Important Stakes Saturday

An important Stakes Saturday is on tap today with no less than four great Derby prep races on the docket.  We will look at two of them as a number of horses will be aiming for additional graded stakes earnings to gain entry into the gate at KD 138.

Aqueduct Race 8 {Bayshore~G3~7 furlongs~3 year old~Stakes}
A very talented field of eight will go to the gate.  Only one, Trinniberg, has the opportunity to grab enough earnings from this $250K race to earn entry into the Kentucky Derby 2012. But, he has to win.  There are others here seeking to dash his derby dreams.  Substantial speed in this race could set up nicely for the late running boys.

#6 Hardened Wildcat (Alvarado / C. Brown) should get the job done with the highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and two stout workouts.  He should take advantage of the swift pace and come a running in the stretch.
$1 WIN / $1 SHOW.

#8 How Do I Win (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) will share speed duties on the front end.  He holds the third highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and one solid workout.  This son of Corinthian already has a win over the "Big A" track.
$1 PLACE / $1 SHOW.

#3 Copy My Swagger (Cohen / Jacobson) looks well prepped coming off a route with the fourth highest (tie) last out speed number and one peaking workout.  He could be forwardly placed ready to strike into the turn.
$1 SHOW.

Another Wagering Interest

#1 Trinniberg (Martinez / Parboo) has the speed to get the job done with the second highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and one superb workout.  He has to contend with speed next door, speed in the center, and speed to the far outside.  This could make for a wicked pace.

10 CENT Superfecta

#6 Hardened Wildcat, #8 How Do I Win / #6, #8 / #3 Copy My Swagger, #1 Trinniberg / #3, #1.


Hawthorne Race Course Race 9 {Illinois Derby~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
This years running of the IL Derby has a huge field of fourteen making the start and additional three that are also eligible.  It is a perfectly balanced field of speedsters, pressers, trackers, and closers.  It should be an exciting race. 

Interestingly enough, only one in here has the potential of gaining more graded stakes earnings that could push his total into the top twenty.  That contender is Currency Swap.  The IL Derby has a purse of 500K, should he win he will be in.  If this son of High Cotton only finishes second, he will be on the KD 138 bubble.  All the other entrants in this race would have to win to have an opportunity to go to post in the 2012 Kentucky Derby.  The pressure is on.

#5 Pretension (Santiago / Grove) looks superbly primed for this race with the third highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and two exceptional, peaking workouts.  It is incumbant upon trainers to boost the stamina of the horses prior to racing at Hawthorne with its long and challenging stretch.  Trainer, Christopher Grove, has done that with this son of Bluegrass Cat.  This colt should be forwardly placed ready for the stretch run.
$1 WIN / $1 SHOW.

#12 Morgan's Guerilla (Napravnik / Maker) will show speed and may take the lead.  He has the fourth highest (tie) last out speed number and two mighty, peaking workouts.  This son of Ghostzapper will certainly avoid the traffic in this huge field.
$1 PLACE / $1 SHOW.

#11 Our Entourage (Castro / Pletcher) appears primed for a big effort with the second highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and four supreme, peaking workouts.  He will challenge while being forwardly placed, ready to get first run on the leaders.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#4 Currency Swap (Bridgmohan / Pompay) will be in the hunt with the highest speed number over the surface.  He will be stretching out for this one with a couple of decent last out speed numbers, a two race progression, and three credible workouts.  He will be in the thick of it with a pressing attack.

#2 Hakama (Pimental / Trombetta) will also be stretching out with the fourth highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and three excellent, peaking workouts.  He is a threat holding nice tactical speed.

#8 Z Rockstar (Hamilton / Von Hemel) will certainly be one of the contenders with the highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two robust workouts.  Another with tactical speed that could pull off a victory if well positioned.

#13 Done Talking (Russell / Smith) has gone this distance and appears ready to improve in his second race at the distance.  A son of Broken Vow, he holds the highest speed number at the distance and has put in two speedy workouts.  He has to be considered as a strong closer in a speed ladened field.

10 CENT Superfecta

#5 Pretension / #12 Morgan's Guerilla / #11 Our Entourage / #4 Currency Swap, #2 Hakama, #8 Z Rockstar, #13 Done Talking.



Friday's Results
Keeneland R9.  Transylvania Stakes--G3.  Our first pick, State of Play, finished 3rd for show money of $2.80.  Our second pick, Silver Max, won (1st) for show money of $2.80.
Superfecta went 6-3-1-5.
Bankroll goes up a notch to $22.72.