Jude Feld’s Aqueduct & Santa Anita Graded Stakes Analysis for Saturday, April 6, 2013
April 5th, 2013
AQUEDUCT
AQU 4th Race – The Ruffian (G2)
Puerto Rican sensation, MY WANDY’S GIRL has developed nicely since arriving stateside. She probably needed her Barbara Fritchie (G2) run and should be set for her best effort from the cozy outside post. She’ll benefit from a three-pound weight break too. FUNNY’S APPROVAL beat the top choice last time out. She has dangerous early speed and is going for her fifth straight victory.
AQU 8th Race – The Gazelle (G2)
WALKWITHAPURPOSE has crushed her Maryland foes. She will no doubt find the Big Apple competition stiffer, but she has given little reason to think she can’t make the transition. With Broad Brush on her bottom side, the mile and an eighth is well within her scope and this field is not deep. PRINCESS OF SYLMAR has been beating up on her New York friends on the inner track all winter. We will see if she is a “horse for course,†or just as tough on the main. CLOSE HATCHES is two-for-two. The Bill Mott-trained daughter of First Defence tries stakes company for the first time. She could certainly have a say in the outcome.
AQU 9th Race – The Bay Shore (G3)
CLEARLY NOW has shown excellent ability in his short career. Seven furlongs might be his ideal distance and the Brian Lynch trainee is drawn well here too. There’s plenty of speed to set up his closing charge, so jockey Javier Castellano should have him well-placed for a big stretch run. CLAWBACK is speedy and talented. Unfortunately he drew the rail and will need to run extra hard to get out and find a comfortable pace. MALEEH has won both of his starts and would only need the slightest of improvement to find the winners’ circle here. SILVER MORGAN changed his running style in the Fred Capposela Stakes. That patience should serve him well in this seven-furlong affair. He could be part of the trifecta at a nice price.
AQU 10th – The Carter (G1)
SAHARA SKY has won back-to-back Grade 2 races and now tries Grade 1 company. California speed is always dangerous on the Eastern seaboard and the barn has been crowing about the son of Pleasant Tap for a while now. DISCREET DANCER is perfect around one turn. He has paired 102 Brisnet speed figures in his most recent races, often a sign of better things to come. He is the colt to beat. FORT LOUDON is one of the best sprinters in the country. He is capable of big performances but isn’t a paragon of consistency. Jockey Jose Lezcano gets the best from him.
AQU 11th – The Wood Memorial (G1)
Although many pundits have written off the Remsen (G2), I still think it was a fantastic race. Aftrward, NORMANDY INVASION had many buzzing as their preferred Derby pick. Now most of his supporters have jumped off the bandwagon like rats from a sinking ship. The son of Tapit seemed to have a slight distaste for the funky Fair Grounds track early on in the Risen Star (G2), but managed to mount a closing charge when he felt more secure on the surface. He has been training in super fashion for this race and trainer Chad Brown knows, “it’s now or never.†VERRAZANO has been perfect for trainer Todd Pletcher and has made himself the barn’s top Derby prospect. This is by far the toughest field he has faced to date, so if he passes this test, the roses are within his grasp. VYJACK is another who puts his unbeaten streak on the line. The Into Mischief gelding was visually impressive taking the Gotham (G3) and a victory here would not be a shocker. GO GET THE BASIL has risen from a condiment to a Caprese salad. He could get a good trip and be part of the exotics at a price you can’t refuse.
SANTA ANITA
SA 5th Race – The Santa Anita Oaks (G1)
BEHOLDER is an excruciatingly beautiful filly of top class. She has outrun her competition and her sprinter’s pedigree. If the two-year-old champion can get the mile and one eighth, this race is over. FIFTYSHADESOFHAY was second to the champ in the Las Virgines (G1). She will appreciate the added furlong of this race. That is her only hope of turning the tables.
SA 7th Race – The Potrero Grande (G2)
COMMA TO THE TOP is the controlling speed in this race. His Tom Fool (G3) score off a week’s rest was sensational in every regard. He has worked well in the interim and should be double-tough to beat. UNBRIDLED’S NOTE is one of my favorite sprinters. He may be slightly better on the turf but he can do it all. JIMMY CREED always tries hard. He is a Grade 1 winner and cannot be ignored.
SA 8th Race – The Providencia (G3)
SCARLET STRIKE has only run once on the turf and it was a corker. The daughter of Smart Strike should adore the mile and an eighth and Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer switches to his “go-to guy†Rafael Bejarano in this spot. As the late, great handicapper Ernie Mason wrote, “All systems go!” SWEET RED CAT is always right there at the wire. She is reunited with jockey Garrett Gomez, who has won two races on the daughter of Bluegrass Cat. SARACH should move up at this distance. Having Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella tightening the girth enhances her chances.
SA 9th Race – The Santa Anita Derby (G1)
FLASHBACK has been forced into a pacesetters role in his last two starts. That will end in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) as there is plenty of speed in the gate. The son of Tapit should get a patient ride from Garrett Gomez and be ready to pounce turning for home. STORM FIGHTER jumps from Cal-bred maidens into a Grade 1 – not an effective move in most scenarios. Look for Gary Stevens to take advantage of a fast pace and position the Bruce Headley trainee for a big late run. GOLDENCENTS is the forgotten Derby contender. One of his better races would get him a piece of this Derby pie.
