Boiling Springs J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

MUCH OBLIGED (Kingmambo), who looked like a first-rate individual when taking
the American One Thousand Guineas at Arlington Park last time out, shapes up as
the one to beat in Saturday’s $150,000 Boiling Springs S. (G3) at Monmouth Park. A
half-sister to multiple Grade 3 queen Bedanken (Geri), Much Obliged has
demonstrated the useful ability to rally successfully even off a dawdling early
tempo, so she’s no hostage to the pace scenario. The Malcolm Pierce sophomore
uncorked a terrific late run from near the back of the pack to run away with an
allowance/optional claimer at Fair Grounds in March, and she employed similar
tactics to get up in time by a convincing half-length in the American One
Thousand Guineas. In between those efforts, the bay ran evenly when sixth in the
Appalachian S. (G3) at Keeneland, but we suspect that she’s improved in the
interim. Chris Emigh retains the mount on the Pin Oak Stud homebred, who should
love the stretch out to 1 1/16 grassy miles.

NAMASTE’S WISH (Pulpit) should also finish energetically, although the Bill
Mott pupil may require a strong pace to deliver her best. The full sister to
Grade 1 star Purge has not won since the Miss Grillo S. last fall, but she has
accumulated valid excuses for her three subsequent losses. Fifth on Monmouth’s
bottomless ground in the Epitome S. in her juvenile finale, the bay was again
fifth in the Appalachian after being hung out wide. She was compromised by a
poor start, and a wide trip, when a gallant runner-up to MY PRINCESS JESS
(Stormy Atlantic) in the Gaviola S. most recently. With more favorable
circumstances, as well as new rider Eddie Castro, Namaste’s Wishe is eligible to
get back on the winning track.

My Princess Jess has been switched to Barclay Tagg since her Gaviola victory.
The dark bay boasts a sterling 5-2-3-0 career mark while racing exclusively on
the turf, and she will likely get first run on our top two choices. We’re not
convinced that she can confirm her superiority over Namaste’s Wish, but she’s
been far too dependable for us to leave out of the trifecta. New Jersey kingpin
Joe Bravo has the riding assignment.

FOREST TRAIL (Forest Wildcat) was a troubled second in the off-the-turf
Little Silver S., beaten only a half-length by SAKI TO ME (Fusaichi Pegasus),
and could well turn the tables with a clean trip on the turf. Forest Trail has
raced twice on the grass, both in solid allowance company, and ran creditably
each time to finish a close third and fourth. We probably haven’t seen the best
of this Shug McGaughey trainee yet, and she smacks of the type who might move
forward in a big way.

ENCANTO PARK (Exchange Rate) looms as the likely pacesetter, and she could
hold on for a minor award if she doesn’t get entangled in a duel early. The
Florida-bred has respectable form at Calder. Third versus stakes-proven males
Run Sully Run (Cherokee Run) and Sporting Art (Doneraile Court) in an allowance,
Encanto Park also held third in the Calder Oaks, yielding only to subsequent
Queen’s Plate S. runner-up Ginger Brew (Milwaukee Brew) and Grade 2-placed Life
Is Sweet (Storm Cat).

Saki to Me upset the Little Silver at 21-1 in her first outing for Stan
Hough, but she had back class as a two-year-old, courtesy of a daylight score in
the Blue Hen S. Although she is an unknown quantity on the turf, the dark bay
has the pedigree to handle the surface and may even thrive on it. DAGGER
(Tactical Cat) has been brushed aside by Saki to Me in both of their previous
meetings, including her distant third in the Little Silver, and it’s doubtful
that she can reverse the form on turf.

YIPPETY YIP (Broken Vow) is exiting an entry-level allowance score at this
course and distance, but we’ll watch how she fares in her stakes debut.
NICKSAPPEALINGLADY (Successful Appeal) gave up the ghost completely in the
Little Silver and is an uncertain proposition in her first turf try.