Notes on the Saturday Program
September 19th, 2008By Jude T. Feld
With a little luck, Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos could sire two Derby winners Saturday afternoon.
Nuckols Farm Photo
The racing may not be truly “super†today but it sure is intriguing, especially in light of all the Breeders’ Cup implications offered by the expanded two-day event next month. Races watched today and next Saturday could very well pay dividends on racing’s biggest days, so makes some notes and amass a bankroll.
Classy sophomore filly PROUD SPELL surfaces in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion (G2), PHILADELPHIA PARK’s 9TH RACE. Governor Brery Jones’ homebred hardly ever makes a mistake and her competition today is relatively light.
INDIAN BLESSING opens at 3/5 on the morning line price in the Gallant Bloom (G2), BELMONT PARK’s 9TH RACE. She probably deserves the short odds off two Grade 1 sprint wins in New York this summer. ELOPE just trounced allowance fillies at Saratoga, earning a huge speed figure. She will keep the favorite’s connections from having a good night’s sleep and might be worth a wager if she stays around her 8-1 a.m. line price.
Super Derby (G2) hunch players will not resist a flyer on STUNGBYTHESTORM, a fact of life on the bayou, but handicappers will probably find their money on FOREST COMMAND in LOUISIANA DOWNS’ 11TH RACE. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos stretches out for trainer John Ward this afternoon and his 1:12 4/5 workout at Keeneland last Friday indicates the lightly-raced colt retains his sharpness. MY PAL CHARLIE almost pulled off a 60-1 upset in the Louisiana Derby (G2) last spring and is rounding back into form for sharp trainer Al Stall. He could be a good exotic wager tool.
STEVE’S DOUBLE has been facing much tougher horses than he finds in the Unbridled Handicap, LOUISIANA DOWNS’ 12TH RACE. Jockey Robby Albarado should have him in a cozy spot when the real racing begins and it would not be surprising to see the red and green silks of Oxbow Racing in front at the wire.
The Mass Cap is SUFFOLK DOWNS’ 10TH RACE. COMMENTATOR has three wins from four starts, including a Whitney Handicap (G1) victory in his last outing. “He’s been training spectacular,” said owner Tracy Farmer. “I’ve had a great number of horses in my life and he has a bit of Seabiscuit in him. He understands what he is supposed to do. He’s just a special horse. It’s almost like he’s my child. He’s someone that keeps coming back and running.”
Keep an eye on GOLDEN DOC A in the Weekend Delight Stakes, TURFWAY PARK’s 14TH RACE. Something tells me trainer Barry Abrams entered this sprint as a prep for a richer stakes at Keeneland.
BINGHAM, another son of Monarchos, woke up in his Del Mar finale. He has always showed a bit of talent and has the tactical speed so valuable in races at the L.A. County Fair. He should get a great trip just behind the early pacesetters and be ready to pounce on the final turn of the Pomona Derby, FAIRPLEX PARK’s 12TH RACE.
