Saturday's Previews
It's Belmont Day and we'll have the third leg of the Triple Crown live on the big screen at Hastings to compliment an excellent afternoon of local racing that features two $50,000 Stakes contests!
NO PEOPLE made her Hastings debut at the end of May following a winter campaign at Turf Paradise and, despite having to deal with a badly-slipped saddle, ran well to finish second to Tam Tricky. She drops down a rung on the class level here and looks a worthy favourite. ANAAMY has failed to hit the board just twice in her previous 10 outings, had VALERIE VALESKI behind her last time and she’ll be thereabouts again today.
BAK TO LIBERTY has finished second in five of his seven career races and this appears, on paper at least, to be his best chance yet to finally bag that maiden win. MAGIC ROAD was behind Bak to Liberty when they both got a rear-end view of runaway winner Jose Jose last time and he should give the favourite most to do. Lightly-raced PURSUE appears to progressing and a repeat of his second to Force to Rekn with last time puts the 3yo firmly in the discussion.
AMANDA and KAY’S KITCHEN dead-heated with each other when second to the useful Shamra last time. Both should be fitter now, following their opening efforts for the season, and both should feature prominently again. LOVEABOVENDBEYOND was a leading juvenile filly last year and her third behind the mighty Air Force and Above Average last time proved she has retained her form from last year. Despite being a 3yo up against 4yos so early in the season, she still appears to be the key to unlocking this.
THE KAT’S BACK won twice on the bounce in her first two starts last season, so fitness shouldn’t be an issue for the consistent speedster and she can make her presence felt off the bench. Whether she’s straight enough to beat BELLAROO and ZETAMARIE, who both won on their first starts this term, remains to be seen. QUEEN OF LOVE, meanwhile, makes her Hastings debut after running at Emerald Downs last month. Her form is a little in-and-out and she may be seen to better effect over further, but she’s not to be discounted totally.
Belmont Stakes
Impossible not to be blown away by LUCKY FORCE’s breakout 11-length victory on just his second career start last month, although this is clearly a tougher task. LEGACY SQUARE was champion 2yo last season and got back to winning ways immediately in May, seeing off both ROCKCLIFFE and TIME TICKER in style. He’s set the bar high and whoever lowers his standard will be a worthy winner.
A fascinating renewal of the River Rock Casino Stakes in which AIR FORCE, last season’s leading 2yo BC-bred filly who won on her sophomore debut last month, takes on a field of cracking fillies. BUNNY made fairly light work of barn-mate Licorice and today’s rival FREESTYLE on just her second career run last month, while leading open 2yo filly NEIGHNEIGH makes her eagerly-anticipated reappearance following two wins in good company last term. Air Force was impressive on her reappearance, especially as her barn has yet to find top gear, and she’s still the one they have to beat.
LILSISTERLEE was out-nodded by Perfect Penny last time when dropped into the bottom level by connections and they return to the same waters here in a bid to get their sophomore off the mark. She looks to be the key in what is a wide-open claiming contest. STAR FINALITY is another being dropped significantly in class after a winter campaign and, while her form isn’t easy to decipher, she should be much closer in this company. The well-backed DRILL BABY DRILL ran okay behind Perfect Penny and Lilsisterlee last time and is a consistent performer who should be thereabouts again.
Saturday’s Picks
Taylor Jeszenszky
Popular young backstretch exercise rider Taylor Jeszenszky suffered serious facial injuries in a spill last Saturday — and very much needs our support.
Taylor has undergone several operations already and faces a lengthy period of convalescence before she can get back to what she loves. We’d obviously like everyone to give Taylor as much help and support as we possibly can.
There is a donation box in Trackers on the backstretch and donations can also be handed directly to trainer Steve Henson or HBPA secretary Neil Stajkowski.
Alternatively, anyone who would like to donate remotely can e-transfer their donation directly to Neil’s HBPA address: hbpaneils@gmail.com
All donations, no matter how small, will be received gratefully and will go towards helping with Taylor’s rehabilitation. We need her back as soon as possible and we hope you will all join us in sending Taylor all our love and best wishes for the speediest of recoveries!
Breakfast with the Horses!
We’re hosting our own version of “Clockers’ Corner” later this month. On Saturday, June 24, we’ll be serving free coffee and snacks between 8am - 10am by the winner’s circle in what we hope will be the first of a series of early-mornig gatherings for horse enthusiasts! We hope you’ll have time to come along. There really is nothing like watching racehorses exercise in theearly morning!
New Stride News
