Delaware Park 02 October 2005
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Leagueofhisown will probably start favourite given he's dropped in class and is trained by Scott Lake. However, it could prove costly to overlook the chances of CHOCTAW RIDGE, who arrives here on the back of a couple of recent victories, boasts three wins from five starts at this track and hails from Mark Shuman's in-form barn. Private Opening has the back form to figure but is returning from an eight-month absence.
Rojo Grande bounced back to form in no uncertain style when winning a $40K event here last time but today's big drop in class looks suspicious and preference is for CASUAL. He's been in good form in similar company and new trainer Howard Wolfendale has an eye-catching strike-rate with his 'first time after a claim' runners. Trucode is another having his first start for new connections and he could well figure at the finish.
PARK AVENUE PRINCE improved to finish runner-up in better company than this last time and looks capable of getting off the mark here, confirming superiority with Again And Again in the process. The latter looks the biggest danger with Risky Biscuit and Riproarious probably fighting it out for the remaining place.
DEVIL'S CASE finished a good second on his latest start over track and trip and his early pace can help him go one better in this similar company. Stroboscope went close on his first start for Scott lake last time and should figure, along with Matt Daddy who won his maiden here in May but is returning from a three-month layoff here.
UNCLE DIVSIE failed to land the odds over a mile at Laurel last time but this looks easier and he gets leading jockey Ramon Dominguez on board. Whats What had both Wanaka and Subitano behind when winning here on his penultimate start while much better is expected from Major Mecke after he failed to figure in a $100K event last time.
Pioneer Empire and City News have every chance on recent form but have yet to race on turf, so preference lies with CROSSLANDER. Ben Feliciano's charge opened his account on grass with plenty to spare over this trip at Laurel last time out and further progress looks likely. It's In Da Cards can't be dismissed after notching over C&D latest but will need to raise his game to stage a follow-up.
Weeks and EBONY STAR are expected to play leading roles after both scoring over C&D last time out. However, the vote goes to the latter who put up a higher speed-figure and should be allowed to dictate early today. C&D winner True Gold twice filled the runner-up berth in this grade here before not appreciating the step up in trip latest - she warrants respect back over 6f.
SCARY BOB recorded the highest last speed-figure when making the frame in a similar event at Finger Lakes and, with connections now firing on all cylinders, is taken to get it right today. Minor Temptation was second (3 lengths ahead of Harley's Road) in a decent C&D event on only his third outing and looks sure to improve further. He must be considered a threat, along with C&D winner Supremo Gold.
ALARMED makes his turf debut but is clearly the best of these on dirt. A repeat of his third over 5f here last month, easily the highest last speed-figure, would make him tough to beat today and he is worth taking a chance on. Villa Lobos is another that could feature if not dropping his standards as he takes to grass but the biggest danger appears to be King Carlos, who filled the runner-up berth over C&D on his latest turf outing.
