Black-Eyed Susan Day Selections
May 17th, 2012
By Jude T. Feld
1st Race) On paper, the opener looks like a match race between UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE and SNEAKY LIL. They are impossible to separate, so the tote board will have to be our guide.
2nd Race) UNDER CONTROL is a talented Brazilian gelding, trained by Graham Motion. He has improved his speed figures in every start and seems to have this group over a barrel. SILVER TIE AFFAIR ran well off his winter vacation and could slip into the exotics picture.
3rd Race) CASHFORKOPPER showed high speed on the turf in her first start. The second-place finisher from that race has come back to win and the Dove Haughton trainee posted a nice blowout for this event. HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT and LADY ARTEMIS are both conditioned by excellent debut trainer Michael Trombetta. If he scratches one, the other might be super-live.
4th Race) This year’s Lady Legends race has come up very salty. OFFICIOUS has good speed and a versatile style. He drew jockey Jill Jellison. BELLAGIO is in good form right now. He should be right there if jockey Mary Tortora can work out a good trip from off the pace. WOLF CAMP, from the also eligible list, would have a big shot too if he gets in.
5th Race) IMORATAS no doubt needed his comebacker and should be much tighter today. His workouts have improved since that outing, indicating better can be expected. Lookout if he handles the grass. MOVING WEST seems to relish the turf. He owns improving speed figures and gets the services of top turf rider Emma Jane Wilson. SHARE OUT just broke his maiden, but the son of Empire Maker has unlimited potential. Hot-riding jockey Rosie Napravnik enhances his chances.
6th Race) The Skipat Stakes is loaded with talented fillies and mares. BOLD AFFAIR has been on fire lately and she has the ability to rate, which should be a plus in this speed-laden field. IT’S ME MOM has won five out of her last six and seven out of her last nine. Jockey Willie Martinez knows her well.
7th Race) SEEYOUINTHETOWN has an excellent turf record, won her last start easily and earned the best last race Beyer speed figure in the process. She will take some beating. EMMA’s KISS likes the lawn and the distance. She could win with her best effort. NUIT DE CHANCE has been running well against easier company and may be good enough to threaten this group.
8th Race) MILLIONREASONSWHY is one of the top three-year-old fillies in the country. She is best around one turn and looks virtually unbeatable in the Miss Preakness Stakes. There is plenty of speed to set up her closing charge and a victory would be a great kickoff for her local Sagamore Farm connections’ big Preakness weekend.
9th Race) The Jim McKay Turf Sprint is always a competitive affair. Maryland favorite BEN’S CAT comes off a troubled trip and should rebound with his outside draw. FIDDLER’S PATRIOT usually runs well fresh and trainer George Weaver will have him ready to roll here. Why ship him if not to win? BIRDIE BEATS PAR also fires off layoffs and has a look with his speed and rail post position.
10th Race) IN LINGRIE won the Bourbonette (G3) with aplomb. Her pedigree indicates the mile and one-eighth should be no problem and she will be a square price to boot. MAMMA KIMBO has run two corkers. She beat little in the Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn and will need better to stick around at the mile and an eighth of the Black-Eyed Susan (G2). She will be odds-on in this tough even too. DISPOSABLEPLEASURE has an excellent turn of foot and has already won at the trip. She cannot be ignored.
11th Race) JAZZY IDEA has improved in every start since she returned from her short rest. Her last race, a stakes win at Belmont Park is good enough to beat these gals. INSPIRED has high speed and could be tough to get by if she shakes loose early. HIGH QUALITY has run well since being claimed by sharp trainer Tony Dutrow. She might upset The Very One Stakes apple cart.
12th Race) The Pimlico Special has come up tough in 2012. With a six pound weight break, TOBY’S CORNER gets my nod. It’s his third race of the year and his morning drills have seemed to be a little sharper this month. Expect a big effort. ALTERNATION has won three in-a-row and will be tough to run down. ENDORSEMENT has rounded to form and could have a say in the outcome.
13th Race) The Hilltop never seems to get the credit it deserves. I think it should be a Grade 3. ANNA SOPHIA has been on my watch list since she broke her maiden last summer. The daughter of Oasis Dream has had some health issues but seems over them now and ready to strut her stuff. COUP has never run a bad race. She should love the extra distance.
