Archive for the ‘Thoroughbred Races’ Category
Weekend Graded Stakes Roundup
Written by trackmasterplus on September 2, 2010 – 5:55 pm -A weekly rundown of major stakes races around the US.
The Labor Day weekend signals the end of summer and the winding down of the Saratoga and Del Mar meetings. Here’s whats on tap:
Saratoga has two Grade 1 races on Saturday…the $250,000 Forego Stakes features a full field including top sprinters Vineyard Haven, Bribon and Big Drama. Be sure to look for value as anything can happen at 7 furlongs…Last year’s Woodward Stakes was a thriller and we’ve got some big names headed in different directions in the Grade 1 $750,000 event. Expected to go favored big-time is Quality Road despite a recent setback when losing to the up and coming Blame in the Whitney. Without that rival to deal with Quality Road should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 2-5. Perhaps a flyer on Mythical Power might be in order but he’s never had to deal with the likes of the favorite and there just isn’t much in the same class in this race. 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird hasn’t won a race since yet new trainer D. Wayne Lukas puts him in another spot he’s destined to fail.
On Sunday at Del Mar be sure to check out the $300,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Derby, where Twirling Candy, so impressive in winning his four starts to date, including the Oceanside Stakes on opening day, seeks to add to his legacy. This one could be any kind and is still learning the game but could be a superstar in the making…Del Mar closes out it’s meet on Wednesday with the $250,000 Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity. The field was not available at the time of writing but usually attracts the top two year olds in the West.
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Weekend Graded Stakes Action – Five Grade I Races Highlight Schedule
Written by trackmasterplus on August 19, 2010 – 3:30 pm -A weekly overview of major stakes races around the country.
Arlington Million Day is a day that horseplayers look forward to. A trio of Grade 1 races on the grass with big fields and horses coming from all points on the map. The “big” race, of course is the Arlington Million which features reigning US Turf Champion Gio Ponti (winner of the Million last year as well), a heavy favorite to repeat. The consistent Just As Well and enigmatic General Quarters rate the main domestic threats. A pair of Euro-shippers, Tazeez, and Summit Surge (IRE) figure to have a big say in the outcome…The $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes looks to be a wide open affair with any of the 10 fillies and mares entered having a legitimate shot. Rainbow View is the tepid 4-1 morning line choice, the up and coming Hot Cha Cha could make a breakthrough here. We’re going to give a slight push to Treat Gently (GB) with the Juddmonte/Mott/Desormeaux connections. Eclaire de Lune is a sentimental choice, being owned by the man who rebuilt Arlington after a fire in 1985 in a race named for his late wife, and trained by the man who won the first Million in 1984 with John Henry..Rounding out the turf trio is the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes for 3-year-olds where Paddy O’Prado will be an overwhelming favorite.
Saratoga has the Grade 1 $500,000 Alabama Stakes as Saturday’s feature, and what a matchup of Blind Luck and Devil May Care. The first named will try to run down the other in the stretch, the rest are running for peanuts. In a small field like this the edge has to go to ‘Devil who has more tactical speed, but Blind Luck has shown the ability to close off of any pace and we think she’s a better filly anyway. No value here but will be a great race to watch.
The Grade 1 $300,000 Del Mar Oaks field was not available at the time of writing but was expected to include Evening Jewel.
In other races of note, I Want Revenge shows up in the $300,000 Grade 3 Phillip H. Iselin Stakes. He might have been the favorite in the 2009 Kentucky Derby but was scratched the day of the race.
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Weekend Graded Stakes Roundup
Written by trackmasterplus on August 5, 2010 – 6:27 pm -A brief summary of Grade 1 and Grade 2 races around the U.S. for the upcoming weekend.
Three of the premier Grade 1 races of the Saratoga race meet take place this weeekend. Three year old fillies vie in the $250,000 Test Stakes. Franny Freud would have been the favorite here but was injured and retired on Friday. Now the race looks pretty wide open. Pica Slew has become the de facto morning line choice, sharp handicappers might keep an eye on the action on Christine Daae who could provide an upset at a bit of a price.
The $750,000 Whitney Handicap has a compact field of six with Quality Road, the leader of the handicap division at the moment leading the pack. His stalking speed should be tough here as he can be placed on the lead or off it and still finish well. We’re looking for a big effort from Musket Man to prove he belongs with the big dogs. Blame rounds out the top contenders with 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird still seeking a victory since that upset last May.
On Sunday Bribon heads the $250,000 Albert G Vanderbilt Handicap where he’ll be challenged by Gayego, Mambo Meister and Iowa invader Majestic Perfection, who recently set a Prairie Meadows track record in the Iowa Sprint Handicap with a scorching 1:07.24 clocking.
Del Mar has the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap on tap, but the big question was whether or not Zenyatta would attempt a three-peat or sit this one out. She’s not real fond of the Del Mar strip and trainer John Sherriffs was non-committal at the time of this writing. Stay tuned.
Sunday Del Mar cards the $150,000 Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes, a major prep for 2-year olds for the closing day feature, the Norfolk Stakes. Entries were not available at the time of this writing.
The $750,000 Grade 2 West Virginia Derby has come a long way. Once an ungraded $100,000 event, last year attracted the Kentucky Derby winner, and now has apparently become a prep for the Travers. Red-hot trainer Jerry Hollendofer saddles Skipashot, winner of the Swaps Stakes earlier this year. Lexington Stakes winner Exhi is also in the field, with recent Iowa Derby winner Concord Point expected to draw most of the betting action.
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