Handicap Diary

HANDICAP DIARY

APRIL 29, 2005

by James Scully

POLLARD’S VISION (Carson City) earned his first stakes win at
four with a 1 1/4-length decision over the heavily favored BADGE OF SILVER
(Silver Deputy) in the April 23 National Jockey Club H. (G2) at Hawthorne. The
Todd Pletcher-trained winner loves the Chicago oval, easily capturing the
Illinois Derby (G2) nearly 12 months earlier, and he exacted a measure of
revenge on Badge of Silver following a fourth-place finish in the New
Orleans H. (G2) last month at Fair Grounds. Pollard’s Vision could make his next appearance in the May 20 Pimlico Special (G1).

Badge of Silver, who captured the Hal’s Hope H. (G3) and New
Orleans, both at nine furlongs, in his first two starts this year for Bobby
Frankel, readily gave way when challenged in upper stretch, but the speedy colt
still owns plenty of class. He’s probably more dangerous at a mile or 8 1/2
furlongs, and the five-year-old should relish the one-turn stakes at Belmont
Park. His next appearance could also come in the Pimlico Special.

The big four in this division are GHOSTZAPPER (Awesome Again),
ROCK HARD TEN (Kris S.), ROSES IN MAY (Devil His Due) and SAINT LIAM (Saint
Ballado). Ghostzapper remains on target for his five-year-old bow in the May 30
Met Mile (G1). Rock Hard Ten is back working for trainer Richard Mandella
following a brief vacation and could return in July’s Hollywood Gold Cup (G1).
Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winner Roses in May will likely be seen next in the
Whitney H. (G1) early in the Saratoga meet, and Saint Liam is being pointed
toward the June 18 Stephen Foster H. (G1) at Churchill Downs.

ALUMNI HALL (A.P. Indy) stamped his ticket for the Stephen
Foster with a solid two-length score in the Ben Ali S. (G3) on the next-to-last
day of the Keeneland meet. Trained by Neil Howard, the six-year-old didn’t make
his career bow until last April, winning first-time out, and was a solid stakes
performer the rest of 2004. The late-starting chestnut has improved with a year
of racing under his belt and could be a factor against better company the rest
of this season.

FUNNY CIDE (Distorted Humor) will make his five-year-old
debut in Sunday’s Kingston H. against fellow New York-breds. The May 6 Alysheba S., on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard, could
attract a couple of nice
older horses, including recent Skip Away H. (G3) winner EUROSILVER (Unbridled’s
Song).