FIFTH THIRD ELKHORN DAY SELECTIONS
April 23rd, 2010By Jude T. Feld
1st Race) STRIVING (#6) was heavily bet in her debut at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. She broke slowly but still managed a third-place finish. With that race under her belt and a better break, the California-bred filly, who hails from the barn of sharp trainer Tom Amoss, figures to be right there at the finish. SPARKLE OF LIGHT (#7) is on an improving pattern but will need to better her closing kick to threaten the top choice this afternoon. HOW ABOUT ALEXIS (#2) showed good speed before tiring late in her initial trip to the starting gate. A little improvement could find her in the winners’ circle.
2nd Race) Hall of Fame trainer Billy Mott saddles GRAY (#1) for this race. The well-bred colt had a ton of trouble in his first start of the year, a turf mile at Gulfstream Park, taking up twice on the first turn. With only two starts under his belt, he is capable of improving alot, especially with three conditioning workouts since his last start. OAK BAR (#7) hasn’t run in a year. His two best races were at Keeneland however, so his new trainer, Rick Dutrow, opts to return him to racing here. It will be his initial start for a claiming price, so significant improvement can be expected. PARTY KING (#2) has been finishing well on the turf. If the son of Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch can duplicate his form on the Polytrack, he is a huge threat.
3rd Race) This race boils down to three fillies – KATY NOW (#2), MIDST (#3) and DONNA GETYOURGUN (#6). They are pretty hard to separate using conventional handicapping so the tote board could be our best clue as to which to wager on. Take the longest price and hope for the best.
4th Race) Trainer Wesley Ward has dominated the two-year-old races here. He has two babies entered here – TRIBAL STRIKE (#6) and SPEED HAS VALUE (#7). He customarily scratches one of his two entrants, so whoever runs is live. BLUEGRASS PHENOM (#3) has been working quickly for his racing debut and looks like the main competition to the Ward-trained entry.
5th Race) CAT HOP (#5) shortens up in distance after a decent route race here. Late in the Keeneland meetings, horses with a race over the track have a big edge and those going from a long race to a short one do very well too. Let’s take the favorite in light of the fact that trainer Merrill Scherer is having a great spring.
6th Race) NO MORE YOGI’S (#1), from the Wesley Ward stable, opens as the 8/5 morning line choice. She just missed winning her debut and will come out more fit and ready for her second start. IONES FOLLY (#7) is by Tale of the Cat who has sired 15 Polytrack sprint winners at Keeneland. She has two bullet works and could upset if the favorite stubs her toe. RORY’S DIVIDEND (#3) attracts the services of Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux. She has been working well at Keeneland and should give a good account of herself.
7th Race) Trainer Christophe Clement has had one of the most successful Keeneland meets of all time. Virtually every horse he has sent to the post has run well and he is winning at more than a 70% clip. He will be represented by ARMSTRONG MILL (#10), a gingerly raced colt who has never been off the board in seven career starts. The son of Dynaformer isn’t a cinch to win by any standard, but it is hard to argue with his stable’s current success. MORE THAN WILLING (#12) prepped in a sprint race for his turf debut. A son of sensational turf sire More Than Ready, the Kenny McPeek trainee has a solid closing style that suits the Keeneland turf course. Jockey Robby Albarado only enhances his chances. DUBAI ECHO (#8) lost all chance at the start of his American debut here opening weekend. A better break could see him revert to his excellent European form.
8th Race) A $500,000 Keeneland yearling, JADAL (#3) was sent to the lead in his last start, tactics he was unaccustomed to. The son of top sire A.P. Indy is sure to benefit from the rider switch to Alan Garcia. He should be much more patient with the Kieran McLaughlin trainee this afternoon. EN FUEGO (#4) is another from the Clement barn. He has had a lot of chances but seldom runs a bad race. He could break his maiden today with a good trip and his best effort. YA GOTTA HAVE SOUL (#7) has improved every start. If he can beef up his closing ability he could be part of the trifecta.
9th Race) BEARPATH (#4) comes off a victory in the Pan-American (G3) at Gulfstream Park, a race much similar to the Fifth Third Elkhorn (G2). He posted an excellent workout over the Keeneland green on April 13, indicating he retains his sharpness. Look for the son of Dynaformer to stalk the early pace and fight it out to the end. BRASS HAT (#11) continues to run good races in top company at age nine. The old warrior finished five lengths behind the top pick in his 2010 debut but should be much fitter today with that race under his belt. PICK SIX (#8) ran a corker at 30-1 in the Mervin Muniz Handicap (G2) at Fair Grounds in his last outing. He tries a marathon distance for the first time today but he is bred to run as far as they write races.
10th Race) KUSCH (#2) showed a liking for Polytrack when he notched his first victory at Turfway Park two races back. He found Keeneland allowance foes too tough in his last race but should rebound today in this much easier field of claimers. His 12-1 morning line price is very appealing. I COME FROM BEHIND (#3) ran better than it looked last time out. He has had a lot of chances to win and hasn’t but this might be the lightest competition he has ever faced. ROYALE (#6) comes from the barn of clever trainer Andrew McKeever. He is also dropping in class from tougher races and could be part of the trifecta if jockey James Graham can negotiate him through traffic.
