Del Mar
Zayat Stables Zensational who is trained by Bob Baffert has been established as the 4/5 morning line favorite in the $300,000 Grade I Bing Crosby Habdicap on Saturday at Del Mar. Victor Espinoza has the mount.
Others of note in the 6 furkong Bing Crosby field are Talkin To Mama Roo who is taking a giant step up in class off a Hollywood Allowance race with Tyler Baze aboard, Delta Storm who ran 4th in the Ancient Title at the Oak Tree meet last fall with Joel Rosario aboard, and Global Hunter who won the Grade I Eddie Reed here last weekend but is returning to a sprint distance for the first time since his maiden race with Cory Nakatani aboard.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Quality Road Returns in the Amsterdam
Saratoga Race Course
You know you are at Saratoga when there is a Grade II race as the feature on Monday afternoon. The $150,000 Grade II Amsterdam for tree year olds at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track highlights the end of week 1 of the 6 week Saratoga meet.
Horses to Watch in the Amsterdam
Quality Road
With a hard fought win over Dunkirk in the Florida Derby, Quality Road established himself as the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby but a quarter crack sidelined him throughout the Triple Crown series. In the meantime, he was moved from the barn of Jimmy Jerkins to the barn of Todd Pletcher. Recent works indicate that he is ready and the Beyers in the spring were sensational. Johnny Velasquez rides for Todd Pletcher.
Everyday Heroes
He was a sharp 2nd to Munnings in his last in the Woody Stevens at Belmont in June. Other than that, he has won all four of his other races and sprinting actually seems to be his game. He is making his first start for the Kiaran McLaughlin barn and Alan Garcia rides.
Capt. Candyman Can
Couldn't handle Quality Road in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream but then won the Big A's Bayshore and an ungraded event at Churchill after that. He has been off since May but has been pointed to this race since then. Javier Castellano rides for Ian Wilkes.
Custom For Carlos
He won the Jersey Shore at Monmouth by 6 lengths in his last and ran 3rd in the Swale at Gulfstream in his only other stakes race. He seems to have plenty of talent and reunites with Julian Leparoux who rides for Eddy Kenneally.
You know you are at Saratoga when there is a Grade II race as the feature on Monday afternoon. The $150,000 Grade II Amsterdam for tree year olds at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track highlights the end of week 1 of the 6 week Saratoga meet.
Horses to Watch in the Amsterdam
Quality Road
With a hard fought win over Dunkirk in the Florida Derby, Quality Road established himself as the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby but a quarter crack sidelined him throughout the Triple Crown series. In the meantime, he was moved from the barn of Jimmy Jerkins to the barn of Todd Pletcher. Recent works indicate that he is ready and the Beyers in the spring were sensational. Johnny Velasquez rides for Todd Pletcher.
Everyday Heroes
He was a sharp 2nd to Munnings in his last in the Woody Stevens at Belmont in June. Other than that, he has won all four of his other races and sprinting actually seems to be his game. He is making his first start for the Kiaran McLaughlin barn and Alan Garcia rides.
Capt. Candyman Can
Couldn't handle Quality Road in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream but then won the Big A's Bayshore and an ungraded event at Churchill after that. He has been off since May but has been pointed to this race since then. Javier Castellano rides for Ian Wilkes.
Custom For Carlos
He won the Jersey Shore at Monmouth by 6 lengths in his last and ran 3rd in the Swale at Gulfstream in his only other stakes race. He seems to have plenty of talent and reunites with Julian Leparoux who rides for Eddy Kenneally.
Rachel Alexandra Dominates Haskell Field
Monmouth Park - Oceanport, NJ
Rachel Alexandra stayed just off the pace set by Munnings and surprisingly the Belmont winner Summer Bird until the head of the stretch. When it came time for those three horses to decide the race, all of a sudden Rachel was instantly 4 lengths ahead. Calvin Borel tapped her with the whip to keep her focused and she simply ran away to an easy 6 length win over Summer Bird with Munnings finishing third.
With the easy manner in which she won this race against the best 3 year old colts in training, Rachel etched in stone the notion that she is a filly for the ages. As such, her name belongs with those of Ruffian and Go For Wand when the conversation turns to the greatest fillies of all time.
Owner Jess Jackson will simply say she will tell us what's next when asked where Rachel will race next. That however, doesn't stop the speculation that she may well race in the Travers at Saratoga and generate a rematch between the winners of all three classic races for three year olds this year.
Another possibility posed by the racing media is that Rachel may be entered in the Woodward to take on older horses in that race. The connections of the 11 for 11 Zenyatta talk about these two super horses meeting this year. Racing Rachel in the Woodward could possibly be a way for that to happen if Zenyatta were to make only her second appearance outside California and come to Saratoga for the Woodward.
Rachel Alexandra stayed just off the pace set by Munnings and surprisingly the Belmont winner Summer Bird until the head of the stretch. When it came time for those three horses to decide the race, all of a sudden Rachel was instantly 4 lengths ahead. Calvin Borel tapped her with the whip to keep her focused and she simply ran away to an easy 6 length win over Summer Bird with Munnings finishing third.
With the easy manner in which she won this race against the best 3 year old colts in training, Rachel etched in stone the notion that she is a filly for the ages. As such, her name belongs with those of Ruffian and Go For Wand when the conversation turns to the greatest fillies of all time.
Owner Jess Jackson will simply say she will tell us what's next when asked where Rachel will race next. That however, doesn't stop the speculation that she may well race in the Travers at Saratoga and generate a rematch between the winners of all three classic races for three year olds this year.
Another possibility posed by the racing media is that Rachel may be entered in the Woodward to take on older horses in that race. The connections of the 11 for 11 Zenyatta talk about these two super horses meeting this year. Racing Rachel in the Woodward could possibly be a way for that to happen if Zenyatta were to make only her second appearance outside California and come to Saratoga for the Woodward.
Rachel faces Summer Bird and Munnings in the Haskell
Monmouth Park
Rachel Alexandra has been installed the 4/5 favorite as she again takes on the colts in the $1.25 Million Grade I Haskell Invitational today at Monmouth Park. A series of Graded and Non graded stakes highlight a very strong undercard at Monmouth today where severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon.
Horses to Watch in the Haskell
Rachel Alexandra
Winner of seven straight including the Preakness and is the likely leading candidate for Horse of the Year. Will have to stay close enough to Munnings on the pace today but if she is ready, she wins. Calvin Borel rides for Steve Asmussen.
Summer Bird
Ran up the track in the Kentucky Derby but returned to win the Belmont in June. The speed on the front end sets up nicely for him in here but he may be ready for a bounce after a huge lifetime best Beyer in the Belmont. Kent Desormeaux rides for Tim Ice.
Munnings
Going for third win in a row and has posted three straight 108 Beyers. He is likely to press the pace today or have the lead but will have Rachel to contend with up there. Johnny Velasquez rides for Todd Pletcher.
Duke of Mischief
Is going for third straight win and won the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows by five lengths in his last. Then again, this isn't the Iowa Derby. Eiabar Coa saw enough in that race to come from Saratoga today to ride for David Fawkes.
Rachel Alexandra has been installed the 4/5 favorite as she again takes on the colts in the $1.25 Million Grade I Haskell Invitational today at Monmouth Park. A series of Graded and Non graded stakes highlight a very strong undercard at Monmouth today where severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon.
Horses to Watch in the Haskell
Rachel Alexandra
Winner of seven straight including the Preakness and is the likely leading candidate for Horse of the Year. Will have to stay close enough to Munnings on the pace today but if she is ready, she wins. Calvin Borel rides for Steve Asmussen.
Summer Bird
Ran up the track in the Kentucky Derby but returned to win the Belmont in June. The speed on the front end sets up nicely for him in here but he may be ready for a bounce after a huge lifetime best Beyer in the Belmont. Kent Desormeaux rides for Tim Ice.
Munnings
Going for third win in a row and has posted three straight 108 Beyers. He is likely to press the pace today or have the lead but will have Rachel to contend with up there. Johnny Velasquez rides for Todd Pletcher.
Duke of Mischief
Is going for third straight win and won the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows by five lengths in his last. Then again, this isn't the Iowa Derby. Eiabar Coa saw enough in that race to come from Saratoga today to ride for David Fawkes.
Fourstardave, Go For Wand On Tap at Saratoga
Saratoga Race Course
The rain is expected to return today to Saratoga Springs making handicapping a challenge on the already wet ground at the Spa. The $150,000 Grade II Fourstardave for three year olds and up over the Mellon turf course and the $300,000 Grade I Go For Wand for fillies and mares three years old and up over the main track are the co-features on today's ten race card.
Horses To Watch in the Fourstardave
Kip Deville
Won the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap in February before throwing in a clunker in the Dubai Duty Free. Faded to 4th in the Poker at Belmont in his first race back from Dubai in June. Should be sitting just behind the pace today and the guess is this champion will be ready to roll today. Cornelio Velasquez rides for Richard Dutrow.
Cowboy Cal
Won the Strub at Santa Anita in February before running into Einstein and Geo Ponti in last three. He gave Einstein all he could handle losing by a head in the Churchill Turf Classic two back on a course rated as good. Ramon Dominguez subs for Johnny V in the saddle for Todd Pletcher.
Justenuffhumor
Trying for his fifth win in a row but this is his stakes debut. He has been in top allowance company in his last three but hasn't seen the likes of the top two in this race. Alan Garcia aboard for Kiaran McLaughlin.
Cosmonaut
Won Belmont's Fort Marcy in May over a course rated as good and finished 5th after a bad break in the Manhattan in June. Ran third in the Arlington Handicap in last but returns to a more favorable distance for him today. The dangerous on turf Julien Leparoux takes the mount for Phil Serpe.
Horses to Watch in the Go For Wand
Godolphin Entry - Seventh Street and Cocoa Beach
Seventh Street has been sharp this year winning the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn in the spring and finishing second to Seattle Smooth in the Grade I Phipps at Belmont in June. Rajiv Maragh rides for Saeed bin Suroor.
Cocoa Beach is in only her second start of the year but beat Ginger Punch in the Beldame and gave Zenyatta all she could handle in the BC Ladies Classic last fall. Looks like she needed the race in a dull effort in Belmont's Floral Park this spring. Certainly the one to beat. Ramon Dominguez rides for Saeed bin Suroor.
Miss Isella
Going for her third win in a row after two straight 100+ Beyers in a pair of Churchill grade II's over off tracks. She is 2 for 3 at the distance but hasn't seen the likes of Cocoa Beach. Julien Leparoux subs for Calvin Borel in the saddle for Ian Wilkes.
The rain is expected to return today to Saratoga Springs making handicapping a challenge on the already wet ground at the Spa. The $150,000 Grade II Fourstardave for three year olds and up over the Mellon turf course and the $300,000 Grade I Go For Wand for fillies and mares three years old and up over the main track are the co-features on today's ten race card.
Horses To Watch in the Fourstardave
Kip Deville
Won the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap in February before throwing in a clunker in the Dubai Duty Free. Faded to 4th in the Poker at Belmont in his first race back from Dubai in June. Should be sitting just behind the pace today and the guess is this champion will be ready to roll today. Cornelio Velasquez rides for Richard Dutrow.
Cowboy Cal
Won the Strub at Santa Anita in February before running into Einstein and Geo Ponti in last three. He gave Einstein all he could handle losing by a head in the Churchill Turf Classic two back on a course rated as good. Ramon Dominguez subs for Johnny V in the saddle for Todd Pletcher.
Justenuffhumor
Trying for his fifth win in a row but this is his stakes debut. He has been in top allowance company in his last three but hasn't seen the likes of the top two in this race. Alan Garcia aboard for Kiaran McLaughlin.
Cosmonaut
Won Belmont's Fort Marcy in May over a course rated as good and finished 5th after a bad break in the Manhattan in June. Ran third in the Arlington Handicap in last but returns to a more favorable distance for him today. The dangerous on turf Julien Leparoux takes the mount for Phil Serpe.
Horses to Watch in the Go For Wand
Godolphin Entry - Seventh Street and Cocoa Beach
Seventh Street has been sharp this year winning the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn in the spring and finishing second to Seattle Smooth in the Grade I Phipps at Belmont in June. Rajiv Maragh rides for Saeed bin Suroor.
Cocoa Beach is in only her second start of the year but beat Ginger Punch in the Beldame and gave Zenyatta all she could handle in the BC Ladies Classic last fall. Looks like she needed the race in a dull effort in Belmont's Floral Park this spring. Certainly the one to beat. Ramon Dominguez rides for Saeed bin Suroor.
Miss Isella
Going for her third win in a row after two straight 100+ Beyers in a pair of Churchill grade II's over off tracks. She is 2 for 3 at the distance but hasn't seen the likes of Cocoa Beach. Julien Leparoux subs for Calvin Borel in the saddle for Ian Wilkes.
Well Armed Returns in San Diego Handicap
Del Mar, CA
Well Armed, the winner of the $6 Million Dubai World Cup in March, will be making his first start since winning the world's richest race today in the $250,000 Grade II San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. A field of nine is expected to contest the San Diego over the Del Mar Polytrack.
Horses to Watch in the San Diego
Well Armed
Informed
Mast Track
Well Armed, the winner of the $6 Million Dubai World Cup in March, will be making his first start since winning the world's richest race today in the $250,000 Grade II San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. A field of nine is expected to contest the San Diego over the Del Mar Polytrack.
Horses to Watch in the San Diego
Well Armed
Informed
Mast Track
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Diana, Jim Dandy Highlight Saturday at the Spa
Saratoga Race Course
The main track and both turf courses are rated as Good with Race 2 off the turf for Saturday's races at Saratoga after the monsoon that washed all races off the turf yesterday, including the Grade II Lake George. After the resulting scratches in the race, Be Fair outdualed Molly's Follies in a thrilling finish in the 4 horse field in the Lake George.
Today at the Spa sees a dual feature in the $500,000 Grade I Diana for fillies & Mares four years old and up on the Mellon turf course and the $500,000 Grade II Jim Dandy for three year olds on the main track , both at a mile and an eighth. The Jim Dandy is the local prep race for the Travers.
Horses to Watchfor the Diana
Forever Together
Rutherienne
Criticism
Horses to Watch for the Jim Dandy
Charitable Man
Saratoga Sinner
Warrier's Reward
The main track and both turf courses are rated as Good with Race 2 off the turf for Saturday's races at Saratoga after the monsoon that washed all races off the turf yesterday, including the Grade II Lake George. After the resulting scratches in the race, Be Fair outdualed Molly's Follies in a thrilling finish in the 4 horse field in the Lake George.
Today at the Spa sees a dual feature in the $500,000 Grade I Diana for fillies & Mares four years old and up on the Mellon turf course and the $500,000 Grade II Jim Dandy for three year olds on the main track , both at a mile and an eighth. The Jim Dandy is the local prep race for the Travers.
Horses to Watchfor the Diana
Forever Together
Rutherienne
Criticism
Horses to Watch for the Jim Dandy
Charitable Man
Saratoga Sinner
Warrier's Reward
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