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Delosvientos looks to defend Brooklyn crown
Two prime contenders will be making their second starts back off lengthy layoffs. NITE LIGHT (Thunder Gulch), a 10-length hero of the Gallant Fox H. in 2007, wound up an uncharacteristic fifth in last year's Brooklyn and did not reappear for 11 months. In his return on May 24, the Todd Pletcher charge finished a distant second in the Frisk Me Now S. at Monmouth. The Richard Dutrow-trained RISING MOON (Runaway Groom), an impressive winner of the 2007 Wagon Limit S. at this track and trip and a good third in the 2008 Suburban H. (G1), returned from a nine-month holiday with a sharp runner-up effort in the Three Coins Up S. at Belmont. Trainer Tom Albertrani, who has been on fire of late, has entered the coupled pair of BARRIER REEF (Mizzen Mast) and EA (Dynaformer). Ramon Dominguez has been named on both entrymates. Barrier Reef captured the Evening Attire H. and Stymie H. over the winter, and he comes off a troubled third in the Excelsior H. (G3). Ea, a handicapper earlier in his career in England, is steadily improving this season as a five-year-old. The dark bay has finished second in the Charles Town Classic S. and the William Donald Schaefer S. (G3) in his past two. Friday's other graded event is the $100,000 Hill Prince S. (G3), featuring sophomores going one mile on the turf. The top threats are CONSERVATIVE (Unbridled's Song), who reverts to grass after a solid second in the Lexington S. (G2) on Keeneland's Polytrack; Woodlawn S. victor AFFIRMATIF (Unbridled's Song); Palm Beach S. (G3) runner-up LIME RICKEY (Lemon Drop Kid); Hallandale Beach S. winner DUKE OF HOMBERG (GB) (Dynaformer); Transylvania S. (G3) third FLORENTINO (Jpn) (Swept Overboard); and the well-regarded ELMFIELD BOY (Medaglia d'Oro), who brings a two-for-two mark into his stakes debut. The 10-horse field also includes Dutrow's main track-only hope DUBINSKY (Toccet). Forward Gal S. (G2) queen FROLIC'S DREAM (Smoke Glacken), who has disappointed in her last two outings, will try to turn things around by switching to the grass in the $65,000 Glowing Honor S. The Barclay Tagg filly is the only three-year-old in the 13-horse group, including three main track-only entrants. Among the leading lights in the main body of the field are LUCKY COPY (Unbridled's Song) and SALES TAX (High Yield), who are cutting back to six furlongs in their 2009 bow; turf sprint maven ANOFFICERANDALADY (Officer); the old class mare JAZZY (Arg) (Mutakddim); and MISSVINSKI (Stravinsky), who could wheel back on short rest after stopping in Saturday's McKaymackenna S. Steve Klesaris is responsible for a three-pronged entry in the day's opening stakes, the $65,000 Alyssum S. for three-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs. Spinaway S. (G1) winner MANI BHAVAN (Storm Boot) will attempt to regroup after trailing in her past two, while her stablemates are exiting wins. The undefeated HOLLYWOOD HILLS (City Place) has captured both of her races by a combined 15 3/4 lengths at Penn National and Charles Town, and MALIBU BEACH (Tapit) comes off a maiden score at Delaware Park. Alan Garcia will pilot Mani Bhavan, but Dominguez is listed on the other two fillies. Also commanding respect are REFORESTATION (Forestry) and SPECULATION (Silver Deputy), who step up into stakes company carrying two-race winning streaks.
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