Saturday Stakes
January 9, 2008
Lecomte Stakes, Grade 3
This year’s Lecome Stakes is a very competitive one. Last year’s winner Hard Spun went on to place second in the Kentucky Derby and had a very memorable 3 year old campaign. This year will see two undefeated colts tackling more seasoned foes. Kentucky Cup Juvenile winner Texas Fever draws the one hole. His running style doesn’t yet seem clear but I believe he will try and come from off the pace. He has fired three bullets in a row including a 1/58 move at the Fair Grounds. He rallied after steadying last out in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf. He ended up 6th by 3 lengths. I expect to see him in the winners circle. Dogwood Stable’s Blackberry Road ran 3rd to Texas Fever two back in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile. I was at Turfway Park for the race and while I don’t explicitly remember seeing it his note in my BRISnet form says he was shuffled back at the ¼ pole. He surely hasn’t had the best of trips. If he gets a clean trip he might be a challenge for Texas Fever but I expect to see him run second in this spot. Dallas Stewart’s Macho Again ran well last out at Churchill Downs after a tiring 3 wide trip. He only missed the win by a neck. Look for him to check in third. Star Guitar and Z Fortune are trying to remain perfect but from the looks of things they have their work cut out for them.
1st- Texas Fever
2nd- Blackberry Road
3rd- Macho Again
Colonel E.R. Bradley Handicap, Grade 3
This race was a bit easier to handicap and I think you might be able to get a price. For the win I like Richard Dutrow and Corey Lanerie on Optimer. Two back he rallied 4 wide into the lane and ran second to Proudinsky by 1 ½ lengths. Proudinsky was recently 2nd to Daytona who was lone speed in the Grade 1 San Gabriel Handicap. Last race he was eased out while running second to Sterwins who is in today’s race. Silverfoot and the connections of Dallas Stewart and Julien Leparoux looked primed for a big run whle rolling back in distance. Silverfoot was 9th by 8 ¾ lengths in the Breeders Cup Turf last out. He has been getting poor trips of late and has a serious class advantage of the rest of the field. Sterwins is running well of late and I expect to see him check in third.
1st- Optimer
2nd- Silverfoot
3rd- Sterwins