DerbyTrail
12-03-2005, 09:34 AM
The first of three "Grand Slam" Saturday events at Calder kicks off today, and the cards are going to turn out to be a perfect interlude before the start of the 2006 season. The Hollywood turf course fiasco, coupled with the Fairgrounds situation, finds a number of top trainers exporting their horses to South Florida in anticipation of the opening of Gulfstream. Combined with the top animals that have been stabled at Miami during the long CRC meet, the stakes have drawn, and will continue to draw, excellent fields.
Saturday, the Gr. III My Charmer, a $100,000, 9f grass test, has a full and interesting field that includes 8 stakes winners (4 graded), including Gr. I heroines Sand Springs and Ticker Tape. The male counterpart to the My Charmer, the Gr. III Tropical Turf, has a less august group, but does feature entrees from Shug McGaughey, James Cassidy, Bill Mott, Chris Clement and Todd Pletcher. Twin baby races, the Three Ring for gals and the What a Pleasure for boys, go at 8.5f on the dirt between the sod stakes, are very competitive and feature locals that figure to be well-supported atthe windows.
The four races also kick off the front end of TVG's online National Handicapping Championship qualifier, before three races each at Louisiana Downs and Hollywood fill out a 10-race card. To enter the online contest which can yield a spot on Team TVG in Las Vegas in the January NHC Finals, visit here: http://www.ntra.com/nhc/tvg2/ (http://www.ntra.com/nhc/tvg2/). You may remember that Derby Trail Randy Immett qualified for the finals earlier in the year in a two-day contest at Belmont... Well, here's your chance to join him! The 10 races are below, followed by our look at the Calder Stakes:
Race 1 - Calder No.7 - My Charmer (2:59 pm)
Race 2 - Calder No. 8 - Three Ring (3:25 pm)
Race 3 - Calder No. 9 - What a Pleasure (3:51 pm)
Race 4 - Calder No. 10 - Tropical Turf (4:17 pm)
Race 5 - FG at La Downs No. 8 - $50k Claimers (4:51 pm)
Race 6 - FG at La Downs No. 9 - Leggio Memorial (5:19 pm)
Race 7 - FG at La Downs No. 10 - MDN Claimers (5:47 pm)
Race 8 - Hollywood Park No. 6 - N1X Alw (6:04 pm)
Race 9 - Hollywood Park No. 7 - $40k MSW (6:35 pm)
Race 10 - Hollywood Park No. 8 - Cal-bred N1X Alw (7:05 pm)
THE MY CHARMER HANDICAP (Gr. III) - 9f-T, F&M, 3+
1. Skip Command, 113, Nunez-Fenessey: Skip Away 4 year old's lone '05 tally came in optional/N3X. Overmatched.
2 Sand Springs, 121, Bailey-Mott: Diana (Gr. I) winner didn't show up in BC Mile, but front-end runner figures prominently back with own sex and proper company. JB always seems to keep her in front a long way, and Dynaformer 5 year old figures to take some beating here. Formidable, but hardly a lock.
3 Fin, 112, Sutherland-Motion: Elite turf conditioner got this bay 4 year old from Frenchman Pease, and she ripped through two conditions on arrival at Delaware. Likely an up and comer in the hands of one of our favorite trainers, and draws well. But doubt this is her day.
4 Silver Lace, 113, Bridgmohan-Stutts: Jock resurrected his career with successful move to Midwest this year, and arrives in Florida looking to continue winning ways. Silver Deputy bay is a cut beneath the top choices here, but has kept good company and regularly picks up checks. Her 5th start on turf in last shows she's learning the sod game, and her style suits today's race flow. Not impossible at the bottom of the exotics.
5 Spotlight, 115, Dominguez-Clement: First of 2 Clements keeps Ramon, and Gr. II winner rarely misfires, but Dr. Fong chestnut has failed to get back to her springtime top, and looks a step slow versus the best entered here.
6 Formal Miss, 115, Cruz-Maxwell: 28/0-1-0 for the meet, Cruz did get this Formal Dinner five year old within 3/4 of the Copano winner's circle last time out (4th), and bay does like Calder (16/7-2-3). In the mix for a superfecta fit?
7 Snowdrops, 115, Blanc-Clement: Gulch five year old yet another that always runs her race, and grey was second under Blanc in this event last year. Clement has been firing on all cylinders since arriving in Dade County, but Gr. III winner needs a new top for laurels here. Logical inclusion underneath.
8 Pattiano, 114, Bracho-Brennan: Bay mare was 2nd in that Copano, and if Silver Lace (3rd in same affair) figures into the bottom rungs of the super, then this five year old does as well.
9 Elle Runaway, 114, Castro-Wolfson: Slow-developing three year old from our friend Charlotte's Live Oak operation has the look of a comer after lucrative Ontario Colleen (WO) win in September and game Valley View (Gr. III) 4th to Asi Sempre on yielding KEE sod 6 weeks ago. Gets South FL's top pilot, needs best effort yet for board hit, and should be a square price. One to use and one to watch in '06.
10 Ticker Tape, 117, Valdivia Jr.-Cassidy: Our favorite sophomore turf filly in 2004 has mirrored many a four year old gal by struggling after a great three year old season. Yet to win this annum, but Cassidy extremely confident that Royal Applause bay is back on her game and ready for a top effort after attempts to make her a miler ran inter Intercontinental 4 times too many. Is third-fastest on TGraph coming in, may lose some ground and won't be a bargain. Tough call...
11 Path of Thunder, 114, DeCarlo-Pletcher: De La Rose winner at Saratoga has had an all or nothing kind of year winning 3x in 7 starts while off the board 4th, 6th or 7th in the other 4. Pace-press style will find her trying to get out early from the wide berth, and not sure if that's going to be a plus today. Fast enough to be involved in the prices, but leaning against.
12 La Reina, 116, Smith-Shug: A.P. Indy four year old, like stablemate Settle Up in the Tropical Turf, has been something of a disappointment. Four year old has hit board regularly in good company, but has yet to tally for black type. Smitty knows her from a pair of fall tries at BEL and KEE, and expect she breaks through somewhere. Another to consider for exotic tix.
SELECTIONS:
2. SAND SPRINGS: Hate to eat the chalk here, but her speed, inside draw, and Bailey provides edge.
7. SNOWDROPS: 2nd last year, 2nd this year?
10. TICKER TAPE: Back to trip she likes and her arch-nemesis isn't here.
9. ELLE RUNAWAY: Has had nice break since Valley View, and Castro is the master this oval.
4. SILVER LACE: Local exits solid wide trip try, and may like the stretch-out today.
THE THREE RING, $100,000, 8.5f, 2yo fillies
(NOTE: Race is named for the tragic Acorn winning filly that banged her head when she reared in the Belmont paddock and died. She was something special, and was one of our favorites of the late 90's..)
In order of preference:
4 El Bank Robber, 116, Chavez-Wolfson: Live Oak homebred overcame troubled start to win at first asking, and may explode with clean break today. Eltish daughter was an awkward youngster, and career debut was delayed until she was truly ready. Patience pays off here.
6 Mia's Reflection, 121, Olivero-Rose: Latest edition from the prolific Rose family mare that produced Hal's Hope has done little wrong in since breaking her maiden in a minor stake. Full sister to Hal's Image can gun, stalk or rate, and J-T combo clicking at 20% '04-'05, but be aware that trainer Rose is on extended skid lately.
1 Golden Silk, 118, Valdivia Jr.-Cassidy: 2nd entrant of three for J-T ran into Wild Fit and ill-fated Diamond Omi out West after DMR diploma-grabber. Songandaprayer bay was rank early in turf stakes try last, and FL-bred may enjoy this oval.
2 Capozzene, 118, Bailey-Pletcher: Probably foolish to discount chances of Pletcher juvy girl, but her figs are no better than the rest of this cast, and she will get company if trying the front end. Has actually been best under barn backup rider DeCarlo.
5 Stolen Prayer, 114, Castro-Plesa: 2nd 'Songandprayer' here from cagey Plesa has been exacta perfect in four Calder tries (4/2-2-0), and is one of the ones that would accompany Capozenne on the lead. Expect that tactic gets them all caught today.
3 Secret Brook, 114, C. Velasquez-Divitto: Montbrook filly has gone in the wrong direction since fast debut in SAR MCL. She was nabbed by current connections in that $60k event, and has been well beaten thrice since.
THE WHAT A PLEASURE, $100,000, 8.5f, 2yo colts
Another good edition of this event that regularly sends three year olds into the Gulfstream Florida Derby Series starting next month with the Holy Bull.
In order of preference
6 Flanders Fields, 119, Bailey-Stewart: A.P. Indy-Overbrook homebred lost any chance when posted #13 in the Iroquois. Has tactical speed and should adore the trip. Won't be the public choice either.
7 Electrify, 119, Castro-Plesa: Chestnut from first crop of lovable Delaware Township is sire's top winner off three straight easy wins this course to start career. Wide berth shouldn't be an issue but better competition may be. Expect top pair may be alone down the stretch.
1 Big Lover, 115, Chavez-Salinas: Speaking of resurecting their career, Chop-Chop made good decision to head south early and get back into top riding shape, and has banged it at 20% as meet's 2nd leading pilot. Ecton Park (!) rednut took three tries to break maiden, but was getting to Electrify last time at 7 panels. Will be nice number.
2 Rehoboth, 115, Chapman-Gomez: Wagon Limit son another that needed multiple tries to gain diploma, but ALW win three back makes him 2nd fastest player here and stalker could be getting to them late if front end gets too hot. One of two here from Frank Gomez.
5 Changing Weather, 119 , Bravo-Harty: Darley Storm Boot colt adds blinks for today's try after failing to menace when troubled at the start in Bluegrass Cat's Nashua (Gr. III). Was ripped by Private Vow before that in the Futurity and has been working nicely for three weeks at Boynton preparing for this. Logical contender in well-matched group.
.
3 Saint Augustus, 119, Dominguez-Pletcher: Probably nuts to write-off both Pletcher babies today, but this Saint Ballado chestnut looks a tad torpid to us. Improved once off the rail and won at the trip, but we're going to pass.
4 First Movement, 119, Velez Jr.-Gomez: Has found trouble in three of five starts, overcoming it in ALW win two back. Could certainly move up with clean trip, but still seems a step slow versus several of there.
TROPICAL TURF HANDICAP (Gr. III) $100,000, 9f-T, 3+
SELECTIONS:
7 Saint Stephen, 114, Bravo-Clement: "Jersey Joe" climbs back aboard this five year old, and he has done nothing but win on this Saint Ballado bay. Was within three of Good Reward at the end of the Manhattan, has been freshened since and looks like solid play given pair of layoff successes.
6 Silver Tree, 116, Bailey-Mott: Winner of nearly $900,000 remains an enigma consistently firing big shots that fall short. In the money 11 of 16 last two years, but winless more than 16 months. Rarely worse than third though, and has to be respected.
9 Cointreau, 112, Bridgmohan-Oliver: Taking shot at high board hit with Hennessy five year old making graded stake debut. Not crazy about wide start, but tactically-talented runner will be value, and believe Shaun works out a trip here.
2 Hotstufanthensome, 118, Maragh-Pointer: Trainer enjoying good visit to Sunshine State, and this Cliffhanger (Gr. III) romper (by 14 lengths) could wing early or run away late. Earned huge negative TGraph fig for the MED win, but that effort and another top performance came on less than firm turf and the sod won't have much give today. Low price, course condition and bounce probability have us leaning elsewhere.
8 Icy Atlantic, 113, Dominguez-Pletcher: Four year old bay likely cycling back to a good effort today, but only a career best will get him into the winner's circle here from a tricky post. More likely as an exotics inclusion.
PICK 4:
R7: 2 (7-9-10)
R8: 1-2-4-5-6
R9: 6-7
R10: 2-6-7-9
1x5x2x4 = $40 ($80 with a 2nd choice in the My Charmer)
Saturday, the Gr. III My Charmer, a $100,000, 9f grass test, has a full and interesting field that includes 8 stakes winners (4 graded), including Gr. I heroines Sand Springs and Ticker Tape. The male counterpart to the My Charmer, the Gr. III Tropical Turf, has a less august group, but does feature entrees from Shug McGaughey, James Cassidy, Bill Mott, Chris Clement and Todd Pletcher. Twin baby races, the Three Ring for gals and the What a Pleasure for boys, go at 8.5f on the dirt between the sod stakes, are very competitive and feature locals that figure to be well-supported atthe windows.
The four races also kick off the front end of TVG's online National Handicapping Championship qualifier, before three races each at Louisiana Downs and Hollywood fill out a 10-race card. To enter the online contest which can yield a spot on Team TVG in Las Vegas in the January NHC Finals, visit here: http://www.ntra.com/nhc/tvg2/ (http://www.ntra.com/nhc/tvg2/). You may remember that Derby Trail Randy Immett qualified for the finals earlier in the year in a two-day contest at Belmont... Well, here's your chance to join him! The 10 races are below, followed by our look at the Calder Stakes:
Race 1 - Calder No.7 - My Charmer (2:59 pm)
Race 2 - Calder No. 8 - Three Ring (3:25 pm)
Race 3 - Calder No. 9 - What a Pleasure (3:51 pm)
Race 4 - Calder No. 10 - Tropical Turf (4:17 pm)
Race 5 - FG at La Downs No. 8 - $50k Claimers (4:51 pm)
Race 6 - FG at La Downs No. 9 - Leggio Memorial (5:19 pm)
Race 7 - FG at La Downs No. 10 - MDN Claimers (5:47 pm)
Race 8 - Hollywood Park No. 6 - N1X Alw (6:04 pm)
Race 9 - Hollywood Park No. 7 - $40k MSW (6:35 pm)
Race 10 - Hollywood Park No. 8 - Cal-bred N1X Alw (7:05 pm)
THE MY CHARMER HANDICAP (Gr. III) - 9f-T, F&M, 3+
1. Skip Command, 113, Nunez-Fenessey: Skip Away 4 year old's lone '05 tally came in optional/N3X. Overmatched.
2 Sand Springs, 121, Bailey-Mott: Diana (Gr. I) winner didn't show up in BC Mile, but front-end runner figures prominently back with own sex and proper company. JB always seems to keep her in front a long way, and Dynaformer 5 year old figures to take some beating here. Formidable, but hardly a lock.
3 Fin, 112, Sutherland-Motion: Elite turf conditioner got this bay 4 year old from Frenchman Pease, and she ripped through two conditions on arrival at Delaware. Likely an up and comer in the hands of one of our favorite trainers, and draws well. But doubt this is her day.
4 Silver Lace, 113, Bridgmohan-Stutts: Jock resurrected his career with successful move to Midwest this year, and arrives in Florida looking to continue winning ways. Silver Deputy bay is a cut beneath the top choices here, but has kept good company and regularly picks up checks. Her 5th start on turf in last shows she's learning the sod game, and her style suits today's race flow. Not impossible at the bottom of the exotics.
5 Spotlight, 115, Dominguez-Clement: First of 2 Clements keeps Ramon, and Gr. II winner rarely misfires, but Dr. Fong chestnut has failed to get back to her springtime top, and looks a step slow versus the best entered here.
6 Formal Miss, 115, Cruz-Maxwell: 28/0-1-0 for the meet, Cruz did get this Formal Dinner five year old within 3/4 of the Copano winner's circle last time out (4th), and bay does like Calder (16/7-2-3). In the mix for a superfecta fit?
7 Snowdrops, 115, Blanc-Clement: Gulch five year old yet another that always runs her race, and grey was second under Blanc in this event last year. Clement has been firing on all cylinders since arriving in Dade County, but Gr. III winner needs a new top for laurels here. Logical inclusion underneath.
8 Pattiano, 114, Bracho-Brennan: Bay mare was 2nd in that Copano, and if Silver Lace (3rd in same affair) figures into the bottom rungs of the super, then this five year old does as well.
9 Elle Runaway, 114, Castro-Wolfson: Slow-developing three year old from our friend Charlotte's Live Oak operation has the look of a comer after lucrative Ontario Colleen (WO) win in September and game Valley View (Gr. III) 4th to Asi Sempre on yielding KEE sod 6 weeks ago. Gets South FL's top pilot, needs best effort yet for board hit, and should be a square price. One to use and one to watch in '06.
10 Ticker Tape, 117, Valdivia Jr.-Cassidy: Our favorite sophomore turf filly in 2004 has mirrored many a four year old gal by struggling after a great three year old season. Yet to win this annum, but Cassidy extremely confident that Royal Applause bay is back on her game and ready for a top effort after attempts to make her a miler ran inter Intercontinental 4 times too many. Is third-fastest on TGraph coming in, may lose some ground and won't be a bargain. Tough call...
11 Path of Thunder, 114, DeCarlo-Pletcher: De La Rose winner at Saratoga has had an all or nothing kind of year winning 3x in 7 starts while off the board 4th, 6th or 7th in the other 4. Pace-press style will find her trying to get out early from the wide berth, and not sure if that's going to be a plus today. Fast enough to be involved in the prices, but leaning against.
12 La Reina, 116, Smith-Shug: A.P. Indy four year old, like stablemate Settle Up in the Tropical Turf, has been something of a disappointment. Four year old has hit board regularly in good company, but has yet to tally for black type. Smitty knows her from a pair of fall tries at BEL and KEE, and expect she breaks through somewhere. Another to consider for exotic tix.
SELECTIONS:
2. SAND SPRINGS: Hate to eat the chalk here, but her speed, inside draw, and Bailey provides edge.
7. SNOWDROPS: 2nd last year, 2nd this year?
10. TICKER TAPE: Back to trip she likes and her arch-nemesis isn't here.
9. ELLE RUNAWAY: Has had nice break since Valley View, and Castro is the master this oval.
4. SILVER LACE: Local exits solid wide trip try, and may like the stretch-out today.
THE THREE RING, $100,000, 8.5f, 2yo fillies
(NOTE: Race is named for the tragic Acorn winning filly that banged her head when she reared in the Belmont paddock and died. She was something special, and was one of our favorites of the late 90's..)
In order of preference:
4 El Bank Robber, 116, Chavez-Wolfson: Live Oak homebred overcame troubled start to win at first asking, and may explode with clean break today. Eltish daughter was an awkward youngster, and career debut was delayed until she was truly ready. Patience pays off here.
6 Mia's Reflection, 121, Olivero-Rose: Latest edition from the prolific Rose family mare that produced Hal's Hope has done little wrong in since breaking her maiden in a minor stake. Full sister to Hal's Image can gun, stalk or rate, and J-T combo clicking at 20% '04-'05, but be aware that trainer Rose is on extended skid lately.
1 Golden Silk, 118, Valdivia Jr.-Cassidy: 2nd entrant of three for J-T ran into Wild Fit and ill-fated Diamond Omi out West after DMR diploma-grabber. Songandaprayer bay was rank early in turf stakes try last, and FL-bred may enjoy this oval.
2 Capozzene, 118, Bailey-Pletcher: Probably foolish to discount chances of Pletcher juvy girl, but her figs are no better than the rest of this cast, and she will get company if trying the front end. Has actually been best under barn backup rider DeCarlo.
5 Stolen Prayer, 114, Castro-Plesa: 2nd 'Songandprayer' here from cagey Plesa has been exacta perfect in four Calder tries (4/2-2-0), and is one of the ones that would accompany Capozenne on the lead. Expect that tactic gets them all caught today.
3 Secret Brook, 114, C. Velasquez-Divitto: Montbrook filly has gone in the wrong direction since fast debut in SAR MCL. She was nabbed by current connections in that $60k event, and has been well beaten thrice since.
THE WHAT A PLEASURE, $100,000, 8.5f, 2yo colts
Another good edition of this event that regularly sends three year olds into the Gulfstream Florida Derby Series starting next month with the Holy Bull.
In order of preference
6 Flanders Fields, 119, Bailey-Stewart: A.P. Indy-Overbrook homebred lost any chance when posted #13 in the Iroquois. Has tactical speed and should adore the trip. Won't be the public choice either.
7 Electrify, 119, Castro-Plesa: Chestnut from first crop of lovable Delaware Township is sire's top winner off three straight easy wins this course to start career. Wide berth shouldn't be an issue but better competition may be. Expect top pair may be alone down the stretch.
1 Big Lover, 115, Chavez-Salinas: Speaking of resurecting their career, Chop-Chop made good decision to head south early and get back into top riding shape, and has banged it at 20% as meet's 2nd leading pilot. Ecton Park (!) rednut took three tries to break maiden, but was getting to Electrify last time at 7 panels. Will be nice number.
2 Rehoboth, 115, Chapman-Gomez: Wagon Limit son another that needed multiple tries to gain diploma, but ALW win three back makes him 2nd fastest player here and stalker could be getting to them late if front end gets too hot. One of two here from Frank Gomez.
5 Changing Weather, 119 , Bravo-Harty: Darley Storm Boot colt adds blinks for today's try after failing to menace when troubled at the start in Bluegrass Cat's Nashua (Gr. III). Was ripped by Private Vow before that in the Futurity and has been working nicely for three weeks at Boynton preparing for this. Logical contender in well-matched group.
.
3 Saint Augustus, 119, Dominguez-Pletcher: Probably nuts to write-off both Pletcher babies today, but this Saint Ballado chestnut looks a tad torpid to us. Improved once off the rail and won at the trip, but we're going to pass.
4 First Movement, 119, Velez Jr.-Gomez: Has found trouble in three of five starts, overcoming it in ALW win two back. Could certainly move up with clean trip, but still seems a step slow versus several of there.
TROPICAL TURF HANDICAP (Gr. III) $100,000, 9f-T, 3+
SELECTIONS:
7 Saint Stephen, 114, Bravo-Clement: "Jersey Joe" climbs back aboard this five year old, and he has done nothing but win on this Saint Ballado bay. Was within three of Good Reward at the end of the Manhattan, has been freshened since and looks like solid play given pair of layoff successes.
6 Silver Tree, 116, Bailey-Mott: Winner of nearly $900,000 remains an enigma consistently firing big shots that fall short. In the money 11 of 16 last two years, but winless more than 16 months. Rarely worse than third though, and has to be respected.
9 Cointreau, 112, Bridgmohan-Oliver: Taking shot at high board hit with Hennessy five year old making graded stake debut. Not crazy about wide start, but tactically-talented runner will be value, and believe Shaun works out a trip here.
2 Hotstufanthensome, 118, Maragh-Pointer: Trainer enjoying good visit to Sunshine State, and this Cliffhanger (Gr. III) romper (by 14 lengths) could wing early or run away late. Earned huge negative TGraph fig for the MED win, but that effort and another top performance came on less than firm turf and the sod won't have much give today. Low price, course condition and bounce probability have us leaning elsewhere.
8 Icy Atlantic, 113, Dominguez-Pletcher: Four year old bay likely cycling back to a good effort today, but only a career best will get him into the winner's circle here from a tricky post. More likely as an exotics inclusion.
PICK 4:
R7: 2 (7-9-10)
R8: 1-2-4-5-6
R9: 6-7
R10: 2-6-7-9
1x5x2x4 = $40 ($80 with a 2nd choice in the My Charmer)