Notes on the Saturday Program
February 6th, 2009By Jude T. Feld
FAIR GROUNDS LATE PICK FOUR
6TH) The two best horses on paper are HONEST MAN and MY PAL CHARLIE. Both colts like New Orleans but HONEST MAN has a recent race over the track giving him a slight advantage.
7TH) FRENCH BERET has had a productive meeting already. There is no reason to think he can’t stay on his roll for trainer Mark Frostad. DEMARCATION runs well fresh and has the back class to be dangerous. Jockey Jesus Castanon fits him like a glove.
8TH) JUST JENDA has won every start except her bullring try at Delta Downs. She has excellent tactical speed and is a solid selection at albeit a short price.
9TH) The Risen Star (G3) kicks off Louisiana Derby (G2) season. GIANT OAK and FRIESAN FIRE have gotten most of the press this week and deservedly so. INDYGO MOUNTAIN was on a lot of Derby lists before his lackluster effort behind FRIESAN FIRE in the Lecomte (G3), a race he may have needed. I want him on the ticket with a 10-1 morning line. AU MOON will be taken back from the outside post and could be a solid late threat with Julien Leparoux in the saddle.
SANTA ANITA STAKES RACES
6TH) Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel will have Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly (G1) winner and champion STARDOM BOUND ready for a corker off the layoff. She is the best three-year-old filly in training.
7TH) Millionaire BECRUX is still capable of top efforts at age seven. He is a must-use. MONTEREY JAZZ is speedy and dangerous with two races now under his girth. GLOBAL HUNTER has tons of talent but will need to fire his best shot off the bench. FERNELEY has been running longer but has won going a mile. He is the closer to fear.
8TH) PIONEEROF THE NILE is a Grade 1 winner from the Bob Baffert stable. He has been training like a bomb and will be ready to roll in the Robert B. Lewis (G2). BITTEL ROAD has looked good in the mornings and while schooling in the afternoon. He was only three lengths behind PIONEEROF THE NILE in the Cash Call Futurity (G1) at Hollywood Park and looks like his biggest foe this afternoon.
9TH) SLEW’s TIZNOW needed his last race and should be much tighter today, He drew a rotten post but may overcome it with his tremendous talent. COWBOY CAL showed a liking for the odd Santa Anita surface and cannot be ignored with his tactical speed. GIO PONTI won the Sir Beaufort (G3) with aplomb and could take another with his best race. NOWNOWNOW rebounded in the San Fernando (G2) and certainly has the class to fit with these excellent four-year-olds running the Strub (G2).
