Kentucky Downs 08 September 2012
Instructions
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Left First has experience of running on the turf but has faded late on both starts over this trip, while Irish Arch was beaten a long way at Ellis Park on his debut though the step up in trip could suit. De Enforcer never had a chance after being bumped early on at Saratoga so could prove much better than that effort, but preference is for DONATI, who came wide and fast for third at Mountaineer on his debut and could build on that effort.
HOW ABOUT ALEXIS could land this in a more conventional way than at Ellis Park, where she was awarded the race after being carried wide by Embellished Gold. This extra furlong should hold no fears and she is preferred over Buffalo River Gal, who has been in cracking form on the main track but her recent effort on grass leaves a lot to be desired. The class-dropping Harbor Spirit and the consistent Bold Peaks are others to note.
Hillary D was an emphatic winner at Indiana before being disqualified and has to enter the reckoning here, but DARK NEBULA could be the one to be on. A solid performer in this sort of grade on both turf and dirt, George Arnold's filly could finally gain the victory her consistency merits. Glad It's May made a favourable impression on her debut and has claims if acting on turf.
Inis Oirr certainly has the form to make an impact here but an outside draw tips the balance in favour of OUR NOBLE HEART. Patrick Byrne's colt can be a little keen in his races, but he has form over this sort of trip and anything like his best would be enough now down in grade. Le Chevalier won as though a class above his rivals at Ellis Park latest and takes a deserved step up in grade here.
If Cat Lore wasn't drawn in the car park she would look a tough nut to crack following her nose defeat at Arlington, but the better drawn MYRIAD gets the vote here. After three straight near-misses, Merrill Scherer's filly finished on the heels of the placegetters at Pimlico last time and is likely to relish this drop in trip. Grace For Grace ran respectably in a better race at Del Mar last time and is another for the shortlist.
Zeb made the frame in a Grade 3 at Keeneland earlier in the year but subsequent results have been poor, while Delaunay got the better of Noble's Promise at Churchill Downs but failed to fire at Mountaineer after that. GOOD LORD landed his second straight stakes success when beating Noble's Promise at Ellis Park and with the inside draw likely to suit the prominent runner, he can strike again.
San Antone was far from disgraced in a Grade 3 at Arlington in May but a lengthy absence since tempers enthusiasm, while Ratatat had Lil Bit O'Fun well in arrears at Arlington but this represents a step up in grade. SERUNI lost out in a duel with eventual winner Tapizar on dirt at Mountaineer, but the return to turf could see him go one better than in a Grade 2 handicap at Churchill Downs two starts ago.
An open contest with slight preference for AFFAIR DABBLER. David Kassen's filly has looked well worth a try in stakes company after two victories in valuable allowance races at Arlington and she could land the spoils. Grade 3 third Ridgester is likely to improve for the drop in class and switch to turf, while Miz Ida got up close home at Indiana last time and is likely to be flashing home from a wide draw here.
I THINK SO kept on well for second on her debut at Ellis Park and normal progression from that could make her tough to beat here. Sunset Time is consistent enough to make an impact again here, while newcomers Fanfare and A Fitzing Reward are worthy of note.
