Race 1: Cannon Harmon Memorial Cup Maiden Claiming Hurdle Two Miles (Hurdle) MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000-$15,000
GET KHOZY – Trainer Ricky Hendriks brings over apprentice Jack Power for his first start in the US on the 4 yr. old. Hopes to improve on not a great effort in season debut at Aiken at this level.
BUNKER HILL – Waived claiming price here in hurdle debut. The 6yr. son of War Front out of a Galileo mare has 1 win on the flat from 15 tries with 14 of those turf. His most recent start came last August in a claiming $16k nw2/L where he was 8th beaten 6.5 lengths.
ICE BAR – Unfortunately brought down by a faller in last start after traveling well down in Camden. Seventh in hurdle season debut at Aiken after success over the winter at Charlestown in December. Apprentice Sara Cundith rides and trains for Taco Tuesday Amigos.
DIZZY KITTY – A four-year-old son of Kittens Joy out of a Street Cry mare makes his hurdle debut for the waived claiming tag. The homebred for owners, Runnymoore Racing, placed twice in seven flat starts. His most recent race came last august at Delaware park for Maiden Claiming $16k on an off track where he led briefly but gave way to finish fourth. Trainer Leslie Young sends him out under Jamie Bargary to try and beak his maiden over fences.
JIMMY DAN – Another son of Kittens Joy making his hurdle debut with a waived claiming tag. This for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Fisher ridden by his stable jockey and last years champion, Graham Waters, for Riverdee Stable and Ten Strike Racing. Connections are hoping for a nice start to a jumping career after productive flat career notching two wins and 12 in the money finishes out of 27 starts.
TRISAETUM – The homebred son of Tiz Now finished 5th in his jump racing debut at Aiken last month. Comment says ‘rank early’ so hopefully he can settle into the race better here. Enters for the $15k claiming tag. Two wins from 25 starts on the flat mostly running at Finger Lakes.
BEOWULF (IRE) – He did not finish his last race to end the season last year. Makes his seasonal debut here trying to win his first race over jumps here after a slide down the claiming ranks. I don’t expect a competitive effort here with his form showing 2 pull ups in his last 2 jumping starts.
I AM FORTUNATA (IRE) - He was an unfortunate faller last start after clipping heels with the horse in front of him on landing. A drop from $15k claiming tag here from the $30k ranks. Galligan gets aboard the second runner sent out by Ricky Hendriks in this contest.
LARGER THAN LIFE – The six-year-old son of Temple City makes his jumping debut under Ben Davis for trainer Neil Morris and owners Flying Elvis Stable. He produced one win form 20 career flat starts with his most recent back in November at Laurel where he was 6th beaten 4 lengths for claiming $20k nw2L.
Race 2: TR&HC Mulberry Farm Cup MAIDEN 2 Miles (Hurdle) Purse $30,000
KELMSCOTT (IRE) – The grey 6 yr. by Mastercraftsman was 4th in his seasonal debut two weeks ago at Camden beaten 8 lengths with no rally. He posted two 3rds last season at this level. Looks to lean on his experience here to get his first jump racing victory.
SMART UNCLE - First time starter over jumps under Graham Waters for trainer Jack Fisher and owner Mrs. S. K. Johnston. The four-year-old son of Uncle Mo out of a Smart Strike mare came close to breaking his maiden at Saratoga last summer against Special Weight company but was disqualified for interference. I’ll be keeping a close eye on this prospect to see how he takes to the jumps. He was 4th in at Warrenton Point to Point over hurdles in a prep from 11 runners.
TUFTON AVENUE (IRE) – Trainer Leslie Young sends out the imported Irish bred making his U.S. Debut. He’s made four starts in England and comes stateside searching for his first victory.
ISHIHARA – A very productive horse on the flat with 7 career wins from 23 starts. The son of Creative Cause makes his hurdle debut here for owners Ballybristol Farm and trainer Neil Morris.
MADE THE CUT – The 4-year-old son of Munnings makes his second career start after his first coming last month at Aiken. He did not complete that race so looks to improve upon that experience here.
ANZIO – Four-year-old son of Temple City makes his seasonal debut here. He had two runs last year finishing second in his first jump race followed by a pull up in the next. Trainer Sandra Webb aims to get him back to that initial form putting Harrison Beswick in the irons and adding cheek pieces.
Race #3: Carter P Brown Perpetual Trophy CLAIMING $20,000 2 Miles (Hurdle)
For Four Year Old’s and Upward Which Have Never Won Two Races. An interesting contest here with the outside two post positions stepping up against winners for the first time. Secret Soulmate tries to carry that momentum from Aiken into this start while Prophets Voice looks to improve on his run from Aiken.
ICANDOTHAT – A winner in his last start in November, breaking his maiden at Montpelier after leading the entire way. Look for him to be a pace setter here in his seasonal debut under trainer and rider Sean McDermott. Addition of blinkers may help with focus on the front end.
UNION GEN. GEORGE – He was a faller in his second career jumps start at Aiken in November after winning his first start over jumps in October at Middleburg. Looks to start the season on a good foot under jockey Gerard Galligan. Takes a slight drop in class from his last start from the $25k to the $20k level.
PROPHETS VOICE (IRE) – He was a good second a few weeks ago at Aiken behind an impressive performance from Clara Belle. He was also a winner on his jumping debut last season and looks to improve here. Also takes a slight class drop for the $20k claiming price.
BEE MAJOR – Entered at both Aiken and Camden we’ll wait to see if this contestant shows to make his seasonal debut.
SECRET SOULMATE – He was an impressive winner in his last start at Aiken after taking control mid race. We’ll see if he can back up that effort here stepping up against winners here.
AUCTION KINGDOM – He won his last start to break his maiden and finish the season last year at Great Meadow. He also steps up against winners here to begin his season. Not sure how strong the field he beat was so this will be a good test.
Race #4: Jennifer and Roger Smith Perpetual Trophy Ratings Handicap Hurdle Four Year Olds and Upward which are rated 120 or lower. 2 Miles (Hurdle)
The ratings level provides opportunities for horses based on their previous races. Tease and Seize looks to be in good order this season and I predict he puts forth another winning effort against this group. Soviet Pimpernel has kept good company racing in only stakes races since coming state side. He should prove to be stiff competition for the rest.
GO POKE THE BEAR (L) – He was a close third in his last start of the season in Georgia last year. A two-time winner over fences the son of Kitten’s Joy starts his season here under Jamie Bargary. Should appreciate the shorter distance of this course.
ZIGGLE POPS (GB) – The Fisher entry has not run since Nashville last May where he was 6th beaten 17 lengths. He has had two wins over hurdles the first coming in very convincing fashion at Camden then took a two-year break before coming back to win again in his penultimate start. If he can get back to that form, he should be highly competitive here. He prepped in a flat race at Greenspring Point to Point finishing 6th of 9 in the Amateur flat.
ROCKET ONE – The five-year-old son of Into Mischief makes his first start of the season after posting a 4th at Far Hills to end his season last year. He won over 2 miles last September at Shawan so should enjoy the 2-mile distance of this track today.
L'OR DES ROSES (FR) – The grey seven-year-old was a well beaten 3rd in his last start at Camden two weeks ago. He will need to dramatically improve upon that if he wants to be competitive here. Adds blinkers.
TEASE AND SEIZE (FR) – He won very nicely in Camden two weeks ago and looks to carry that momentum into this race. The French bred has been competitive in most starts will most likely be part of the early pace picture.
THE INSIDER (IRE) – Non-runner
SOVIET PIMPERNEL (IRE) – Made a nice impression on his seasonal debut last month at Aiken. He finished 3rd in the feature race in an exciting duel between West Newton and Caramelized. He came on to be beaten only four lengths.
Race 5: Dr. John Bradshaw Memorial Trophy Training Flat ALLOWANCE 1 1/2 Miles(Turf)
A small competitive field for the last race of the day.
RECENT REVELATIONS (IRE) – He won the training flat race at the Elkridge Point to Point last Saturday so looks to carry that effort south with him here.
SEISMIC WAVE – A classy individual winning nearly half a million dollars.
CHINA BEACH – Adds blinkers today, comes in off a strong win at Camden.
Comments