Ratings are assigned according to how a horse compares to the rest of the field in a given race. They are based upon pedigree strength, surface preferences, ability to get the race distance and the horse’s works or previous races.

Laurie Ross
Staff writer
Tracksideview.com

RATINGS:
« Not optimal for this horse (Surface and/or Distance)
«« Below average ability (Class, Surface, Distance)
««« Average ability (Class, Surface, Distance)
«««« Superior ability, stakes ability (Class, Surface, Distance)
««««« Graded stakes winning ability (Class, Surface, Distance)

Class Rating: Determines if the horse is up to the level of competition.
Surface Rating: Determines if the horse is bred for the surface.
Distance: Determines if the horse can get the race distance.

Race 8 | Whirlaway Stakes | 1 1/16 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $100,000

Whirlaway was the fifth Triple Crown winner and a two-time Horse of the Year. He was nicknamed “Mr. Long Tail” for his flowing ground-dragging tail. At stud, he sired 1947 Kentucky Derby winner Jet Pilot and two other graded stakes winners before being shipped off to stand in France.

The Whirlaway Stakes has been run since 1980. Considered a prep for the Kentucky Derby, no winner of the Whirlaway has gone on to win the Derby, but Prairie Bayou came close, finishing second before taking the Preakness. Whirlaway third place finisher Summing won the Belmont.

HAYNESFIELD (Speightstown – Nothing Special, by Tejabo) [$20K KEEAPR ’08] Champion sprinting sire produces precocious babies. Dam sire was a Canadian grade 1 winner. He is the sire of one graded stakes winner, TJ’s Lucky Moon, upset winner of the Queen’s Plate at 82-1. Haynesfield is a half brother to stakes placed Mamma Theresa and his dam is a stakes winner. Fourth dam is Blue Hen, Happy Mood. Others produced by this family include multiple graded stakes winners, Healthy Addiction, Pies Prospect, and sires Touch Gold and With Approval. Haynesfield has won his last two starts, both stakes races, and beat Mike from Queens in his last start, the Count Fleet Stakes.
Class: «««« Distance: «««« Surface: ««««

HEHASNOSAY (Harlan’s Holiday – Wife’s Objection, by Slewpy) [$20K KEENOV ’06] Sire’s offspring are winning at an excellent 36 percent rate. Damsire was known for siring durable runners. Unraced dam is a half sister to Grade 2 winner, Kingdom Found. Her sisters have produced two minor stakes winners and second dam was a stakes winner. Hehasnosay won two of his three starts at Philadelphia Park and gets a class check today.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

PEACE TOWN (Peace Rules – Darnestown, by Williamstown) [$50K KEESEP ’07] Freshman sire of 2007 gets 14 percent winners and this colt is one of his two stakes winners. Damsire set a new track record for a mile at this track. He sired 26 blacktype runners and is currently enjoying retirement at Old Friends. Dam is a stakes-placed sprinter and this is her first foal. Multiple stakes winner Brownie Points is from this female family. Peace Town was second in the Trapp Mountain Stakes and won the 1 1/16 mile Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes in his last race. This will be his second start off a layoff and he has room to improve.
Class: «««« Distance: «««« Surface: «««

MIKE FROM QUEENS (Flatter – Fob, by The Prime Minister) [$80K KEESEP ’07] Sire is a Claiborne-bred son of A.P. Indy and a Grade 2 winning full brother to Congrats and three-quarter brother to Grade 1 stakes winner Yell. Dam sire was a Grade 2 winner at age four. He is the dam sire of sprinter Sinister Minister. Dam is a half sister to stakes winners Remind, Watch, War Thief and Stop Watch and a full sister to California Derby winner, Prime Meridian. Mike From Queens tired to third behind Haynesfield in the Count Fleet Stakes. He shows three decent works for this race.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

ZOOGER (Hold That Tiger – Heavenliness, by Lord Avie) [$85K KEESEP ’07] Sire is a Group 1 winner currently standing in France and gets sprinter/milers. Damsire was the 1980 champion two year old. Zooger has a RF (Rasmussen Factor) to Somethingroyal through her sons Secretariat and Sir Gaylord. He is a half brother to stakes winner Amandatude. Dam is a stakes winning half sister to stakes winning sire, Unbridled Time and the dam of stakes winning sprinter, Changing Weather. Zooger is the least experienced horse in the race. He broke his maiden in his second start going 1 1/6 miles at Philadelphia Park but shows two strong works over this track for Tony Dutrow, who gets 24 percent maiden to stakes winners.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

CELLAR DWELLER (Rahy – Oriole Way, by Cahill Road) [None] This colt has an interesting pedigree. He carries no Northern Dancer blood and only once instance of Mr. Prospector. He is a RF to Ballade through full siblings Glorious Song and Devil’s Bag and receives plenty of stamina influences through Halo, Blushing Groom and Caro. Cellar Dweller has raced every two weeks since October and took six starts to break his maiden. He finished a distant fourth in his last race, an optional claimer and has four consecutive bullet works.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

WHO DO I LIKE

Haynesfield has won his last three races, two of those on the lead, but he may not get things his own way today. Peace Town also has some stakes races under his girth. It’s a tossup for third. Do we go with the reliable Mike from Queens who has been in the money in his last four races? Can Hehasnosay step up into stakes company off an almost two month layoff? Can Zooger surprise the field or will he regress off of his field-best speed figure? When will Cellar Dweller finally get a rest?

Peace Town
Haynesfield
Zooger – Longshot

Race 9 | Risen Star S. (G3) | 1 1/16 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $200,000

First run in 1973, the Louisiana Derby Trial Stakes was renamed in 1989 to honor Risen Star (a son of Secretariat), the 1988 winner who won the Preakness and ran the second fastest Belmont in the history of that race. He was also voted the 1988 Eclipse Champion Three Year Old Male that year. Others who have won this race were Master Derby, winner of the Preakness, Run Dusty Run, second in the Derby and Belmont and Lawyer Ron, Eclipse Award Champion Older Male of 2007.

MAP OF THE WORLD (Hennessy – Jewel of the East, by Kris S.) [$500K KEESEP ’07] Sire produces sprinters. All four of dam’s offspring have run and she is a half sister to the dam of Grade 3 winner, Prospective Saint. Second dam is a half sister to 1986 Canadian Horse of the year and Champion Filly, Ruling Angel and Tilt My Halo, also a Canadian Champion Filly. She is also a half sister to Dancing with Wings, the grand dam of Canadian Champion Soaring Free and Group 2 winner Shoal Water. Map of the World was third by 2¾ lengths to Dumar in his last race going 1 mile and 40 yards and has two slow works over this track surface.
Class: ««« Distance: «« Surface: «««

INDYGO MOUNTAIN (A.P. Indy – Mountain Girl, by Mountain Cat) [$600K KEESEP ’07] Damsire, a son of Storm Cat, currently stands in Turkey. There are five graded stakes winners with the A.P. Indy/Storm Cat “nick,” including second-crop sire, Sky Mesa and Saratoga Stakes winner, Jump Start. Dam is a stakes winning half sister to Grade 1 winner Siphonic and the dam of Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet winner Laragh. Second dam, Cherokee Crossing, is a half sister to multiple stakes winner Dixie Dot Com. Indygo Mountain’s trainer, Bret Calhoun, told everyone who would listen that he was running a short horse in the Grade 3 Lecomte and he was correct. Indygo Mountain had a poor break and halfheartedly made up some ground. He needed that race, shows a recent sharp breeze and has a chance to rebound.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

NOWHERE TO HIDE (Vindication – Stirring, by Seeking the Gold) [$250K KEESEP ’07] Prematurely deceased sire’s runners win on all surfaces, and generally win up to 1 1/16 miles. Dam sire was a Grade 1 winner at three and a product of Phipps family breeding. His offspring are better as they mature and prefer longer distances over any surface. This colt is a half to two stakes winners, Serenading and Handpainted, and this classy family includes multiple graded stakes winners With Approval, Touch Gold and fifth dam is Blue Hen (superior female) Happy Mood. Nowhere To Hide needed five starts to break his maiden, which he did in his last race when given a break and coming back at a lower level. He’s been working very well for trainer Nick Zito, who wins with 25 percent of the maiden to stakes race angle.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

IT HAPPENED AGAIN (Proud Citizen – Quiet Lucky, by Quiet American) [None] Both sire and damsire’s offspring have won at 1¼ miles. It Happened Again is a half brother to Graded stakes placed runner Murch and stakes winner Lucky Sam. Second dam is also a stakes winner. It Happened Again ran the worst race of his career over the Fairgrounds surface, finishing out of the money for the first time when he struggled home eighth in the Sugar Bowl Stakes. He won the seven-furlong Triple Sec at Delta Downs in his last race.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

UNO MAS (Macho Uno – Queen Majesty, by Regal Classic) [$150K KEESEP ’07] Kentucky Derby winning sire is getting 22 percent winners. Damsire, a son of Vice Regent, was the Canadian Champion Two Year Old and leading sire twice in New York. Dam is unraced with two runners from three foals. Uno Mas had a wide post in the Grade 3 Lecomte. He raced farther back than usual and tried to make up some ground while racing wide. He also needed the race and shows a recent live work pattern.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy – Bollinger, by Dehere) [None] Talented dam sire was a Grade 1 winner at two. He spent most of his career in Australia and Japan and he’s best known for siring champion mare, Take Charge Lady, and sires Grame Hall, and Soto. His offspring improve as they mature. Dam is a grade 1 earner of over $600,000 in Australia. Second dam, Bint Marscay, earned over $1,000,000 in Australia. Friesan Fire won the Grade 3 Lecomte and was .07 off the stakes record (for all intents, he equaled it) set by Dixieland Heat in 1993. This is his third start off a layoff and he only figures to improve.
Class: ««««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««««

GIANT OAK (Giant’s Causeway – Crafty Oak, by Crafty Prospector) Premier international sire is second on the 2008 leading sire list. Dam sire is a known sprint producer. Giant Oak is a full brother to stakes placed Apple Martini and Grade 1 winner Without Feathers is part of this family. Giant Oak was second by a neck to Beethoven in the 1 1/6 miles Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. This is his first start off a layoff and he shows three very live works over the track.
Class: «««« Distance: «««« Surface: «««

DUMAR (Maria’s Mon – Mispillion, by Deputy Minister) [$105K KEESEP ’07] This colt is inbred to Majestic Prince, the 1969 Kentucky Derby winner, through his sire and second sire, which isn’t a common occurance. Dumar is a half brother to Sam Houston Oaks winner, Thunderdoll. Dam’s full sister produced Distant Victory, winner of the 1¼ miles Cal Cup Turf Distance Handicap and second dam is Grade 2 placed on turf. Dumar has improved in each of his four starts and beat Map of the World in an optional claimer in his last race.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

CODE OF HONOUR (Omega Code – Honour Off, by Honour and Glory) [None] First crop sire of 2008 is producing sprinters. Damsire gets winners at all distances. Both of dam’s foals are winners and she is a half sister to a stakes placed runner. Code of Honour has steadily improved in every start and was a late-running third behind It Happened Again in the Triple Sec. This is his third start in six weeks.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

SOUL WARRIOR (Lion Heart – Urmia, by Meadowlake) [None] New sire is getting winners over every surface. Soul Warrior is inbred to the good mare, Nothirdchance through her son, Hail To Reason and daughter Be Suspicious. Soul Warrior is a half brother to stakes winner My Miss Storm Cat. Eight out of 10 of dam’s offspring have won and she is an unraced half sister to Grade 1 placed miler Better Than Bonds. Second dam Chaldea is a multiple Grade 3 stakes winner. Soul Warrior is the most lightly raced horse in here. He just broke his maiden in December and is the third entry by Steve Asmussen.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

SUMMER’S EMPIRE (Empire Maker – Summer Mis, by Summer Squall) [None] The Mr. Prospector/Northern Dancer bloodline cross or “nick” has produced more than 1,000 graded stakes winners. Summer’s Empire has stamina top and bottom in his pedigree and is the first foal from his multiple stakes winning dam. Summer’s Empire comes in off a three-race win streak, which predictably started when he raced beyond a mile. His last win was the Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity at Hawthorne. He shows an average work over this surface and gets a class check.
Class: «««« Distance: «««« Surface: «««

FLYING PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus – Lilly Capote, by Capote) World class sire is versatile, getting winners at all distances and on all surfaces. Dam sire produced talented sprinters. Flying Pegasus is a full brother to graded stakes placed Mythical Pegasus and a half brother to stakes placed America’s Storm. Dam and second dam are stakes winners. Flying Pegasus was second in the Grade 2 Futurity at Belmont. He shows a couple of good works, but this is his first race off a layoff and his first start beyond seven furlongs.
Class: «««« Distance:« « Surface: «««

AU MOON (Malibu Moon – She’s Mahogany, by Woodman) [$130K KEESEP ‘’07] Versatile sire gets all sorts of winners from dirt sprinters to turf routers. Damsire offers stamina influences. Au Moon has a modest female family up close, although third dam’s daughter produced Turfway Prevue winner Carnack’s Choice and fourth dam produced Kentucky derby winning sire Strike the Gold. Au Moon has shown improvement in all three of his races. He led all the way and weakened late in the Lecomte, his first race in two months. That race should set him up for a good effort in the Risen Star. Maybe with his far outside post he can tuck in and make a late run.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

WHO DO I LIKE?

Giant Oak and Friesan Fire will be the favorites, although a number of colts could upset. Giant Oak was second by a neck going this distance, but this is his first race off a two-month layoff. Since this is a prep for bigger and better, I don’t think he’ll be 100 percent cranked against this group, but he could still finish in the money. Indygo Mountain, Uno Mas and Au Moon return to take another shot at Friesan Fire and a couple of other stakes runners want to take a shot at the Derby trail. It Happened Again had a career worst over this track. Was it the surface or was something amiss? Summer’s Empire is showing the improvement one likes to see in a horse with his stamina-oriented pedigree. He’s taken baby steps so far, but has a chance to prove his worth against a better class than he’s been facing. Dumar also gets a chance to show what he has. Flying Pegasus beat Friesan Fire in a Grade 2 race last fall, but this is his first start this year and he’s never been this distance. He’ll likely need the race.

Friesan Fire
Indygo Mountain
Giant Oak
Summer’s Empire – longshot

Race 8 | Silverbulletday Stakes (G3) | 1 1/16 Miles | Fillies | 3-Year-Olds | Purse: $150,000

First run in 1982, the Silverbulletday Stakes was originally named the Davona Dale Stakes in honor of the outstanding 1979 Eclipse Award Three Year Old Filly. Since Davona Dale previously had a stakes race named in her honor at Gulfstream Park, the name was changed in 2001 to honor the 1999 winner and consecutive Two and Three Year Old Filly Champion, Silverbulletday. A major prep for the Kentucky Oaks, notable winners of this race include Take Charge Lady, who was second in the Kentucky Oaks, Grade 1 winners Shadow Cast, Appealing Zophie, and two-time Eclipse Award winner Indian Blessing. Proud Spell, 2008 Champion Three Year Old Filly, was second to Indian Blessing last year and went on to win the Kentucky Oaks.

FOUR GIFTS (Even the Score – Agiftfromservice, by Service Stripe) [$125K FTKJUL ’07] First crop sire, a son of Unbridled’s Song, is proving to be a versatile sire with 17 percent of his crop winning on all surfaces. Damsire, a son of Deputy Minster, is a miler who won 10 of 22 starts. Dam is a full sister to Cashiers Dream, winner of the Grade 3 Debutante and Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes. After winning the Grade 3 Delta Princess, Four Gifts was third to Just Jenda in the Tiffany Lass Stakes. She shows four slow works for this race, but since she’s been running since August, probably doesn’t need to do much to stay in shape.
Class: ««««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

MORE OF THE BEST (Langfuhr – Skye Castles, by Sky Classic) [None] Sire was the 1996 Canadian Sovereign Award Champion Sprinter who is an anomaly, as his offspring prefer going long on turf or dirt. Canadian bred dam sire gets turf runners best at a mile and up. More of the Best is a half sister to Grade 1 stakes placed Unbridled Express. Dam is a half sister to a French stakes winner. Second dam is a stakes winner and a half sister to multiple Group 1 stakes winner, Agnes World, Champion Japanese sprinter Hishi Akebono, and the dam of Group 1 winning sires, Dubai Destination and Librettist. More of the Best is highly inbred to Neartic through her sire’s sire, (Danzig), sire’s dam sire (Briartic), dam’s sire (a son of Nijinsky), second dam’s sire (Danzig) and fourth dam’s sire (Lyphard). More of the Best recently broke her maiden going a mile on turf after seven previous attempts over dirt and turf. She ran a huge race to finish second to Flying Spur in the slop two starts back. Her trainer, Bernie Flint, has a 15 percent maiden to stakes race angle and is 14 percent with the turf to dirt approach.
Class: «« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

WAR ECHO (Tapit – Wild Vision, by Wild Again) [None] Leading First-crop sire is off to an excellent start at stud. Dam sire won the inaugural 1984 Breeders’ Cup Classic in a stirring battle. He was a versatile sire, producing Breeder’s Cup Sprint winner Elmhurst and Belmont Stakes winner Savara. War Echo is a half sister to Grade 2 Louisiana Derby winner Pyro. Dam is a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner, Wild Wonder. After winning her second start, War Echo was sent into stakes company, finishing a tiring fourth in the Grade 1 Frizette and third in the Grade 2 Golden Rod. She comes in off a two-month layoff and her works aren’t all that fast.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

FLYING SPUR (Giant’s Causeway – Lakeway, by Seattle Slew) [None] International sire gets winners over all surfaces. Flying Spur is a half sister to turf stakes winner Sluice, who is the dam of Grade 2 winner Mushka. Dam is a multiple Grade 1 winner. Seven out of ten of her foals have raced. Fourth and fifth dams Comely Nell, and Nellie L are Blue Hens (superior females). Kentucky Derby winner Bold Forbes was produced from this female family. After three starts last year, Flying Spur was given two months off. She came back with a monster win in January going a mile in the slop over this surface, beating More of the Best. She has a live work pattern for Bill Mott, who isn’t known for working horses fast.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

GARTER BELT (Anasheed – Sexy Stockings, by Tabasco Cat) [None] Freshman sire of 2008’s limited crop of 17 starters are winning at a 16 percent clip but he has no stakes winners. Dam is unraced and cleverly named Garter Belt is her first foal. Second dam, Lottsa Talc, was a graded stakes winner of 21 races in 65 starts. Surprisingly, Garter Belt won her first start at 4½ furlongs in May, but has encountered trouble in each subsequent start, winning only one allowance race in a total of seven starts. After being moved to the barn of Ken Decker, Garter Belt finished ninth, beaten more than 21 lengths by Four Gifts in the Grade 3 Delta Princess. She’s been off for two months and shows just one work, which was in December.
Class: « Distance: «« Surface: «««

SOUTHERN YANKEE (Yankee Gentleman – Wanna Kat, by Katowice) Yankee Gentlemen gets runners on all surfaces up to nine furlongs and his progeny win at a 20 percent rate. Damsire was an unraced son of Danzig who produced 16 blacktype. Dam was stakes placed and both of her foals have won. Third dam Ava Romance, produced stakes winners Time for Romance, Ava Singstheblues and Ava Knowsthecode, dam of stakes winners Keyed Entry and Successful Mission. Southern Yankee has a RF (Rasmussen Factor – inbred to a superior female) to Crimson Saint through her daughter, Terlingua, dam of Yankee Gentleman’s sire, Storm Cat, and her full brother Pancho Villa, sire of Southern Yankee’s second dam. Southern Yankee’s lone race finishing out of the money was in the Grade 3 Delta Princess, where she finished an uncharacteristic eighth. She cut back to seven furlongs in the Genesis Stakes which she won by a neck.
Class: ««« Distance: «« Surface: «««

JUST JENDA (Menifee – Liberty School, by Pine Bluff) Sire currently is standing in Korea. His U.S. offspring include A to the Croft, who was Grade 1 stakes placed at age two, and A Lulu of a Menife, who ran in races from seven furlongs on dirt to 12 furlongs on turf. Dam sire won the Preakness. Dam is a stakes placed half sister to stakes winner Oxford Scholar, who is a dam to three stakes winners. She is also a half sister to graded stakes placed Tutorial and Grade 2 winner Seeking Regina, dam of four graded stakes runners. Just Jenna’s only loss came in the Grade 3 Delta Princess, and her loss was attributed to her not liking the track. She came back to win the Tiffany Lass in her next start.
Class: «««« Distance: ««« Surface: ««««

WAR TIGRESS (War Chant – Tigresa, by Tejano) Sire won the Breeders’ Cup Mile and produces mainly turf milers. Precocious miler Tejano won the Hollywood Futurity, Cowdin Stakes, Sapling Stakes and Arlington-Washington Futurity. Sire of few black type, he now stands in India. Dam is a stakes placed earner of over $160,000 in 38 starts. War Tigress has run exclusively on turf and makes her dirt debut in this race. She lost just once in her four starts, the loss coming in her second start when she went 1 1/6 miles. War Tigress shows a series of good works over this track.
Class: «««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

WHO DO I LIKE?

Just Jenda is the obvious class of the race and has beaten some of the other fillies previously. The way she won her last race indicates the added distance won’t be an issue. Flying Spur has the best speed figure in the race, which she earned in her last race. She has an excellent pedigree and could upset Just Jenda, if she doesn’t bounce. Four Gifts is a logical pick to finish in the money. War Tigress has improved in every start and if she takes to the main surface she could also make some noise. Although War Echo is 9-2 on the morning line, she hasn’t raced in two months and her works don’t impress me. She tired to third in her last race going this distance off a shorter lay-off. She could possibly be in the money but there are others here with more recent experience.

Flying Spur
Just Jenda
War Tigress
Four Gifts

Race 8| Las Virgenes Stakes (G1) | 1 Mile | Fillies | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $300,000

The Las Virgenes Stakes has been run since 1983 and the roster of illustrious winners includes the champions Althea, Fran’s Valentine, Lite Lite, Lakeway (whose son Flying Spur is running this weekend in the Risen Star), Serena’s Song, Antespend, Sharp Cat, Keeper Hill, Excellent Meeting, Surfside, Golden Ballet, You, Balance and Rags to Riches. Other great fillies who certainly weren’t disgraced by their placing include Winning Colors, Very Subtle, Cara Rafaela, Spain, Urbane, Tout Charmant, Hidden Lake, Rings a Chime, Habibti, Affluent, Elloluv, Hollywood Story, and Baroness Thatcher. The filly that wins this race will sit in the history books next to very good company.

NAVIGATOR (Stormy Atlantic – Princess Birdeye, by Indian Charlie) [$325K FTMOCT ’07] Sire is getting winners on all surfaces up to 9F. Damsire gets sprinters. Dam is an unraced half sister to stakes winning sprinter Coach Mike and this is her first foal. Navigator has won two of her last three starts and won the Blue Norther going a mile over the turf in her last. She threw a bullet recently going six furlongs and trainer Ron Ellis has an attention-grabbing 24 percent turf to “dirt” win rate.
Class: «««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

AFRICAN SKIES (G(Johannesburg – Rababah, by Woodman) [$111K TATOCT ’07] This well-traveled filly has an international pedigree, by the 2001 Dual Champion Two Year Old Colt out of a mare by the 1985 Champion Two Year Old Colt. Although her American dam was unraced, African Skies’ second dam, Irish-bred Matiya, won the Irish 1000 Guineas (Ire-G1), was second in the English 1000 Guineas (ENG-G1) and third in the Prix de Diane (FR-G1). African Skies won a Group 2 Stakes gong 6F over the turf in July, which was her only win in five starts. She hasn’t raced since October and shows only four average works over Pro-Ride.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

CENTURY PARK (General Meeting – Ecclesiastes, by Saint Ballado) [None] Dam is a half to grade 2 winner, Career Collection, who is by General Meeting. Century Park’s half brother has won once in five starts. Century Park got brave on the lead and was the longshot winner of the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel in January. She shortens up a little here but Navigator and Pinkarella could join her up front.
Class: «««« Distance: ««« Surface: ««««

NAN (High Yield – Trip Around Heaven, by Halo) [None] Sire’s offspring do best at a mile and up on all surfaces. World class dam sire produced multiple Kentucky Derby winners. This filly is a half sister to two stakes winners and most of this dam’s offspring are winners of over $40,000. This female family has produced Saint Liam, group 1 winner Ministrella, and Grade 2 winner, Colonial Minstral. After running on turf and dirt for two different trainers, Nan found synthetic surfaces to her liking, wining a maiden $37K at 1 1/6 miles for her third trainer. She then finished a gaining third behind Alpha Kitten in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez. Her trainer gets 21 percent winners when stretching from sprints to routes.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

STARDOM BOUND (Tapit – My White Corvette, by Tarr Road) First Crop sire of 2008 was the leading sire because in part to this remarkable filly. Dam sire, a son of the great Grey Dawn, sired two stakes winners from a limited crop, White Corvette being one. Dam was a stakes winner, graded stakes placed at two and all four of her foals are winners. Stardom Bound took the Breeders’ Cup Filly Juvenile with ease on her way to being voted the Eclipse Champion Two Year Old Filly of 2008. After being sold at auction, Stardom Bound was transferred to Bobby Frankel’s barn. She has a slow/fast/slow work pattern that is more steady than spectacular.
Class: ««««« Distance: ««««« Surface: «««««

HAKA (Dynaformer – Juke, by Mr. Prospector) Haka is a Claiborne Farm homebred. There have been five graded stakes winners based upon the Dynaformer/Mr. Prospector bloodline cross (or “nick”), including Barbaro, Film Maker and Riskaverse. This filly’s half sister has won half of her races and her dam is a stakes placed half sister to multiple Grade 2 turf winner, American Chance. Some of the winners produced from this female family include General Assembly, Old Hat winner Gemswick Park, Champion mare Versailles Treaty and her son Saarland, and the fifth dam, the Blue Hen, Exclusive. Haka has shown improvement in all of her races as they’ve gotten longer. She was a gaining second behind Century Park in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel last time out.
Class: ««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

SAUCEY EVENING (More Than Ready – Jeweled Lady, by General Meeting) Sire was a precocious 2-year-old stakes winner. His offspring win on all surfaces and at all distances. Dam Sire was also precocious. Dam is an unraced full sister to California favorites General Challenge and sprinter Western Hemisphere. She is a half sister to Grade 1 Oak Leaf Stakes winner Notable Career. Saucey Evening is closely inbred to Northern Sea, as that mare is not only her third dam, but also the dam of Southern Halo, the sire of More Than Ready. Saucey Evening won the California Breeders Champion Stakes in late December.
Class: «««« Distance: ««« Surface: ««««

TORO BONITO (El Corredor – Blushing Bull, by In Excess) [None] Miler sire gets precocious miler types and both he and damsire In Excess are known producers of synthetic track winners. Toro Bonito is her dam’s first foal, and her third dam produced Santa Anita Derby winning sire, Indian Charlie. After finishing third in the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet, Toro Bonito was a lackluster seventh to Century Park in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel. She’s only been out of the money in two of her seven starts.
Class: «««« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

PINKARELLA (Malibu Moon – Stormy Monday, by Storm Cat)[None] The A.P. Indy/Storm Cat “nick” or bloodline cross has produced five graded stakes winners, including the hot second crop sire, Sky Mesa. This filly’s full sister, Stormy Tuesday, has won or placed in nine of 15 starts and their dam was in the money in three of five starts. This female family is light on black-type (stakes winners). Pinkarella won her debut by an impressive five lengths in December. She was scratched from the Santa Ynez, shows good works but gives up valuable experience. Her trainer is 14 percent with maidens going into stakes races.
Class: «« Distance: ««« Surface: «««

WHO DO I LIKE?

This marks the eagerly anticipated return of Stardom Bound. Is she as good as she was at two when she dominated everyone around her? Who will step up if she falters? Haka is improving with every start. Saucy Evening should improve with her second start off a layoff. Century Park will most likely have to contend with company on the lead. Toro Bonito has been in the money in all but two starts, but might have a tough go of it as horses in post 8 have a 3 percent win rate. Pinkerella is interesting, but will have to use her speed from that outside post, is the least experienced in the field and hasn’t run in a month and a half.

Stardom Bound
Haka
Saucy Evening
Pinkerella – Longshot

Race 8 | Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) | 1 1/16 Miles | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $200,000

Since 1935, the Robert B. Lewis Stakes has undergone several changes, including the name, ages of horses allowed to run and distance. In 1964, it was renamed the Santa Catalina Stakes and run at 1 1/6 miles. In 1970, the distance was changed to 7 furlongs, but quickly changed back to 1 1/6 miles the following year. In 2007, the race name was changed to honor Robert “Bob” Lewis, a prominent horse owner who’s passion for the sport and gracious, upbeat attitude was infectious to those around him. Before he passed away in 2006, Bob Lewis and his wife Betty campaigned six Eclipse Award winners, including Silver Charm, and Serena’s Song.

Previous winners of this race include Secretariat’s main rival Sham, Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand, Champion sprinter Artax, and General Meeting. Preakness winner Gate Dancer, and Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winner Captain Steve were both third. The “Shoe” (jockey Willie Shoemaker) won this race a record seven times, while Charlie Whittingham and Ron McAnally share trainer honors with four wins apiece.

BITTEL ROAD (Stormy Atlantic-Sultry Sal, by Sultry Song) [$340K KEESEP ‘’07] Sire is getting winners on all surfaces and at all distances. Dam sire didn’t race at two, but became a good handicap horse, winning the Hollywood Gold Cup, Whitney, Woodward, and other graded stakes races. He is the sire of 2004 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Singletary and currently stands in Argentina. Dam earned over $70,000 in 7 races, this is her first foal and she is a full sister to Top Notch Lady, a Grade 3 winning miler. Fifth dam is the good mare, Iskra; she produced stakes winning sire, Naskra and the 3-year-old champion of 1975, Wajima. Bittel Road was fourth behind Pioneerof The Nile in the Cash Call Futurity in December in his first over a synthetic track at Hollywood. Coming of a layoff, this will be his first start over the Pro-Ride surface and his works are not inspiring.
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PIONEEROF THE NILE (Empire Maker – Star of Goshen, by Lord At War (ARG) [$290K KEESEP ’07] Belmont Stakes winning sire is a stamina influence. Dam sire was a Grade 1 winner and known mud sire. Pioneerof The Nile is a half brother to Grade 2 stakes placed Forefathers. Dam was a stakes winner of over $146,000 in five starts and she is a half sister to Grade 2 stakes winner Powis Castle. In his first start over Pro-Ride in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, Pioneerof The Nile was a close finishing fifth and was on the winning end of a nose bob in the recent Grade 1 Cash Call Futurity over I Want Revenge. He has been working lights out for Bob Baffert, who is known for working his horses fast.
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PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike – Miss Houdini, by Belong to Me) [None] Sire has a lifetime record of 48 percent winners and 8 percent stakes winners lifetime. Both of dam’s foals are winners and she won the Grade 1 Debutante. Second dam, Magical Maiden, is a multiple Grade 1 winner and six of her eight offspring have run. Papa Clem took three starts to break his maiden and did so when stretching to a mile in his last race in December at this track. He was scratched from the San Rafael due to illness and gives up experience, but has several good stamina works for Gary Stute, who has 26 percent winners with the maiden to stakes race angle.
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I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even – Meguial (ARG), by Roy) [None] Sire’s progeny are generally long winded and do better with time and distance. Dam sire, a son of Fappiano, was Grade 2 stakes placed at age two and spent his stud career in South America. I Want Revenge’s female family is, not surprisingly, from Argentina. His dam was Group 1 stakes placed. I Want Revenge stepped up from a maiden race to be on the loosing end of a nose bob to Pioneerof The Nile in the Grade 1 Cash Call Futurity He gets blinkers for the first time and also has spectacular works.
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MARK S THE COOLER (Johar – Felucca, by Diesis) [$52K BESMAR ’08] Sire was a multiple graded stakes winner on turf, best known for his dead heat win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Dam sire was a Grade 1 winner in England and his offspring include Grade 1 Man O’War Stakes winner, Magistretti, and Del Mar Oaks winner, Magical Fantasy. This is dam’s second foal and second winner. Mark S The Cooler has a RF (Rasmussen Factor) to Mixed Marriage and has a pure turf pedigree top and bottom. He finally broke his maiden on the lawn after four starts over the main track, but his connections insist on running him against superior completion over a surface he’s average on, at best.
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OIL MAN (IRE) (Pyrus – So Precious, by Batshoof) [$41K TATIRE ’07] Sire, a Grade 3 winning son of Mr. Prospector, stands primarily in New Zealand and Ireland and hasn’t sired any blacktype runners. Damsire is a Group 2 placed son of Saddler’s Wells and stands in Italy. He has sired five blacktype runners. Dam is unraced and this is her first foal. Second dam won a stakes race in England. Oil Man has a RF (Rasmussen Factor) to Special through her sons Nureyev and Saddler’s Wells. Oil Man was sprouting wings in the one-mile Eddie Logan Stakes on turf to finish fourth, beaten two lengths. The finish was better than it looks on paper, as he made up 3¾ lengths in the stretch. This is his first time over Pro-Ride with three average works over the surface. Oddly, he was worked six furlongs over the turf on Feb. 2.
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BROTHER KEITH (Johar – Hawa Mahal, by Hennessy) [$150K KEESEP ’07] Sire is a Grade 1 winner on turf, and his offspring should improve with time and distance. Dam is a half sister to Grade 2 winners Kumari Continent and Passion. Brother Keith went on a wild ride in the Grade 3 San Rafael blowing the first turn but still getting up to finish fourth. No doubt his trainer, Bobby Frankel has him right for this race.
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SHAFTED (Mineshaft – Twist Afleet, by Afleet) [$150K KEESEP ’07] 2004 Horse of the Year has very few winners over synthetic surfaces, but sons of Afleet are noted for getting synthetic track winners, so it stands to reason that his daughters are too. Shafted is a full brother to Full Charge, who won one of three starts. He is half brother to Grade 2 placed Awesome Twist and stakes placed runners A New Twist and Fleet Deputy. His dam is a multiple Grade 1 winner. Shafted easily won an allowance race in January at this track and distance despite encountering trouble.
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CHARLIE’S MOMENT (Indian Charlie – Moment of Light, by Bold Revenue) [$17K KEESEP ’07] Sire has a lifetime 44 percent winners, seven percent stakes winners and is considered to be a superior producer of synthetic track winners. Damsire is a Canadian Sprinting grandson of Boldnesian. Dam has produced five winners from six foals. The first three dams show little black-type, but prominent sire Dehere was produced from this family. Charlie’s Moment received his best speed figure running over this track in the John Goodman Stakes, finishing second by a nose. He returned in the Real Quiet Stakes in January to finish third. Although he hasn’t raced in three months, he shows a live work pattern.
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WHO DO I LIKE?

This race appears more wide open than the filly counterpart. Pioneerof The Nile and I Want Revenge renew their rivalry and have been blazing through their morning works. Both are coming off of six -week layoffs, but Pioneerof The Nile probably won’t be 100 percent cranked, because he doesn’t need the earnings to get into the Derby. Brother Keith and Shafted are two with recent experience over this track. Brother Keith ran a bizarre race last out, but his trainer is confident he’ll put in a better performance. Papa Clem has improved in every race; he should like the distance and is an intriguing longshot.

I Want Revenge
Pioneerof The Nile
Shafted
Papa Clem – Longshot