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CALDER NOTEBOOK AUGUST 13, 2010 Florida Stallion Stakes dry & wet last Saturday It wasn't quite like night and day in the hour that it took to run the "Round One" divisions of the Florida Stallion Stakes events last Saturday at Calder Casino & Race Course, but pretty close as the $75,000 Desert Vixen was run on fast track under sunny skies, but when the official sign was posted and the two-year-old fillies were headed back to their barns, ominous dark clouds were closing in fast. Last year, Fred Brei's Ocala-based Jacks or Better Farm was well represented in Calder's unique juvenile series as Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) swept the three open divisions of the FSS series for trainer Stanley Gold before a majority interest in the colt was sold privately to Robert LaPenta, and he went on to finish a strong third the Preakness S. (G1) for trainer Nick Zito behind Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike). On Saturday, Gold sent out Jacks or Better's homebred filly AWESOME FEATHER (Awesome of Course) to remain perfect winning the six-furlong Desert Vixen by a comfortable 4 3/4 lengths over a "fast" track. She will go next to the $100,000 Susan's Girl division at seven furlongs on August 28. An hour later in near darkness after a drenching downpour, the purple with gold dots colors of Jacks or Better Farm nearly made it to the winner's circle again as homebred colt Grande Shores, a half-brother to Jackson Bend, held the lead in the stretch as a 15-to-1 longshot and appeared on his way to victory, but gave way in the final yards to Our Sugar Bear Stable's GOURMET DINNER (Trippi). Harold Queen's Little Drama (Burning Roma), a half-brother to four-year-old sprint star Big Drama (Montbrook), was the odds-on favorite in the Dr. Fager for trainer David Fawkes, but didn't appear to handle the "sloppy" going and tired to sixth after dueling for the lead between horses down the backstretch. Gourmet Dinner may or may not come back in the $100,000 Affirmed Division of the Stallion Stakes on August 28 as co-breeder and owner Bill Terrill and trainer Peter Gulyas are strongly considering a trip to the bigger pond at Saratoga for the $250,000 Hopeful S. (G1) on Labor Day, September 6. The Affirmed and Susan's Girl highlight the annual Juvenile Showcase program at Calder with the entire card composed of two-year-old races, including four other stakes events worth $100,000 each -- the Seacliff and Lindsay Frolic at one-mile on the main track, and the Fasig-Tipton Turf Dash and Catcharisingstar at five furlongs on turf. HORSES TO WATCH Friday (8/6) 3RD -- BELIEVEINTHEMOMENT (Cat Thief) was steadied sharply after a poor start and found more trouble along the way before finishing a good fourth under the circumstances. He definitely fits well at this level. 7TH -- ON APPEAL (Closing Argument) missed the break and ducked in sharply shortly after the start, causing his jockey to take a big hold and apparently losing any chance for a check in the race. However, he was able to pass more than half of his rivals and gain fourth. Saturday (8/7) 7TH -- MANY CROWNS (Deputy Wild Cat) was bet down to a 6-to-5 good thing for her debut, but hit the gate and was steadied. She made a brief mid-race move before retiring to last of seven. This is a case of "follow the money" after unfortunate debut. Sunday (8/8) 2ND -- SURE TO CURE (Alke) was away last of 10 in her career debut, but made a big charge in the stretch to finish third, beaten less than two lengths by the winner. Unfortunately, she won't be 18-to-1 next trip.
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