Yesterday's Belmont turned out to be an exciting race, with Union Rags getting the rail to open and he took it to win. In watching the replay, I wasn't sure if it would open and he sure looked pinned in on the rail. Afterwards, Mike Smith took the blame for letting it open up and JohnnyV said they got lucky. No matter what, it was a good race, exciting and happy to see Union Rags back in form. The stakes schedule is quiet today, so I am going to take a look at the Redondo Beach turf race at Hollywood Park. It's a mile race for $70,000 for fillies and mares 3YO and upwards. There are eight ladies going forward, so I will have three contenders and one dark horse/bombs away selection.
Contenders:
#7 All Star Heart ML 3/1
She will be making her 5YO debut in this feature race. Last season she won 5 of 7, including her last race the Las Palmas (G2). When you look at her PP's you see a tale of two horses here. Once she came under Ron McAnally tutleage, she ripped off those 5 wins going a mile on grass. Her Beyer's have been real consistent, she has won once here on the Hollywood turf and has won coming off the bench before. Her workouts have been spaced nicely and she looks well positioned to take this one.
#6 Star Billing ML 5/2
She too will be making her 2012 debut today as a 4YO. Her 3YO season resulted in winning 3 of 7, most of those races were graded affairs. She has won twice at this distance, the Senorita (G3) and the Matriarch (G1), both races came at Hollywood Park. The main reason I've have her in second today, is that in her last break from racing she came up empty at Keeneland. She has been gone for over 6 months and while her workouts look good and Sherreffs does will with layoffs, I think she'll need this one today to find her footing.
#5 A Jealous Woman ML 5/1
She had a great 3YO season winning 4 races, including 2 over the Hollywood grass. Since then she has not done much, winning only once in an Optional Claimer last February. The key angle here is the jockey switch to Bejarano by Meza and putting her back at a mile. She is 2 for 4 at this distance and on the board in all 4. It might be asking a lot today against the group, but she likes to race up front and that might be a difference maker.
Bombs Away:
#8 Good Karma (ITY) ML 12/1
The angle here with this 4YO filly is the following: shipping in and a new trainer in Cecil, jockey switch to Garrett Gomez and keeping her at a mile. We can see from her results in Italy, she does have talent and often with a change of scenery, especially California, horses like her wake up. It'll be interesting to watch regardless.
No comments:
Post a Comment