I m doing a very quick summary for this last Saturday at the Spa, in a Derby Day card highlighted by the Grade I Woodward, with three other graded stakes in store.
1st race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Inner Turf) ‘Mdn 62k Purse $62,000 INNER TURF FOR MAIDENS, THREEYEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
1-3-6
Kaz’s Beach (1) ran nicely at Penn National against open company, now goes vs NY Breds. Good post and better jockey. Tackle (3) goes 2nd time out for Bill Mott, needs pace, don’t know if he will get it. First time starter Ancient Times (6) can get the job done in a weak group, Irad and Pletcher together here.
2nd race: 6 Furlongs. Clm 16000 Purse $36,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
1-3-6
The entry (1/1A) looks like a very solid 1-2 punch, both extremely consistent,a nd either one of them will have a great opportunity running alone. Vincero (3) is 10 for 28 lifetime, you don’t find that kind of consistency in these groups, and that last race was very good. Deep Sea (6) changed barns, now with the very effective Orlando Noda.
3rd race: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) ™‘Alw 64000n1x Purse $64,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARESTHREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
4-7-1
Sizable improvement from Fractorzation (4), and Ortiz repeats in her saddle. Should be prominent from the start. Silky Blue(7) takes an interesting cut back in distance and with the right setup can get up in time. Saratoga Love (1) has the rail, but Rosario should out her in contention early and cant be overlooked.
4th race: 1 3/8 Mile. (Inner Turf) ™GlenFls-G2 Glens Falls S. Grade II. Purse $200,000 INNERTURF FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
4-1-2
My Sister Nat (4) should get a similar setup to her last race, in which she got up in time. I see good speed in here, to the benefit of Irad and Chad. Civil Union (1) is the filly on the improv, and with further progress, can be the one that upsets the favorite. Beau Belle (2) is honest as they can be, needs to take it up a notch, but cant be totally discarded.
5th race: 7 Furlongs. Mdn 72k Purse $72,000 (UP TO $12,528 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS,TWO YEARS OLD.
5-1-3
Good maiden babies race, with Olympiad (5), who ran against Reinvestment Risk, one of the best 2 year olds that we have seen here, being my top pick. Munqad (1) debuts for Shadwell and Pletcher, with works that suggest he is ready to strike first time out. We should see an improved effort out of Directional (3), if he can relax a lil bit more at the beginning.
6th race: 7 Furlongs. ™Alw 74000n1x Purse $74,000 (UP TO $12,876 NYSBFOA) FORFILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
7-4-6
Say Moi (7) cuts back to seven panels after two route tries, in one of them against the good filly Spice Is Nice. This group is much softer. Pop a Choc (4) has a win at the distance and should be part of the early flight, with great chance to win. Don’t Call Me Mary (6) goes for a new barn, and Pletcher hits at 24% foirst time for him.
7th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Inner Turf) Mdn 72k Purse $72,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $12,528NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD.
9-7-1
Hidden Enemy (9) ran well in a race in which the pace was not to his preference. Now he should have a hotter pace to run and Rosario takes over. Sifting Sands (7) was to debut a couple of weeks ago, race got taken off grass. Reports are that this is a good colt. Restored Order (1) has run well twice on dirt, and Pletcher sends him to the lawn after working in the grass. Watch out!
8th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) ‘Alw 64000n1x Purse $64,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND
UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
4-3-8
Barleewon (4) was gelded after a very disappointing performance, lets see if the procedure does the trick. His maiden win was solid enough to give him a good chance here. Gold Old Boy (3) has four wins, something that few in this bunch has. He is making a sizable climb in class, a sign of confidence. Point Him Out (8) has only three races lifetime, so upside potential is still high. He made a bold mode last time out and then flattened. Maturity can kick in for today.
9th race: 1 1/8 Mile. JimDandy-G2 Jim Dandy S. Grade II. Purse $150,000 FOR THREE YEAROLDS.
4-1-6
Jesus Team (4) ran extremely well in the Haskell, and now the trainer puts blinkers on him, trying to get him to run in a straight line. The two horses that beat him are running today in the Derby, so for all purposes, this can be considered a drop in class. Happy Saver (1) seems to be very talented, but he is making a huge class climb. He is also entered Monday at Laurel, lets see where he ends up. Dr. Post (6) also ran in the Haskell, and needs to return to his old form to win here.
10th race: 6 Furlongs. ™Prioress-G2 Prioress S. Grade II. Purse $200,000 FOR FILLIESTHREE YEARS OLD.
1-7-5
Kimari (1) is the class of the field by far. I think she is better on the grass, but tomorrow Irad can sit off the pace, watching the hot pace that should develop. Center Aisle (7) seems to be very talented. Trainer Chad Brown, in a rare move, will put blinkers on her. Let’s see if this does the trick. Frank’s Rockette (5) was all out to beat two of her opponents today. Lets see what Junior Alvarado can do with her, she seems to be a bit of a hanger.
11th race: 1 1/4 Mile. WoodwrdH-G1 Woodward H. Grade I. Purse $500,000 A HANDICAP FOR
THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
4-2-1
I love the way that Global Campaign (4) was ridden last time out, and I suspect we will get some more of that today with him. I think he is the fastest in here and should dictate how things evolve. Tacitus (2) finally broke thru with a dominating performance in the Suburban, and these same ten panels. Jose Ortiz returns to his saddle. The longshot here can be Math Wizard (1), who didn’t lift a hoof at Charles Town, but the quick turnaround tells me he is no worse for the wear.
12th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Clm 40000n2L Purse $49,000 (UP TO $8,526 NYSBFOA) FOR THREEYEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
8-9-1
Life on Top (8) drops from straight maidens and Jimmy Jerkens puts blinkers on him, trying to get him closer to the pace. He goes second off the layof . Traffic Pattern (9) apparently didn’t care for the good turf at Monmouth, he should get a much drier footing today and Irad won with him in his debut. Our Country (1) drops to this restricted claiming group after running decently in much tougher races. Carmouche should send him to be in that early battle for the lead, taking advantage of the rail draw.