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Cherokee Artist looks to shed bridesmaid label in West
Virginia
CHEROKEE ARTIST (Cherokee Run) has finished second in three-of-four lifetime
starts, including his two most recent efforts in the Barbaro S. (G3) and Ohio
Derby (G2), but he'll have the opportunity to earn his first stakes tally in
Saturday's $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G3). The 1 1/8-mile event tops a
nine-race stakes program at Mountaineer Park.
Trained by Graham Motion, Cherokee Artist finished four lengths back of
Smooth Air (Smooth Jazz) in the Ohio Derby two starts ago, but came much closer
to winning the Barbaro last time, missing by only a half-length to Magical
Forest (Forest Camp) at Delaware Park. The improving colt will keep Garrett
Gomez in the saddle. Top challengers include Z FORTUNE (Siphon [Brz]),
RECAPTURETHEGLORY (Cherokee Run) and MY PAL CHARLIE (Indian Charlie).
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Fabulous Strike will make his second start of the season at
Mountaineer Park on Saturday
(Deborah Kral/Horsephotos.com) |
Z Fortune established himself as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender with a
victory in the Lecomte S. (G3) and runner-up finishes in the Arkansas Derby (G2)
and Risen Star S. (G2), but the Steve Asmussen runner was no factor finishing
10th on Derby Day. Third in the Ohio Derby next out, the gray colt will attempt
to rebound from a seventh as the 3-5 favorite in the Iowa Derby. Shaun
Bridgmohan will ride.
Recapturetheglory earned a Kentucky Derby berth with a four-length score in
the Illinois Derby (G2), and the Louie Roussel pupil did not disgrace himself
with a fifth-place effort under the Twin Spires. The bay colt didn't display his
customary speed last time, checking in fourth in the Northern Dancer S. (G3),
and is eligible to return to front-running tactics with new rider James Graham
on Saturday. My Pal Charlie is still searching for his first stakes win, but he
gave a favorable account of himself when finishing second behind Pyro (Pulpit)
in the Northern Dancer and Louisiana Derby (G2). Jamie Theriot will guide the Al
Stall trainee.
On the undercard, FABULOUS STRIKE (Smart Strike) highlights a field of eight
sprinters in the $110,000 Harvey Arneault Memorial S. A smashing 5 3/4-length
winner of the prestigious Vosburgh S. (G1) last September, the Todd
Beattie-trained gelding missed the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) due to a physical
setback. He returned to the races with a sharp score in the Vincent A.
Moscarelli Memorial S. at Delaware Park last time out, and the five-year-old
will face seven rivals in Saturday's six-furlong test. Dana Whitney, who was
replaced last year by Ramon Dominguez and Robby Albarado, will be reunited with
the talented sprinter.
The $125,000 West Virginia Governor's S. has attracted a competitive field of
10, including Grade 2-winning MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades), an earner of more
than $2.3 million who will make his first start under the direction of Asmussen.
The conditioner is also responsible for Grade 2 winner ZANJERO (Cherokee Run), who
has compiled more than $1.3 million in earnings but will be attempting to
improve upon a fourth as the 6-5 choice in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H.
(G2). Magna Graduate and Zanjero will each be looking for their first victory of
the season. Canadian shipper ALEZZANDRO (High Yield) and multiple stakes victor
BETTER THAN BONDS (Sweetsouthernsaint) are both in the line-up.
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