John Battaglia Memorial StakesThis race started pretty much as you would have expected with Mr. Harry taking the lead and setting respectable fractions while the rest of the field arranged themselves behind him. It was a perfect set up for Your Round (my favorite for the win) who, as expected, came around the far turn and put himself comfortably ahead of the tiring pacesetter, with nothing but clear stretch in front of him.
Oh, and then this no-name filly came out of nowhere and stampeded down the center of the track to catch the entire field flatfooted and win off by 1 and 3/4 lengths.
Absolutely Cindy (Arch-Ms. Boucheron, by L’Enjoleur) was absolutely stunning in this race and really makes one wonder exactly where she was previously when finishing sixth in Indian Blessing's Siverbulletday Stakes (g.III) and a less than striking 3rd to Bsharpsonata in the Tropical Park Oaks. Who would have guessed she'd pull it off today (at $41.60 to win, the answer is "Not many")? Maybe she was trained perfectly for this contest. Maybe she's just coming into her own. Look out Oaks field, you've got a new contender. Oh, and boys? You better keep your eyes peeled as well. You never know when the ghost of Winning Colors might be coming up to nip you on the hindquarters.
Photo: Pat Lang
Sham Stakes
Although it wasn't a surprise that Victory Pete took the lead early in this 5 horse field, it was something of a surprise that he was so lazy about it. After such relaxed fractions early on, just about everyone had some gas left over at the end. Colonel John (Tiznow-Sweet Damsel, by Turkoman) pulled to the front and stayed there. El Gato Malo was clearly frustrated and stuck behind horses and, once he managed to shake himself free, visibly lost focus and started drifting aimlessly in the center of the track. His jockey finally got him back to business, but it was far to late to catch up to the well rested, cool as a cucumber, Colonel John. I'm no fan of either of the first two finishers here, but I can't help thinking the winner had a perfect trip and that the place horse could be a monster once he gets a little seasoning.
Santa Anita Handicap
Well, in all honesty, I thought this race was a toss up from the start. Fourteen horses, none of whom you could automatically eliminate, pretty much all of whom had faced one another at least once before. Eh, so my record of trifecta calls has been proved a glitch (as I much suspected). But I did get the winner. Heatseeker (Giant's Causeway) came home with the win, passing the tiring Monterey Jazz (who it turns out should not have attempted a repeat of his Strub Stakes win in this longer route) and holding off a late but determined charge from recent Sunshine Million's winner Go Between. Champs Elysees was perhaps the most interesting finisher of the race. Guess Bob Baffert wasn't entirely crazy to put his grass horse into a tried and tested synthetic loving field. He finished third, and served official notice of his versatility.
Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap
Former claimer Ever a Friend (Crafty Prospector) took this contest by 3 and 3/4 lengths, posting a fairly impressive final time of 1:33.37 on firm turf. Where was recent Sunshine Millions Turf winner War Monger? What about my good money choice, Out of Control? That's right, nowhere. Didn't I recently say I wasn't going to try to call turf races anymore? Perhaps I should listen to my own advice.
Gulfstream Park Handicap
And finally I did something right again. Sir Whimsey (Jump Start-Apogee, by Star de Naskra) vindicated me just a little by coming off of a strong January allowance victory and holding off a determined stretch challenge from race favorite Fairbanks to win this 1 and 3/16 mile race.
In other news...
Still waiting on the Davona Dale. It's probably a cop out to vote for Bsharpsonata (Pulpit- Apasionata Sonata, by Affirmed) in this one, but I'm doing it anways. Recap tomorrow. Oh and Malibu Moonshine (Malibu Moon-Time to Coast, by Coastal) took the Stymie Handicap...which I wasn't even aware he was running in. If I had, I would certainly have mentioned him, because I absolutely love his sire, Malibu Moon. Love, love, love his sire. An no, it's not entirely because of his one time owner Josh Pons' heartfelt admissions about life on a thoroughbred farm that were published periodically in my favorite magazine (though it certainly has aided with my affections). I just love to see a relatively cheap sire who gets stakes winners like he's managed to. And remember, everything you've seen so far of his is from his Maryland circuit. Now that he's been mounting Kentucky quality mares for a couple of years, who knows what he'll do.
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