AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
| RISEN STAR S. (G3), 9TH-LAD, $250,000, 3YO, 1 1/16M, 4:09 P.M.
CST, 1-14 |
|
| 1 |
RED BORDEAUX, 3, c, by GulchElissa Beethoven (GB), by Royal Academy O-James C Spence; B-Spence James C. (Ky) |
| 2 |
MARK OF SUCCESS, 3, G, by Mt. LivermoreSilk n’ Sapphire, by Smart Strike O-William A Carl; B-William A Carl (Ky) |
| 3 |
HYTE REGENCY, 3, c, by DiligenceSilvery Lace, by Silver Buck O-J Mack Robinson; B-Crowder Hyte (Fl) |
| 4 |
LAWYER RON, 3, c, by LangfuhrDonation, by Lord Avie O-James T Hines Jr; B-James T. Hines Jr. (Ky) |
| 5 |
MALAMEEZE, 3, c, by Saint BalladoValentine Magic, by Knight O-Mark H Stanley; B-Phillip F. McCarthy (Ky) |
| 6 |
MIDWAY MAN, 3, c, by Awesome AgainFamily Silver, by Silver Hawk O-Brereton C Jones; B-Jones Brereton C. (Ky) |
| 7 |
SAINT AUGUSTUS, 3, c, by Saint BalladoLorie Darlin, by West By West O-Dogwood Stable Inc; B-W. G. Lyster III (Ky) |
A well-matched field of seven is entered for Saturday’s $250,000 Risen Star
S. (G3) and we’ll take the morning-line favorite, LAWYER RON (Langfuhr), who is
listed at 5-2 but probably won’t go to the post favored. Not with HYTE REGENCY
(Diligence), who exits a solid showing against Private Vow (Broken Vow), in the
line up.
The Bob Holthus-trained Lawyer Ron brings excellent form into this event and
will attempt to lead wire to wire. He exits a pair of runaway wins at Evangeline
Downs and Louisiana Downs, earning strong BRIS Speed and Late Pace ratings, and
he’s improved in every start since breaking his maiden in his sixth career outing.
Following a solid fourth in the grassy Grand Canyon S. at Churchill Downs three
starts back, Lawyer Ron returned to the main track for his last two and turned
in the best performances of his career. He’ll be taking a moderate step up in
class, but it won’t matter if they can’t catch him.
MARK OF SUCCESS (Mt. Livermore) looks very dangerous. Two for two, the Dallas
Stewart charge broke his maiden against $30,000 claimers at Churchill Downs and
then captured a 1 1/16-mile allowance/optional claiming event in smart fashion
at Louisiana Downs. He earned a 97 Speed figure and will likely sit a perfect
trip close to the pace on Saturday. Mark of Success owns room for improvement
and the gelding likes the track.
Hyte Regency briefly threatened Private Vow in midstretch of the Kentucky
Jockey Club S. (G2) before weakening late, and he was beaten only four lengths
in a very commendable performance. He figures to take plenty of action off that
performance, but the turf may be his best surface. The gray colt recorded a nice
win in a turf stakes at Louisiana Downs last October and was a solid fourth against
Yankee Master (Yankee Victor) in the Bourbon S. at Keeneland. We’ll use him
underneath but will try to beat him for the top spot.
MIDWAY MAN (Awesome Again) was an impressive five-length maiden victor last
time at Louisiana Downs after catching a couple of tough maiden fields in his
first two attempts. The Steve Asmussen trainee has earned huge Late Pace ratings
(111 and 104) and could be a serious factor here in the stretch.
SAINT AUGUSTUS (Saint Ballado) exits a victory in the What a Pleasure S. at
Calder for trainer Todd Pletcher but didn’t beat much in that spot. The chestnut
does own plenty of stakes experience and must be considered for the top three,
but he looks like an underlay with Robby Albarado. RED BORDEAUX (Gulch) drew
clear for a 2 1/4-length maiden score last out over the track, earning a fine 91
Speed number, but we’ll give him a race against winners. MALAMEEZE (Saint
Ballado) ships in off a maiden victory at Turfway Park and will be tested for
class.