DerbyTrail
06-17-2006, 11:43 AM
A Saturday of Stakes around the country, highlighted by the Stephen Foster Day bonanza at Churchill, should produce a great afternoon of racing. Belmont, Delaware, Arlington, Lone Star and Hollywood all card important stakes in addition to the sextet at Louisville. Most of the game's divisions are featured in these early summer events that will help determine the pecking order come the Breeders' Cup in November.
The Gr. I Ogden Phipps (BEL) and Stephen Foster combine with the Gr. II Fleur de Lis and Californian (HOL) for the popular NTRA National Pick 4 as well, a wager that has produced some outrageous returns in recent years. As with the Magna 5, there is something tremendously alluring for horseplayers in multi-track, multi-race punts, and ESPN will take advantage of today's quartet with a two hour broadcast of the play's races (5-7pm EST).
We can't address Saturday's features without first looking back at a race Friday which hopefully set the tone for a great afternoon of equine competition. Churchill's 10th Friday was a $100,000 optional claiming event that featured Paul Magee's Suave and Second of June, Bill Cesare's highly popular, oft-sidelined charge that rarely fails to produce memorable performances.
In 2004, Second of June engaged in a Fountain of Youth duel with Read the Footnotes that continues to be discussed. That Florida day, the pair raced on even terms for nearly the entire heat, with Rick Violette's colt edging the Holy Bull winner at the finish. Friday, Second of June fought on the front end before being confronted by Suave on the turn to set the stage for another gut-wrenching stretch drive. Down the entire 1,234.5 feet of the Downs' lane, Suave and Second of June battled with the latter once once more finding himself on the losing end of a photo.
He may not win these thrilling head to head struggles, but Second of June wins fans every time he steps out on the track. It was good to see him back considering that Read the Footnotes was never the same horse after their confrontation at Gulfstream and retired a couple of starts later. Second of June continues to soldier on at five and somewhere along the line will win one of these mano a mano tussles.
SATURDAY STAKES
DEL 8 (3:54): 11th Susan's Girl, (L), $175,000, 3yo fillies, 8.5f
1. #6 PEAK MARIA'S WAY 8-1: Gorham gal could prove tough if able to shake loose; 2-2 course
2. #2 WONDER LADY ANNE L 2-1: Dutrow bay unlucky victim of Acorn gate incident when apparently ready to fire big shot; must prove self at short number on quirky oval
A. #5 AMANDATUDE 4-1: Can't exclude Ritchey listed winner by Aptitude who is perfect 7-7 in DEL exactas (2-5-0)
B. #1 GASIA 6-1: Becoming big fan of Mr. Jones (Hello Liberty) who's clicking 30% this circuit; looks poised but doesn't get best pace target for late kick
BEL 9 (5:15): 38th Ogden Phipps H. (Gr. I), $300,000, F&M-3+, 8.5f, (NTRA P4-Leg A)
1. #1 BENDING STRINGS 6-1: Fact Dollase ships in with American Chance 5yo telling; was third here in '05 to Ashado/Society Selection and looks better now; has plus stalk and pounce style that suits affair; offers value
2. #3 SPUN SUGAR 9-5: Pletcher miss was beneficiary of pathetic Albarado ride on Happy Ticket in 'Blossom'; plenty of time off since big figure earned there but still eligible to regress; vulnerable at miniscule price
A. #2 IN THE GOLD 10-1: Appreciate tote on Zito red from friend Charlotte Weber's Live Oak that has found going tough since Gr. I Gazelle win 8 months ago; returns to BEL (4/2-0-1) and one turn route she prefers; gets set up for late heroics
B. #7 BALLETTO 4-1: Castellano stays here, and this is another that showed improved form last when second best to today's #4 in the Shuvee; broke maiden and won Frizette this oval and owns another pair of placements in 4 Elmont visits
CD 6 (3:59): 29th Jefferson Cup, (Gr. II), $200,000, 3yo, 9f-T
1. #1 BRILLIANT 4-1: Howard-Farish hopeful has found calling on lawn, is 2-2 CD grass and figures to be alone turning for home
2. #4 MERCURIUS 9-2: 2nd Pletcher and "LDK" son has made this trip three straight starts and likely continues to progress
A. #6 YATE'S BLACK CAT 5-2: Late runner just missed two back when jump behind tragic 'Octave' in Forerunner; Romans' player may not get ideal flow
B. #7 OBI WAN KENOBI 6-1: Nice Hancock homebred from Brothers dueled top pick to the wire last time at a mile; loses Bridge to Storm Treasure but gets Guid for the stretchout
CD 7 (4:33): 5th Northern Dancer, (Gr. III), $200,000, 3yo, 8.5f
1. #3 ADMIRAL'S ARCH 5-1: Forgiving poor Lone Star effort given that oval's love-hate surface; standing against Derby also-rans today nationwide as this one just as much at home at CD as Private Vow
2. #7 CIRCLE THE WORLD 4-1: Using Mercurius rationale with this Pletcher runner too as nation's busiest trainer brings them forward in waves; FuPeg bay 2-2 with CD Alw score at 7f last
A. #4 SIMON PURE 10-1: Lukas-Lewis black type also ran zipped 5f <1:00 here Sunday and adds hot bug Leparoux
B. #1 PRIVATE VOW 9-5: Hard to swallow price on loser of three straight and off Derby dusting; no faster than the two to his right and rose run types a historical bad bet back
CD 8 (5:06): 37th Regret, (Gr. III), $200,000, 3yo fillies, 9f-T
1. #2 CANDY MA'AM 15-1: Take long look at long-winded Wilkes miss by LDK out of a Broad Brush mare; saves ground, will love the added distance and gets plus pace to chase; juicy mutuel under hustling Calvin
2. #1 LADY OF VENICE 5-2: Appalachian winner logical choice with hot J-T combo, but will be visited on front end and must gut out additional panel; figures prominent, but no lock
A. #9 FIERY DANCER 5-1: Took Atticus chestnut awhile to find form, but sharp Scherer picks spots well and Bejarano sticks; good enough for inclusion
B. #10 MAY NIGHT 12-1: Seitz trainee has kept company with many of these and yet to not earn check in 7 career efforts; broke maiden in PG Johnson and should be rallying late in tough heat
CD 9 (5:41): 32nd Fleur de Lis, (Gr. II), $300,000, F&M-3+, 9f, (NTRA P4-Leg B)
1. #2 HAPPY TICKET 6-5: Applaud Leggio for adding Leparoux after pair of top stake neck jobs compliments of dismal Albarado efforts on America's Makybe Diva; scratch BC DIS pallet flip, and Anet bay 15/11-4-0 which could be 15/13-2-0; refuses to be denied today and hope Robby is watching
2. #1 OONAGH MACCOOL 1-1: Undoubtedly premier Giant's Causeway daughter via Irish mare exits pair of Gr. II scores, but isn't as fast as one above; yielding listed loss lone failure on c.v. and sure to engage Ticket for epic duel under Raphy
3. #3 GALLANT SECRET 20-1: Taking price on recently hot Menifee bay as third cog in trifecta
CD 10 (6:13): 25th Stephen Foster H., (Gr. I), $750,000, 3+, 9f, (NTRA P4-Leg C)
1. #9 BRASS HAT 5-2: Openly rooting for Bradley and gallant gelding screwed royally by Dubai royalty; drilling well for return, owns right style and will be out for blood
2. #4 COSMONAUT 20-1: Biancone adds goggles to third LDK offspring noted today, and willing to look back to GG Gr. III win for inspiration at 20-1
A. #5 WIGGINS 15-1: Romans trainee gets to sit behind speed under Bejarano and though never a factor at this level could be "good now"
B. #8 WILD DESERT 15-1: Clearly we're looking for value behind top pick, and Dutrow didn't come here for the bourbon (well, maybe); '05 Queens Plate victor was sharp in return from long layoff behind Tanaka star, and similar today earns share
CD 11 (6:42): 30th Mint Julep, (Gr. III), $100,000, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T
1. #7 RICH IN SPIRIT 3-1: Streaking Proctor (30% meet) sends Guid on versatile Repriced filly that's 3/2-1-0 at CD, 6/3-2-0 at trip; Slightly less accomplished than Gr. II winner Typhoon, but likely to move forward 3rd off break
2. #5 MY TYPHOON 5-2: Hate playing it chalky in any turf event, but Mott Live Oak Miss Revere victress has few warts; Albarado was aboard for that Gr. II win this lawn, and Giant's Causeway red is 3 for 4 this distance
A. #4 SKY HIGH FLYER 6-1: Frankel largely absent from today's stakes preceedings, so look to this one and Lone Star player to run well; 2/1-1-0 so far in North America, and well suited for this group
B. #12 SPECIAL GRAYCE 12-1: We LOVE anything Helen Pitts saddles, and Smart Strike grey has kicked it up a notch as four year old; will be going best late
C. #8 LOUVE ROYALE 4-1: Hard to exclude this Biancone-Leparoux player who just missed in Bewitch graded debut two back
HOL 4 (5:40): 28th Affirmed H., (Gr. III), $100,000, 3yo, 8.5f
1. #6 RECORD 4-1: Reiterate stand against post-Derby runners by siding with Baffert Derby Trial winner
2. #3 ARSON SQUAD 5-1: Headley thinks highly of Brahams stretchout player that brings 4/2-0-2 mark to fray
3. #2 POINT DETERMINED 2-1: Likely favorite not more than solid fit with these on figures
HOL 6 (6:43): 28th Californian H., (Gr. II), $250,000, 3+, 9f, (NTRA P4-Leg D)
1. #5 MELANYHASTHEPAPERS 6-1: Marquez 5yo always runs at Inglewood and looks to break through black type ceiling here
2. #2 DIXIE MEISTER 6-1: Canani-Tanaka candidate another seeking initial graded score and TX-bred has been close before
A. #6 SPELLBINDER 5-2: One of two Gr. II winners here with Frolic, Mandella frontrunning type faces pressure in waves
B. #3 SUPER FROLIC 5-1: Dubai exiters have been performing well around the country, and it's hard to know what to expect from HAW Gold Cup winner; working well though and a fit on pace, figs
$1 NTRA P4 PLAY:
A: 1-2-3-7
B: 1-2
C: 4-9
D: 2-5-6
4x2x2x3 = $48
$1 CD $100k Guaranteed P4:
8: 1-2
9: 1-2
10: 1-4-5-9
11: 5-7-12
2x2x4x3 = $48
Good luck.. Enjoy the great day of racing!
Steve
The Gr. I Ogden Phipps (BEL) and Stephen Foster combine with the Gr. II Fleur de Lis and Californian (HOL) for the popular NTRA National Pick 4 as well, a wager that has produced some outrageous returns in recent years. As with the Magna 5, there is something tremendously alluring for horseplayers in multi-track, multi-race punts, and ESPN will take advantage of today's quartet with a two hour broadcast of the play's races (5-7pm EST).
We can't address Saturday's features without first looking back at a race Friday which hopefully set the tone for a great afternoon of equine competition. Churchill's 10th Friday was a $100,000 optional claiming event that featured Paul Magee's Suave and Second of June, Bill Cesare's highly popular, oft-sidelined charge that rarely fails to produce memorable performances.
In 2004, Second of June engaged in a Fountain of Youth duel with Read the Footnotes that continues to be discussed. That Florida day, the pair raced on even terms for nearly the entire heat, with Rick Violette's colt edging the Holy Bull winner at the finish. Friday, Second of June fought on the front end before being confronted by Suave on the turn to set the stage for another gut-wrenching stretch drive. Down the entire 1,234.5 feet of the Downs' lane, Suave and Second of June battled with the latter once once more finding himself on the losing end of a photo.
He may not win these thrilling head to head struggles, but Second of June wins fans every time he steps out on the track. It was good to see him back considering that Read the Footnotes was never the same horse after their confrontation at Gulfstream and retired a couple of starts later. Second of June continues to soldier on at five and somewhere along the line will win one of these mano a mano tussles.
SATURDAY STAKES
DEL 8 (3:54): 11th Susan's Girl, (L), $175,000, 3yo fillies, 8.5f
1. #6 PEAK MARIA'S WAY 8-1: Gorham gal could prove tough if able to shake loose; 2-2 course
2. #2 WONDER LADY ANNE L 2-1: Dutrow bay unlucky victim of Acorn gate incident when apparently ready to fire big shot; must prove self at short number on quirky oval
A. #5 AMANDATUDE 4-1: Can't exclude Ritchey listed winner by Aptitude who is perfect 7-7 in DEL exactas (2-5-0)
B. #1 GASIA 6-1: Becoming big fan of Mr. Jones (Hello Liberty) who's clicking 30% this circuit; looks poised but doesn't get best pace target for late kick
BEL 9 (5:15): 38th Ogden Phipps H. (Gr. I), $300,000, F&M-3+, 8.5f, (NTRA P4-Leg A)
1. #1 BENDING STRINGS 6-1: Fact Dollase ships in with American Chance 5yo telling; was third here in '05 to Ashado/Society Selection and looks better now; has plus stalk and pounce style that suits affair; offers value
2. #3 SPUN SUGAR 9-5: Pletcher miss was beneficiary of pathetic Albarado ride on Happy Ticket in 'Blossom'; plenty of time off since big figure earned there but still eligible to regress; vulnerable at miniscule price
A. #2 IN THE GOLD 10-1: Appreciate tote on Zito red from friend Charlotte Weber's Live Oak that has found going tough since Gr. I Gazelle win 8 months ago; returns to BEL (4/2-0-1) and one turn route she prefers; gets set up for late heroics
B. #7 BALLETTO 4-1: Castellano stays here, and this is another that showed improved form last when second best to today's #4 in the Shuvee; broke maiden and won Frizette this oval and owns another pair of placements in 4 Elmont visits
CD 6 (3:59): 29th Jefferson Cup, (Gr. II), $200,000, 3yo, 9f-T
1. #1 BRILLIANT 4-1: Howard-Farish hopeful has found calling on lawn, is 2-2 CD grass and figures to be alone turning for home
2. #4 MERCURIUS 9-2: 2nd Pletcher and "LDK" son has made this trip three straight starts and likely continues to progress
A. #6 YATE'S BLACK CAT 5-2: Late runner just missed two back when jump behind tragic 'Octave' in Forerunner; Romans' player may not get ideal flow
B. #7 OBI WAN KENOBI 6-1: Nice Hancock homebred from Brothers dueled top pick to the wire last time at a mile; loses Bridge to Storm Treasure but gets Guid for the stretchout
CD 7 (4:33): 5th Northern Dancer, (Gr. III), $200,000, 3yo, 8.5f
1. #3 ADMIRAL'S ARCH 5-1: Forgiving poor Lone Star effort given that oval's love-hate surface; standing against Derby also-rans today nationwide as this one just as much at home at CD as Private Vow
2. #7 CIRCLE THE WORLD 4-1: Using Mercurius rationale with this Pletcher runner too as nation's busiest trainer brings them forward in waves; FuPeg bay 2-2 with CD Alw score at 7f last
A. #4 SIMON PURE 10-1: Lukas-Lewis black type also ran zipped 5f <1:00 here Sunday and adds hot bug Leparoux
B. #1 PRIVATE VOW 9-5: Hard to swallow price on loser of three straight and off Derby dusting; no faster than the two to his right and rose run types a historical bad bet back
CD 8 (5:06): 37th Regret, (Gr. III), $200,000, 3yo fillies, 9f-T
1. #2 CANDY MA'AM 15-1: Take long look at long-winded Wilkes miss by LDK out of a Broad Brush mare; saves ground, will love the added distance and gets plus pace to chase; juicy mutuel under hustling Calvin
2. #1 LADY OF VENICE 5-2: Appalachian winner logical choice with hot J-T combo, but will be visited on front end and must gut out additional panel; figures prominent, but no lock
A. #9 FIERY DANCER 5-1: Took Atticus chestnut awhile to find form, but sharp Scherer picks spots well and Bejarano sticks; good enough for inclusion
B. #10 MAY NIGHT 12-1: Seitz trainee has kept company with many of these and yet to not earn check in 7 career efforts; broke maiden in PG Johnson and should be rallying late in tough heat
CD 9 (5:41): 32nd Fleur de Lis, (Gr. II), $300,000, F&M-3+, 9f, (NTRA P4-Leg B)
1. #2 HAPPY TICKET 6-5: Applaud Leggio for adding Leparoux after pair of top stake neck jobs compliments of dismal Albarado efforts on America's Makybe Diva; scratch BC DIS pallet flip, and Anet bay 15/11-4-0 which could be 15/13-2-0; refuses to be denied today and hope Robby is watching
2. #1 OONAGH MACCOOL 1-1: Undoubtedly premier Giant's Causeway daughter via Irish mare exits pair of Gr. II scores, but isn't as fast as one above; yielding listed loss lone failure on c.v. and sure to engage Ticket for epic duel under Raphy
3. #3 GALLANT SECRET 20-1: Taking price on recently hot Menifee bay as third cog in trifecta
CD 10 (6:13): 25th Stephen Foster H., (Gr. I), $750,000, 3+, 9f, (NTRA P4-Leg C)
1. #9 BRASS HAT 5-2: Openly rooting for Bradley and gallant gelding screwed royally by Dubai royalty; drilling well for return, owns right style and will be out for blood
2. #4 COSMONAUT 20-1: Biancone adds goggles to third LDK offspring noted today, and willing to look back to GG Gr. III win for inspiration at 20-1
A. #5 WIGGINS 15-1: Romans trainee gets to sit behind speed under Bejarano and though never a factor at this level could be "good now"
B. #8 WILD DESERT 15-1: Clearly we're looking for value behind top pick, and Dutrow didn't come here for the bourbon (well, maybe); '05 Queens Plate victor was sharp in return from long layoff behind Tanaka star, and similar today earns share
CD 11 (6:42): 30th Mint Julep, (Gr. III), $100,000, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T
1. #7 RICH IN SPIRIT 3-1: Streaking Proctor (30% meet) sends Guid on versatile Repriced filly that's 3/2-1-0 at CD, 6/3-2-0 at trip; Slightly less accomplished than Gr. II winner Typhoon, but likely to move forward 3rd off break
2. #5 MY TYPHOON 5-2: Hate playing it chalky in any turf event, but Mott Live Oak Miss Revere victress has few warts; Albarado was aboard for that Gr. II win this lawn, and Giant's Causeway red is 3 for 4 this distance
A. #4 SKY HIGH FLYER 6-1: Frankel largely absent from today's stakes preceedings, so look to this one and Lone Star player to run well; 2/1-1-0 so far in North America, and well suited for this group
B. #12 SPECIAL GRAYCE 12-1: We LOVE anything Helen Pitts saddles, and Smart Strike grey has kicked it up a notch as four year old; will be going best late
C. #8 LOUVE ROYALE 4-1: Hard to exclude this Biancone-Leparoux player who just missed in Bewitch graded debut two back
HOL 4 (5:40): 28th Affirmed H., (Gr. III), $100,000, 3yo, 8.5f
1. #6 RECORD 4-1: Reiterate stand against post-Derby runners by siding with Baffert Derby Trial winner
2. #3 ARSON SQUAD 5-1: Headley thinks highly of Brahams stretchout player that brings 4/2-0-2 mark to fray
3. #2 POINT DETERMINED 2-1: Likely favorite not more than solid fit with these on figures
HOL 6 (6:43): 28th Californian H., (Gr. II), $250,000, 3+, 9f, (NTRA P4-Leg D)
1. #5 MELANYHASTHEPAPERS 6-1: Marquez 5yo always runs at Inglewood and looks to break through black type ceiling here
2. #2 DIXIE MEISTER 6-1: Canani-Tanaka candidate another seeking initial graded score and TX-bred has been close before
A. #6 SPELLBINDER 5-2: One of two Gr. II winners here with Frolic, Mandella frontrunning type faces pressure in waves
B. #3 SUPER FROLIC 5-1: Dubai exiters have been performing well around the country, and it's hard to know what to expect from HAW Gold Cup winner; working well though and a fit on pace, figs
$1 NTRA P4 PLAY:
A: 1-2-3-7
B: 1-2
C: 4-9
D: 2-5-6
4x2x2x3 = $48
$1 CD $100k Guaranteed P4:
8: 1-2
9: 1-2
10: 1-4-5-9
11: 5-7-12
2x2x4x3 = $48
Good luck.. Enjoy the great day of racing!
Steve