AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
| JIM MURRAY MEMORIAL H.
(G2), 6TH-HOL, $250,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/2MT, 3:50 P.M. (PDT), 5-13 |
|
| 1 |
MACDUFF (GB), 4, G, by MachiavellianBeldarian, by Last Tycoon (Ire) O-Abergwaun Farm; B-Abergwaun Farm (GB) |
| 2 |
BRECON BEACON (GB), 4, c, by SpectrumFfestiniog, by Efisio O-Lo Duca Reddam Spagnoli Et Al; B-Elite Racing Club (GB) |
| 3 |
GREY SWALLOW (IRE), 5, h, by Daylami (Ire)Style of Life, by The Minstrel O-Vega Fze & Weld; B-Mrs C L Weld (Ire) |
| 4 |
GOLDEN RAHY, 7, h, by RahyGold Fleece, by Deputed Testamony O-J T Alverez III Family Trust; B-J. T. Alvarez III, L. B. Ham, Gainsborough Farm & R N Clay (Ky) |
| 5 |
ONE OFF (GB), 6, h, by Barathea (Ire)On Call, by Alleged O-Burt & Jane Bacharach; B-Dr A J O’Reilly and Skymarc (GB) |
| 6 |
RUNAWAY DANCER, 7, h, by Runaway GroomSalsa Dancer, by Dahar O-Rl Stables; B-Reyla Graber (Ky) |
| 7 |
KING’S DRAMA (IRE), 6, G, by King’s Theatre (Ire)Last Drama, by Last Tycoon (Ire) O-Gary A Tanaka; B-Kilfrush Stud Ltd (Ire) |
Saturday’s $250,000 Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2) at Hollywood Park marks the
American debut of the high class European GREY SWALLOW (Ire) (Daylami [Ire]),
who will find the usual California turf marathoners an easier bunch than the
elite Group 1 company he was facing throughout 2004 and 2005. The 2004 Irish
Derby (Ire-G1) hero has not raced since finishing third, then disqualified to
fourth, in the Canadian International S. (Can-G1) last October, but he’s won his
first outing of the season in each of the past three years. Most notably, Grey
Swallow captured the Tattersalls Gold Cup S. (Ire-G1) in his 2005 reappearance,
defeating then-reigning European champion Bago (Fr), Irish Group 3 winner and
eventual Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) runner-up Ace (Ire) (Danehill) and subsequent
European champion older horse Azamour (Ire). He failed to sparkle in his
remaining three starts last year, but it shows how highly he’s regarded that
astute horseman Dermot Weld was pointing him toward the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1)
before a couple of minor setbacks derailed his bid. Grey Swallow is in top form
now or else Weld wouldn’t have shipped, and he’s sending all the right signals
with a strong mile work over the Hollywood turf. Alex Solis picks up the mount.
RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway Groom) won this race last year at the expense of a
weaker group, and he hasn’t visited the winner’s circle since. The Dan Hendricks
trainee will find it tough to retain his crown against the likes of Grey Swallow. Still, the gray veteran has a terrific late kick. Throw out his last effort in the Arcadia H. (G2). That
one-mile contest was too short for him to show his best, and he lost all chance
after breaking slowly from the gate. Two starts back in his 2006 bow, however,
he was a fast-closing second to subsequent Arcadia hero Silent Name (Jpn)
(Sunday Silence). Jose Valdivia Jr. will ride, as Solis has opted for Grey
Swallow.
Trainer Neil Drysdale sends out two contenders with different profiles. ONE
OFF (GB) (Barathea [Ire]), exiting a solid second in the San Juan Capistrano H.
(G2),
never came within hailing distance in the San Luis Rey H. (G2), but he
has the American graded stakes experience that his stablemate MACDUFF (GB)
(Machiavellian) lacks. The four-year-old Macduff has more scope for improvement,
though, with only nine lifetime starts under his belt. Moreover, Macduff has
reeled off impressive Late Pace figures in allowance/optional claiming company,
especially a 117 two starts ago. He’s never raced this far, but he’s coming off
a victory at 1 1/4 miles and has been working sharply. All of that adds up to an
intriguing dark horse who we’ll throw in the third spot. Corey Nakatani will partner Macduff, while Jon Court
takes the call on One Off.
GOLDEN RAHY (Rahy) scored narrowly in the 1 1/2-mile Carleton F. Burke H.
(G3) last fall against softer opponents and has shown little this year since
moving to the barn of Doug O’Neill. Oak Tree Derby (G2) third BRECON BEACON (GB)
(Spectrum) also represents O’Neill. The four-year-old had been floundering in
the allowance/optional claiming ranks this spring until O’Neill lowered his
sights to a weaker allowance condition, and he broke through with his first U.S.
win at that easier level. This is quite a step up in class.
KING’S DRAMA (Ire) (King’s Theatre [Ire]) was scratched by trainer Bobby
Frankel on Friday.