Notes on the Valentine’s Day Program
February 13th, 2009By Jude T. Feld
Hunch players today might like A ROSE FOR YOU (LRL9), INTO MY SOUL (GP9), HAPAHEART (TP11) or the CHOCOLATE CANDY-RENDEZVOUS exacta (GG8) and the RARE SPARKLE, WIGGLE AND A WINK, G’S HEAVENLY UNION trifecta (SA5) as possible wagers. For those who like to bet with their head instead of their heart, we offer the following:
GINGER BREW, third when prepped in a stakes race at Gulfstream, should be set for a top effort and finds an Endevour (G3) field lacking any superstars. Look for the Adena Springs silks in the winners’ circle after TAMPA BAY DOWNS’ 9TH RACE.
The Sam F. Davis (G3) is TAMPA BAY DOWNS’ 10TH RACE. By bargain Kentucky stallion Big Country, FREE COUNTRY has been perfect in two starts. The $11,000 Keeneland November Sale graduate could take a big step forward into the Derby scene with another victory today. ATOMIC RAIN has never been worse than second and looks to turn the tables on the top choice after finishing second to him at Gulfstream Park.
IKIGAI looks like the lone speed horse in the Richter Scale (G2), GULFSTREAM PARK’s 4TH RACE. He has never run seven furlongs so caution is suggested, especially at what is expected to be a very short price.
Millionaire BRASS HAT returns to the races at eight-years-old, in the Dust Commander Stakes, TURFWAY PARK’s 11TH RACE. He is always vulnerable in his first start back so the edge might be with YOUR ROUND. He adds blinkers for the first time after failing to live up to his promise at two and three. They might help him focus on winning.
SONG OF PIRATES opens at 12-1 on the morning line in the Phoenix Gold Cup, TURF PARADISE’s 8TH RACE and signature event of the meeting. The Mike Chambers trainee fires every time and seems to love the racing surface. He could upset some of the fancy California shippers.
The El Camino Real Derby (G3) is GOLDEN GATE’s 8TH RACE. It looks like a rematch between CHOCOLATE CANDY and AXEL FOLEY. They ran 1-2 in the California Derby and it seems like more of the same can be expected this afternoon.
Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel is a master of pointing a horse for a particular race and then winning it. Juddmonte Farm’s VISIT is an ultra-talented filly who should be primed and ready for the Santa Maria (G1), SANTA ANITA’s 9TH RACE.
