KEENELAND DAILY NOTEBOOK
FRIDAY, APRIL 6
by Brian P. Turner
Keeneland kicked off the 2007 spring meet with a highly unusual heavy spring
snow shower and the Transylvania S. (G3) for three-year-olds going eight
furlongs on the grass. Sedgefield (Smart Strike), whose connections were hoping
to use graded earnings from the Transylvania to help his chances in making it
into the Kentucky Derby (G1) starting gate, was sent off as the favorite in the
field of nine. Unfortunately for both his connections and his backers, the
chestnut became embroiled in a pace duel on the lead with long shot Royal War
Academy (Royal Academy) through opening fractions of :23 4/5 and :47 4/5,
leaving him nothing left in the stretch drive as he faded to finish fourth.
MARCAVELLY (Johannesburg) settled well in behind the pacesetters early, more
than content to let the pair slug it out. Once he came off the final turn,
though, the bay swung to the outside and quickly took command, opening up
through the stretch drive to hit the finish line 3 1/2 lengths clear of the rest
of the field. This despite the fact that it was his first start since finishing
second in the Bourbon S. here at Keeneland in October of last year. Trainer Bill
Mott had the colt ready to roll, though, as this was an extremely impressive
performance.
In Jest (Dynaformer) had one career start, a 6 1/4-length maiden special
weight score on the grass at Tampa Bay Downs, but looked like a seasoned
professional here as he overcame a troubled trip and closed well late to finish
second, two lengths clear of Cobrador (El Prado [Ire]) in third.
There were four sprints contested on the Polytrack today, with horses on or
near the pace winning two of them and closers winning two. As for the four
routes, horses closing from off the pace won three of them. The last route race
on the card was a bit hard to determine due to heavy snow affecting the
visibility but it appeared that eventual winner, TRUE COMPETITOR (Point Given),
was stalking the early pace. In addition to the feature, there was one
additional turf event, which was won by a runner closing from well off the pace.
Dale Romans and John Ward Jr. each saddled two winners on the day to take the
early lead in the trainer standings. Six other trainers, including Patrick
Biancone and Bobby Frankel, had one winner each.
As for the jockeys, Edgar Prado booted home three winners on the day to take
the early lead in the jockey standings. Rafael Bejarano and Julien Leparoux
appear set to duke it out once more as they rode two winners each.
Horses to Watch
1ST – NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy) lost all chance at the start of this 4
1/2-furlong maiden special weight event when he was the victim of a bit of
bumping that left him well off the pace early. Once the two-year-old colt hit
the stretch, he closed with a nice turn of foot to cross the wire in second,
only 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner. With a start under his belt now, the bay
could be tough to handle next out with a clean trip.
5TH – TIME SQUARED (Fusaichi Pegasus) finally showed some of the potential
his connections were hoping for when they paid $1.050 million for him last April
at the Keeneland Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The three-year-old colt was
content to lay near the back of the pack early in this 1 1/16-mile maiden
special weight event through dawdling opening fractions of :25 2/5 and :50 1/5.
Once the field hit the stretch, Leparoux swung him out into the middle of the
track and he closed with an impressive turn of foot to hit the finish line a
length in front.
Tomorrow’s Outlook – Saturday, April 7
Saturday brings the first Grade 1 stakes offering of the meet as a field of
nine is set to contest the Ashland S. for three-year-old fillies going 1 1/16
miles over the Polytrack. Several in this field have a legitimate shot of
bringing home the victory, but should one of the favorites not perform up to
expectations, they should definitely not be discounted from the Kentucky Oaks
(G1). In 2004, Ashado (Saint Ballado) finished second in the Ashland before
returning four weeks later to take the victory in that prestigious event. The
very next year, Summerly (Summer Squall) finished a disappointing fourth in the
Ashland, beaten 19 1/4 lengths, before winning the Oaks by two lengths.
OCTAVE (Unbridled’s Song) made her last start of 2006 in the Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Churchill Downs, where she overcame a bit of a troubled
trip to finish second, beaten by 1 1/2 lengths. This prompted the betting public
to send the gray off as the heavy favorite when she made her 2007 debut in the
Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Unfortunately, her backers were left a bit disappointed
as she veered in sharply at the break, which left her well off the pace early.
Once she hit the stretch, though, the filly closed with a nice turn of foot but
it was a case of too little too late and she was forced to settle for second,
beaten 3 1/4 lengths. That effort was forgivable as it was her first start of
the year and she is definitely capable of better this time out. A return to the
form she showed in the Juvenile Fillies would make her very tough to beat here.
CHRISTMAS KID (Lemon Drop Kid) has put in three solid performances in Florida
this year. She kicked things off in January by overcoming a troubled trip to
take home the victory in the grassy Tropical Parks Oaks before returning to
dominate by four lengths in the Davona Dale S. (G2) on the main track at
Gulfstream Park. The bay then returned to finish second in the Bonnie Miss S.
(G2), where she led into the stretch before coming up 1 1/2 lengths short in the
end. The filly has yet to try Polytrack, but given the versatility she has shown
up to now on both the turf and dirt, it would stand to reason that she will have
no trouble with the new surface. MISTICAL PLAN (Game Plan) pulled off the upset
last out over Octave in the Fair Grounds Oaks, where she was allowed to dictate
things on the lead the entire way. The bay doesn’t have to have the lead to be
capable of pulling off the victory, as she has displayed versatility in her
running style before. Her one knock would be that she didn’t fare well in her
only other start over a synthetic surface when she finished eighth, beaten 9 3/4
lengths, in the Hollywood Starlet S. (G1) in December. If she handles the
surface at Keeneland, she looms a definite threat.
HIGH AGAIN (High Yield) finished second behind Christmas Kid in the Davona
Dale before turning the tables on her rival in the Bonnie Miss last out. The
chestnut puts in her best performances near the pace, but could find things a
bit more torrid on the lead than what she is used to in her previous
experiences. If she can escape with a soft early pace, High Again is another
capable of bringing home the victory. SILVER KNOCKERS (Silver Deputy) will be
trying a route for the first time after finishing second last out in the Forward
Gal S. (G2) at Gulfstream. Prior to that, the bay had reeled off impressive
scores in each of her first two career starts, defeating a maiden special field
by 3 1/2 lengths and an allowance field by four lengths. If she handles the
stretch out, she is definitely a contender.
HUCKING HOT (GB) (Desert Prince [Ire]) is coming off a second-place effort in
the China Doll S. on the grass at Santa Anita, where she rallied from off the
pace to miss by a head at the wire. The bay will be facing much tougher today
and will need to move forward to have an impact here. DAWN AFTER DAWN
(Successful Appeal) put in a nice effort when finishing second in the Tiffany
Lass S. at Fair Grounds, but hasn’t shown a lot in either try since then against
graded company.
GRACE HAPPENS (Aptitude) finished third last out in the Honeybee S. at
Oaklawn but appears to be in too deep here. ELITIST (Honour and Glory) is coming
off an allowance win at Turfway but this is a monumental step up.
Saturday’s other stakes offering is the Lafayette S. for three-year-olds
going seven furlongs over the Polytrack. A field of 11 is set to go to the gate
and there are several among the field who appear to have a legitimate shot of
bringing home the victory. IZZIE’S HALO (Halo’s Image) appears to be most
comfortable sprinting despite the fact that he has put in some respectable
efforts against graded company going long. The chestnut’s best effort to date
came in the eight-furlong Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds, where he pressed the
pace throughout only to finish second behind the talented Hard Spun (Danzig).
The colt puts in his best efforts on or near the pace and his BRIS Pace ratings
indicate that he should be within striking distance throughout in this event and
have plenty left at the end for the run to the wire.
OUT OF GWEDDA (Out of Place) will most likely be sent to the gate as the
favorite in this event and is more than capable of pulling off the victory. The
chestnut is coming off of a third-place effort in the Hutcheson S. (G2) at
Gulfstream where he briefly took the lead on the turn only to tire through the
stretch. The colt has thrown in three nice maintenance works since then and
could be sitting on a top effort in his third start of 2007. CARNACKS CHOICE
(Carson City) could pull off an upset here at what should be a square price. The
chestnut is coming off a lackluster effort in the W.E.B.N. S. at Turfway back in
February, but prior to that performance he was extremely impressive in taking
the victory in the Turfway Prevue S. The colt posted a very nice clocking of :59
here at Keeneland on March 25 and the fact that Leparoux has the call doesn’t
hurt either.
BARKLEY SOUND (Dixieland Band) is a very tempting overlay at 15-1 as he has
reeled off three wins in a row, including a victory in the Pasco S. at Tampa Bay
Downs. Though this will be his first start since January, the bay has been
working regularly and could be sitting on a nice effort. CALL ME CLASH (Clash By
Night) is coming off a solid score in the Horatius S. at Laurel Park, where he
led from wire-to-wire on his way to a three-length victory. The bay has shown
improvement with each start this year and could be a factor if allowed to have
his way on the lead.
PLACE YOUR BET (Out of Place) hasn’t finished off the board in five career
starts and, while he has yet to visit the winner’s circle against stakes
company, his BRIS Speed ratings put him right in the mix. PROM SHOES (Include)
is coming off of a very solid two-length score against allowance competition
last out at Oaklawn Park. The bay has a versatile running style which should
serve him well here.
SILVER EXPRESS (Unbridled’s Song) will be looking to rebound off a dismal
effort against allowance company at Gulfstream, where he finished last in a
field of nine beaten 32 1/2 lengths. Prior to that, though, the gray had put in
some respectable efforts. STORM FORCE (Storm Cat) has been beaten by a combined
21 3/4 lengths over the course of his last two starts. However, trainer D. Wayne
Lukas must always be respected at Keeneland.
DON’TGETMADGETEVEN (Stephen Got Even) has reeled off back-to-back wins at
Turfway but this will be his toughest test to date. OLLIE JET (Stormy Atlantic)
is coming off a win sprinting on the grass at Fair Grounds and appears to be
overmatched here.
Saturday’s forecast calls for cloudy skies with highs in the low 40s.
Saturday’s Best Plays
5TH – WINDYINDY (A.P. Indy) finally showed quite a bit of promise in her
three-year-old debut at Gulfstream in February, as she rallied from off the pace
to finish second, beaten by three lengths, against maiden special company. In
that event, the dark bay posted a BRIS Speed rating that puts her in line with
the best of these and she is also near the top of the field in both BRIS Prime
Power and BRIS Class rating. With no standouts among this whole field, her 6-1
morning-line is very generous.
7TH – TIGANELLO (Ger) (Acatenango) may be rounding into form for a top effort
in this nine-furlong turf allowance. The six-year-old gelding is coming off a
sixth in the Appleton H. (G3) at Gulfstream in which he rallied from well off
the pace and closed with good energy late to come up only 2 1/2 lengths short.
The dark bay is near the top of the field in both BRIS Prime Power and BRIS
Class rating, plus his last race 102 BRIS Speed rating is the best of the field.
Jockey Garrett Gomez won with 50 percent of his turf mounts here in the fall,
which only adds to the list of things to like.