AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEW
| RED SMITH H.
(G2), 6TH-AQU, $150,000, 3YO/UP, 1 3/8MT, 2:48 P.M. (EST), 11-11 |
|
| 1 |
SPIDER POWER (IRE), 3, c, by Royal Applause (GB)America Calling, by Quiet American O-Namcook Stables; B-Sean Burke (Ire) |
| 2 |
KURM (IRE), 5, h, by Grand LodgeWill Be Blue, by Darshaan O-Andrew Rosen; B-Sweetmans Bloodstock (Ire) |
| 3 |
ROUSING VICTORY, 5, h, by Victory GallopJulie La Rousse (Ire), by Lomond O-Hilly Fields Stable Moran Thomas; B-Calumet Farm (Ky) |
| 4 |
CROWN POINT, 4, c, by Honor GradesRunaway Ashleigh, by Runaway Groom O-Drumlanrig Farm; B-Albert Coppola (Ky) |
| 5 |
EMBOSSED (IRE), 4, G, by Mark of Esteem (Ire)L-Way First, by Vision O-Tanaka Gary A; B-Harron Eakin Farms (Ire) |
| 6 |
DREADNAUGHT, 6, G, by Lac OuimetWings of Dreams, by Sovereign Dancer O-Trillium Stable; B-David S. Pennington (Ky) |
| 7 |
REQUEST FOR PAROLE, 7, h, by Judge T CMadison’s Quest, by Deputy Minister O-Knighton Sam Knighton Jeri; B-Robert H. Roberts & Bea Roberts (Ky) |
| 8 |
DAVE, 5, G, by Ends WellCommadore’s Gold, by Commadore C. O-The Three Colleens Stable Partingglass; B-Joe W. Gerrity (Ny) |
| 9 |
ISLERO NOIR (FR), 5, h, by Septieme CielMioura, by Saumarez (GB) O-Karches Susan; B-Pierre Jabot (Fr) |
| 10 |
GRAND COUTURIER (GB), 3, c, by Grand LodgeLady Elgar (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells O-Keller Marc; B-Tom Wilson (GB) |
| 11 |
ALWAYS FIRST (GB), 5, G, by Barathea (Ire)Pink Cristal, by Dilum O-Merriefield Farm; B-D B Clark and A L and Mrs Penfold (GB) |
| 12 |
GREEN LEMON, 3, c, by Lemon Drop KidHeavenly Calm, by Diesis (GB) O-Mack Earle I; B-James Wigan (Ky) |
| 13 |
BEE CHARMER (IRE), 4, c, by AnabaaBayourida, by Slew o’ Gold O-Ehrnrooth Amelie; B-Sarl Elevage du Haras de Bourgeauville (Ire) |
| 14 |
NAUGHTY NEW YORKER, 4, c, by Quiet AmericanNaughty Natisha, by Known Fact O-Fox Ridge Farm; B-Dr. William B. Wilmot & Dr. Joan M. Taylor Ny) |
| 15 |
ANGLIANA, 4, c, by Giant’s CausewayPratella, by Jade Hunter O-Haynes Alvin D; B-Alvin Haynes (Ky) |
| 16 |
CHILLY ROOSTER, 6, G, by ArchChilly Chick, by Raise a Native O-Parisi Joseph S; B-Hobeau Farm, Ltd. (Fl) |
An overflow field of 16, including three main-track only runners and an
also-eligible, has been entered for Saturday’s $150,000 Red Smith H. (G2), the last
graded turf stakes of the year in New York, and the course will have some give
to it due to the recent wet weather. ALWAYS FIRST (GB) (Barathea [Ire]) can
handle any kind of ground, easily winning the Cape Henlopen S. over yielding
conditions two starts back, and we’ll give him top billing.
A Grade 2 winner last year in California, Always First was transferred to
conditioner Thomas Voss this season and didn’t make his first start for his new
trainer until the
September 23 Cape Henlopen, rolling to an easy three-length decision. He got
left in the gate in the Sycamore Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) last time and offered a
solid rally for third, registering a 115 BRIS Late Pace rating. The Sycamore
runner-up finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) next out, and Always
First appears poised for a top showing at the Big A in his third start off the
layoff.
GRAND COUTURIER (GB) (Grand Lodge) is an obvious threat in his third North
American appearance. He finished 2 1/4 lengths shy of eventual Prix de l’Arc
de Triomphe (Fr-G1) winner Rail Link (Dansili [GB]) when finishing fourth in the
Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1) in mid-July and recorded a third when making his
U.S. bow in the Sword Dancer Invitational S. (G1) at Saratoga. The Robert
Ribaudo-trained sophomore traveled to Woodbine for the Sky Classic S. (Can-G2)
and never really got on track, finishing fourth. Grand Couturier is capable of
better than he showed last time, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the classy
colt make amends with a victory.
DREADNAUGHT (Lac Ouimet) captured the 2004 Red Smith and finished third in
last year’s edition. The uncoupled Voss runner didn’t fire when finishing sixth
in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1) most recently, but he’s had
surgery to fix an epiglottis problem since then and must be respected if he can
regain his previous form. The classy gelding owns only one win over the last two
seasons, but he gets part often.
KURM (Ire) (Grand Lodge) didn’t fire when making his American debut in the Knickerbocker H.
(G3) last time, but the Bobby Frankel charge showed decent class in Europe and
could rebound with an improved showing. Consider for the exotics at long odds.
CROWN POINT (Honor Grades) is winless over the past two seasons and probably
needs an easier spot to challenge for the win, but he’s a candidate for a minor
award with his huge Late Pace numbers (117 and 118 last two starts). ISLERO NOIR
(Fr) (Septieme Ciel) is another one to consider for the exotics. He hasn’t
proven himself at this level yet, but the Christophe Clement trainee owns a
solid late kick and exits two encouraging performances. REQUEST FOR PAROLE (Judge
T C) isn’t doing well enough presently for us to recommend his chances. ROUSING
VICTORY (Victory Gallop) relishes a route of ground, but he’s got some class
concerns in this spot.
GREEN LEMON (Lemon Drop Kid) owns some potential, but we’ll look for more
from him down the road. BEE CHARMER (Ire) (Anabaa) also has shown some promise,
but this might be too difficult for him right now if he draws in off the also-eligible
list. SPIDER POWER (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]) wasn’t much of a factor when
finishing third in the Jamaica Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) last time and is unproven
at longer distances. We’ll just watch to see how he fares in his first start
against older rivals. DAVE (Ends Well) steps up in class for Barclay Tagg in
good form, but the New York-bred would probably prefer a little less ground.
EMBOSSED (Ire) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) probably doesn’t want any part of this
company.
NAUGHTY NEW YORKER (Quiet American), ANGLIANA (Giant’s Causeway) and CHILLY
ROOSTER (Arch) are entered for the main track only.