Hard Spun, often prominent in the Triple Crown races,, took the
runner-up berth. The 10-8 on public choice Curlin was a disappoitning
third. Curlin was coming back after a narrow loss to Rags To Riches in
the Belmont Stakes on June 9. Curlin had every chance as the race was
run and did not respond in his customary style.
At Mountaineer Park in West Virginia, Zanjero found an elusive win in
the Grade III $750,000 West Virginia Derby. Zanjero, in the hands of
Shaun Bridgmohan, won by a nose over the 20-1 Bwana Bull. Zanjero ran
the nine furlongs in 1 53.04 on a fast surface. He returned $8.00 on a
$2.00 ticket. Zanjero was 12th in the Kentucky Derby. He was third in
the Blue Grass, second in the Northern Dancer and third in the Louisiana
Derby.
At Saratoga on Saturday, Dream Rush made it all to win the Grade I
$250,000 Darley Test Stakes by two lengths. Jockey Eibar Coa had an
armchair ride on the 5-4 favorite. Twelve ran. The time over seven
furlongs was 1 22.25. Dream Rush was winning her second consecutive
Grade I event. She was victorious in the Prioress at Belmont Park on
July 7.
Arlington Park in suburban Chicago takes center stage on Saturday,
August 11. There are three Grade I races, all of them on the grass. The
Beverly D, a 1 3/16 mile-event, is for fillies and mares, three and up.
There are seven acceptors. Citronnade is the 2-1 favorite. Trained by
Bob Frankel,, Citronnade will be ridden by David Flores. Citronnade was
a laughing winner in the Grade II (turf) Beverly Hills Handicap.
Citronnade, a daughter of Lemon Drop Kid, seeks her sixth successive win
and is my selection.
The $400,000 Secretariat Stakes, over 1 1/4 miles, is for three
year-olds. Red Giant, from Todd Pletcher's barn, is the 5-2 morning line
choice. Garrett Gomez rides. Shamdinan will carry the Aga Khan's colors
and will be ridden by Julien Leparoux. Admiralofthefleet, at 3-1, will
have Mick Kinane and hails from Aidan O'Brien's yard. There are nine
sophomores. Shamdinan was a strong third in Lawman's French Derby at
Chantilly in early June. At the Curragh in the Irish Derby, Shadinan's
chances were compromised by the heavy going. My pick is Shamdinan.
The Tin Man, now 9, goes for an encore in the Arlington Million. The
Grade I event carries a $1,000,000 purse and is over 1 1/4 miles on the
grass. There are eight horses. Favoritism has been accorded to After
Market who is listed at 2-1. The Tin Man is at 3-1. Danak, an Irish
invader, is quoted at 5-1.I believe The Tin Man will make it back to
back wins. The venerable veteran is in sparkling form. The Tin Man will
emulate John Henry's feat of winning two Millions.
At Deauville in France this weekend, Manduro will be the rage in the
Prix Jacques le Marois. It is over a mile. Manduro was beaten three
times last year over a mile and one of those losses was in the Jacques
le Marois. This year, Manduro has been unstoppable over longer journeys.
He was an impressive winner in the ten-furlong Prince of Wales Stakes at
Royal Ascot. Lawman, the French Derby winner, and the accomplished
Stormy River are the principal adversaries.
In harness racing, last Saturday at the Meadowlands in New Jersey,
Donato Hanover, the even money choice, won the $1.5 million Hambletonian
Trot for three year-olds. Ron Pierce was the winning driver. Harness
racing has big purses and is popular in America and Canada. In Europe,
Italy, France, Germany and the Scandinavian countries have strong
harness programs.
