UPI Thoroughbred Racing Roundup – March 10, 2014
March 10th, 2014By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
Super Saturday at Meydan featured winners from around the world while Game On Dude proved best in the “Big Cap” at Santa Anita as the top three U.S. handicap stars stayed home.
A bustling weekend of horse racing also included a victory by California Chrome in an important Kentucky Derby prep in California, an upset in the Tampa Bay Derby and the successful return of several of last year’s Breeders’ Cup winners and near-winners.
International action also involved some Australian runners who punched their tickets to Royal Ascot in a few months’ time, some rising stars in Japan and Barbados native Patrick Husbands returning home to win his fourth Gold Cup.
Let’s get started with Dubai, just three weeks before the world’s richest night of racing unfolds at Meydan.
Dubai
(By RICHARD GROSS)
Super Saturday at Meydan looked every bit the preview of Dubai World Cup day on March 29 as trainers and their charges put in a last best push in seven exciting Thoroughbred contests preparing for the biggest day on the UAE racing calendar. But the big winner was the home team on its home turf and Tapeta as Godolphin lead trainer Saeed bin Suroor saddled consecutive winners in three of the evening’s biggest tests.
Shuruq began this year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival making history as the first filly to capture a win in the 1,600-meters, Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 on the all-weather surface. The 4-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality closed the Carnival in identical fashion with Mickael Barzalona aboard, shrugging off Variety Club by 1 3/4 lengths to become the first filly to capture the Group 3 Burj Nahaar over the same 1,600 meters. The late-bloomer won only her fourth race in 12 starts, but has taken three of her last four since arriving in the UAE last year from England.
“She is just a much better filly on this all-weather surface,” said a pleased bin Suroor about his newest star. “We will bring her back in three weeks, probably for the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.”
The trainer’s excellent results on the evening continued with a 1-2 finish when Excellent Result under Kieren Fallon prepped for the 2,410-meters, Group 1 Sheema Classic on World Cup night by covering the same amount of Meydan turf to prevail by just a head over bin Suroor-trained Songcraft with Mount Athos a neck back in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold.
The trainer then crowned off his evening with Prince Bishop gaining a 1 1/4-lengths advantage over Mike de Kock-trained Sanshaawes in the featured Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 over 2,000 meters of all-weather in preparation for a run at the $10 million Dubai World Cup. Bin Suroor has claimed the big prize for Godolphin with three previous winners of this race: Dubai Millennium in 2000, Street Cry in 2002 and Electrocutionist in 2006.
The evening’s card got off to a surprising start when Group 2 UAE Derby-bound Irish runner Asmar broke his maiden by clipping the wings of favored Emirates Flyer with a convincing 6-lengths win in the listed Al Bastakiya over 1,900 meters on the Tapeta. Running in only his fourth race, the 3-year-old son of Cape Cross, trained by Bahrain’s Fawzi Nass, tracked leader Chord Chart before jockey Richard Hughes took the lead with 700 meters left and smoothly lengthened the gap through the finish.
It seemed 8-year-old Reynaldothewizard still would have enough sleight of hoof left to conjure a defense of his 2013 crown in the Group 3 Al Shimaal, a win the wizard pulled out of the hat last year in the 1,200-meter all-weather prep for the Group 1 Golden Shaheen. But the magic was not to be repeated as Hong Kong’s Rich Tapestry brushed past the leader with 200 meters to go and wove a perfect win for trainer Michael Chang and jockey Olivier Doleuze.
“He is a very good sprinter and we have come here with him as there are no races in Hong Kong for him at the moment,” said Doleuze, as if the winning trio were merely on holiday at Meydan.
South Africa’s speedy Shea Shea sheared the finish line a head in front of Ahtoug to fulfill his role of favorite and retain the track record-time crown he won last year on the turf in the 1,000-meters, Group 3 Meydan Sprint while giving fellow South African trainer de Kock and rider Christophe Soumillon their first of two wins on the evening. Dux Scholar finished 1 1/2 lengths back in third, powering just a head in front of Sole Power.
“Waiting for Super Saturday was always the plan, followed by Dubai World Cup night and hopefully Royal Ascot in England,” said De Kock, obviously pleased with his sprint star’s first run since August. Shea Shea will defend his 2013 Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint title in three weeks on World Cup day.
Denied in the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge, de Kock and Soumillon ended the night with a V for victory when unbeaten Vercingetorix claimed a 1 3/4-lengths win over Vancouverite in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta over 1,800 meters on the turf in preparation for the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free with de Kock’s Anaerobio breathing down the runner-up by a neck back in third.
“It is hard to know just how good he is because he only ever does just enough,” said deKock of the 5-year-old son of Silvano, now good enough to be 5 for 5. “He tends to stop and wait for some company.”
Vercingetorix and all the rest of the evening’s winners can expect plenty of company, both equine and human, when the starting gates and stands fill in three weeks for eight Thoroughbred races and $27.25 million in prize money starting at 4:30 pm local time March 29 on Dubai World Cup day.
The “Big Cap,” etc.
If Saturday’s results are any indication, the older U.S. horses pointing to the Breeders’ Cup Classic are going to have a fine old time racing amongst one another between now and then. While most attention was on the “big three” in the Santa Anita Handicap, last year’s Belmont winner, Palace Malice, also was impressive in winning the Gulfstream Park Handicap in his first start of the year.
After a couple of subpar efforts, trainer Bob Baffert said that, no matter what, Game On Dude would be going to the lead from now on, starting with Saturday’s $750,000, Grade I Santa Anita Handicap. So he did. And by doing so, he handily whipped the 1-2 finishers in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic — Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge. And he did it in near-record time as he became the first horse to win “The Big Cap” three times. True to the plan, jockey Mike Smith took Game On Dude right to the front from gate No. 7. Hear the Ghost provided a brief challenge but went wide on the clubhouse turn, leaving Game On Dude alone on the lead. Will Take Charge and Mucho Macho Man came to challenge as the field neared the end of the backstretch run but Game On Dude was just too good, winning by 1 3/4 length. Will Take Charge held on for second but Mucho Macho Man faded badly in the final sixteenth, finishing fourth. Blingo was up for show money but 8 lengths short of Will Take Charge. The 1 1/4 miles went in 1:58.17, just 0.37 second off the track record. Smith said he was confident from the time Game On Dude stepped onto the track.
“Down the backside, he was happy, just cruisin’. He was well within himself” despite a fast pace, Smith said. “Like I’ve said before, when he shows up, we can run with anybody in the world. We may throw in a dud now and then but he makes up for it.”
Baffert added, “It’s an emotional win for the horse. It kills me when they knock on him. But we came in here quiet and that’s the way I like to come in. We came in under the radar and we were ready for them.”
In Florida, Palace Malice got to a short lead at the top of the lane in Saturday’s $250,000, Grade II Gulfstream Park Handicap, gave it up and then summoned one last surge to score by a head over 2012 Travers Stakes dead-heat winner Golden Ticket. Uncaptured was third and It’smyluckyday settled for fourth after disputing the pace. Palace Malice, a Curlin colt with John Velazquez up for Todd Pletcher, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:33.80, less than a second off the track record. Palace Malice won the Belmont Stakes and the Jim Dandy last summer but got home sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
“He ran every step of the way and put himself in the game early, which is what we wanted to do,” Pletcher said. “It’s pretty rare that you have a horse that can win the (1 1/2-miles) Belmont and also run 1:33 and change and stalk solid fractions.”
He said he and owner Cot Campbell have talked about running Palace Malice back in the New Orleans Handicap or the Oaklawn Handicap with even the Met Mile in the mix.
Kentucky Derby preps
While the proven commodity older horses were doing their thing, the 3-year-old crowd still lacks a convincing leader with less than two months until Kentucky Derby Day. Saturday’s races, at best, contributed a small piece to the puzzle.
California Chrome needed a big performance in Saturday’s $300,000, Grade II San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita to boost him firmly into the Kentucky Derby picture and that’s just what the Lucky Pulpit colt delivered. Leading from the start under some pressure from Midnight Hawk, California Chrome hit another gear turning for home and quickly drew clear, winning off by 7 1/4 lengths. Midnight Hawk held second, 6 1/4 lengths ahead of Kristo. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to the highly touted but untested Schoolofhardknocks. California Chrome, with Victor Espinoza along for the stroll, finished 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in a very good 1:40.59. The California-bred had won back-to-back state-bred stakes in December and January but was taking a big step up in the San Felipe. Trainer Art Sherman said he is grateful for the 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points California Chrome earned.
“Now I think I deserve to go to the Derby. I don’t think the distance will make any difference, a mile and a quarter,” Sherman added. “I think he’ll run all day.”
The trainer reported Sunday morning California Chrome looked fine, adding he “might” run back in the $1 million, Grade I Santa Anita Derby on April 5.
Ring Weekend got out to an uncontested lead in Saturday’s $350,000, Grade II Tampa Bay Derby, set a brisk pace and still had plenty left to post the 14-1 upset. Vinceremos was 3 lengths back in second, Surfing U S A finished third and the favorite, Conquest Titan, was fourth. Ring Weekend, a Tapit gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.71. Daniel Centeno had the mount for trainer H. Graham Motion. Ring Weekend took five tries to find the winner’s circle, finally getting the job done at Gulfstream Park a month ago. Terry Finley, president of West Point Thoroughbreds, said Ring Weekend was slated to run in the Private Terms Stakes at Laurel until he and Motion had a conversation early in the week.
“Then we got word Kiaran (McLaughlin’s) horse, Baratti, was running at Laurel. On paper, he has run faster than all these, so we decided to run here. Funny how those things work out.”
Motion said he has not considered where Ring Weekend will run next.
“Really, I haven’t looked past today for him,” he said.
He earned 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Kid Cruz broke last of 10 in Saturday’s $100,000 Private Terms Stakes at Laurel Park, came wide into the stretch and rallied strongly to win by 4 lengths. Joint Custody gained the lead at the top of the lane and looked like a winner until Kid Cruze blew by. Matuszak finished third and the favorite, Baratti, the horse who scared Ring Weekend into running in Florida, wilted late and got home sixth. Kid Cruz, a Lemon Drop Kid colt, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:54.82 with Julian Pimentel in the irons.
“I never thought we would be that far back,” Pimentel said. “He wasn’t going anywhere but around the three-eighths pole, he kicked in by himself and got rolling.”
The Private Terms was his fourth race and second win. Trainer Linda Rice claimed him for $50,000 out of the first victory at Aqueduct last November. Assistant trainer Sam Randazzo said he thinks Kid Cruz can go farther “so we could see him in some longer races in the future.”
Top Billing will miss the Florida Derby and is off the Kentucky Derby trail after suffering a cracked cannon bone in his right front leg during a Saturday workout, trainer Shug McGaughey said. The Curlin colt finished third in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream.
McGaughey also said Honor Code, who had been slated for the Rebel at Oaklawn Park, instead will make his next start in a Wednesday allowance race at Gulfstream Park. Honor Code, from the last crop of famed sire A.P. Indy, defeated Florida Derby favorite Cairo Prince by a nose in the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct in November but hasn’t raced since.
Next weekend’s schedule includes the $600,000, Grade II Rebel at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. Southwest Stakes winner Tapiture is expected in that race and a good effort would go far toward boosting his Kentucky Derby stock, especially since he won the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes over the Churchill Downs strip in his final start as a 2-year-old. That also was his first win. Ride On Curlin and Street Strategy also are likely for the Rebel, which is the final prep for the $1 million, Grade I Arkansas Derby on April 12.
Kentucky Oaks preps
On Friday, Sweet Reason was a winner in her first start since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The Street Sense filly, winner of the Grade I Spinaway at Saratoga last summer, came from off the pace to score by 1/2 length in a 1-mile allowance race. Trainer Leah Gyarmati said Sweet Reason is ticketed for the $300,000, Grade II Gazelle on April 5 and Friday’s start was just right to set her up for that.
“It was well within her. She did it easily. It was a nice work. She learned something. She came back happy and hopefully the next step will be a forward move,” Gyarmati said.
Euphrosyne was awarded a victory she might well have earned anyway in Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park. After the Harlan’s Holiday filly finished second, a neck behind Sugar Shock, the stewards ruled the former had lugged in at the top of the stretch, costing Euphrosyne momentum, and reversed the order of finish. Please Explain finished third. The 1 1/16 miles on a fast track went in 1:45.68. Ricardo Santana Jr. was in the irons aboard Euphrosyne, who now has two wins and four seconds from six starts. She finished second in the local Martha Washington Stakes in her last previous outing.
“I thought we got interfered with,” said Darren Fleming, assistant to winning trainer Steve Asmussen. “But I also thought she would have won anyway if that wouldn’t have happened.”
He said Asmussen will decide whether the filly will run back in the $400,000, Grade III Fantasy on April 5.
On the grass at Tampa Bay Downs, Testa Rossi was an easy winner in her first start since finishing second to the ill-fated Chriselliam in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last fall. With Jose Lezcano in the irons, the French-bred daughter of Dr Fong raced in mid-pack, then jetted to the lead in the lane and got home first by 3 1/2 lengths. The pacesetter, Istanford, was the best of the rest, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Interrupted. Testa Rossi ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.51.
“Jose ran a terrific race,” said winning trainer Chad Brown, crediting the jockey with the plan to keep Testa Rossi closer to the lead than in past races. “He said, ‘If it doesn’t work out, I’ll tuck her in back, but let me try that.'”
Testa Rossi won three of five starts in France before coming to the United Stakes to win the Grade III Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park last October. She had some trouble in the Breeders’ Cup before finishing second to Chriselliam, the Juvenile Fillies Turf winner who was euthanized last month after suffering complications from a foot infection.
Divisional results:
Sprints
Sahara Sky, winner of last spring’s Grade I Met Mile, looked hopelessly beaten midway down the stretch in Saturday’s $250,000, Grade II San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita, well back of the leaders and trapped in traffic. But jockey Joel Rosario found room a seam, steered the 6-year-old son of Pleasant Tap through it and kicked past Big Macher to win by 1/2 length. Clubhouse Ride was just a nose farther back in third at a big price. Wild Dude was fourth and the favorite, Shakin’ It Up, was fifth with an even worse trip than Saraha Sky’s. Sahara Sky ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in a speedy 1:20.84.
“He was in a little bit of trouble turning for home,” Rosario said in some understatement. “I had to try to find some room and as soon as someone gave me enough room, I tried to find my way through. When I asked him, he was good.”
Mike Smith, aboard Shakin’ It Up, admitted he may have erred by opting to go inside for the stretch run.
“There was a lot of traffic and I didn’t get clear,” Smith said. “The winner ended up getting in the same predicament I was in, but he was able to get out.â€
After last year’s triumph in the Met Mile at Belmont Park, Sahara Sky was away until a fifth-place finish in Grade II Palos Verde last month. Winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said a repeat try in the Met Mile in May might be on the agenda.
Oliver Zip zipped right out of the gate in Saturday’s $100,000 Fred “Cappy” Capossela for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct and wasn’t caught. At the wire, the City Zip colt had extended his lead to 4 1/2 lengths, with Loki’s Vengeance chasing in second all the way. The favorite, Long On Value, was a little short on performance, finishing third. Oliver Zip ran 6 furlongs on the fast inner track with Rajiv Maragh in the irons. He was bouncing back in just two weeks after a tuneup in an allowance race and winning trainer Kelly Breen said the races have taken their toll.
“I know visually he did it easily today but I saw a tired horse,” Breen said, adding Oliver Zip’s recovery ability will be key to deciding about a start April 5 in the Grade III Bay Shore.
Work All Week has become a real workmanlike check-earner for Midwest Thoroughbreds, as evidenced by his pacesetting, 1 1/2-lengths triumph over Alsvid in Saturday’s $100,000 Hot Springs Handicap at Oaklawn Park. With Chris Emigh in the irons, the 4-year-old, Illinois-bred son of City Zip finished 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.84. Apprehender finished third. Since finishing third in his career opener in November of 2012, Work All Week has won nine of 10 starts for trainer Roger Brueggemann, including stakes at Fairmount Park and Hawthorne Race Course. He missed by a nose in a state-bred stakes race at Arlington Park.
“This is a big horse and he’s on the next level,” Emigh said. “He seems like he’s in slow motion because his stride is so big and he covers so much ground.”
Heitai got away to an uncontested lead after an awkward start in Saturday’s $100,000 Duncan F. Kenner Stakes at Fair Grounds and romped home a 5-lengths winner over the favorite, Delaunay. Lemon Drop Dream finished third. Heitai, a 4-year-old gelding by Fusaichi Pegasus, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.68 with Diego Saenz up.
“Once I had the lead,” Saenz said, “all I had to do was keep him on his toes. He’s a very fast horse.”
It was his fourth straight win and seventh in 17 starts.
Filly & Mare Sprinters
Judy the Beauty, rested since finishing second to multiyear champion Groupie Doll in the Breeders’ Cup, was no match for a quartet of rivals in Sunday’s $100,000, Grade III Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita. After tracking the early pace, she quickly took charge when asked by jockey John Velazquez and kicked clear to win by 4 3/4 lengths, ridden out. Heir Kitty and Munnings Sister completed the trifecta. Judy the Beauty, a 5-year-old Ghostzapper mare, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.22. She has never finished off the board in 15 career starts with seven wins, seven seconds and one third. She has yet to win a Grade I event, however. Velazquez, who flew across the country for the ride, said Judy the Beauty was unusually quiet in the paddock, post parade and in the gate.
“So when we came out of there, I gave her a little hit (with the reins) to come out running and she did. It was a perfect trip though and she handled it very well.”
Blake Heap, assistant to trainer Wesley Ward, said Judy the Beauty arrived ready to run. “All I did was fluff her pillow, put new shoes on and keep her happy,” he said.
Judy the Beauty now is targeting the spring meeting at Keeneland.
Turf Mile
Winning Prize sprinted out to the lead in Saturday’s $350,000, Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita, hooked up with Lochte turning for home and prevailed in a ding-dong stretch duel, winning by 1/2 length. Lochte held second, 1 length in front of Suggestive Boy. Za Approval, the favorite, was only a neck farther back in fourth in his first start since finishing second to two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Winning Prize, a 5-year-old, Argentine-bred horse by Pure Prize, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:32.44 with Corey Nakatani up. He now has three wins from five starts in the United States.
“It makes a difference when you can get away with an easy first half mile,” said winning trainer Neil Drysdale. “That set us up well … He’s changed and relaxes in his races. He’s becoming more adaptable the more we race him.”
Diversy Harbor lagged at the back of the pack through most of Saturday’s $100,000 China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita, came running along the outside through the stretch and was up to score by 1/2 length over Nashoba’s Gold. Tiz Kissable was along for third at huge odds. The favorite, On the Backstreets, led in the lane but settled for fourth. Diversey Harbor, a Curlin filly out of a Storm Cat mare, ran 1 mile on firm turf in a well-timed 1:34.36 for jockey Gary Stevens and trainer Tom Proctor. Thawing quicker than the real Diversey Harbor in Chicago, she now is 2-for-2 after winning at first asking on the hillside turf course in January.
Fillies and mares on the grass
Cloud Scapes broke on top in Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Hillsborough Stakes, took back and then came on late to win by a nose over Waterway Run. The favorite, Riposte, mustered a late effort to get up for third. Cloud Scapes, a 5-year-old Smart Strike mare, got about 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:51.58 with Erick Rodriguez up.
“It was a tough race for her because there was no speed in here,” said winning trainer H. Graham Motion. “She ran a big race … I really haven’t thought beyond this race for her but we’ll probably step it up. I think this mare could really go on and have a big year.”
The victory backed up her win in the Grade III Endeavour Stakes over the course in January.
Returning overseas:
Japan
To the World prevailed by a nose over One and Only in Sunday’s Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho, the Japanese 2,000 Guineas Trial, at Nakayama. To the World, a King Kamehameha colt trained by Yasutoshi Ikee, ran 2,000 meters on firm turf in 2:01.4.
In Sunday’s Tulip Sho, or Japanese 1,000 Guineas Trial, at Hanshin, it was Harp Star by 2 1/2 lenths over Nuovo Record. Harp Star, a Deep Impact filly, got the 1,600 meters in 1:34.3. She now has two wins and a second from three starts.
Australia
Fiorente earned a trip back to England with a win Saturday in the Group 1 Darley Australian Cup at Flemington. Kept back in the field through the early stages of the 1 1/4-miles event, the 2013 Melbourne Cup winner came on late to win by 1/2 length over 2012 Melbourne Cup victor Green Moon. Fiorente, previously trained by Sir Michael Stoute and winner of the 2012 Princess of Wales’s Stakes, now is slated to try the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick before hitting the international road.
“Why wouldn’t I take him to Royal Ascot now?” trainer Gai Waterhouse rhetorically asked AAP Racing. “He’s in supreme form and he’s still only lightly raced.”
The 6-year-old was making his 18th start on Saturday.
Also Saturday at Flemington, Lankan Rupee shot clear late to land the Group 1 Lexus Newmarket Handicap at 6 furlongs and also could be looking at one of the Sprint events on the Royal Ascot program. First, he’s ticketed for the TJ Smith Stakes at Sydney.
And Boban triumphed over New Zealand star It’s A Dundeel by 1 length to take the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes at 1 mile on the grass.
Barbados
Patrick Husbands, a native Barbadian who recently has been more familiar with the Canadian climes of Woodbine, won all three of the top events on the card on Gold Cup day at Barbados, including the Sandy Land Barbados Gold Cup itself. In the big race, Husbands kept Major Marvel close to the pace, took charge late and won off by 3 1/2 lengths over Nominee with Dashing David third. Major Marvel, an 8-year-old Bernstein gelding, also won the Claiming Crown Emerald at Gulfstream Park in December for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker. Husbands, 40, won his fourth Gold Cup — a record that started when he was 16.
Elsewhere:
Delta Downs
There was a lot of lovin’ goin’ on in Friday night’s $70,000 Lookout Stakes for fillies and mares at Delta Downs. She Loves Runnin’ dueled with I Love Pickles through much of the race, at one point swapping the lead, before She Loves Runnin’ kicked clear to score by 2 1/4 lengths. I Love Pickles just did hold second, a nose in front of A Runnin Pop and another neck in front of Flower Lady. She Loves Runnin’, a 4-year-old Run Production filly, ran 1 mile on a good, sealed track in 1:40.70 with Diego Saenz in the irons.
Pioneering Native was in the mix all the way in Saturday night’s $70,000 B-connected Stakes and put a nose in front of One Man’s King under the wire. Early leader Masculino was third, another 1 1/4 lengths in arrears. Pioneering Native, a 7-year-old Pioneering gelding, ran 1 mile on a good, sealed track in 1:38.91 with Tracy Hebert up.
News and notes
Finalists for the 2014 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame: Four jockeys, four horses and two trainers. The jockeys are Chris Antley, Garrett Gomez, Craig Perret and Alex Solis. The horses are Ashado, Curlin, Kona Gold and Xtra Heat (but again, NOT Black Tie Affair). The trainers are Steve Asmussen and Gary Jones. A 16-member nominating committee picked those from 84 candidates suggested throughout the year from various and sundry sources. A voting panel will pick four inductees, to be announced April 25, will be ushered into the Hall at a ceremony in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Aug. 8. All are welcome.
