AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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MARYLAND BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT H. (G3), 9TH-PIM, $200,000, 3YO/UP, 6F, 3:37 P.M. EDT, 5-20 |
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| 1 |
CRAFTY SCHEMER, 7, G, by Crafty ProspectorScheme Away, by Saratoga Six O-Toby Roth; B-Mr. & Mrs. G. J. Stautberg (Ky) |
| 2 |
KAZOO, 8, h, by Tabasco CatVennila Cream, by Valid Appeal O-Ieah Stables et al; B-Brylynn Farm, Inc. (Fl) |
| 3 |
GAFF, 4, c, by Maria’s MonIonlyhaveeyesforu, by Tunerup O-Heiligbrodt Racing Stable & Michael; B-Earle Irving Mack (Ky) |
| 4 |
FRIENDLY ISLAND, 5, h, by Crafty FriendIsland Queen, by Ogygian O-Anstu Stables Inc; B-Kildare Stud & Adrian Regan (NY) |
| 5 |
CELTIC INNIS, 4, G, by Yarrow BraeHarp Innis, by Phone Trick O-E Allen Murray Jr; B-Mr. & Mrs. E. Allen Murray (Md) |
| 6 |
BETTER THAN BONDS, 4, c, by SweetsouthernsaintJabesh, by Vanlandingham O-Robert Abbo Racing Stable LLC; B-L. Riley Mangum (Fl) |
| 7 |
GOLD CLUSTER, 5, h, by Formal GoldRegal Grant, by Mr. Prospector O-Charles Moneypenny; B-Hargus Sexton & Sandra Sexton (Ky) |
A field of seven is entered for Saturday’s $200,000 Maryland Breeders’ Cup
Sprint H. (G3) at Pimlico. KAZOO (Tabasco Cat) has good early speed and comes
off a good second in the Commonwealth Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) at Keeneland after
leading for most of that one. Two back, the Richard Dutrow-trained
eight-year-old annexed the Toboggan H. (G3) over Aqueduct’s inner track over
eventual Carter H. (G1) winner Bishop Court Hill (Holy Bull). The chestnut has
garnered century-topping BRIS Speed figures in each of his last four outings and
must be respected. Richard Migliore will ride.
GAFF (Maria’s Mon) is unraced since running fifth in the Dubai Golden Shaheen
(UAE-G1) in March. Prior to that one, the Steven Asmussen charge captured the
Mr. Prospector H. (G3), and has proven successful at six
furlongs (5-3-0-1). The four-year-old bay is a good candidate to have his picture taken in the
winner’s circle. Alex Solis has the call.
Until running eighth in the
Commonwealth last out, CRAFTY SCHEMER (Crafty Prospector) hadn’t run worse than second in six
attempts since moving to the shedrow of Ben Feliciano. However, that one can be thrown out as it came
at Keeneland, and he may have not handled that track. The seven-year-old gelding earned a
117 Speed rating two back when dominating allowance/optional claiming foes by 8 1/4
lengths. Keep in mind for the gimmicks under Ramon Dominguez.
FRIENDLY ISLAND (Crafty Friend) excels at this distance, annexing five in
nine attempts, and the classy Todd Pletcher trainee is a threat, especially with
hot jockey Garrett Gomez in the irons.
GOLD CLUSTER (Formal Gold) finished a well-beaten 11th in the Frank J. de Francis
Memorial Dash (G1) in November, but has put in several decent performances since, including a seven-length score over allowance/optional claiming rivals
two back. In that one, the five-year-old chestnut came from next to last and earned an
eye-catching 120 BRIS Late Pace rating. Watch for this one to come running into
contention late with Ryan Fogelsonger in the irons.
BETTER THAN BONDS (Sweetsouthernsaint) came home a close second at Churchill
Downs last out and could improve in his second start for trainer Graham Motion.
Although proven successful at Pimlico during his career (6-3-1-1), CELTIC INNIS
(Yarrow Brae) has failed to produce a victorious result in his last five starts
against lesser company and the increase in class will not help.