Notes on the Saturday Program
March 27th, 2009By Jude T. Feld
The Saturday card kicks off with racing from the Dubai World Cup. My sharp connections at Nad al Sheba fancy TWO STEP SALSA in the Godolphin Mile (G1), a longshot play on JOSE ADAN in the UAE Derby (G1) and LADY MARIAN in the Dubai Duty Free (G1).
The Next Move Handicap (G3) is AQUEDUCT’s 9TH RACE. With her increasing Brisnet speed figures and sharp form, WEATHERED looks any price to take home the chrome.
Not really a Derby prep, the San Miguel Stakes, SANTA ANITA’s 4TH RACE, used to be run earlier in the meeting when it would have had more significance. CHARLIE’S MOMENT, fresh off a Golden Gate stakes win, is the likely favorite and likely winner.
The Swale (G2), GULFSTREAM PARK’s 9TH RACE, like the San Miguel, was formerly run earlier in the meet. It is doubtful that CUSTOM FOR CARLOS has any Derby hopes, but the son of More Than Ready has shown solid ability and should improve once again. At 4-1 on the morning line, he offers solid value over BIG DRAMA, who hasn’t run since December and will be heavily backed at the windows.
Presented by Blackberry, the Florida Derby (G1) is GULFSTREAM PARK’s 10TH RACE. All eyes will be on $3.4 million baby DUNKIRK, as he holds the most Kentucky Derby (G1) potential and carries the hopes and dreams of the Coolmore group and trainer Todd Pletcher. QUALITY ROAD looked sharp in the Fountain of Youth (G2), but has yet to try two turns. THEREGOESJOJO improved going a mile and his pedigree suggests more distance will provide even better results.
PASSAGER, who runs in the Appleton (G3), GULFSTREAM PARK’s 11TH RACE, probably needed his run in the Canadian Turf (G3). Expect huge improvement with a race under his belt and two bullet works since then for cagey trainer Roger Attfield.
