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Churchill Downs :
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Race 1: POWER SERGE made a bold move in the stretch in her last start at Churchill Downs, when she split horses to run second by just three-quarters of a length. She tried a slightly more competitive claiming crowd without success after that race, but it back where she belongs today. This come-from-behind filly should be flying at the finish. ANN'S EMBLEM is coming off of a win at this level and over this racetrack. She carries six more pounds than the top pick, but she has good tactical speed and should be in striking distance throughout. ZIG'S QUIET LADY she has made close to a 40-length improvement since being claimed by trainer Steve Asmussen. If she runs her race today, she should be in the frame.
Race 2: BEATING MICHIGAN takes a drop after two unsuccessful starts in maiden allowance company, racing with Lasix once and once without. She continues to train consistently and trainer Greg Foley tries him today in a softer spot. ON THE EXPRESSWAY also takes a drop after holding her own in maiden allowance company in Indiana. Trainer James Power shortens her up after a mile run and adds Lasix for her Churchill debut. DARLING BEE dropped in to lower claiming company last time out, but lost all chance when a rival fell in front of her during the race. She could not avoid taking a tumble that day, but has been training well since then and could contend with a clean trip today.
Race 3: SHEIKH AND AWE has yet to finish worse than second in three races and appears to be the horse to beat for trainer Randy Morse, who claimed her out of a runner-up finish at Keeneland. She takes a drop in class off the claim as she attempts to make her Churchill Downs debut a winning one. SILVER PLATED ran second in her last outing at this level, but did not perform as well when she stepped up in class. She should be running late at this level. BABY ANKLES has been competing at this level, but she must carry nine more pounds than my top two picks. She'll need a top performance if she intends to pick up a check.
Race 4: AMERICAN POWER has run second in three consecutive races since he dropped to the $15,000 class level and has been caught in the stretch in each of those races. He should benefit as he shortens up to 5 ½-furlongs and his natural speed could provide a wire-to-wire win. SAM'S BAD BOY has had a less than desirable career while searching for his first win at the $30,000 claiming level, but cuts that in half today and tries a shorter distance. Those moves should help, but he'll still need a top effort to catch the top choice. LAKEMAN had some trouble out of the gate last time out. He could be in the money today with a clean trip and some improvement.
Race 5: ELLIE'S CHOICE has won two of his last three races and has been the betting favorite in six of his last seven. He has turned in some very fast works and this old veteran looks primed and ready for a win today. CONNOR'S GLORY finished just behind the top choice last time out and takes aim on him again today. This tough colt is a little hit or miss, but a top effort makes him a contender today. VALIANT STYLE shortens up today after a strong effort at a mile. He should offer a strong closing bid.
Race 6: FIRST AT LAST has made all-out bids in each of his last four races and has three seconds going short and a third-place finish at a mile to show for those efforts. The seven-furlong distance should be no problem for this colt that has been favored in three of his last five starts and sports a recent bullet work. ORGANIZING CHAOS was running competitively in maiden allowance at Turfway Park and finished a gaining four when he dipped into the maiden claiming ranks at Churchill Downs. He has a bullet work since that race and looks to be on top of his game. MOUNTAIN RIDGE returns to Kentucky after three starts in New York. He drops into a softer spot and could be competitive today as he gets in light with apprentice Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.
Race 7: ALUMNI HALL did not race until he was five, but has run very well and is coming off an authoritative win over this track at this distance. He has had a pair of good works since his victory and a repeat performance makes this stretch runner a winner today. MANCHURIAN stretches back out to a two-turn distance after a pair of wins at seven furlongs. He'll be closer to the pace at this longer distance and should be competitive. REAL TROOPER has never been worse than third and today receives the riding services of Pat Day. He tacks the lightest weight in this field - 16 pounds fewer than ALUMNI HALL - and could pose a definite threat in this race.
Race 8: NICOLE'S DREAM won the $100,000 Mamzelle in a fighting drive and has been favored in seven of her last 10 races. She has worked sharply since her last win and appears ready to return with another wire-to-wire victory. ANNA EM is coming off an impressive win on soggy turf against fellow 3-year-olds in the $100,000 Open Mind. She continues to work well and should prove to be a formidable opponent today. PUT ME IN has not been worse than third in her last three starts. This hard-knocking filly is coming off a strong run on the main track behind Lady Tak in the Winning Colors and is sure to be closing at the wire today.
Race 9: SILENT OATH has run two very impressive seconds since breaking her maiden at two-turns. She's always within striking distance and should be shaking clear of this group in the stretch. FLY AWAY ANGEL broke her maiden over this track and today's distance and comes right back in an effort to repeat that win. She tacks six pounds less than Silent Oath, which could make her that much more dangerous at the demanding mile and a quarter. MUNCHKIN has been the betting favorite in three of her last four starts. She returns to the main track after a poor effort on grass and adds blinkers for today's race.
Race 10: ORLIK, a beaten favorite in two of his last three races, ran a good second over the turf course at a mile and a sixteenth last time out. He has been giving way in the stretch, but today's shorter distance of the flat mile could help him as he looks to break his maiden today. MYSTIC RUNNER has placed third in all four of his career starts. He tries the turf for the first time today and his closing bid could be effective if he takes to the surface. CAT PATROL ran a length and a half behind the top choice last time out and has trained well since then. He carries seven pounds more than my top two choices, but this come-from-behind colt's strong finish sets him up nicely to collect a check in this spot.
Featuring Donna !
G.L.
***MMM***
:cool: :cool: :cool:
Race 1: POWER SERGE made a bold move in the stretch in her last start at Churchill Downs, when she split horses to run second by just three-quarters of a length. She tried a slightly more competitive claiming crowd without success after that race, but it back where she belongs today. This come-from-behind filly should be flying at the finish. ANN'S EMBLEM is coming off of a win at this level and over this racetrack. She carries six more pounds than the top pick, but she has good tactical speed and should be in striking distance throughout. ZIG'S QUIET LADY she has made close to a 40-length improvement since being claimed by trainer Steve Asmussen. If she runs her race today, she should be in the frame.
Race 2: BEATING MICHIGAN takes a drop after two unsuccessful starts in maiden allowance company, racing with Lasix once and once without. She continues to train consistently and trainer Greg Foley tries him today in a softer spot. ON THE EXPRESSWAY also takes a drop after holding her own in maiden allowance company in Indiana. Trainer James Power shortens her up after a mile run and adds Lasix for her Churchill debut. DARLING BEE dropped in to lower claiming company last time out, but lost all chance when a rival fell in front of her during the race. She could not avoid taking a tumble that day, but has been training well since then and could contend with a clean trip today.
Race 3: SHEIKH AND AWE has yet to finish worse than second in three races and appears to be the horse to beat for trainer Randy Morse, who claimed her out of a runner-up finish at Keeneland. She takes a drop in class off the claim as she attempts to make her Churchill Downs debut a winning one. SILVER PLATED ran second in her last outing at this level, but did not perform as well when she stepped up in class. She should be running late at this level. BABY ANKLES has been competing at this level, but she must carry nine more pounds than my top two picks. She'll need a top performance if she intends to pick up a check.
Race 4: AMERICAN POWER has run second in three consecutive races since he dropped to the $15,000 class level and has been caught in the stretch in each of those races. He should benefit as he shortens up to 5 ½-furlongs and his natural speed could provide a wire-to-wire win. SAM'S BAD BOY has had a less than desirable career while searching for his first win at the $30,000 claiming level, but cuts that in half today and tries a shorter distance. Those moves should help, but he'll still need a top effort to catch the top choice. LAKEMAN had some trouble out of the gate last time out. He could be in the money today with a clean trip and some improvement.
Race 5: ELLIE'S CHOICE has won two of his last three races and has been the betting favorite in six of his last seven. He has turned in some very fast works and this old veteran looks primed and ready for a win today. CONNOR'S GLORY finished just behind the top choice last time out and takes aim on him again today. This tough colt is a little hit or miss, but a top effort makes him a contender today. VALIANT STYLE shortens up today after a strong effort at a mile. He should offer a strong closing bid.
Race 6: FIRST AT LAST has made all-out bids in each of his last four races and has three seconds going short and a third-place finish at a mile to show for those efforts. The seven-furlong distance should be no problem for this colt that has been favored in three of his last five starts and sports a recent bullet work. ORGANIZING CHAOS was running competitively in maiden allowance at Turfway Park and finished a gaining four when he dipped into the maiden claiming ranks at Churchill Downs. He has a bullet work since that race and looks to be on top of his game. MOUNTAIN RIDGE returns to Kentucky after three starts in New York. He drops into a softer spot and could be competitive today as he gets in light with apprentice Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.
Race 7: ALUMNI HALL did not race until he was five, but has run very well and is coming off an authoritative win over this track at this distance. He has had a pair of good works since his victory and a repeat performance makes this stretch runner a winner today. MANCHURIAN stretches back out to a two-turn distance after a pair of wins at seven furlongs. He'll be closer to the pace at this longer distance and should be competitive. REAL TROOPER has never been worse than third and today receives the riding services of Pat Day. He tacks the lightest weight in this field - 16 pounds fewer than ALUMNI HALL - and could pose a definite threat in this race.
Race 8: NICOLE'S DREAM won the $100,000 Mamzelle in a fighting drive and has been favored in seven of her last 10 races. She has worked sharply since her last win and appears ready to return with another wire-to-wire victory. ANNA EM is coming off an impressive win on soggy turf against fellow 3-year-olds in the $100,000 Open Mind. She continues to work well and should prove to be a formidable opponent today. PUT ME IN has not been worse than third in her last three starts. This hard-knocking filly is coming off a strong run on the main track behind Lady Tak in the Winning Colors and is sure to be closing at the wire today.
Race 9: SILENT OATH has run two very impressive seconds since breaking her maiden at two-turns. She's always within striking distance and should be shaking clear of this group in the stretch. FLY AWAY ANGEL broke her maiden over this track and today's distance and comes right back in an effort to repeat that win. She tacks six pounds less than Silent Oath, which could make her that much more dangerous at the demanding mile and a quarter. MUNCHKIN has been the betting favorite in three of her last four starts. She returns to the main track after a poor effort on grass and adds blinkers for today's race.
Race 10: ORLIK, a beaten favorite in two of his last three races, ran a good second over the turf course at a mile and a sixteenth last time out. He has been giving way in the stretch, but today's shorter distance of the flat mile could help him as he looks to break his maiden today. MYSTIC RUNNER has placed third in all four of his career starts. He tries the turf for the first time today and his closing bid could be effective if he takes to the surface. CAT PATROL ran a length and a half behind the top choice last time out and has trained well since then. He carries seven pounds more than my top two choices, but this come-from-behind colt's strong finish sets him up nicely to collect a check in this spot.
Featuring Donna !
G.L.
***MMM***
:cool: :cool: :cool:
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