Notes on the Labor Day Program
August 31st, 2008By Jude T. Feld
Sir Alfred J. Munnings painting “Parade to the Post.” Munnings’ namesake runs at Saratoga this afternoon.
The unofficial end of summer is here but racing continues its upward swing as Thoroughbreds in every division set sail for the Breeders’ Cup. Two-year-olds are spotlighted this afternoon but the Pennsylvania Derby (G2) and Glens Falls (G3) feature horses in the Classic and Filly and Mare Turf divisions.
The Pennsylvania Derby (G2) is PHILADELPHIA PARK’s 10TH RACE. Zabeel Racing’s TIZ NOW TIZ THEN developed too late for the Triple Crown but he has been a paragon of consistency since breaking his maiden at Keeneland’s spring meeting. He could post a mild upset with his top effort. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey doesn’t enter horses for his health. He takes a shot with POWER GAME who is undefeated in a two-race career. Look for a big race at a double-digit price.
Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard has had a magnificent summer. He saddles PALMILLA in the Glens Falls (G3), SARATOGA’s 8TH RACE. The daughter of Crowd Pleaser ran a corker in a Grade 3 event at Delaware and attracts Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado this afternoon. DYNAFORCE has run well in both of her U.S. starts and is the mare to beat.
CRIBNOTE earned major pace and speed figures in his maiden victory at Saratoga. A repeat of that race will find him in the winners’ circle after the Three Chimney’s Hopeful (G1), SARATOGA’s 10TH RACE. MUNNINGS did not disappoint in his debut and looks like he retains his sharpness with three solid works since then. He could easily be good enough to take the top prize.
It’s said the Colonel E.R. Bradley made a fortune betting on horses who ran the last quarter of their races in 24 seconds or less. CHILLINESS did that in his allowance race prep for the Miller Lite Cradle, RIVER DOWNS 9TH RACE. That’s a pretty good feat for a two-year-old. FITZASLEW opens at 7-5 off an easy five-eighths maiden-breaker at Churchill Downs. With Polish Numbers on his bottom side the ability to get the mile and one-sixteenth is in question.
The Del Mar Debutante (G1) is DEL MAR’s 9TH RACE. Jockey Tyler Baze, who rode probable favorite EVITA ARGENTINA to two victories, including one in the Sorrento (G3), jumps off her to ride Michael House’s EMPRESSIVE LADY. The daughter of Empire Maker lived up to her name, breaking her maiden by five lengths over Toro Bonito, who came back to win easily in her next start. She continues to train like a top-class filly in the mornings and all signs point to a big performance.
