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KEENELAND DAILY NOTEBOOK WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2008 by Brian P. Turner Today's feature was the Madison S. (G2) for fillies and mares, three-years-old and up, going seven furlongs over the Polytrack. A field of 11 went to the gate, with Zada Belle (Indian Charlie) being sent off as the post-time favorite as she attempted to run her record to a perfect three-for-three. In her most recent effort, the bay rallied from five lengths off the early pace to easily defeat an allowance/optional claiming field at Santa Anita by 4 1/2 lengths. In the end, though, it was VENTURA (Chester House) who was content to lay near the back of the pack early through opening fractions of :23 and :45 4/5 before coming seven wide through the stretch drive with a tremendous closing move to hit the finish line a length in front. The four-year-old filly was making only her second North American start after a solid but unspectacular career in Europe. In her first start after coming across the pond, the dark bay easily handled an allowance field at Santa Anita while going about 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass. This was by far the biggest win of her career, though, and she appears to have even more promising things in front of her in the future. Longshot Street Sounds (Street Cry [Ire]) was in contention throughout and put in an outstanding effort to pick up the place, two lengths clear of Dawn After Dawn (Successful Appeal) in third. There were seven sprints and no routes contested over the Polytrack Wednesday, with horses on or near the pace winning four of them. As for the two turf routes, horses pressing the pace won both of these. Kent Desormeaux booted home a pair of winners on the day and still leads the way in the jockey standings with seven for the meet. Garrett Gomez rode three winners on the day, including Ventura in the feature, which moves him into a tie for the second spot with Jamie Theriot. The pair has four winners each. Bill Mott saddled a pair of winners on the day and now leads the way in the trainer standings with three for the meet. Kenny McPeek, Tom Proctor, Kiaran McLaughlin and Dallas Stewart are in a tie for second with two winners each. Horses to Watch 2ND - DICEY RILEY (Hennessy) had a very nice career debut for owner, breeder and trainer Wesley Ward in this 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight event. The two-year-old colt took the lead out of the gate and never looked back on his way to an easy three-length victory. The bay appears capable of carrying his speed out to longer distances. 5TH - COMMANDEERED (Deputy Commander) was extremely impressive in this maiden special weight event which left him at the back of the pack early. The gray gradually began to make up ground through opening fractions of :22 2/5 and :45 4/5 before moving up to take command at the top of the stretch on his way to an impressive 6 1/4-length victory. Tomorrow's Outlook - Thursday, April 10 Thursday's stakes offering is the Beaumont S. (G2) for three-year-old fillies going about seven furlongs over the Polytrack. A field of 10 is scheduled to go to the gate and many among this field appear to have a legitimate shot of claiming the victory, so insist on value before wagering. KEEP THE PEACE (Touch Gold) is exiting a second-place effort in the Forward Gal S. (G2) at Gulfstream where she vied for the lead throughout only to come up a nose short at the wire. The victress in that event, Bsharpsonata (Pulpit), came up only a neck short of capturing the Ashland S. (G1) here on Saturday. Prior to her defeat in the Forward Gal, Keep yhe Peace had been a perfect two-for-two, including a seven-length score against allowance company. If she is allowed to dictate the pace early, the chestnut is more than capable of returning to her winning ways here. ARIEGE (Doneraile Court) rallied from 6 3/4 lengths off the early pace last out to claim the victory in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) by a half-length. The dark bay has run well in each of her three North American starts, but that was her first victory since arriving from across the pond. If Keep the Peace becomes involved in a pace duel early, Ariege appears to be the one most likely to pick up the pieces late. GOLDEN DOC A (Unusual Heat) is another who puts in her best efforts from off the pace and made up a ton of ground late when finishing second to Ariege in the Santa Anita Oaks. The chestnut has hit the board in all three starts so far this year, including a win in the Las Virgenes S. (G1) in early February. TASHA'S MIRACLE (Harlan's Holiday) finished third last out in the Las Virgenes in her first start of the year. The winner of the Sorrento S. (G3) on the Polytrack at Del Mar last August is more than capable of moving forward off that effort. ARMONK (Mizzen Mast) hasn't been facing quite the same talent that much of this group has, but she has an excellent early turn of foot and is capable of surprising in this spot. PASSION (Came Home) has reeled off two wins in a row this year, including a victory in the La Habra S. (G3) on the grass at Santa Anita. The dark bay is yet another who stands a solid chance here. OFFICER CHERRIE (Officer) will be making her first start of the year in this spot, and finished last season with three wins in a row, including a score in the Mazarine S. (Can-G3) at Woodbine. ZEE ZEE (Exchange Rate) will be making her first start since a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). The gray put in three nice efforts on the grass prior to that one, though, and could surprise if she is ready after the layoff. ACACIA (Cherokee Run) was well beaten last out in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), and MINEWANDER (Mineshaft) just doesn't appear to be the same level of talent as the best of this group. Thursday's forecast calls for a chance of showers with a high near 70. Thursday's Best Plays 5TH - REVERENTIAL (Holy Bull) should find the class drop in this 5 1/2-furlong claiming event to be exactly what he needs to get back into the winner's circle after finishing fourth, beaten by only three lengths, against better last out. The gray should be well-placed early and have plenty left at the end to get him to the finish line in front. The five-year-old horse tops the field in BRIS Prime Power and he also possesses the best BRIS Class rating. Toss in the fact that he is trained by the always dangerous Tom Amoss and there is a lot to like. 6TH - CHARMING (Seeking the Gold) may just be ready to fire at first asking for trainer Todd Pletcher. The $3.2 million Keeneland sales graduate is the first foal out of multiple Grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady (Dehere), who achieved some of her greatest glory here at Keeneland including capturing the 2002 edition of the Ashland as well as back to back victories in the Spinster S. (G1) in 2002 and 2003. Charming has been working well for her debut, including a bullet clocking of :46 here on April 3. Toss in the fact that she has the always dangerous tandem of Pletcher and John Velazquez in her corner and there is a lot to like.
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