Jude Feld’s Summit of Speed Day Stakes Analysis
July 5th, 2013
2012 champion sprinter Trinniberg is looking to regain his top form in the Smile Sprint handicap (G2) over his favored Calder Race Course – Breeders’ Cup Photo
CRC 6 – $100,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint 5F (Turf)
MADAME GIRY fires every time. Turf sprints are her specialty and this race came up much softer than the stakes she scored in at Keeneland and Belmont Park. Her :58 4/5 workout from the gate on June 29 at Gulfstream Park indicates she’ll be ready off the bench. DETERMINATO is very speedy and should get a good trip with his outside draw. Trainer Bill White and jockey Luis Saez have been winning together at a 32% clip in the last year, adding fuel to the fire. Cagey Bajan conditioner Saffie Joseph runs ARTEFACTO back here after a nifty comeback race taken off the sod June 8 at Calder. He could be part of the trifecta if he handles the turf.
CRC 7 – $150,000 Carry Back (G3) 6F
SR. QUISQUEYANO was a fringe player on the Triple Crown trail this year. He ran fourth behind R FREE ROLL in the Unbridled Stakes at Calder on June 8 – his return to the races after a two-month break. He no doubt needed that sprint to get his mind back to one-turn mode. He should be sharper and fitter for this one. R FREE ROLL comes off a big win in the Unbridled. She has an affinity for the track but must overcome her rail draw. She could beat the boys once again if left alone on the lead. MICO MARGARITA just captured an allowance event at Churchill Downs earning a very competitive 102 Brisnet speed figure. If he handles the ship to South Florida, he could be a major factor.
CRC 8 – $150,000 Azalea (G3) 6F
WILDCAT LILY just blitzed her competition in the Leave Me Alone Stakes at Calder on June 8. She owns the top last race Brisnet speed figure in the field and need only repeat that effort to be posing for pictures once again. Her trainer, Manny Azpurua, will also saddle STREET GIRL. She finished third behind her stablemate last time out – her first sprint since January. The daughter of Street Hero owns a great turn of foot and should be flying at the finish. SPEEDINTHRUTHECITY rides a two-race winning streak into this race. Her numbers at Churchill Downs are quite competitive with this group and she has been running against tough customers all year long.
CRC 9 – $350,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (G2)
Talk about a wide-open race! A case could be made for at least half the field. Obviously, TRINNIBERG is the most accomplished of the group, capturing the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) as a three-year-old last fall. His trip to Meydan was a disaster and the poor little guy caught a sloppy surface at Churchill Downs in his first American start of the year. He has been firing bullets at Calder in the morning and is the most likely winner. FORT LOUDON and JACKSON BEND have come home to Calder and the barn of trainer Stanley Gold after a year with Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito at the big tracks. Between them, they have won 12 races in 18 starts over the track, so they are impossible to eliminate. SWAGGER JACK is best around one turn. His Carter (G1) victory, going seven furlongs at Aqueduct, certainly qualifies him for a look here. BAHAMIAN SQUALL has dangerous early zip. He no doubt needed his Ponche Handicap start after being off for four months. The son of Gone West should be much tighter for this one. JUSTIN PHILLIP ran into Fast Bullet last time out. No need to apologize for his second-place finish as the favorite. He owns nine 100 or higher Brisnet speed figures in his last 10 starts. That’s pretty special.
CRC 10 – $350,000 Princess Rooney (G1) 6F
JUDY THE BEAUTY is one of the best filly sprinters in the country. The daughter of Ghostzapper is two races into her comeback and should be set for her best effort today. International trainer of note, Wesley Ward, knows how to win these races and he will give a leg-up to world-class riding sensation Joao Moreira. Local upstart STARSHIP TRUFFLES, another daughter of Ghostzapper, is capable of explosive victories. She runs back quickly for sharp trainer Marty Wolfson and that is a great sign. SWEET CASSIOPEIA always gives her best. She has a ton of talent and need only handle the ship to Calder to make her presence felt. RENEESGOTZIP is a very solid filly. She is coming off a six-month respite however and that could do her in on the deep Calder surface.
CRC 11 – $100,000 Hollywood Wildcat Stakes 7 1/2F (Turf)
MISS MONTREAL has been lightly but successfully raced. She won her last race with aplomb and could get her first stakes victory in this listed event. FROLIC’S REVENGE exits a big win over lesser company on the dirt. She has been competitive in stakes and on the turf however. Her trainer, Marty Wolfson, spots his charges well, so she should be competitive here. ANGELICA ZAPATA has some sneaky-good turf form and could be part of the trifecta. AWESOME BELLE is two-for-three over the Calder sod – both wins in stakes. The daughter of Awesome of Course cannot be left off your ticket under any circumstances.
