PHILADELPHIA PARK NOTEBOOK
APRIL 29, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Philly Park featured a pair of races on Saturday. The first one pitted seven fillies and mares against each other going a mile
and was
won decisively by 6-5 race favorite BRANT POINT (Keos), who overwhelmed her
competition by seven widening lengths under jockey Tony
Black.
The second feature was particularly interesting as it
marked the return of HOUSEOFROYALHEARTS (Chester House) to competition. When the
dark bay colt was last seen under silks, he overpowered a field of straight
maiden runners at Fairplex Park last September. After steady preparation for his
return at Santa Anita, he was shipped to Philly Park to make his long awaited
three-year-old debut in an entry level allowance heat for three-year-olds at six
furlongs.
Houseofroyalhearts was bet from the opening bell, and sent off as the 9-5
favorite. Despite racing in last early on, the California
invader was able to rally against the grain of a speed-favoring track to post a
popular 1 1/4-length decision. Crying Poverty (Artax), a Charles Town invader
held well for second after setting a pressured pace off a brief freshening,
coming back to grab the place against pace nemesis North Potomac (Not For Love)
who retreated to third. Mister Somebody (Cherokee Run) never threatened and
finished seventh in a dull effort.
The main attraction Sunday was a non-winners of two allowance contest for
fillies and mares traveling six furlongs. Quickest of All (Larrupin’), who had
been beaten less than one length in her last two efforts, drew the bulk
of the wagering support. However, Quickest of All was not, as STACY BREW (Doneraile
Court) outgamed the favorite in the stretch, edging away late to win by a
half-length. The winner raced within shouting distance of the leaders down the
backstretch and engaged the pacesetters in the stretch before proving best. The
runner-up was under constant pressure from the outset and tired slowly late.
Gipsy Limits (Limit Out) closed with good energy to finish third.
Stalkers and closers did quite well to begin the week on Monday. However,
that changed on Tuesday as early speed gained an advantage, and that trend
continued over the weekend. The outside paths were preferable early week, but
that bias seemed to disappear when racing resumed on Saturday.
Josiah Hampshire Jr. leads Harry Vega by just one victory in the jockey’s
race. Jose Flores continues to hold down the third spot followed by Victor
Molina and Frankie Pennington.
Scott Lake now has sole possession of first place in the trainer’s standings,
with Jayne Vaders a distant second. She is followed by Robert Seeger, Patricia
Farro and Guadalupe Preciado.
HORSES TO WATCH
Monday (4/18)
6TH – BIDDER’S PROSPECT (Lion Cavern) was clearly a tad short stretching out
off a layoff in his Philly Park debut effort. Set up shop on lead and held
reasonably well in the stretch, yielding only to a well bet/well meant first
timer. Should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort.
7TH – TOUCHY BROAD (Touch Gold) disputed, then set, an extremely fast pace on
the front end. Held the lead until midstretch before weakening to finish third.
Would benefit from either a slight class drop or a cutback in distance.
Tuesday (4/19)
10TH – GINSTONE (Grindstone) was strong returning to his proper level.
Dictated the early fractions toward the deeper inside and held well once
displaced on the lead in a quickly run abbreviated sprint.
Saturday (4/23)
2ND – SOZE (Sword Dance [Ire]) easily demolished a bunch of restricted
claimers off a drop in class. Can repeat if allowed to face 4000n2y company in
his next start.
3RD – BOLD TRICK (Phone Trick) was a sharp second dropping down to a more
suitable level. Held well setting an extremely quick pace. Gave ground
grudgingly to a perfect trip winner.
5TH – SCORESE KIDS (Pok Ta Pok) was hindered by a speed conducive track and a
race that finished up very well late. Used this sprint as a sharpener in an even
effort and appears to be better suited to a route of ground.
Sunday (4/24)
3RD – LITTLE COMPASSION (Twining) was a heartbreaking second off a layoff.
Gained command in the stretch only to be outfinished late in a swiftly run race.
Fits well at the 6,250 Nw3L level.
6TH – OUTRAGEOUSLY (Crafty Prospector) was ambitiously spotted off the Seeger
claim. Forced to chase a superior speed rival who wired the field on the drop
from the MSW level. Would benefit from some class relief in his second start for
new connections.