AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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SKIP AWAY S. (G3), 9TH-GP, $125,000, 4YO/UP, 1 3/16M, 5:24 P.M. EDT, 4-3 |
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| 1 |
ELDAAFER, 5, G, by A.P. IndyHabibti, by Tabasco Cat O-Alghuwayriyah Stable LLC; B-Shadwell Farm LLC (Ky) |
| 2 |
CRISTIANO (PER), 4, c, by Islam—Brava, by Prospector’s Cap O-Manning Racing Stables; B-Haras Alydar Sa (Per) |
| 3 |
WINGEDLIE, 4, c, by Winged Foot WillieOutrageous Lie, by Valley Crossing O-Javier Negrete; B-Rodriguez Rolando (Fl) |
| 4 |
SECRET GETAWAY, 5, h, by Skip AwayChief’s Honey, by Chief’s Crown O-Sand and Cee Stables; B-Parrish Hill Farm (Ky) |
| 5 |
TIMBER RESERVE, 6, h, by Forest CampFountain Square, by Danzig Connection O-Circle E Racing P. Caesar Philip J. Solond; B-Mike Harris & Westwind Farms (Ky) |
| 6 |
HELSINKI, 6, h, by Distorted HumorWell Dressed, by Notebook O-Four Roses Thoroughbreds; B-WinStar Farm LLC (Ky) |
| 7 |
ARSON SQUAD, 7, G, by BrahmsMajestic Fire, by Green Dancer O-Jay Em Ess Stable; B-E & D Enterprises (Pa) |
| 8 |
GABRIEL’S HILL, 6, h, by A.P. IndyLailani (GB), by Unfuwain O-Haras Cotacachi; B-Gainsborough Farm LLC (Ky) |
With little speed in Saturday’s Skip Away (G3), Grade 2 hero TIMBER RESERVE
(Forest Camp) looks like the one to catch. The six-year-old has raced sparingly
over the past few seasons, but he’s going well presently for John Kimmel,
registering a nine-furlong allowance win here at Gulfstream two starts back and a
third in the Challenger S. at Tampa Bay Downs most recently, and won’t face the
stiffest competition in this spot. We’ll tab him wire to wire in the 1
3/16-mile event.
ARSON SQUAD (Brahms) was sidelined after recording a close, dead-heat fourth
in the Stephen Foster (G1) last summer. He’s dropped both starts this season,
finishing third in an allowance/optional claiming event and second in the
Challenger last time, but is eligible to keep improving in his third start off
the layoff for Richard Dutrow. The multiple Grade 2 winner merits serious
respect, but the seven-year-old gelding is a confirmed late runner who could
prove vulnerable at short odds.
SECRET GETAWAY (Skip Away) exits a sharp 5 3/4-length score over
allowance/optional claiming rivals at Fair Grounds, earning a 102 BRIS Speed
rating, and should sit a good trip close to the pace here with Eddie Castro. He
appears to be rounding into his best form for Michael Stidham and rates as a win
contender.
HELSINKI (Distorted Humor) enters off a decent fifth in the Donn H. (G1), but
the pace was blistering that afternoon. He does have Dutrow in his corner, so
consider the one-run closer for a minor award. GABRIEL’S HILL (A.P. Indy) could
be forwardly placed from his outside post, but he’s probably better on turf or
synthetics.
CRISTIANO (Per) (Islam) is a lightly-raced Peruvian import who hasn’t started
since winning a Group 1 event in September and has never raced past a mile.
We’ll just watch. ELDAAFER (A.P. Indy) and WINGEDLIE (Winged Foot Willie) both
appear unlikely.