AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
| CARDINAL H.
(G3), 9TH-CD, $150,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/8MT, 4:37 P.M. EST, 11-17 |
|
| 1 |
JADE QUEEN, 4, f, by Giant’s CausewayJade Flush, by Jade Hunter O-Allen E Paulson Living Trust; B-Allen E. Paulson Living Trust (Ky) |
| 2 |
MAMA I’M HOME, 5, m, by WheatonCome Home to Mama, by Far North O-Patricia Rhodes; B-Sez Who Thoroughbreds (Fl) |
| 3 |
NOTTAWASAGA, 4, f, by Deputy MinisterWind River, by Storm Cat O-Chiefswood Stables; B-Dinwiddie Farm (Ky) |
| 4 |
CRIMINOLOGIST, 4, f, by Maria’s MonSearch Party, by Seeking the Gold O-Stuart S Janney III & Phipps Stable; B-Stuart S. Janney III & Phipps Stable (Ky) |
| 5 |
BICOASTAL, 3, f, by Gone WestOcean Queen, by Zilzal O-Andrew Rosen; B-Summer Wind Farm (Ky) |
| 6 |
ARGENTINA (IRE), 5, m, by Sadler’s WellsAirline, by Woodman O-Stonerside Stable LLC; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (Ire) |
| 7 |
CANDY BALL, 5, m, by Lemon Drop KidMerry Festival, by Private Account O-Rancha Fresa Inc; B-J.M.J. Stables Corp. (Ky) |
| 8 |
LOVE HANDLES, 4, f, by SahmHip Huggers, by Magloire O-Nancy A Vanier & Cartwright Thoroughbred; B-Mr. & Mrs. Harvey L. Vanier (Il) |
Eight turf distaffers will travel nine furlongs over the Churchill Downs turf
course in the $150,000 Cardinal H. (G3) on Saturday. The streaking CRIMINOLOGIST
(Maria’s Mon) has reeled off three consecutive scores for trainer Shug McGaughey,
and we’ll tab the talented filly for her fourth straight on this occasion. The
four-year-old gray has reached new heights as of late, taking the Perfect Sting
S. prior to a 4 1/2-length romp in the Athenia H. (G3) in her latest outing. The
Kentucky-bred is nearly untouchable on a surface with moisture in it, and with
the wet conditions in Louisville in the past week, we can’t see any way to hold
her off under John Velazquez.
ARGENTINA (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) has faced Grade 1 company in five straight
outings for Bobby Frankel, including an unplaced effort in the Breeders’ Cup
Filly & Mare Turf (G1) last out. The five-year-old bay is set to make her swan
song in this race, and it would be a nice way to go out with a win in here.
Incredibly, the five-year-old has just two career wins while close many times,
so we prefer her in the second slot. Julien Leparoux has the call.
NOTTAWASAGA (Deputy Minister) is more than capable on her best day and should
not be dismissed at big odds for conditioner Eric Coatrieux. The well-bred
four-year-old was third in the River Memories S. in her most recent start, which
should serve as a perfect prep for this, and we expect the chestnut to battle
for a top three spot beneath Kent Desormeaux.
JADE QUEEN (Giant’s Causeway) is consistent if nothing else and is another
who should be in the mix turning for home. The Grade 1-placed chestnut hasn’t
visited the winner’s circle in seven consecutive outings, including three as a
short-priced favorite for Todd Pletcher. The four-year-old will be the one to
catch at the head of the stretch, but her affinity to settle for minor awards
keeps her on the lower rungs of the exotics. Shaun Bridgmohan has the
assignment.
The well-bred BICOASTAL (Gone West) was a smart allowance winner in her U.S.
debut last out and jumps up a few levels in class for Andrew McKeever. The Group
3-placed sophomore topped a useful field last out but will need marked
improvement to factor in here. We like the chestnut as a long-term project, but
this spot seems too much at this stage of her career.
CANDY BALL (Lemon Drop Kid) captured an allowance prep for this and transfers
to the high-percentage barn of Bret Calhoun for this encounter, but she looks
like a bit player with these. The five-year-old sports a nifty 9-5-2-1 turf
mark, but has never faced a field of this quality. LOVE HANDLES (Sahm)
has been first or second in six straight tries, five of which were on the sod,
but she too steps up big time in class. The Illinois-bred could complete the
superfecta with her best.
MAMA I’M HOME (Wheaton) has lost her last pair of graded stakes encounters by
a combined 28 1/4 lengths and looks unlikely in this one.