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Wise Dan set to tackle Clark Handicap

November 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

Wise Dan

Be sure to check out Twinspires.com to bet this race along with all of the other great races on Thanksgiving weekend.

The 2010 Clark Handicap from Churchill Downs resulted in a controversial disqualification of Charles Lopresti’s Successful Dan that gave Giant Oak his first Grade I victory. Successful Dan hasn’t competed since then, but his half brother, Wise Dan, will try to avenge him in the 2011 Clark Handicap on Friday.

Wise Dan looked lackluster in his first three starts of the year, but he broke through with a strong win going one mile on the turf in the Firecracker Handicap. After that he turned in a solid win over a strong field in the Presque Isle Mile and ran well in defeat in the Shadwell Mile. His last start, the Fayette, saw him blast past the competition to score first victory in a rout.

Now, the son of Wiseman’s Ferry will attempt to secure his first Grade I victory while toting 120 lbs.

Standing in his path is Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Flat Out. He was last seen finishing a disappointing fifth as the lukewarm favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  “No excuse, he just got outrun. That’s it.”, said trainer Charles Dickey after that race.

Now, he will try to get a win over a track that has eluded him so far. He is winless in two tries after the aforementioned loss and a sixth place showing in the Stephen Foster Handicap in June. His burden will be 123 lbs.

Mission Impazible is an interesting option for bettors. He finished second beaten just a neck in the Stephen Foster over this track earlier this year. The Todd Pletcher trainee has run three subpar races since then, but returning to a preferable surface will help boost his chances. Also boosting his chances are the fact that he will get a 6 pound advantage on the favorite. His running style, near the pace, is yet another advantage.

Ruler On Ice will not go without support. The Belmont Stakes winner has put together two strong races in the Pennsylvania Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic, finishing second and third, respectively. Garrett Gomez seems to have a good feel for him. If he gets pace to fire upon from the rail he could be deadly. He’s listed at 118 lbs.

Prayer For Relief, owned by Zayat Stables, has quietly had a great 2011 campaign. He started to pick up steam with a victory in the Iowa Derby and parlayed it to wins in the West Virginia and Super Derby. Last time, he was out finished in the Oklahoma Derby behind Redeemed, a next out winner of the Discovery Handicap, and Alternation. Breaking from the far outside could hinder him, but jockey Rafael Bejarano should work out some sort of trip for him. He’s in light at 117 lbs.

While Ruler On Ice and Prayer For Relief will get plenty of action, the third three-year-old in the race is likely to be overlooked. That sophomore, Will’s Wildcat, is undefeated at Churchill Downs. Throw in the fact that the master, Calvin Borel, will be on his back and suddenly he becomes an interesting price horse. He dismissed a very strong group of allowance horses on Breeders Cup Friday, but that was going six furlongs. Can the front running son of Eurosilver stretch out? He will carry 112 lbs in his bid to do so.

Trainer Mike Maker brings two horses to the race. 2010 Bluegrass Stakes winner Stately Victor and 2011 Hawthorne Gold Cup champ Headache. The latter owns a strong record over the course and will try to get back on track after a last place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He will carry 115 lbs. Stately Victor finished a better than expected fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and was third in the Pacific Classic in August. The colt has never won on dirt and his last win came at Woodbine on September 25, 2010.

Alma d’Oro, Demarcation, Pleasant Prince, Mister Mardi Gras and General Quarters round out of the field.

My top pick to win the 2011 Clark Handicap is Mission Impazible. He loves it at Churchill Downs and the pace is going to set up well for him. He will get the front before either of the favorites and kick strongly for home at 12-1. Who do YOU like?

Be sure to check out Twinspires.com to bet this race along with all of the other great races on Thanksgiving weekend.

 

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Free Weekend Selections

August 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Alabama Stakes

Blind Luck (8-5) This filly just seems to know where the wire is. She has won three races by a nose and is clearly the one to beat here despite being second choice on the morning line. Look for her to come flying late under jockey Joel Rosario who will be piloting her for the second time.

Arlington Million

General Quarters (8-1) Trainer Tom McCarthy made clear early in the year that this race was the goal for his colt. He has done well on the turf. He won the Woodford Reserve earlier this year against some nice horses, and if he runs his best race he can down the favored Gio Ponti.

Del Mar Oaks

Crisp (6-1) What’s not to like about this filly? She is a Grade 1 winner this year and will have the services of red hot jockey Rafael Bejarano. The daughter of El Corredor will be going 9 furlongs for the first time in career. She has proved she can beat the favored Evening Jewel, and she ran a bang up race after clipping heels last out. I give her a huge shot and could see her going off at a price larger than 6-1.

Secretariat Stakes

Wigmore Hall (5-1) Like it or not, the Europeans have better turf horses than we do and this gelding will prove that. He beat 18 older horses two races ago despite a horrendous trip. The Michael Bell trainee has won at the distance twice from four starts. Paddy O’ Prado is an amazing animal, but I think this gelding will give him everything he wants and perhaps more. That’s not to say Paddy can’t or wont win, but I like my chances on this one at a good price.

Beverley D Stakes

Hot Cha Cha (6-1) Her price won’t be as ripe with the defection of Rainbow View, but she still warrants a big look. The Grade 1 winning filly ran strong last out to be third behind Tuscan Evening. She is clearly the best filly in the race and if she runs her race she will win. I love the bullet 1:00 B work entering this race. She needs a moderate to fast pace and as long as the pace setters don’t go slow I think she wins this event.

Lake Placid Stakes

It’s Tea Time (10-1) I’ve loved this filly ever since she ran second in the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. It’s hard to imagine her being 10-1 despite the fact that won an allowance last out. She has all the talent in the world and if she can get a pace to chase she will be tough to hold off in the lane.

Who do you like? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!

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General Quarters targets Foster Handicap and ultimately the Arlington Million

May 23, 2010 By 3 Comments

It looks like owner/trainer/one man show Tom McCarthy is sending his star colt General Quarters to contest Churchill Downs second most prestigious race; the Foster Handicap.

General Quarters was last seen scoring an upset victory in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve on the Kentucky Derby under card. It seems the son of Sky Mesa has found his home on the weeds. He will ultimately target the Grade 1 Arlington Million.

I think it was a great decision to put General Quarters on the grass. It made sense to give it a try since his biggest win came over a synthetic surface in the Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes. Horses that run well on synthetic typically run well on turf, and vice versa.

General Quarters could find himself at the forefront of a division lacking in star power. The biggest names on the turf right now are Gio Ponti, Pressious Passion, and Courageous Cat. McCarthy’s colt has the potential to be better than all three.

Regardless of how good or bad he does in the Foster Handicap, this colt should stay on the turf. I think it is very clear to most of us that his best form shows up there. I’d hate to see him put in a strong second place or third place effort and then stay on the dirt. Sure, if he posts a stylish win there would be nothing wrong with keeping him on the dirt. However, I seriously doubt that will happen. With a little luck this colt could find himself in the winners circle for the Breeders Cup Turf later in the year.

What do you think about General Quarters? Where would you race him if he were yours?

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