Week of October 11, 2010
By Dana Byerly, Hello Race Fans Co-founder
On a weekend where many hopefuls put in their final prep for the Breeders’ Cup, some questions were answered while new ones were asked. Gio Ponti proved that his recent string of losses was behind him in the Shadwell Mile at Keeneland, but his connections now have to decide whether to face Zenyatta in the Classic or Goldikova in the Mile. Uncle Mo proved his first effort was no fluke with an emphatic win in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park, but will he handle tougher competition and added distance? AZ Warrior proved she can handle dirt and some distance in the Frizette at Belmont Park, but will the west coasters who’ve already beaten her also handle the dirt? Also notable, R Heat Lightning ran respectable second in the Frizette, coming on strong after getting stuck in traffic.
Filed under “looked like they were beat going into the stretch” were Proviso in the First Lady Stakes at Keeneland, Prince Will I Am in the Jamaica Handicap at Belmont Park and Rogue Romance in the Bourbon at Keeneland. Proviso notched her fourth straight Grade 1 turf win and clocked the final quarter in a speedy 21 4/5 seconds. Prince Will I Am was also flying late and his connections are considering supplementing to the Breeders’ Cup Turf or Marathon.
A few are either out or questionable for the Breeders’ Cup. Alcibiades winner Wickedly Perfect is out with a bone chip , Devil May Care is out with a liver issue and Sidney’s Candy was scratched from the Oak Tree Mile pending a private sale, which means he may not have another prep prior to the Breeders’ Cup. Also doubtful for the Breeders’ Cup is surprise Juddmonte Spinster winner Acoma, who’s connections are considering retiring her on a high note. Notable beaten favorites this weekend include 6/5 California Flag, the winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, who finished last in the Woodford Stakes at Keeneland and Informed Decision who put in a late run to get third in the Thoroughbred Club of America, also at Keeneland.
At this site this week we’ll take a look at public handicappers as a handicapping tool and find out Ten Things You Should Know about the Pattison Canadian International at Woodbine. At Raceday 360, Keeneland and the Breeders’ Cup were trending heavily at the end of the week with topics like Racing History and Racetrack Life popping up during the week. What will be hot this week? You’ll just have to visit and find out!
Last Week’s Races
2010 Phoenix Stakes Replay
2010 Jamaica Handicap Replay
2010 Woodford Stakes Replay
2010 Abu Dhabi First Lady Stakes Replay
2010 Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity Replay
2010 Shadwell Turf Mile Replay
2010 Monmouth Turf Cup Replay
2010 Ancient Title Stakes Replay
2010 Bourbon Stakes Replay
2010 Juddmonte Spinster Replay
Check probable starters at Horse Racing Nation’s Stakes Tracker
See you at the track!
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