Notes on the Saturday Program

By Jude T. Feld

WOW! These are the type of days horseplayers live for. I can’t recall so much great racing packed into one afternoon during the last 40 years. There are some incredible animals performing today and great wagering opportunities abound. Settle in and enjoy it, wherever you may be.

TURFWAY PARK

RACE 8 – Kentucky Cup Juvenile (G3) * By Sky Mesa out of a Broad Brush mare, TAR BEACH is bred to love two turns. Trainer Kenny McPeek has put two nifty works into him at Keeneland since the colt’s Saratoga maiden-breaker and a top effort can be expected with stable go-to guy Miguel Mena in the saddle.

RACE 9 – Kentucky Cup Distaff (G3) * With several “need the lead” types entered, it would behoove us to look for a filly that can finish. FANCY FUSAICHI fits the bill nicely and with a recent bullet workout at Churchill Downs for Hall of Fame trainer Billy Mott, the daughter of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Fusaichi Pegasus could give New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner something to smile about.

BELMONT PARK

In the “Hard to bet on – Hard to bet against” department:

GINGER PUNCH looks formidable in the Beldame (G1) (BEL 6). She has only COCOA BEACH to fear. MAURALAKANA has won four in-a-row and will be a short price to make it five in the Flower Bowl (G1) (BEL 7). CURLIN, the best horse in the galaxy, runs in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) (BEL 10) against a bunch of “wannabes.” Use caution with the New York chalk as weather could gum it up more than a little bit.

RACE 8 – Vosburgh (G1) * FIRST DEFENCE ran so big in the Forego (G1) it is hard to pick against him. If underrated jockey Channing Hill can get the Juddmonte colorbearer to rate just a tad, they should win. If not, LUCKY ISLAND could be in the right spot for the red-hot connections of jockey Alan Garcia and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

RACE 9 – Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1) * DANCING FOREVER and GRAND COUTURIER are the best horses on paper but both are suspect if the turf is less than firm. PROUDINSKY is better with “give in the ground” and comes off a sharp second to Big Brown at Monmouth Park.

HAWTHORNE

RACE 8 – Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) * Owner Elizabeth Alexander sacked Todd Pletcher and hired Steve Asmussen to train MAGNA GRADUATE, who won over $2 million while under Pletcher’s shedrow. Rest assured that Pletcher will have Team Valor Stable’s FAIRBANKS ready to roll versus his old star this afternoon on a track the son of Giant’s Causeway has showed a fondness for in the past.

RACE 9 – Robert F. Carey Memorial (G3) * Trainer Graham Motion and jockey Justin Rose have excellent luck together when they ship for stakes. GALANTAS is a talented horse who runs well fresh and should get a great trip right behind the early leaders. At 5-1 on the morning line he seems to be a solid value play.

OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA

In the “Hardly, if ever lose” department:

ZENYATTA has never lost a race in her life. A month before the Breeders’ Cup would be a lousy time to reverse that trend. She is “any price” in the Lady’s Secret (G1) (OSA 5). STREET BOSS has won five in-a-row and seeks his sixth in the Ancient Title (G1) (OSA 6). Multiple Grade 1 winner WAIT A WHILE has a lousy post in the Yellow Ribbon (G1) (OSA 9), but is undefeated on the Santa Anita turf course. Her tactical speed could be an advantage however as the jocks often fall asleep coming off the hill at the start of the mile and one-quarter races, giving a huge edge to the early leader.

RACE 4 – Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship (G1) * SPRING HOUSE has overcome the Dubai jetlag and seems to be at the top of his game for sharp trainer Julio Canani. New York invader RED GIANT has never been worse than second since breaking his maiden but will have to be at his all-time best to bother the local favorite.

RACE 8 – Oak Leaf (G1) * Trainer Jeff Mullins trained EMPRESSIVE LADY pretty hard for the Del Mar Debutante (G1) and the daughter of Empire Maker came up a little flat as the 2-1 favorite after making a nice move turning for home. He has lightened up on her a bit, with an easy half-mile and a crisp five-eighths since then. The attractive filly should be set for her best. Look for the purple and yellow silks of Michael House in the winners’ circle this afternoon.

RACE 10 – Goodwood (G1) * SLEW’S TIZNOW looked like a beast in the Keeneland paddock prior to the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (G1) last fall, causing me to make him my antepost pick for the Kentucky Derby (G1), despite his second-place finish in Lexington. Unfortunately the son of duel Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Tiznow got sick soon after that race and was forced to miss the Triple Crown. Winning the restricted El Cajon Stakes in his Del Mar comeback did little to dispel my confidence in the handsome colt. The Doug O’Neill trainee could post another mild upset this afternoon.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 10:52 am and is filed under Selections. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.