Notes on Saturday’s Program

By Jude T. Feld

Champion Filly Indian Blessing Narrowly Edges Golden Doc A and Rafael Bejarano in Santa Anita’s Santa Ynez (G2) Under Garrett Gomez

BENOIT PHOTO

Comebacks are the order of the day, as almost all the top contenders in Fair Grounds’ stakes are returning from layoffs. Santa Anita’s track has been closed for resurfacing, so we’ll have to adopt a wait and see approach to the events there as well. It should be an interesting day at the races.

Fair Grounds offers an “All Stakes Pick Four” this afternoon on races six through nine. GRASSHOPPER returns to the racing wars in the Mineshaft (G3) (RACE 6) after going on hiatus after the Super Derby (G2) last September. He opens as the 5/2 second choice to MAGNA GRADUATE, who is 2-1 on the morning line. BETTER TALK NOW has been on vacay since the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and is 3-1 in the Fair Grounds Handicap (G3) (RACE 7). PROUD SPELL, rested since the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) renews her rivalry with the winner of that race, INDIAN BLESSING, in the Silverbulletday (G3) (RACE 8). Top Derby (G1) hopeful PYRO, who suffered three defeats to in-a-row to Kentucky Derby ante-post favorite War Pass, returns to competition in the Risen Star (G3) (RACE 9).

Santa Anita has a new surface so we’ll have to roll the dice in regards to running style and bias. It appears Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel could have a good day. His DOUBLE TROUBLE has had a decent career on the turf but she won her only start on the dirt. Brazilian horses seem to run on almost any surface and the five-year-old mare seems reliable for a solid try in the Santa Maria (G1) (RACE 3) under jockey Rafael Bejarano. Frankel gives a leg-up to jockey David Flores on LOVELY ISLE in the Las Virgenes (G1) (RACE 7). He fits the speedy filly like a glove and they could be long gone if front runners are doing well. RATHOR may have need his last race coming off a rest since Keeneland’s spring meeting. He owns competitive speed figures and gets the services of jockey Alex Solis in the San Antonio (G2) (RACE 8).

KEEP THE PEACE has never been headed in two career starts and should keep her streak going in the Forward Gal (G2), GULFSTREAM PARK’s 9TH RACE, as there is absolutely no other filly entered who can run with the daughter of Touch Gold early.

The Turf Paradise Derby is TURF PARADISE’s 8TH RACE. Trainer Bob Hess ships NIKKI’SGOLDENSTEED to Arizona in search of a minor Derby victory. The son of Formal Gold should take advantage of his good early speed and blast off to the lead under jockey Jon Court. If he rates nicely, a mild upset could be in the making.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 8th, 2008 at 10:15 pm and is filed under Featured Articles. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.