So far in 2009, Gulfstream Park gets my vote for best racing (for its day-to-day consistency).
But Santa Anita is the card to watch this Saturday with its graded stakes trio (Races 6-7-8) on the Pro-Ride surface.
The Santa Ynez (G2) is a seven-furlong race for three-year-old fillies. The top two choices in the field of nine should be Sorrento Stakes (G3) winner Evita Argentina and Alpha Kitten, who shortens up off a fourth-place finish in the 1 1/16-mile Hollywood Starlet (G1).
How big would a win by Spanish Ice be for the stallion career of second-crop sire Spanish Steps? Martin Stables owns Spanish Ice and stands her sire, an unraced full brother to Unbridled's Song. Eddie Martin has supported Spanish Steps strongly with his own mares and his efforts at auction.
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How good was the 2008 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), won by Midshipman? We'll get some indicator from the 1-mile San Rafael Stakes (G3), where Square Eddie makes his three-year-old debut.
Square Eddie appeared to run a good second in the Breeders' Cup. If the '08 Juvenile was a quality edition, he rolls in here. If he loses, it'll make me regret not voting for Vineyard Haven as champion two-year-old male.
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The San Fernando, at 1 1/16 miles, drew an eclectic group that includes New York-bred Grade 3 winner Wishful Tomcat, a recent private purchase for IEAH Stables.
Muny, Cherokee Artist, Booted, El Gato Malo, and Slew's Tiznow are the promising four-year-olds I'm watching for in here.
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It was a pretty disappointing afternoon on the Pro-Ride.
Spanish Ice scratched, but Alpha Kitten looked good winning the Santa Ynez. As did runner-up Evita Argentina, whose sire Candy Ride (Arg) continues to look like a solid stud.
In the San Rafael, Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Square Eddie finished an uninspiring second in a weak field of five at 3-to-5 odds. The winner, The Pamplemousse, set swift fractions and kicked for home. He was the only horse to do any serious running, and this definitely puts a question mark on the quality of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
In the San Fernando, Nownownow, back under the care of Patrick Biancone, resurfaced for his first victory since the 2007 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Del Mar Derby (G2) winner Madeo was was pulled up and vanned off. (Trainer John Shireffs said on Sunday he believed Madeo would be fine.)
Later on at Golden Gate Fields, Candy Ride's stock kept rising as Chocolate Candy was a 1 3/4-length winner in the California Derby.
Gallant Son, who finished seventh but was beaten just 3 1/2 lengths in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, could do no better than fifth.
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5 comments:
Spanish Ice scratched.
How can you not love a horse named The Pamplemousse?
The racing at Gulfstream this meet has been on par with Saratoga, Keeneland, and Oak Tree.
Assuming the track keeps this up through March, I think it has the chance to be among the best meets of this decade at any facility
I think Gulfstream is offering a good, consistent wagering product thanks to big fields, plenty of turf racing, and some talented maiden fields.
I'll be interested in their handle figures to see if the public feels the same way.
Mandy, I do like the Pamplemousse. He was one of two horses that impressed me on last Saturday's Santa Anita card. The other was a Johannesburg filly named Burg Berg, who won a maiden race on the downhill course.
For those keeping track of such things ... The Pampemousse and Burg Berg were impressive winners in their next starts.
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