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CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK MAY 18, 2006 by Bernard T. Moore It didn't seem to matter much to MORE THAN PRETTY (More Than Ready) that she was a supplemental nominee for the Open Mind S., or that she was making her first start on grass for a trainer who had yet to saddle a winner at the meet. What was important to this Bernie Flint-trained runner was that she was reuniting once again with Calvin Borel, who was her partner in her most recent victory at Oaklawn Park. Reverting to rating tactics, the pair closed determinedly off a suicidal speed duel to win going away by a length over an unlucky Handlewoman (Elusive Quality). The runner-up leapt into the air at the start and raced at the back of the pack as a result of this incident. She too found her best stride in the stretch, bumping with the winner as she improved her position, and got up for second by a nose over Bratt'sstablestar (Stormy Atlantic). Serena's Cat (Storm Cat), dispatched as the even-money favorite in the field of 10 runners, suffered a bit of a wide trip while chasing the early pace. She was a forward factor to the stretch, but lacked a response when called upon and checked in eighth. Sunday's featured race was an early-level allowance contest for three-year-old fillies on the grass. Leading trainer Dale Romans, leading rider Julien Leparoux and SALTY RESPONSE (Cozzene) joined forces to spring a mild upset. The winner was able to stalk a fast pace, and when given her cue by Leparoux, gained the lead around the turn. She then withstood a good late rally by Fantastic Shirl (Rahy), who was compromised by an unfortunate start. Sent off as the favorite, Fantastic Shirl was unprepared when the gates opened, bobbling a bit as she came away from the gate. She was allowed to settle into stride by jockey Robby Albarado before beginning her rally in earnest. Despite a wide trip, she continued to close strongly, and simply ran out of real estate in the stretch, falling short by a half-length. Sassy Skipper (Skip Away) chased the early pace and finished evenly to take down the show. Almost Spinning (Ire) (Spinning World) raced one-pace throughout, and finished fifth as the 5-2 second choice in the betting. Speed did well early in the week on the main track and again on Saturday. The outside paths may have been a tad better on Sunday. The grass course lacked a pronounced bias all week. Leparoux leads Rafael Bejarano by just two victories in the jockey standings, with Rene Douglas and Borel tied for third. Romans has gained sole possession of top spot in the trainer standings, with Todd Pletcher dropping into second place. Merrill Scherer completes the top three. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (5/10) 5TH – CAPTAIN SLEW (Seattle Slew) finished a strong second switching back to the main track on the drop. Recaptured his early speed to stalk the pace and held well in a race that was quick throughout. Has now faced dominant winners in both starts at Churchill Downs. Appears poised to register his second lifetime win. 6TH – MARY CAT (Tactical Cat) improved to third off the shelf while making her first start for new trainer Helen Pitts. Finished well despite a very modest pace. Should have gained valuable conditioning from this effort and may want more ground. Thursday (5/11) 5TH – SUTTER STREET (Carson City) was a good third dropping down to a basement level claimer. Continued on well to the finish over a track he likes. Not really sure he cared the sloppy track and might be most effective at a flat mile over a fast track next time. 6TH – MURCH (Mr. Greeley) closed strongly off a brief rest in a race originally intended for grass. Leveled off too late in the stretch while clearly second best. Has certainly improved as a three-year-old and can handle either turf or a wet main track. Friday (5/12) 6TH – PURE HOPE (Mutakddim) showed a dramatic form reversal in for a selling price and switching to Churchill. Exhibited much improved speed to make a strong middle move into a fast pace and tired. Fits well at this new level and can show further progress off this effort. 7TH – PRIZED CAT (Sir Cat) offered a good showing returning to the main track and taking a much needed drop in class. Chased a lively early pace and continued on well to the finish. He has run well in both starts over the Churchill Downs surface, and can register his second career win if properly spotted in subsequent starts. Saturday (5/13) 1ST – COHIBA MISS (Cat Thief) finished a fine second in her unveiling. Showed good speed to chase the odds-on winning favorite and continued on well late in a swiftly run race. Should only improve with age and experience for a trainer that does extremely well with juvenile runners. 9TH – MOONLIT ROMANCE (Romanov [Ire]) suffered a tough trip dropping in for a selling price. Was soundly bumped at the start and then set a lively and pressured pace. Gave ground grudgingly late to fresh closers. Appears to be at her best over a dry track while employing rating/stalking tactics. Sunday (5/14) 2ND - LILA KAY'S ROSE (Canaveral) set a quick and pressured pace off a more than two-month layoff and weakened slightly late. Has won without the lead and would benefit from a cutback in distance. 9TH - Sassy Skipper outran her 36-1 post time odds making her turf debut. Chased a fast pace while racing a bit wide early and then continued to finish with good energy in the stretch.
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