Notes on the Saturday Program

By Jude T. Feld

Trainer Julio Canani’s Kentucky Derby hopeful – The Pamplemousse
Benoit Photo

Today’s major stakes are filled with horses whose connections have an eye on future prizes. For some, these races are make or break and for others, they are just part of their well-orchestrated preparation. Racing fans and turf writers will certainly analyze the results ad nauseum, but for today, it would be nice to bet on a winner.

How good of a gelding is DELIGHTFUL KISS? He won the Turf Paradise Fall Championship (G3) around three turns, the All American (G3) around two turns at Golden Gate and the Hal’s Hope (G3) around one turn at Gulfstream in his last six starts. He has also won on the turf and although this race has been billed as his prep for the Dubai World Cup (G1), he must be respected. PASSAGER is a solid handicap performer from France. He attracts the services of Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado for his U.S. debut and could upset DELIGHTFUL KISS’S going away party in the Canadian Turf Stakes (G3), GULFSTREAM PARK’s 8TH RACE.

A dozen Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirants have entered the Fountain of Youth (G2), GULFSTREAM PARK’s 9TH RACE, hoping to parlay a solid performance into a berth in the Florida Derby (G1). Gulfstream’s post position bias virtually eliminated any chance BEETHOVEN had of winning the Holy Bull (G3). The race sharpened him up however and his closing charge should be very effective in this speed-laden lineup. His 12-1 morning line price is very generous but highly unlikely.

PARADE CLOWN has developed nicely this winter for trainer Katherine Ball. All the son of Distorted Humor needs is a patient ride from jockey Bill Troilo to punch his ticket to the Lane’s End (G2) in a few weeks. PROCEED BEE found Flat Out too tough in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn. This is a weaker field and big improvement can be expected in the John Battaglia Memorial, TURFWAY PARK’s 11TH RACE.

The Sham (G3), SANTA ANITA’s 9TH RACE, is the biggest Kentucky Derby (G1) prep of the day. My old boss, Julio Canani, saddles THE PAMPLEMOUSSE. Wire-to-wire winner of the San Rafael (G3) in last start, the son of Kafwain has been training lights out for the “Peruvian Flash.” TAKE THE POINTS makes his stakes debut in the Sham (G3). Like THE PAMPLEMOUSSE, he sports the “Golden Triangle” improvement pattern. Trainer Todd Pletcher will give a leg-up to jockey Garrett Gomez, his West Coast go-to guy. SMART BID has an outstanding pedigree. He has been improving steadily for trainer Graham Motion and could be a sleeper to throw into your exotic wagers. Jockey Rafael Bejarano certainly enhances his chances.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 27th, 2009 at 7:59 pm and is filed under Featured Articles, Selections. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.