Santa Anita: The Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe at 1 1/16 miles #1 Blingo: Stretch runner closed from the clouds to finish a non-threatening sixth to fellow entrant Liaison in his last start, the GI CashCall at Hollywood Park, to end his 2yo campaign and now tries conventional dirt for the first time. With just two…
Aqueduct: The Grade III, $400,000 Gotham at 1 1/16 miles #1 My Adonis: Woke up in the slop in his seasonal debut in the GIII Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park when finishing behind fellow rival and 2yo champion Hansen going a one-turn mile, so it appears he’s returned in fine form as a 3yo. Still,…
Gulfstream Park: The Grade II, $400,000 Fountain of Youth at 1 1/16 miles #1 Neck ‘n Neck: Adds blinkers off an extremely wide fifth-place run in Tampa’s GIII Davis and will really need to step up his game against this tough group. Bred to be a nice runner and has a pedigree to suggest he’ll…
Fair Grounds: The Grade II, $300,000 Risen Star at 1 1/16 miles #3 Afford: Homebred stretched out and scored off the layoff last time in his 3yo debut, and that’s hardly a surprise as he’s bred top and bottom to get a distance of ground. Drew well here and will save all the ground as…
Oaklawn Park: The Grade III, $250,000 Southwest at 1-mile (run in divisions) First division #1 Red Jack: Lukas charge hasn’t made an impact in two starts against winners this year over the local oval, and even though he drew well, this is a tough task; longshot. #2 Unbridled’s Note: Son of Unbridled’s Song impressed in…
Santa Anita: The Grade II, $150,000 San Vicente at 7 furlongs #1 Let’s Get Crackin: Blinks come off after a solid run in the local San Pedro, so look for a little less speed from this gelding, who makes his first start for Dollase today. That last run was a huge improvement, figure-wise, so you…
Brian will be back later in the weekend with looks at the San Vicente and the Southwest. For his thoughts on racing beyond 3-year-olds, check him out Horseplayer Now. Golden Gate Fields: The Grade III, $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at 1 1/8 miles #1 Daddy Nose Best: Asmussen charge did some decent work on the…
Gulfstream Park: The GII, $150,000 Hutcheson at 7 Furlongs #1 Tarpy’s Goal: Improving runner exits a sharp track and distance win over much lesser and steps up for the acid test today from a tough draw. Versatile enough to run from on or off the pace and with the speed to his outside he’ll likely…
Tampa Bay Downs: The Grade II, $250,000 Sam F. David at 1 1/16 miles #1 State Of Play (4-1 ML): Accomplished turf runner makes his 3yo debut and tries the main for the first time in an effort to see where he stands with the best of his generation. Sire War Front made quite a…
The Grade III, $200,000 Withers Stakes at 1 1/16 miles #1 Hakama: Impressed with a front-running score at Laurel to make it 2-for-2 withblinkers and at two turns, and he enters this much tougher spot as the “now horse” from a cozy rail draw. There’s other speed signed on, but with this advantageous draw, he…
Brooklyn Backstretch 