Sunday's Race Previews
Leading jockey Amadeo Perez has mounts in seven of the day's races, as Florida Gator looks to to follow up in the day's feature for Perez' closest rival, Antonio Reyes
Front-runner FINDING WAYS gave way only late last time and went down with his boots on behind Big Union. A repeat of that should see him go close again here as he searches for a third victory this term. To win, however, he’ll need to deal with BLACK METAL, who returns to 6½ furlongs for the first tine since June and whose consistent form in higher quality races than this make him a logical choice. The lightly-raced EDDIE WHO has been bumping into some tough opposition and may appeal to the value seekers. The Racing Club’s PRINCE CAIRO returns to 6½ furlong for the first time since finishing second to Chase the Sun. A repeat of that makes him a contender.
The Hasting Racing Club’s HOLLYWOOD MISTRESS drops into the bottom class level for the first time in her career and if she repeats her last effort, when third to Ice Breaker and Silk Stilettos (with today’s rivals WALKINTHEWALK and KOALA behind), must go close. SKY FACTOR led them all a merry dance when dropped in class last time, making the running and sauntering home nearly 5-lengths clear of her pursuers. A repeat of SUNGOLD BEAUTY’s win over Koala three starts ago would put her in the mix.
THE KAT’S BACK and ANOTHERSUNNYDAY had no answer to class-dropping FLORAL’s decisive move approaching the final turn last time and may have to give best again here. The Kat’s Back was rallying but will need to be more attentive today if she is to gain revenge. IRISH LUNA has demonstrated solid form recently, wining last month before finishing just a length second to Ostracize last time over the 8½ furlong course. She’s one for the shortlist.
MAKEITORBREAKIT bit off more than he could chew last time and this looks like a more suitable opportunity. His close-up fourth-place to Florida Gator two starts ago put him in the mix. FOOT SOLDIER returns to the 6½ furlongs that saw him finish close behind Lucky Luke and JUVEE TOO, while the latter’s narrow third behind Finding Ways and BAKLANE bring him firmly into contention. It’s been ‘close but no cigar’ for Baklane this season, although a repetition of his two most recent efforts may see him finally get his head in front. DON WITH THE WIND makes his first appearance for new connections since being claimed and a repeat of last month’s second to Guns n Ammo might be enough.
JERSEY LILLIE has won twice and finished in the frame twice since finding her level and she will be in the hunt again today as she makes her first appearance for new connections since being claimed. RACINO’s neck victory over Valerie Valeski and Pineapple Tidbits back in June give her a chance and, although off since and entitled to need the race, should go well for the Hastings Racing Club. Three wins, three seconds and a third from seven starts suggest BELLAROO may be among the most consistent horses at Hastings and it’s hard to see her missing the frame again today.
This appears to be at the mercy of VALUABLE COWBOY who drops in class here after solid efforts in tougher company. He did weaken quickly when beaten last time, which is a small concern, but he looks to be the class of the race. TRAPALIS has missed the board just once in seven Hastings starts since arriving from Turf Paradise and a repeat of his third-place finish last time puts him in the frame. BARNEY GOOGLE rallied late last time after MONTE set a fairly rapid pace on the front end.
FLORIDA GATOR, HANKY PRANKY and SLOOP JOHN B finished within a length of each other last time and all three will have plenty of say in where the purse money goes. It may pay to stick with the narrow winner, Florida Gator. He took it up approaching the stretch and quickly put lengths on his pursuers before bravely holding them at bay to the wire. Lightly-raced SHARPZAN beat He’s A Saint by a neck last time over the shorter 6½ furlongs, but seems equally adept ‘going long’ and should be in the shake-up. This represents MOUNT ASGARD’s first effort in non-Stakes company since he won his maiden last year. He’s held his own against some of the fastest horses at Hastings and he’s another for the shortlist.
With 60 wins accumulated by these eight warriors, this is a typically baffling finale featuring some of the toughest claimers at the track. WISE MARKET returns to the level that saw him win twice earlier in the year and his third behind Coulterberry last time give him solid claims. AIRAFFAIR was second that day, with the redoubtable ADITYA not far away in fourth. Both should give good accounts of themselves again. AVE’S IN COMMAND got back to winning ways last time, defeating QUAGMIRE, LITTLE GROOT and TIZ MEOW, and he could easily follow up.
Mike and Drew’s Derby Bar and Grill Pick
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