Three-Year-Old Features
May 7th, 2010
Sean ClancyST-Publishing Photo
Woodbine 6th Race) Always highly regarded by trainer Christophe Clement, ALCOMATCH put it all together at Keeneland when switched from turf to the Polytrack for the first time. The son of Smart Strike earned a 92 Brisnet speed figure in that race, four points higher than any of his four competitors in the Wando Stakes ran in their last starts. All he needs is a little pace up front, which could come from BEARS FINISH LINE and JUST CALL ME ROGER. If one of those two comes out of the short field, our pick’s chances diminish greatly.
Belmont Park 9th Race) Eclipse Award-winning writer Sean Clancy, who publishes the Saratoga Special and Steeplechase Times with his brother Joe, is one of the best judges of horseflesh I know. I take his opinions very seriously during racing’s biggest events – the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup. The former steeplechase jockey and consumate horsemen watches every major contender train in the morning and can often help me eliminate losers by his astute observations.
After our Horse Racing Radio Network show at the Louisiana Derby (G2), Sean turned to me and said, “I can’t help but think Drosselmeyer is a Belmont horse. He just plods along and never stops running.â€
I filed that comment away in my head for future reference.
The Dwyer (G2) is Belmont Park’s traditional prep for the Belmont (G1) and DROSSELMEYER is entered. The WinStar Farm colorbearer has never run a bad race in his life and the feeling here is he will be tough to beat on Saturday. Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux sees fit to stick with him and the one-turn mile and an eighth will give his rider plenty of time to find a good spot for his mount’s patented stretch kick.
SOARING EMPIRE acted like a jackass prior to the Florida Derby (G1), throwing his jockey and grabbing a quarter in the process. Obviously, he wasn’t in the mood to show his talent that day. Trainer Cam Gambolatti chalked it up to mental immaturity, but seems confident the son of Belmont (G1) winner Empire Maker has acquired some manners since then. He will have first run on DROSSELMEYER and is probably the favorite’s biggest fear.
Lone Star Park 9th Race) A triple advantage speed figure play, HENSHIN HERO has a serious distance question to answer in the Lone Star Derby (G3). Taking the ultra-short price on him could be a big mistake in a field laden with speed but short on finishers. CRIDER, a son of Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Closing Argument, is arguably the only closer in the race. The Steve Asmussen trainee opens at 2-1 on the morning line but his price might go up if the fans in Dallas hammer the ‘HERO. Let’s take the “low-priced overlay” made famous by Equibase Handicapper Ellis Starr.
