Stakes Saturday in Dubai and Louisiana

A fantastic Stakes Saturday unfolds in the early morning hours as we take a look at a fabulous Turf marathon in Dubai.  Along with so many great stakes races on the cards today, we take a peek at the Louisiana Derby.  What a great Saturday of horse racing.

Meydan (Dubai, UAE) Race 3 {Dubai Gold Cup~G2~2 miles~TURF~3/4 year olds Up~1 million Dollar Stakes}
A full field of fifteen of the finest Turf horses in the World converge on the Most beautiful Turf course in the world in this two mile marathon.  This race is part of the Dubai World Cup card.  Six have already raced at this distance or longer.  The balance of the field will be stretching out from 1 3/16 mile to 1.75 mile races. It will be an incredible race. Remember, in International racing, the top three finishers are paid out of the Place pool.

#7 Cavalryman [GB] (DeSousa / bin Suroor) could be the favorite having run this distance with great success.  He is coming off an impressive win last out over this Meydan course.  This son of Halling shows the highest Racing Post rating at the distance. At eight years old he appears ready to romp again.
$1 WIN / $2 PLACE.

#6 Songcraft [IRE] (Barzalona / bin Suroor) should challenge as he stretches out from a 1 1/2 mile adventure last out in which he placed 2nd.  This son of Singspiel [IRE] is 83% in the money from six starts on the Meydan course. He has notched seven career victories from twenty-one starts.
$1 PLACE.

#3 Ernest Hemmingway [IRE] (J. O'Brien / A. O'Brien) could surprise as he stretches out from 1 3/4 mile race.  He holds the highest Racing Post rating among this group over Turf.  The son of one of the best racers in the world, Galileo, holds a couple of quality last out RP ratings.  The jockey-trainer combination is highly appealing.
$1 PLACE.

Other Wagering Interests

#2 Star Empire [SAf] (Soumillon / de Kock) will contend with a couple of terrific last out performances over the Meydan Turf.  This son of Second Empire has an impressive 88% in the money record from nine starts at Meydan.  Expect him to close swiftly among the pack of horses quickening into the stretch.

#12 Now We Can [GB] (Thulliez / N. Clement) should be in the closing mix with a nice win over a synthetic surface over in France.  The son of Martillo [GER] is working a four race progression and has secured six career victories for a 60% win (in the money) record.

10 CENT Superfecta

#7 Cavalryman [GB]  /  #6 Songcraft [IRE]  /  #3 Ernest Hemmingway [IRE]  /  #2 Star Empire [SAf], #12 Now We Can [GB].


Fair Grounds Race 11 {Louisiana Derby~G2~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~1 million Stakes}
A smashing field of ten KD 140 aspirants will make the start in this stellar race.  All but one will be stretching out to this longer route.  There is plenty of speed to lead to a hot pace.  Such a speedy scenario could greatly benefit the trackers and closers.  It should be another great race along the Derby trail this year.

#1 Intense Holiday (Smith / Pletcher) has the best chance for victory should a speed pace develop.  He holds the highest (tie) last out speed number, a six race progression, and three solid workouts.  This son of Harlan's Holiday should track the pace and close the field down.
$1 WIN / $2 PLACE / $3 SHOW.

#5 Gold Hawk (Bridgmohan / Asmussen) will challenge with the fourth highest last out speed number and three strong peaking workouts. A son of Empire Maker, distance should not be a problem as he stretches out.  This guy is another that should track the pace seeking an opening to ramble on.
$1 PLACE / $2 SHOW.

#6 Vicars In Trouble (Napravnik / Maker) should contend with the third highest last out speed number and two efficient workouts.  This son of Into Mischief has the tactical speed to feel out the pace and run strongly into the stretch. He holds the highest speed number, along with two others, over the dirt surface.
$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#9 In Trouble (Rocco / A. Dutrow) should be in the mix with the second highest speed number, a three race progression, and two athletic workouts.  A son of Tiz Wonderful, he should be forwardly placed ready to strike.

#10 Albano (Clark / L. Jones) can be in the hunt sharing the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and three superior workouts.  This son of Istan is 100% in the money over the Fair Grounds course from four starts.  He is another that should be forwardly placed.

10 CENT Superfecta

#1 Intense Holiday  /  #5 Gold Hawk  /  #6 Vicars In Trouble  /  #9 In Trouble, #10 Albano.



Friday's Results
Aqueduct R7.  Claiming.  Our first pick, Jerusalem Stone, finished 5th.  Our second pick, Casual Elegance, finished 2nd for show money of $1.25.
Superfecta went 5-7-2-1.
Bankroll gets trimmed to $4.14.  We will supplement with a couple of Hamiltons for this Stakes Saturday.