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KEENELAND DAILY NOTEBOOK SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2008 by Brian P. Turner It was the featured day of the meet at Keeneland Saturday as the central Kentucky track offered three graded stakes races, highlighted by the Blue Grass S. (G1) for three-year-olds going nine furlongs over the Polytrack. A field of 12 went to the gate, each trying to cement their case for being worthy of a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Pyro (Pulpit) was sent to the gate as the favorite by horseplayers off his stellar efforts at Fair Grounds this year where he rallied from off the pace to convincingly win both the Risen Star S. (G3) and Louisiana Derby (G2). The betting public obviously felt that he was ready to add to his already impressive totals as he attempted to take the next step toward even greater glory in the Kentucky Derby (G1). When the gates sprang open, Cowboy Cal (Giant's Causeway) bounded out of the gate and onto the lead, guiding the field through opening fractions of :24 4/5 and :49. The dark bay was making his first start on a surface other than the grass since his career debut but it became evident early that he was having no trouble at all handling the Polytrack. Once the field hit the stretch, Cowboy Cal was finally challenged by his uncoupled stablemate MONBA (Maria's Mon), who had stalked the pace early. Midway through the stretch, it was still in doubt as to what horse and jockey would win the Blue Grass, but there was no question as to who the winning trainer would be as the two Todd Pletcher trainees became embroiled in a stretch duel where neither one would give an inch. It wasn't until they were nearing the wire that Monba was finally able to get past his stablemate to hit the finish line a neck in front. Monba rebounded well off his dismal showing in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2), where he was squeezed at the start and never once fired his best shot on his way to a 12th-place finish, beaten by 39 3/4 lengths. The gray could not have picked a better time to right the ship, though, as he was extremely game and impressive here in earning his spot in the starting gate for the Derby. Cowboy Cal was impressive here as well and his second-place finish should give him more than enough money to start in the Derby should the connections decide to go that route. Kentucky Bear (Mr. Greeley) was content to lay just off the pace early and finished well late to cross another 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Pyro was never in contention at any point today and finished a well beaten 10th. The dark bay easily has enough money banked to move on to Churchill, but it remains to be seen if today's performance is attributed to the fact that he didn't handle the track. Also on Saturday, a field of 10 fillies and mares, four-years-old and upward, contested the 1 1/16-mile Jenny Wiley S. (G2) on the grass. Precious Kitten (Catienus) was sent to the gate as the favorite off her form from last year which saw her compile a record of 9-4-4-0, including a win in the Matriarch S. (G1) at Hollywood to complete her 2007 campaign. Though this was her first start of the year, the dark bay had been working well for her return to the track and she had done well returning from a layoff in the past. The five-year-old mare never really fired today, as she didn't have the needed late kick in the stretch drive after stalking the pace early and crossed the finish line in fifth. In the end, the day belonged to RUTHERIENNE (Pulpit), who was content to lay off the pace early through opening fractions of :25 1/5 and :50 2/5 before splitting horses in the stretch drive and digging in determinedly late to hit the finish line a neck in front. Rutherienne was overlooked to some extent by the betting public as she had an outstanding campaign last year which included a two-length victory in the Del Mar Oaks (G1). All told, the dark bay won four graded stakes offerings last year which made her $14 payoff extremely generous. Longshot Stormy West (Gone West) put in an excellent showing here as she stalked the pace early and held on gamely late to cross the wire in second, a head clear of Lady of Venice (Fr) (Loup Solitaire) in third. Finally, a field of 10 contested the seven-furlong Commonwealth S. (G2) over the Polytrack. Thousand Words (GB) (Dansili [GB]) was sent off as the slight favorite in his third North American start. The bay debuted here in January with a respectable fourth-place effort in the San Pasqual H. (G2) at Santa Anita before winning an allowance/optional claiming event on the grass last out. The betting public obviously felt that the four-year-old colt would be sitting on a big effort in his third start for the always dangerous Bobby Frankel. When the gates sprang open, Elite Squadron (Officer), who went off as the longest shot in the field, bounded out of the gate and onto the lead as he guided the field through opening fractions of :23 and :46 1/5. When he hit the stretch, several members of the field made their run but Elite Squadron still had plenty left in the tank and continued on determinedly. It was at this time that REBELLION (GB) (Mozart [Ire]), who had stalked the pace early, came rushing up with a flurry and ran down the leader late to hit the finish line a head in front. Rebellion went off at a bit of a price here as he was making his first start since finishing eighth in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) last October. In his start prior to that though, the bay had rallied from off the pace to miss by only a half-length here in the Phoenix S. (G3). The five-year-old horse obviously has a liking for Keeneland as he was extremely impressive in victory here. Elite Squadron put in an outstanding performance in picking up the place and hit the finish line 1 3/4 lengths clear of Medzendeekron (Unusual Heat) in third. There was a total of five sprints contested over the Polytrack but one of these ended with a disqualification and a dead-heat. Three of the four other sprints were won by horses on or near the pace, but as for the two horses in the dead-heat, one was stalking and the other closing from off the pace. In addition to the Bluegrass, there was one additional route contested on the day which was won by a horse closing from off the pace. As for the three turf routes, two of these were won by closers. Kent Desormeaux booted home four winners on the day to once more take sole possession of the top spot in the jockey standings with 12 for the meet. Garrett Gomez added two to his total today, which moves him into a tie for the second spot with Jamie Theriot. The pair has eight winners each. Todd Pletcher and Bill Mott each saddled two winners on the day, which leaves them in a tie atop the trainer standings with five winners each. Rusty Arnold saddled a pair of winners on the day, which gives him three for the meet and moves him into a tie for third with Dallas Stewart. There was a guaranteed $100,000 Pick 6 at Keeneland today which no one connected on and that leaves a rare huge carryover going into Sunday's card of $147,100. Horses to Watch 3RD - SANDSTORM CAT (Tale of the Cat) may have won this maiden special weight event had it not been for the trouble she encountered during her trip around the track. The three-year-old filly was forced to check sharply in traffic on the backstretch but re-rallied late with an absolutely impressive move through the stretch drive to finish second, beaten by only 1 1/4 lengths. A better trip next out could find this one in the winner's circle. 5TH - LIFE LESSON (Unbridled's Song) was the victim of a bit of a questionable disqualification in this seven-furlong maiden special weight event. The three-year-old filly took the lead out of the gate and guided the field through opening fractions of :23 and :46. Once she hit the stretch, the bay began to drift out a bit and the stewards ruled that she interfered with Dan's Pride. Though Life Lesson hit the finish line a length clear, she was disqualified and placed third behind Dan's Pride and Temper Temper (Empire Maker), who had dead-heated for second. Tomorrow's Outlook - Sunday, April 13 Sunday's featured stakes offering is the Shakertown S. (G3) for three-year-olds and up going 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass. A field of 13, including one who is also eligible, is scheduled to go to the gate and several among this full field have a shot of claiming the victory. SMART ENOUGH (Horse Chestnut) will be making his 2008 debut after an impressive run last year which saw him visit the winner's circle in five of his seven starts. The chestnut ended the year with an impressive 3 1/4 length romp in the Cherokee Run H. at Churchill Downs where he was never once asked for his best effort. The five-year-old gelding has been working consistently for his return to racing having posted seven works since the first of March. Smart Enough definitely looms a threat here if he is ready to roll after the layoff. FORT PRADO (El Prado [Ire]) has a record of 3-2-1-0 over the Keeneland turf course which includes a win in the 5 1/2 furlong Woodford S. here last October. The gray is coming off of a respectable third place effort in the Turf Dash S. at Tampa Bay Downs where he rallied from off the pace and was just really finding his best stride late. The seven-year-old horse is capable of moving forward off that effort and rates a solid chance here. ZETETIC (Rahy) may have finally found his niche sprinting on the grass as he ran well in three of his four efforts under a mile last year which included a nice win against allowance competition at Fair Grounds in December. The bay should be within striking distance early and possesses enough of a late kick that he should be in contention late. ATTICUS KRISTY (Atticus) seems to save his best efforts for turf sprints at Keeneland as he has never been off the board in three starts here. The chestnut should offer quite a bit of value here as his form has not been that great of late but he is more than capable of surprising at what should be a nice price. EMIRATES TO DUBAI (Storm Cat) rallied from nine lengths off the early pace last out to defeat an optional claiming field at Gulfstream by three parts of a length. The chestnut seems to put in his best performances in turf sprints and could be sitting on a big effort in his third start back from the layoff. MR. NIGHTLINGER (Indian Charlie) hasn't had a lot of experience on the grass but he is definitely the speed of the field. The four-year-old colt moves up considerably if this is taken off the turf and moved to the main track. His only start on the Polytrack came here at Keeneland where he easily defeated a solid allowance field by four lengths. THE NTH DEGREE (Distorted Humor) will be trying to repeat as the winner of this event but the problem is that he has not even hit the board in the four starts he has made since. The chestnut's best though would put him squarely in the mix. SGT. BERT (Confide) has hit the board in four of his five starts at Keeneland including a win in the 2006 running of the Woodford S. The gelding is another that possesses a nice early turn of foot and could get in the picture at the end with his best effort. PROBATION READY (More Than Ready) has been in good form as of late but has never tried the grass in his career. The chestnut possesses a respectable if not spectacular pedigree for the lawn and stands a chance here if he takes to the grass. MIDWATCH (Sea Hero) will be making his first start of the year but has put in some nice efforts sprinting on the grass in the past. KNIGHTS CROSS (Thunderello) tried the grass for the first time last out at Gulfstream and led the field from gate to wire. MARKUM (Louis Quatorze) is a solid competitor but appears to be outclassed here. MY PRIVATE LAKE (Salt Lake) is the also eligible but looks to be in too deep even if he draws in. Sunday's Best Plays 1ST - WATZ HIS NAME (Skip Away) offers tremendous value in this low level claiming event at 8-1 on the morning line. The four-year-old gelding has finished no worse than second in each of his last five starts over the Polytrack at Turfway and this includes three trips to the winner's circle. The dark bay tops the field in BRIS Prime Power by over three points and he also possesses the best BRIS Class rating. Watz His Name's last race BRIS Speed rating absolutely towers over this field and a repeat of that effort would be all it takes to claim the victory here. 4TH - MIDANITE (Lil E. Tee) is another that offers great value at 12-1 on the morning line as she returns to claiming company after an ill advised attempt against allowance competition. The four-year-old filly has hit the board in four of her last five starts and that includes three trips to the winner's circle with two of those victories coming in dominating fashion. The bay tops the field in both BRIS Prime Power and BRIS Class rating and a repeat of her better recent efforts could be enough to get her the victory here at what should be a very nice price.
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