Fair Grounds 12 March 2005
Instructions
Please click on the “View Full Racecard & Odds” button to get the full racecard information.
PATRICK'S TALENT recorded the highest most recent speed-figure when a near third in a higher grade last month and a repeat performance should suffice in this company. Should the selection fluff his lines, Landon should be ready to pounce after returning to form to score over C&D last time out. Elsewhere, Unknown Parts got the better of the selection on his penultimate start and Wild Chill is not out of the equation.
An open event with Prince Trieste and Deputy Grant making encouraging starts to their careers, while Fire Wood must be given serious claims after knocking hard on the door in the last few months. However, MR. MALAPROP relished the step up in trip to 1m when just going down by a neck here latest. The line just came too soon and today's extra distance may be what he needs to break through.
Rosethorn Road has to be considered as she boasts the highest speed-figure at today's distance and on dirt, but the yard isn't having too much success here and it could pay to take a chance on the fast improving AMERICAN BY CHOICE. She broke through in style over C&D last time out and the prospect of further progress is boosted by the stable's current form. Elsewhere, Elusive Queen could be a threat as she steps up in trip.
Little separated WHITE HOT CAT and Time Honoured when finishing second and third respectively over C&D last month and they look set to fight it out here. Both are expected to improve on their debut outing but slight preference is for Steven Asmussen's filly as the yard can do little wrong at the moment. Vanillazuela is moving in the right direction and looks the best of the remainder.
Home Of The Stars would take some beating on his victory last time out but that was on dirt and three months ago. Tempered Steel and Gallo Del Bar have been closely matched on both occasions they have met recently and could both be in the shake-up here, but the one to follow could be HUNTING HILLBILLY. A C&D winner on his latest outing, he has since switched to a top stable and has a top pilot booked for his double bid.
The long straight here really suits late finishers and Scipion, Real Dandy and Storm Surge - who filled the frame in the Grade 3 Risen Star over C&D last month - will all be doing their best running late on. The former was particularly impressive that day and warrants utmost respect. Sort It Out is another one that will be closing late; he completed a hat-trick in the competitive Whirlaway at Aqueduct and will be well revved up on his debut for Bob Baffert's stable. However, with so many looking to snatch it late, it could play right into the hands of HIGH LIMIT who likes to make all. He did just that on both juvenile starts and his first start as a 3-y-o for Bobby Frankel has been eagerly awaited, he is handily drawn to dictate the pace and is taken to maintain his 100% record and further boost his Kentucky Derby claims.
BIJOU out-fought Sister Swank to claim second in a Grade 3 event over 1m1f here last month and they should both be in the thick of things again. However, the former loves it here and just gets the vote to frank the form. May Gator was further down the field behind the aforementioned contenders that day but it's well known she is capable of much better and should be closer at the business end dropping back in trip.
