Also worth nothing was that graded stakes winner Xcellent prevailed in the Gr-III Trentham stakes but unfortunately, both him and New Zealand Cup winner Everswindell, who came in third, both suffered non-life-threatening injuries and will have to be retired from racing.
There are three graded stakes in the US this weekend, all in Santa Anita: The Gr-II Palos Verdes Handicap (4yo+, 6f) (actually to be run on Monday), The Gr-II San Marcos (4yo+, 1-1/4m, turf) and the Gr-III Tuzla Handicap (4yo+, F&M, turf).
Monday’s Palos Verdes features the ’08 of (likely) ’07 Sprint Champion, Midnight Lute, who is coming off a disappoiting second in the Cigar Mile back in November. All things being equal though, he should dominate the field. But if he slips, look for veteran sprinters Greg's Gold and In Summation to fill the gap.
The San Marcos features a deep field with no particular standout. High weight and likely favoritism will go to Gr-IIIT Del Mar Derby winner Medici Code, who on the flip side has not won since that race back in September although he has been closed. So we will look for either Rocket Legs, coming off an allowance win, or perhaps Champs Elyssess, a Gr-III winner in France who is coming off a tough second in the Gr-1 Hollywood Turf Cup., to take advantage of their weight breaks and spring a mild upset.
Finally, we have the Tuzla Handicap, where Unspoken Word looks like the best choice out of a wide open field, coming off a strong second in the Gr-I La Brea Stakes. Looking to challenge her will be Audacious Chloe, although she’s had a mixed bag of efforts since her win in the Regret Stakes last summer.
We will also give due props to now 10yo Evening Attire, fresh of his win in the Gr-III Queens County Handicap, and making his ’08 debut in the ungraded Aqueduct Handicap on Saturday, a race he won back in 2002. Good luck.
I am a FOX Sports Blogger who hasn't yet written much of a bio yet. But as you can tell, I'm a horse racing aficionado... who also happens to love the Mets and NY Giants (not from NY, but thanks for asking)
