Notes on the Saturday Program

By Jude T. Feld

2007 George Woolfe Award-winning jockey Jon Court rides Tears I Cry at Kentucky Downs on Saturday
Benoit Photo

From massive Belmont Park to undulating Kentucky Downs some great stakes action awaits players this afternoon. Weather could be a factor with showers in the forecast everywhere east of the Rockies, so check the conditions before heading to the windows.

The Noble Damsel is BELMONT PARK’s 6TH RACE. Jockey John Velazquez dons the famous Godolphin blue silks to ride SAY YOU WILL. The consistent daughter of A.P. Indy seems best up to a mile and posted a nice “minute and change” workout at Belmont to tip her readiness. SEFOURA has scary French form and could fire off the plane for sharp trainer J.C. Rouget. Keep and eye on her and upgrade her chances on a soft course.

CHARITABLE MAN won off by 12 lengths in his Saratoga debut. He will be tough to bet on at a deserved short price but a repeat of his maiden-breaker will find him in the winners’ circle after the Futurity (G2), BELMONT PARK’s 7TH RACE.

Trainer Bob Baffert is winning at a 75% clip in the Big Apple this week. He is represented by HEAVENLY VISION in the Matron (G2), BELMONT PARK’s 8TH RACE. Seven furlongs should be no problem for the daughter of Forestry and having Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado in the saddle enhances her chances.

The Gazelle (G1) is BELMONT PARK’s 9TH RACE. It will take a major upset to beat MUSIC NOTE, another from the powerful Godolphin Stable. The only entrant who could shake things up is COUNTRY STAR, but only if she returns to her two-year-old form.

Trainer Ian Wilkes usually races his horses into shape. The fact that CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN won by seven widening lengths while posting a 104 Brisnet speed figure in his racing debut stamps him as a gelding with tremendous ability. Look for another big effort in the Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3), ARLINGTON PARK’s 10TH RACE.

FORT PRADO has run out of real estate in his last two starts. The extra half-furlong of the Kentucky Cup Dash, KENTUCKY DOWNS’ 11TH RACE, might be just what the millionaire gelding needs to get his picture taken for the 17th time.

TEARS I CRY has had a productive summer and finds a field she can beat in the Kentucky Cup Ladies Turf, KENTUCKY DOWNS’ 13TH RACE. It’s notable that jockey Jon Court sees fit to make the road trip from California for the mount.

Eight-year-old SILVERFOOT seems rejuvenated lately. Jockey Robby Albarado should use the old boy’s solid finishing kick very effectively in the uphill stretch of the Kentucky Cup Turf (G3), KENTUCKY DOWNS’ 15TH RACE.

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 13th, 2008 at 9:55 am and is filed under Selections. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.