Stakes Galore!
March 7, 2008
3/8 (SAT) G1 $300K Santa Anita Oaks (SA) 3yo, f, 8.5f
1st- Briecat
2nd- Golden Doc A
3rd- Lovely Isle
This will be a big step up in class for my top selection Briecat. She is 2 for 2 and if Vladimir Cerin believes she can win than that’s enough reason for me. Golden Doc A missed Indian Blessing by a head two races back, so she will certainly be contentious. Lovely Isle will be a pace factor, but I don’t think she will be able to hold on for the win.
3/8 (SAT) G2 $200K Richter Scale Sprint Handicap (GP) 4up, 7f
1st- Commentator (8/5)
2nd- Chatain (3-1)
3rd- King of the Roxy (4-1)
As you can see there is little to no value in this race. I really don’t see Commentator losing, but it is a horse race after all. Chatain hasn’t really proven to me that he can beat top quality horses yet. I’m sold if he can take down Commentator. King of the Roxy ran well off of a layoff to win the Hutcheson at this distance last year, so I like him third.
3/8 (SAT) G2 $500K Mervyn Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap (FG) 4up, 9f T
1st- Daytona (3-1)
2nd-Elusive Fort (8-1)
3rd- Proudinsky (7/2)
It looks like Daytona will be lone speed once again. He is a really good horse, but I wonder how things will work out when someone pushes him up front. Daytona already has a win over this surface and is 3 for 3 at this distance. I had $100 to win on Proudinsky last out, so I’m not too happy with him. Elusive Fort is an Irish horse who was gaining well last time out so the added distance should help his chances.
3/8 (SAT) G2 $500K New Orleans Handicap (FG) 4up, 9f
1st- Brass Hat (9/2)
2nd- Grasshopper (2-1)
3rd- Silver Lord (5-1)
Brass Hat has always been a solid horse. He ran well in the Donn only losing by 3 lengths to Spring At Last. Prior to that race, he was second in the Clark after going 5 wide. I believe today will be his day. If Brass Hat doesn’t win, it will almost certainly be Grasshopper. I would stay away from Circular Quay in this race; he isn’t the horse he used to be.
3/8 (SAT) G2 $600K Louisiana Derby (FG) 3yo, 8.5f
1st- J Be K (12-1)
2nd- Pyro (7/5)
3rd- Take Of Ekati (7/2)
Steve Asmussen may have another Curlin on his hands with J Be K. He broke the track record going 5 ½ furlongs at Saratoga in his first start. He earned a 99 beyer for that race. This horse has the looks of a superstar in the making. Since then he has won an allowance in which drew off with ease. He looks very nice but he is going to have to prove he is as good as I think he is on the track. Pyro is always tough and will be kicking home with his late run as usual. If he runs back to his last race this may be a blow out. Tale Of Ekati will be making his first outing since finishing fourth in the Breeders Cup Juvenile.
3/8 (SAT) G3 $150K El Camino Real Derby (BM) 3yo, 8.5f
1st- Coast Guard
2nd- Master Daniel
3rd- Nikki’sgoldensteed
We have quite a wide open event here in what will be California’s only Kentucky Derby prep on a traditional dirt surface. I like Coast Guard to win off of his second place performance in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Master Daniel fired the track up last time out breaking his maiden going 6 furlongs in 1:08 3/5 at Golden Gate. Nikki’sgoldensteed won for fun in the Turf Paradise Derby last time out. Any of these three can win.
3/8 (SAT) G3 $250K Gotham Stakes (AQU) 3yo, 8.5f
1st- Texas Wildcatter
2nd- Giant Moon
3rd- Ling Ling Qi
I’m predicting a hot pace in this one. If I’m right things will set up for Texas Wildcatter. The undefeated Giant Moon should also be around late. Ken McPeek’s Ling Ling Qi should excel stretching past a mile for the first time.