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HANDICAP DIARY APRIL 29, 2005 by James Scully POLLARD'S VISION (Carson City) earned his first stakes win at four with a 1 1/4-length decision over the heavily favored BADGE OF SILVER (Silver Deputy) in the April 23 National Jockey Club H. (G2) at Hawthorne. The Todd Pletcher-trained winner loves the Chicago oval, easily capturing the Illinois Derby (G2) nearly 12 months earlier, and he exacted a measure of revenge on Badge of Silver following a fourth-place finish in the New Orleans H. (G2) last month at Fair Grounds. Pollard's Vision could make his next appearance in the May 20 Pimlico Special (G1). Badge of Silver, who captured the Hal's Hope H. (G3) and New Orleans, both at nine furlongs, in his first two starts this year for Bobby Frankel, readily gave way when challenged in upper stretch, but the speedy colt still owns plenty of class. He's probably more dangerous at a mile or 8 1/2 furlongs, and the five-year-old should relish the one-turn stakes at Belmont Park. His next appearance could also come in the Pimlico Special. The big four in this division are GHOSTZAPPER (Awesome Again), ROCK HARD TEN (Kris S.), ROSES IN MAY (Devil His Due) and SAINT LIAM (Saint Ballado). Ghostzapper remains on target for his five-year-old bow in the May 30 Met Mile (G1). Rock Hard Ten is back working for trainer Richard Mandella following a brief vacation and could return in July's Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winner Roses in May will likely be seen next in the Whitney H. (G1) early in the Saratoga meet, and Saint Liam is being pointed toward the June 18 Stephen Foster H. (G1) at Churchill Downs. ALUMNI HALL (A.P. Indy) stamped his ticket for the Stephen Foster with a solid two-length score in the Ben Ali S. (G3) on the next-to-last day of the Keeneland meet. Trained by Neil Howard, the six-year-old didn't make his career bow until last April, winning first-time out, and was a solid stakes performer the rest of 2004. The late-starting chestnut has improved with a year of racing under his belt and could be a factor against better company the rest of this season. FUNNY CIDE (Distorted Humor) will make his five-year-old debut in Sunday's Kingston H. against fellow New York-breds. The May 6 Alysheba S., on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard, could attract a couple of nice older horses, including recent Skip Away H. (G3) winner EUROSILVER (Unbridled's Song).
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