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KEENELAND NOTEBOOK APRIL 16, 2009 by Frank Cotolo The third week of Keeneland's spring meet presents a late Kentucky Derby (G1) prep, the $300,000 Lexington S. (G2) on Saturday, as well as two Grade 3 features: Thursday's $100,000 Appalachian S., one-mile turf test for sophomore fillies, and Friday's $100,000 Doubledogdare S. for four-year-old-and-up fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the Polytrack. The second weekend of Keeneland racing was headlined by the $750,000 Blue Grass S. (G1) and a few other graded events, all of which resulted in mild-to-stunning upsets (see reviews below). Lexington-plus stakes The "Lex" is one of the final chances for horses to get enough graded earnings for a slot in the Derby field. The 1 1/16-miles Polytrack contest will feature a field of 11 runners, including the Doug O'Neill-trained SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike), captured the Breeders' Futurity (G1) over Keeneland's Polytrack last October. Looking for a probable outsider, we like trainer Marco Salazar's HIS GREATNESS (Honour and Glory), who should coming around to peaking-performance status and could show it the Lexington. The colt pressed the pace and finished a fair third in the Illinois Derby (G2), his second graded affair, and a big improvement over his first in the Rebel S. (G2), where he finished seventh. O'Neill will put Edgar Prado up for first time aboard Square Eddie. The colt has had his sophomore season challenged by a shin injury, but his connections are taking one shot at getting into the big dance in May. Square Eddie could be highly overrated as the likely choice. MISS ISELLA (Silver Charm) is one of the early choices for stardom in the Doubledogdare. Calvin Borel will ride the Ian Wilkes-trained femme's first contest since February. Co-starring is graded winner INDESCRIBABLE (Pleasant Tap), trained by Bill Mott with Kent Desormeaux up. The remainder of the Doubledogdare field consists of TEJIDA (Rahy), AWESOME ASHLEY (Unbridled's Song), SEFROUA (Kingmambo), SERENADING (A.P. Indy), DROP A LINE (Lemon Drop Kid) and CROWN OF DIAMONDS (Distorted Humor). We are leaning toward Serenading with Robby Albarado on the Josie Carroll trainee. On Thursday, ABBOTT HALL (El Corredor) travels to Keeneland for her first seasonal appearance, using in the Appalachian as her stage. The field for this three-year-old filly, one-mile turf event has been called "outstanding," with HABAYA (Storm Cat), a loser of one race in 2009 to date, the early choice. We like APRIL PRIDE (GB) (Falbrav [Ire]), coming in from the Left Coast for trainer Jim Cassidy. Also sparking our interest is HOT CHA CHA (Cactus Ridge), who comes off a win at Turfway where she left the best of the rest six lengths behind. Track Stats Through April 11, the Polytrack and turf surfaces have been rewarding favorites with a usual share of the winnings. After 67 races, there have been 31.3-percent of the favorites on top, which is only slightly lower than the Thoroughbred racing's historical 33-percent watermark figure. The all-weather track appeared to favor off-the-pace winners last week, as did the turf course, at all distances. But although the Polytrack wire-to-wire victors were few, horses staying close to the top in sprints have not tanked as greatly as the route pacemakers. With less than 100 races in this workout, bias cannot be presented as a major handicapping element thus far at Keeneland. Not even some inclement weather has resulted in presenting any defined bias, unless you count that off-the-pace winners gain more real estate because the outside paths are faster. I consider that, if you will excuse my pun, a stretch. Stakes Reviews Blue Grass: GENERAL QUARTERS (Sky Mesa) with Elbar Coa up was driving five wide late and stayed strong to be a head in front of the favorite to give high school principal-turned-trainer Tom McCarthy a ticket to Churchill for the Derby with the only horse in his stable. The colt went off at 14-1 in the 1 1/8-mile Polytrack test. McCarthy said he knew his horse was ready for a big race because he had been training superbly. General Quarters is eighth on the Derby-earnings list with $595,645. Jenny Wiley S. (G2): In a field of eight going 1 1/16 miles on the grass, even-money choice FOREVER TOGETHER (Belong to Me) made a late run to defeat seven other mares. With Julien Leparoux aboard, Jonathan Sheppard's student took complete control of a creeping pace to win by a length. Commonwealth S. (G2): Jockey Elbar Coa, who later won the Blue Grass, rode the winner of this event two races earlier, just getting up with ETERNAL STAR (Five Star Day). Close to the front throughout, trainer Michael Trombetta's Kentucky-bred won by less than a length at a furlong short of a mile to add $108,500 to his earnings. Shakertown S. (G3): HEROS REWARD (Partner's Hero) was the best of four horses in a tight finish, beating the public's choice in the stretch of this 5 1/2-furlong dash on the turf, thanks much to rider Javier Castellano. Trainer Dale Capuano's Maryland-bred was five wide around the turn and held by a head. Two other stakes presented failing favorites when on April 10 GANGBUSTER (Langfuhr) destroyed his foes in the Fort Harrod S., winning by more than 10 lengths on the main track at 16-1, and the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) was taken by third choice MR. SIDNEY (Storm Cat), who garnered his first stakes victory. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (4/8) 1ST -- CUB'S POWER (Ghazi) was the race's longest shot in only a five-horse field. At 18-1, he was clearly the best of the rest in the 1 1/16-mile event, holding for second after dueling midway through the route. 7TH -- LADY SHAKESPEARE (Theatrical [Ire]) was full of run from the three-quarters to the finish, finishing third, only a neck from finishing second, at 7-1. This turf route was perfect for her as she split rivals in the speedy last half, angled and propelled. Thursday (4/9) 2ND -- SKILLZ (Dixieland Band) got locked in an early duel going the 1 1/16 miles on Polytrack here. Forced to be urged three wide in the battle for the top early, he made a strong showing for a 19-1 shot and needs a serious consideration next time out. 9TH -- BANDORA (Dixieland Band) broke her maiden in near wire-to-wire fashion on a day when most winners on the main track were coming off the pace. She took command early, not settling for the second spot, and looked comfortable being chased. She could be a good price with a great chance next time, making the biggest step-up move in any horse's career: the first time against winners. Friday (4/10) 5TH -- GERIVELLO (Glitterman) didn't fire in the stretch in his first race since coming from the Fair Grounds, but starting in post 11 in this sprint turned out to be too much to ask of him. He has the early foot to be close enough to make a winning impression and if we toss this race out while others take it seriously, we could be looking at a big price. 8TH -- INDIAN SILVER (Cherokee Run) was an overlooked contender in this strong seven-furlong performance. He was 39-1 while dueling four wide, a move tough on the muscles at almost a mile. Still, picking up third at the end has to impress the trip handicapper.
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