Calder Park Race Track
Saturday, May 29th, 2003
by rn
-------------------------
BEST BET: 10th Race = #3 - A. J. MELINI
-------------------------
FIRST RACE:
6 RED CRUSADER proved he could compete with this caliber of competition when he followed his popular $32K maiden score with a third place finish vs. multiple winners in a $16K optional claiming/allowance event at the distance.
3 CALL ME PETE is stretching out to five and a half furlongs after chasing the pace and fading to finish fifth, as the tepid choice, in his local return at five-eighths of a mile. The gelding is better than his last might indicate.
4 MOMENT OF SONG hasn't been in action since he finished second to classy Wynn Dot Comma in the $53K Here Comes My Baby about nine months ago. Trainer Tim Ritvo has him training forwardly for the sophomore debut.
1 WONDERFUL MOM SONS is a candidate for a rebound performance after following his debut six-furlong maiden victory with poor outing vs. winners at seven-eighths. He should be an inside speed threat at this shorter distance.
SELECTIONS: 6-3-4 LONGSHOT: 1
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SECOND RACE:
11 ROYAL ADMIRAL is turning back to a mile after setting a pressured pace and fading to finish second vs. bottom level foes at a mile and a sixteenth. The son of Jules is ready to depart the maiden ranks.
2 SAMMY THE CAT exits the same race as Royal Admiral hoping to make amends for the third place finish as the favorite. Trainer Julian Canet has Manuel Aguilar named to handle the gelded son of Bucksplasher.
12 OTIS TOWNSHIP stretches out around two turns and drops to the bottom of the maiden scale after rallying from 10 lengths off the pace to finish second - beaten four and a half lengths - vs. $16K maidens at seven furlongs. The added ground should do wonders for the son of Allen's Prospect.
7 GOLD KINGDOM faces bottom level competition after failing to show much vs. $16K types at a mile and sixteenth. Trainer Angel Salinas lightens the impost with five-pound apprentice Emanuel Cosme.
SELECTIONS: 11-2-12 LONGSHOT: 7
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THIRD RACE:
4 TOUR OF THE CAT showed heart and determination when he shook off the effects the arduous journey to Dubai with a hard-fought victory here vs. $62.5K optional claiming/allowance runners. However, be advised the winner of more than $830K spots the field from 7 to 12 pounds.
5 WEIGELIA, the only sophomore in the field, signaled he was ready to tackle older horses with victories in the Western Borders and Tampa's Sophomore. He totes 111 pounds and the title of the "upset special".
2 BERNARD'S CANDY comes off a sweet performance in which he dueled from start to finish and held sway to defeat $40K optional claimers in a swift 1:10 1/5 for the six furlongs.
3 SCRUBS is turning back to six furlongs after dueling for the lead and fading to finish third, as the favorite, in a division of the seven-furlong That's Our Buck on opening day. He tipped his hand with a strong half-mile workout on May 21.
SELECTIONS: 4-5-2 LONGSHOT: 3
------------------
FOURTH RACE:
5 LOVE YOUR WHIT shows three Calder workouts, including a six-furlong bullet, in preparation for the first start since the productive grass campaign at Gulfstream in which he won an entry-level allowance and finished a troubled fifth (steadied late) - beaten a length and a half - vs. two-other than competition.
8 DEPENDABLE HERBIE, forced to steady soon after the start, re-rallied to finish a respectable fifth behind hard-knocking Much Respect and stakes-placed Gin Rummy Champ. The Jim Hatchett trainee is sitting on a big performance.
4 SHINING ROCK is stretching out to a mile and a sixteenth (3-2-1-0) after encountering trouble in stretch (steadied) when finishing fifth - beaten a length and a half - at a mile.
7 BALANCE THE BOOKS, involved in the now infamous put-up/take-down when he bumped and checked hard in the stretch last out, can clear up all the confusion if he stays straight and true through the lane. He's the speed of the speed!
SELECTIONS: 5-8-4 LONGSHOT: 7
------------------
FIFTH RACE:
6 MR. OCTOBER is looking to hit one out of the park at a mile and a sixteenth after posting the best last-race speed figure when finishing third at seven furlongs. Trainer Bill White has journeyman Abdiel Toribio handling the stretchout.
3 SUR DIXIE plunges to the $10K level after the inconsistent pair vs. $25K types. The colt, a strong second on April 27, and beaten 19 lengths on May 11, would crush these if he repeats the former.
5 EXTRA COOL is eligible to improve after recovering from a bumping incident at the start to finish fourth in his first attempt at this two-lifetime condition. Trainer Ralph Ziadie has Sebastian Madrid guiding the son of Kipper Kelly.
2 OUR RUBY has finished third in consecutive races at this level and distance and I'm expecting a similar performance this afternoon. The sophomore belongs on all your exotic tickets.
SELECTIONS: 6-3-5 LONGSHOT: 2
------------------
SIXTH RACE:
9 TRICKY RIDGE, a daughter of promising sire Stark Ridge, out of the multiple stakes producing dam Explosive Trick, shows a series of solid three and four-furlong gate works in preparation for the debut.
8 COME WITH THUNDER, a daughter of 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch, boasts a pair of sharp local workouts in preparation for the debut. Trainer Happy Alter adds Lasix and jockey M R Cruz for this occasion.
10 IMARAREGAL is stretching out around one turn after recovering from a troubled beginning (hit gate) to finish second in her two-furlong debut. Trainer Pepe Mendez gives jockey Abdiel Jaen the return call.
6 ALISA'S HOPE cuts back to four and a half furlongs after finishing a troubled fourth, as the favorite, in her five-furlong debut. The only starter with experience racing around one turn can parlay that angle into a winning performance.
SELECTIONS: 9-8-10 LONGSHOT: 6
------------------
SEVENTH RACE:
10 MICKEY'S MAGIC drops to the $6,250 level and turns back slightly to six and a half furlongs after a ground saving trip produced a second place finish vs. $8K types at seven-eighths of a mile. The seven-time local winner (21-7-5-1) will be exceptionally tough in this spot.
7 HIGH RANK moved to the Richard Arnold Jr. barn via the claim and steps up the competition after drawing clear to wallop $5K claimers despite the fact that he bumped at the start and steadied on the backstretch. The new connections keep the status quo with Gary Boulanger in the irons.
6 GLORY D'OR will try six and half furlongs after finishing third to Mickey's Magic at seven and six furlongs, respectively. Trainer Joe Grande has Sebastian Madrid handling the rematch.
8 FRISCO FRISKY dueled from the opening bell and reached the lead at the furlong marker before weakening to finish second to Mickey's Magic at 26-1. Trainer Oswald Lee keeps things light with five-pound apprentice Renzo Diaz.
SELECTIONS: 10-7-6 LONGSHOT: 8
------------------
EIGHTH RACE:
3 NEBUCHADNEZZAR conquered a field of $16K optional claiming/allowance when he uncorked a strong late rally to win by seven-plus lengths. The improving son of Grindstone has the look of a future stakes performer.
10 CABALLERO NEGRO makes his first trip around two turns after reeling off impressive back-to-back victories at seven furlongs. The son of Formal Gold is bred to love this distance and beyond.
6 ISLAND SKIPPER drops to the $25K level and turns back to a mile after rallying three-wide to finish second vs. $40K optional claiming/allowance runners. Take note that the hard-knocking 5-year-old is a healthy 9 for 15 in the money on this track.
5 BOB'S PROUD MOMENT made his connections proud when he took full advantage of a speed favoring track to break his maiden at the distance by almost 13 lengths. He'll be tested for class vs. multiple winners.
SELECTIONS: 3-10-6 LONGSHOT: 5
------------------
NINTH RACE:
1 FIRE HOT has trained very nicely on the farm since finishing a troubled fifth - beaten only two and a half lengths - in her ambitious lifetime debut at this distance (9 furlongs). The Adena Springs homebred, trained by Randy Bradshaw, and ridden by Julio Garcia, will need her best to beat Jim Hatchett-trained
3 LICENSE FREE. The daughter of Miswaki ran to her breeding when she dueled from start-to-finish, at odds of 71-1, and held on to finish third in her career turf debut. I don't think you'll get the same life-altering odds this time around. The last time
6 SHEER NUMBERS competed on the Calder turf (Oct. '03) she finished a respectable third - beaten two lengths - at a mile and a sixteenth. Trainer Rick Sacco has the Red Oak Stable homebred, training consistently for her first start since January 20.
5 LADY LIVINGSTON will return to the grass after finishing a troubled third (steadied backstretch) in her local return on the main track. Move her up the list if the race shifts to the dirt.
SELECTIONS: 1-3-6 LONGSHOT: 5
------------------
TENTH RACE:
3 A. J. MELINI shows three solid workouts this month, including a five-furlong bullet on the 5th, in preparation for the first start since showing speed and weakened in a route race on the lawn (March 27). Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. is a 19% winner with 61-180 day layoff, and 24% with the turf-to-dirt move.
11 RAGEOUSLY is stretching out to his most accomplished distance (10-5-3-0) after rallying late to finish third vs. similar at six and a half furlongs. Trainer Pete Scully tabs Gary Boulanger to handle the mini stretchout.
8 EMO will try optional claiming/allowance competition after notching his second consecutive claiming victory just seven days ago. The "now" horse can make it three in a row.
1 DOC WILD stretches out to seven panels after finishing a troubled fifth (steadied turn, blocked stretch) behind Rageously at six and a half. The son of Wild Again belongs on your exotic ticket.
SELECTIONS: 3-11-8 LONGSHOT: 1
------------------
ELEVENTH RACE:
7 HIGHWAY WEST is stretching out to five and a half furlongs after squandering a three-length lead when finishing second in his local return at five-eighths of a mile. The second start back from the eight-month vacation should be a winning experience.
2 ECONOMIST AT LAST is turning back slightly to five and a half furlongs after finishing second best to repeat winner Sami's Magic at three-quarters. He's another eligible to win his second start back from a layoff (7 weeks).
3 LAUGHING LUKE drops to the $16K optional claiming level after weakening to finish third to aforementioned Sami's Magic in a $25K optional claimer on May 17. The third race back from the layoff can be the charm.
5 LUCKY QUIXOTE is expected to show more after rallying five-wide to finish third behind Highway West last out. Trainer Enrique Alonso gives Sebastian Madrid the return call.
SELECTIONS: 7-2-3 LONGSHOT: 5
------------------
TWELFTH RACE:
4 HER SONG drops to the $50K level after dueling for the lead and tiring to finish third in her promising debut vs. maiden-allowance competition. Note that her last performance was given a boost when second place finisher Spinning Jolie won her next start.
9 KASH KLIP has all the ingredients needed to win at first asking. Her sire (Kipper Kelly) produces debut winners at a 21% rate, and her trainer (David Fawkes) sports a 23% win average with his first time starters.
8 HALO JAMERICA is stretching out around one turn after rallying to finish a promising third in her two-furlong debut. Trainer Manny Tortora tabs Gary Boulanger to handle the stretchout.
5 BUFFY BABE tries four and a half furlongs after chasing the pace and finishing second best in her promising two-furlong debut. Manny Aguilar will be astride the daughter Unaccounted For.
SELECTIONS: 4-9-8 LONGSHOT: 5
Saturday, May 29th, 2003
by rn
-------------------------
BEST BET: 10th Race = #3 - A. J. MELINI
-------------------------
FIRST RACE:
6 RED CRUSADER proved he could compete with this caliber of competition when he followed his popular $32K maiden score with a third place finish vs. multiple winners in a $16K optional claiming/allowance event at the distance.
3 CALL ME PETE is stretching out to five and a half furlongs after chasing the pace and fading to finish fifth, as the tepid choice, in his local return at five-eighths of a mile. The gelding is better than his last might indicate.
4 MOMENT OF SONG hasn't been in action since he finished second to classy Wynn Dot Comma in the $53K Here Comes My Baby about nine months ago. Trainer Tim Ritvo has him training forwardly for the sophomore debut.
1 WONDERFUL MOM SONS is a candidate for a rebound performance after following his debut six-furlong maiden victory with poor outing vs. winners at seven-eighths. He should be an inside speed threat at this shorter distance.
SELECTIONS: 6-3-4 LONGSHOT: 1
------------------
SECOND RACE:
11 ROYAL ADMIRAL is turning back to a mile after setting a pressured pace and fading to finish second vs. bottom level foes at a mile and a sixteenth. The son of Jules is ready to depart the maiden ranks.
2 SAMMY THE CAT exits the same race as Royal Admiral hoping to make amends for the third place finish as the favorite. Trainer Julian Canet has Manuel Aguilar named to handle the gelded son of Bucksplasher.
12 OTIS TOWNSHIP stretches out around two turns and drops to the bottom of the maiden scale after rallying from 10 lengths off the pace to finish second - beaten four and a half lengths - vs. $16K maidens at seven furlongs. The added ground should do wonders for the son of Allen's Prospect.
7 GOLD KINGDOM faces bottom level competition after failing to show much vs. $16K types at a mile and sixteenth. Trainer Angel Salinas lightens the impost with five-pound apprentice Emanuel Cosme.
SELECTIONS: 11-2-12 LONGSHOT: 7
------------------
THIRD RACE:
4 TOUR OF THE CAT showed heart and determination when he shook off the effects the arduous journey to Dubai with a hard-fought victory here vs. $62.5K optional claiming/allowance runners. However, be advised the winner of more than $830K spots the field from 7 to 12 pounds.
5 WEIGELIA, the only sophomore in the field, signaled he was ready to tackle older horses with victories in the Western Borders and Tampa's Sophomore. He totes 111 pounds and the title of the "upset special".
2 BERNARD'S CANDY comes off a sweet performance in which he dueled from start to finish and held sway to defeat $40K optional claimers in a swift 1:10 1/5 for the six furlongs.
3 SCRUBS is turning back to six furlongs after dueling for the lead and fading to finish third, as the favorite, in a division of the seven-furlong That's Our Buck on opening day. He tipped his hand with a strong half-mile workout on May 21.
SELECTIONS: 4-5-2 LONGSHOT: 3
------------------
FOURTH RACE:
5 LOVE YOUR WHIT shows three Calder workouts, including a six-furlong bullet, in preparation for the first start since the productive grass campaign at Gulfstream in which he won an entry-level allowance and finished a troubled fifth (steadied late) - beaten a length and a half - vs. two-other than competition.
8 DEPENDABLE HERBIE, forced to steady soon after the start, re-rallied to finish a respectable fifth behind hard-knocking Much Respect and stakes-placed Gin Rummy Champ. The Jim Hatchett trainee is sitting on a big performance.
4 SHINING ROCK is stretching out to a mile and a sixteenth (3-2-1-0) after encountering trouble in stretch (steadied) when finishing fifth - beaten a length and a half - at a mile.
7 BALANCE THE BOOKS, involved in the now infamous put-up/take-down when he bumped and checked hard in the stretch last out, can clear up all the confusion if he stays straight and true through the lane. He's the speed of the speed!
SELECTIONS: 5-8-4 LONGSHOT: 7
------------------
FIFTH RACE:
6 MR. OCTOBER is looking to hit one out of the park at a mile and a sixteenth after posting the best last-race speed figure when finishing third at seven furlongs. Trainer Bill White has journeyman Abdiel Toribio handling the stretchout.
3 SUR DIXIE plunges to the $10K level after the inconsistent pair vs. $25K types. The colt, a strong second on April 27, and beaten 19 lengths on May 11, would crush these if he repeats the former.
5 EXTRA COOL is eligible to improve after recovering from a bumping incident at the start to finish fourth in his first attempt at this two-lifetime condition. Trainer Ralph Ziadie has Sebastian Madrid guiding the son of Kipper Kelly.
2 OUR RUBY has finished third in consecutive races at this level and distance and I'm expecting a similar performance this afternoon. The sophomore belongs on all your exotic tickets.
SELECTIONS: 6-3-5 LONGSHOT: 2
------------------
SIXTH RACE:
9 TRICKY RIDGE, a daughter of promising sire Stark Ridge, out of the multiple stakes producing dam Explosive Trick, shows a series of solid three and four-furlong gate works in preparation for the debut.
8 COME WITH THUNDER, a daughter of 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch, boasts a pair of sharp local workouts in preparation for the debut. Trainer Happy Alter adds Lasix and jockey M R Cruz for this occasion.
10 IMARAREGAL is stretching out around one turn after recovering from a troubled beginning (hit gate) to finish second in her two-furlong debut. Trainer Pepe Mendez gives jockey Abdiel Jaen the return call.
6 ALISA'S HOPE cuts back to four and a half furlongs after finishing a troubled fourth, as the favorite, in her five-furlong debut. The only starter with experience racing around one turn can parlay that angle into a winning performance.
SELECTIONS: 9-8-10 LONGSHOT: 6
------------------
SEVENTH RACE:
10 MICKEY'S MAGIC drops to the $6,250 level and turns back slightly to six and a half furlongs after a ground saving trip produced a second place finish vs. $8K types at seven-eighths of a mile. The seven-time local winner (21-7-5-1) will be exceptionally tough in this spot.
7 HIGH RANK moved to the Richard Arnold Jr. barn via the claim and steps up the competition after drawing clear to wallop $5K claimers despite the fact that he bumped at the start and steadied on the backstretch. The new connections keep the status quo with Gary Boulanger in the irons.
6 GLORY D'OR will try six and half furlongs after finishing third to Mickey's Magic at seven and six furlongs, respectively. Trainer Joe Grande has Sebastian Madrid handling the rematch.
8 FRISCO FRISKY dueled from the opening bell and reached the lead at the furlong marker before weakening to finish second to Mickey's Magic at 26-1. Trainer Oswald Lee keeps things light with five-pound apprentice Renzo Diaz.
SELECTIONS: 10-7-6 LONGSHOT: 8
------------------
EIGHTH RACE:
3 NEBUCHADNEZZAR conquered a field of $16K optional claiming/allowance when he uncorked a strong late rally to win by seven-plus lengths. The improving son of Grindstone has the look of a future stakes performer.
10 CABALLERO NEGRO makes his first trip around two turns after reeling off impressive back-to-back victories at seven furlongs. The son of Formal Gold is bred to love this distance and beyond.
6 ISLAND SKIPPER drops to the $25K level and turns back to a mile after rallying three-wide to finish second vs. $40K optional claiming/allowance runners. Take note that the hard-knocking 5-year-old is a healthy 9 for 15 in the money on this track.
5 BOB'S PROUD MOMENT made his connections proud when he took full advantage of a speed favoring track to break his maiden at the distance by almost 13 lengths. He'll be tested for class vs. multiple winners.
SELECTIONS: 3-10-6 LONGSHOT: 5
------------------
NINTH RACE:
1 FIRE HOT has trained very nicely on the farm since finishing a troubled fifth - beaten only two and a half lengths - in her ambitious lifetime debut at this distance (9 furlongs). The Adena Springs homebred, trained by Randy Bradshaw, and ridden by Julio Garcia, will need her best to beat Jim Hatchett-trained
3 LICENSE FREE. The daughter of Miswaki ran to her breeding when she dueled from start-to-finish, at odds of 71-1, and held on to finish third in her career turf debut. I don't think you'll get the same life-altering odds this time around. The last time
6 SHEER NUMBERS competed on the Calder turf (Oct. '03) she finished a respectable third - beaten two lengths - at a mile and a sixteenth. Trainer Rick Sacco has the Red Oak Stable homebred, training consistently for her first start since January 20.
5 LADY LIVINGSTON will return to the grass after finishing a troubled third (steadied backstretch) in her local return on the main track. Move her up the list if the race shifts to the dirt.
SELECTIONS: 1-3-6 LONGSHOT: 5
------------------
TENTH RACE:
3 A. J. MELINI shows three solid workouts this month, including a five-furlong bullet on the 5th, in preparation for the first start since showing speed and weakened in a route race on the lawn (March 27). Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. is a 19% winner with 61-180 day layoff, and 24% with the turf-to-dirt move.
11 RAGEOUSLY is stretching out to his most accomplished distance (10-5-3-0) after rallying late to finish third vs. similar at six and a half furlongs. Trainer Pete Scully tabs Gary Boulanger to handle the mini stretchout.
8 EMO will try optional claiming/allowance competition after notching his second consecutive claiming victory just seven days ago. The "now" horse can make it three in a row.
1 DOC WILD stretches out to seven panels after finishing a troubled fifth (steadied turn, blocked stretch) behind Rageously at six and a half. The son of Wild Again belongs on your exotic ticket.
SELECTIONS: 3-11-8 LONGSHOT: 1
------------------
ELEVENTH RACE:
7 HIGHWAY WEST is stretching out to five and a half furlongs after squandering a three-length lead when finishing second in his local return at five-eighths of a mile. The second start back from the eight-month vacation should be a winning experience.
2 ECONOMIST AT LAST is turning back slightly to five and a half furlongs after finishing second best to repeat winner Sami's Magic at three-quarters. He's another eligible to win his second start back from a layoff (7 weeks).
3 LAUGHING LUKE drops to the $16K optional claiming level after weakening to finish third to aforementioned Sami's Magic in a $25K optional claimer on May 17. The third race back from the layoff can be the charm.
5 LUCKY QUIXOTE is expected to show more after rallying five-wide to finish third behind Highway West last out. Trainer Enrique Alonso gives Sebastian Madrid the return call.
SELECTIONS: 7-2-3 LONGSHOT: 5
------------------
TWELFTH RACE:
4 HER SONG drops to the $50K level after dueling for the lead and tiring to finish third in her promising debut vs. maiden-allowance competition. Note that her last performance was given a boost when second place finisher Spinning Jolie won her next start.
9 KASH KLIP has all the ingredients needed to win at first asking. Her sire (Kipper Kelly) produces debut winners at a 21% rate, and her trainer (David Fawkes) sports a 23% win average with his first time starters.
8 HALO JAMERICA is stretching out around one turn after rallying to finish a promising third in her two-furlong debut. Trainer Manny Tortora tabs Gary Boulanger to handle the stretchout.
5 BUFFY BABE tries four and a half furlongs after chasing the pace and finishing second best in her promising two-furlong debut. Manny Aguilar will be astride the daughter Unaccounted For.
SELECTIONS: 4-9-8 LONGSHOT: 5
