Jude Feld’s Black-Eyed Susan Day Stakes Analysis
May 16th, 2013
6th Race) DANCE TO BRISTOL has won three straight races. She should get a perfect trip right behind a blistering pace and be able to pull away late in the Skipat Stakes.
8th Race) Strangely used up on the pace in the Eight Belles (G3) on Kentucky Oaks Day, BLUEEYESINTHEREIN gets a rider switch to Robby Albarado. The Garry Simms-trained miss is much better when sitting just off the leaders and should be more patiently ridden in the speed-laden Miss Preakness Stakes. I’M MOM’S FAVORITE owns the best pace and speed figures and is the filly to beat. She has a nifty pedigree and a top trainer in Tony Dutrow. LIGHTHOUSE BAY is another who was rushed to the lead in her last start, only to back up late. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche should have her in a good spot turning for home for underrated trainer George Weaver.
9th Race) The Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes looks like a two-horse race between BRIDGETOWN and local hero, BEN’S CAT, two excellent turf sprinters. Between the two of them, they have posed for pictures 29 times in 50 starts! BEN’S CAT has the benefit of a recent race and actually beat BRIDGETOWN last year in the Parx Dash. The latter runs well fresh and gets two pounds from the ‘CAT. This should be a race that would make the late, great broadcaster Jim McKay proud.
10th Race) FIFTYSHADESOFHAY had the unfortunate luck to run against champion Beholder in her last two starts. She enters the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) off a forty-day break that has seen her put in three nice drills at Churchill Downs in preparation for this event. Trainer Bob Baffert will fit her with blinkers for this race, so she should be focused and ready to run her best race. EMOLLIENT freaked on the polytrack at Keeneland, running a whopping 105 Brisnet speed figure in the Ashland (G1). If she repeats that race on the Pimlico dirt, she should be in the winners’ circle with Hall of Fame trainer Billy Mott. MANUKA HONEY is always in the hunt and could be part of the trifecta payouts with Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado aboard.
11th Race) SENSIBLE LADY is two-for-two on the Pimlico turf course. She gets a nice post and draws top local rider Angel Serpa for the Very One Stakes. She should be a square price too. SWEET CASSIOPEIA has developed into a very nice racemare for trainer Bill Connelly. She bids for her sixth straight victory after capturing a very tough Giant’s Causeway Stakes at Keeneland. SPUN CAP always gives her best and jockey Joel Rosario seems to get the best from her. Brazilian trainer Eduardo Caramori has been dominating in turf sprints lately too.
12th Race) Trainer Chad Brown has done a magnificent job with LAST GUNFIGHTER. The son of First Samurai has improved his Brisnet speed figures in each of his last six races, winning the last five in-a-row. He should be stalking the pace to the quarter pole and assert himself from there. EIGHTTOFASTTOCATCH has had a stellar career on the Maryland circuit. He won the Henry Clark Stakes last time out while posting a huge 109 Brisnet speed figure. A repeat of that one gets the chrome in the Pimlico Special (G3).
13th Race) SUMMER OF FUN pointed herself out in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) with a staunch late rally that fell short of beating Flotilla. That one came back to take a Group 1 stakes in France last weekend, franking that form even more. The Hilltop Stakes would seem like the perfect spot for ‘FUN to pick up her first stakes victory. MISS LUCKY SEVENS has tons of talent. She loves the turf, like her sire Big Brown and has his same tactical speed. Jockey Rosie Napravnik got acquainted with her last time out at Keeneland with great success. KITTEN’S POINT has a touch of class. Her best races have come on the lawn and you can always back a Graham Motion trainee with confidence that they will be fit and ready.
