Fager, Forego, State Dinner, Easy Goer, Skip Away, Mineshaft and last year, Peace Rules.
The United Nations boasts a similar galaxy of stars whose grandest exploits came on grass: Round Table (2x), T.V. Lark, Dr. Fager (!), Manila, Steinlen, Sky Classic, Sandpit, With Anticipation and last year, Request For Parole.
Both tests will be broadcast as part of a 4 race offering on ESPN Saturday from 4-6pm. In addition to the two career-defining events, the Gr. II New York H. and Ohio Derby will be featured. Below, our July 4th Holiday Previews continue with selections in the four ESPN races, as well as the Gr. III Locust Grove at Churchill and ungraded Lone Star Oaks.
Saturday, our coverage continues with Sunday's 5 stake card at Hollywood including three Gr. I's!
(7/2-4:15pm) BEL 7th: 62nd NEW YORK H., $250,000, Gr. II, 10f-IT, F & M, 3+ 7.) WONDER AGAIN (Prado/Toner) 120: J.J.'s excellent 6-year old bay ran super third in Just a Game off extended break and signaled readiness with sub 1:00 T bullet Sunday. Weekend's best bet should get give in grass she prefers too.
1.) VALLERA (Arroyo Jr./Dickinson) 118: Bavarian import is obvious include being from Dickinson off long layoff. Has soft turf experience, first Lasix.
3.) FILM MAKER (J. Velazquez/Motion) 121: Game Gallorette victress Preakness Day always fires shot, and becomes $1,000,000 winner with any check today. Course condition/distance give pause.
(7/2-4:45pm) Tdn 11th: OHIO DERBY, $350,000, Gr. III, 9f, 3 y.o.
1.) UNBRIDLED ENERGY (Migliore/Walden) 115/4-1: Sharp WinStar runner was bumped early and then rallied way wide when 2nd to tough Don't Get Mad in Gr. III Dancer. Mig makes trip to Cleveland.
2.) MAGNA GRADUATE (Stevens/Pletcher) 115/5-2: Note game effort in Texas when 11th in the gate, 5 wide turning for home but just three lengths shy at the wire first time under Stevens. And Gary makes the trip today...
3.) SILVER HAZE (Perrodin/Wren) 115/12-1: J/T combo nearly perfect with Honor Grades son that returns to dirt off trio of grass scores. Exotics booster.
(7/2-5:20pm) 119th SUBURBAN H., $500,000, Gr. I, 10f, 3+
5.) FUNNY CIDE (Bailey/Tagg) 117/7-2: True 10f runner gets new rider who we know loves to show up rivals. Was 20 years between Suburbans for JB (Fit to Fight, '84-Peace Rules, '04).. Could make it 2 in a row.
4.) OFFLEE WILD (Prado/Rodriguez for Dutrow) 116/3-1: Willing to forgive strange and abrupt PIM Special halt by pal Lansdon Robbins' multiple stakes winner. Owns win here in lone visit and knocks heads again with arch-rival above.
3.) POLLARD'S VISION (J. Velazquez/Pletcher) 118/5-2: Three time Gr. III winner has always settled for minor awards in top company, and will have to adjust to several in his blind spot. Distance another concern.
2.) RUNAWAY ROSSY (Fragoso/Brice) 111/30-1: Certainly in over his head, but proven at the trip. 10f is still 10f, and this bomber is 6/3-2-0 trying it: 4/3-1-0 since February. Worth a stab.
(7/2-5:28pm) MON 9th: 52nd UNITED NATIONS H., $750,000, Gr. I, 11f-T, 3+, All 118 ex. Cool Conductor, License to Run, 120
1.) BETTER TALK NOW (Dominguez/Motion) 3-1: Hard to get past inside favorite with only recent figs that typically cop this famed event (108-111).
6.) SILVERFOOT (Albarado/Stewart) 6-1: Presence of Robby here says a lot with 11 race card available to him back in Louisville. Take 6-1 on gelding that's 7 of 12 career and perfect twice this voyage.
4.) REQUEST FOR PAROLE (Bravo/Hough) 5-1: Always respect Hough anywhere, and Bravo on shore, but '04 winner has had just one start off long break, and we doubt that's the way to come into this marathon. Sandpit, Manila, and Noble Dancer II were repeat UN winners, while Round Table went 2-1-0 in this 1957-59.
7.) EXTERIOR (Santos/Frankel) 4-1: Juddmonte trainee never worse than 4th in 8 career efforts including pair of 10f scores at Lingfield and Nottingham. Can stalk or lay, and recall that Santos has won this with Star of Cozzene, Steinlen and Manila.
(7/2-5:26pm) CD 9th: 24th LOCUST GROVE H., $150,000, Gr. III, 9f-T, F & M, 3+
5.) KATDOGAWN (Day/W. Dollase) 121/8-5: Not unbeatable, but plenty imposing
6.) SHACONAGE (Smith, Shirota) 116/5-2: Doesn't win often, but rarely misfires
1.) DELTA PRINCESS (Blanc/Mott) 119/2-1: Super-consistent miss copped Gr. III Julep here last
7.) CAPE TOWN LASS (Graham/McGee) 114/12-1: Cut beneath these but gimmick booster on best
(7/2-6:47pm) LS 10th: 9th LONE STAR OAKS, $100,000, 8.5f-T, F & M, 3 y.o., All carry 116
8.) MAGIC STREAK (Stanton/Murphy) 12-1: Taking shot at value play with Stanton riding back
2.) VICTORY LAP (Theriot/Norman) 8-5: Doesn't tower over these enough to warrant price
5.) SHARON RAE (Berry/Offolter) 10-1: On improve and shouldn't mind added yardage
One rare element of the two events, is that their respective distances have never fluctuated. The Suburban, first contested in 1884 at Sheepshead Bay, has always been a mile and a quarter. The United Nations, which was inaugurated on the wonderful Atlantic City Race Course lawn in 1953 was a mile and three sixteenths until it was forced to move to Monmouth Park where the configuration stretched it to 11f.
The lists of winners of the two Independence Day weekend standards is a who's who of the world of turfdom. Suburban winners? Salvator, Ben Brush, Beldame, Grey Lag, Equipoise, Eight Thirty, Assault, Tom Fool, Nashua, Sword Dancer, Kelso, Buckpasser, Dr. Fager, Forego, State Dinner, Easy Goer, Skip Away, Mineshaft and last year, Peace Rules.
The United Nations boasts a similar galaxy of stars whose grandest exploits came on grass: Round Table (2x), T.V. Lark, Dr. Fager (!), Manila, Steinlen, Sky Classic, Sandpit, With Anticipation and last year, Request For Parole.
Both tests will be broadcast as part of a 4 race offering on ESPN Saturday from 4-6pm. In addition to the two career-defining events, the Gr. II New York H. and Ohio Derby will be featured. Below, our July 4th Holiday Previews continue with selections in the four ESPN races, as well as the Gr. III Locust Grove at Churchill and ungraded Lone Star Oaks.
Saturday, our coverage continues with Sunday's 5 stake card at Hollywood including three Gr. I's!
(7/2-4:15pm) BEL 7th: 62nd NEW YORK H., $250,000, Gr. II, 10f-IT, F & M, 3+ 7.) WONDER AGAIN (Prado/Toner) 120: J.J.'s excellent 6-year old bay ran super third in Just a Game off extended break and signaled readiness with sub 1:00 T bullet Sunday. Weekend's best bet should get give in grass she prefers too.
1.) VALLERA (Arroyo Jr./Dickinson) 118: Bavarian import is obvious include being from Dickinson off long layoff. Has soft turf experience, first Lasix.
3.) FILM MAKER (J. Velazquez/Motion) 121: Game Gallorette victress Preakness Day always fires shot, and becomes $1,000,000 winner with any check today. Course condition/distance give pause.
(7/2-4:45pm) Tdn 11th: OHIO DERBY, $350,000, Gr. III, 9f, 3 y.o.
1.) UNBRIDLED ENERGY (Migliore/Walden) 115/4-1: Sharp WinStar runner was bumped early and then rallied way wide when 2nd to tough Don't Get Mad in Gr. III Dancer. Mig makes trip to Cleveland.
2.) MAGNA GRADUATE (Stevens/Pletcher) 115/5-2: Note game effort in Texas when 11th in the gate, 5 wide turning for home but just three lengths shy at the wire first time under Stevens. And Gary makes the trip today...
3.) SILVER HAZE (Perrodin/Wren) 115/12-1: J/T combo nearly perfect with Honor Grades son that returns to dirt off trio of grass scores. Exotics booster.
(7/2-5:20pm) 119th SUBURBAN H., $500,000, Gr. I, 10f, 3+
5.) FUNNY CIDE (Bailey/Tagg) 117/7-2: True 10f runner gets new rider who we know loves to show up rivals. Was 20 years between Suburbans for JB (Fit to Fight, '84-Peace Rules, '04).. Could make it 2 in a row.
4.) OFFLEE WILD (Prado/Rodriguez for Dutrow) 116/3-1: Willing to forgive strange and abrupt PIM Special halt by pal Lansdon Robbins' multiple stakes winner. Owns win here in lone visit and knocks heads again with arch-rival above.
3.) POLLARD'S VISION (J. Velazquez/Pletcher) 118/5-2: Three time Gr. III winner has always settled for minor awards in top company, and will have to adjust to several in his blind spot. Distance another concern.
2.) RUNAWAY ROSSY (Fragoso/Brice) 111/30-1: Certainly in over his head, but proven at the trip. 10f is still 10f, and this bomber is 6/3-2-0 trying it: 4/3-1-0 since February. Worth a stab.
(7/2-5:28pm) MON 9th: 52nd UNITED NATIONS H., $750,000, Gr. I, 11f-T, 3+, All 118 ex. Cool Conductor, License to Run, 120
1.) BETTER TALK NOW (Dominguez/Motion) 3-1: Hard to get past inside favorite with only recent figs that typically cop this famed event (108-111).
6.) SILVERFOOT (Albarado/Stewart) 6-1: Presence of Robby here says a lot with 11 race card available to him back in Louisville. Take 6-1 on gelding that's 7 of 12 career and perfect twice this voyage.
4.) REQUEST FOR PAROLE (Bravo/Hough) 5-1: Always respect Hough anywhere, and Bravo on shore, but '04 winner has had just one start off long break, and we doubt that's the way to come into this marathon. Sandpit, Manila, and Noble Dancer II were repeat UN winners, while Round Table went 2-1-0 in this 1957-59.
7.) EXTERIOR (Santos/Frankel) 4-1: Juddmonte trainee never worse than 4th in 8 career efforts including pair of 10f scores at Lingfield and Nottingham. Can stalk or lay, and recall that Santos has won this with Star of Cozzene, Steinlen and Manila.
(7/2-5:26pm) CD 9th: 24th LOCUST GROVE H., $150,000, Gr. III, 9f-T, F & M, 3+
5.) KATDOGAWN (Day/W. Dollase) 121/8-5: Not unbeatable, but plenty imposing
6.) SHACONAGE (Smith, Shirota) 116/5-2: Doesn't win often, but rarely misfires
1.) DELTA PRINCESS (Blanc/Mott) 119/2-1: Super-consistent miss copped Gr. III Julep here last
7.) CAPE TOWN LASS (Graham/McGee) 114/12-1: Cut beneath these but gimmick booster on best
(7/2-6:47pm) LS 10th: 9th LONE STAR OAKS, $100,000, 8.5f-T, F & M, 3 y.o., All carry 116
8.) MAGIC STREAK (Stanton/Murphy) 12-1: Taking shot at value play with Stanton riding back
2.) VICTORY LAP (Theriot/Norman) 8-5: Doesn't tower over these enough to warrant price
5.) SHARON RAE (Berry/Offolter) 10-1: On improve and shouldn't mind added yardage