Notes on the Saturday Program

By Jude T. Feld

Short, long, dirt, turf, synthetic – horseplayers have a myriad of puzzles to figure out this afternoon. Throw in some cold, wind, rain and snow and you might need a crystal ball!

WEATHERED, a winner of seven races in 13 starts looks like the horse to beat in the Rare Treat Stakes, AQUEDUCT’s 3RD RACE. Jockey Mike Luzzi should have the daughter of Key Contender in the garden spot and be ready pounce on the leaders nearing the quarter pole.

Trainer Roger Attfield is adept at training horses for long-distance racing. His SPICE ROUTE runs well fresh and draws the services of Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado. A big effort can be expected in the mile and three-eighths Mac Diarmida (G2), GULFSTREAM PARK’s 9TH RACE.

California-bred GEORGIE BOY is one of the best middle distance horses in the United States. The Kathy Walsh trainee looks way too classy to be denied in the San Carlos (G2), SANTA ANITA’s 4TH RACE.

CARLSBAD, an Arizona-bred daughter of Rocky Bar, is undefeated in three starts and has beaten her competition by a total of 37 lengths! She worked a mile in 1:38 3/5 prepping for today’s Arizona Oaks, indicating that two turns will be no problem for her. Look for the blue and white Weir Brothers silks in the winners’ circle after TURF PARADISE’s 5TH RACE.

Local horse HIDDEN BOUNTY won the Rattlesnake Stakes, the traditional prep for the Turf Paradise Derby, TURF PARADISE’s 7TH RACE. Jockey Willie Dieguez will place him right behind trainer Bob Baffert’s entry of MAYOR MARV and try to mow him down in the lane.

The Bayou Handicap is FAIR GROUNDS’ 9TH RACE. Beaten 35 lengths when claimed out of her debut for $15,000, LOVE TO TELL has become a multiple stakes winner while under the care of trainer Mike Burgess. “Versatility” is her middle name, so it will be interesting to see where jockey Justin Shepherd places her in the early stages. She has shown an affinity for the New Orleans turf course and will be a hint of a price. SHYTOE LAFEET, trained by Larry Jones, beat LOVE TO TELL a length in the Krantz Memorial but might be better suited to a slightly shorter race. She still deserves respect however.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 20th, 2009 at 4:27 pm and is filed under Selections. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.