Saturday's Card is a winner. Lot's of familiar names and great competition in some races. Something for everyone.
Race 1 - Start you off with a bunch of 2YO maidens (something for everyone):
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...414¶m3=345
#4
Wit is by the young sire
Practical Joke. He is the most expensive (auction sold) horse in the bunch and shows the best workouts.
Race 3 - The Woody Stephens.
I remember when Woody Stephens owned the Belmont Stakes. I think he won it 5 years in a row.
Woody was a very humble, soft-spoken man. Great horseman.
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...242¶m3=345
If I didn't know better, I would have guessed in April that this was a prep for the Kentucky Derby.
This race pits:
Caddo River,
Drain The Clock,
Jackie's Warrior, and
Dream Shake against each other in a 7f throw down. These are the top speed horses from the prep races. I think it is a Drain The Clock/Jackie's Warrior Exacta Box (i.e., Quinella for you Jai Alai guys). Almost as good as the Belmont because this is a sprint for sprinters.
Race 4 - The Brooklyn Handicap for 1.5M
I remember Brooklyn (I was born there to be near my mother).
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...¶m3=533544
Not the best set of Handicap horses in the world. When the purse money is more than the horses have won, that says something about the field.
Moretti and
Lone Rock might be the best (said advisedly); not that I'd complain if I owned even the worst of them.
Race 5 - The Acorn
The first jewel in the triple Tiara for 3YO fillies.
Notice, there is no 3rd jewel after the KY Oaks and Black Eyed Susan, but there is a triple tiara in NY.
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...¶m3=666930
Small but select field of 6.
Search Results vs.
Travel Office.
Dayattheoffice might have something to say.
Race 6 - The Jaipur (Turf)
Fast Boat vs.
Gregorian Court
Race 7 - The Ogden Phipps
Phipps was not just a great owner and breeder, but a compass for racing integrity. We need more guys like that. Claude "Shugg" McGaughey was his longtime trainer and also shares his values. Always glad to see a big race named after good people.
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...¶m3=933702
Yet another
RACE OF THE DAY if it was any other day.
Swiss Skydiver,
Shedaresthedevil,
Valiance,
Letruska, and
Bonny South. They all have credentials to win this. Where is Monomoy Girl?
If Swiss Skydiver goes back to last year's form, she wins. Otherwise, it is close between Letruska and Shedaresthedevil. Body language and track conditions would guide my bet here.
Race 8 - Just A Game (turf)
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...param3=1067088
Race 9 - Metropolitan
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...param3=1200474
Knicks Go vs.
Mischievious Alex and
By My Standards.
Has Knicks Go recovered from his trip to Asia?
Did By My Standards do the right thing by scratching from the Sexton Mile?
Is Mischievious Alex as real a deal at Belmont as he was at Aqueduct?
Race 10 - the Manhattan (750k - Turf)
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...param3=1333860
Colonel Liam vs.
Channel Cat vs.
Gufo.
Gufo seems to always almost get there; but Belmont has a really long turf stretch. He gets there.
Race 11 - the Belmont
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...param3=1467246
I don't know these horses.
Perhaps I'll comment later or tomorrow
Larry
DevilHorse