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KEENELAND DAILY NOTEBOOK SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2008 by Brian P. Turner Sunday's feature was the Ben Ali S. (G3) for four-year-olds and up going nine furlongs over the Polytrack. A field of six went to the gate with Go Between (Point Given) being sent off as the overwhelming favorite. The chestnut was exiting a second place effort in the Santa Anita H. (G1) where he rallied from 13 lengths off the early pace to miss by three quarters of a length at the wire. The five-year-old horse was impressive in his only other start at Keeneland as well as he rallied from four lengths off the early pace to capture the victory by a neck in the Fayette S. (G3) here last fall. As so often has been the case this meet though, the favorite failed to delivery as Go Between was content to lay just off the pace through opening fractions of :24 1/5 and :48 1/5 before making his move on the turn. The favorite finished with a nice turn of foot late, but he was no match for long shot STERWINS (Runaway Groom), who closed from dead last with an explosive move through the stretch to claim the victory by 3 1/4 lengths. Sterwins was coming off of a fourth place effort against listed stakes company on the grass at Fair Grounds where he disappointed as the favorite. Prior to that performance though, the gray had put in a couple of nice efforts, including a third-place finish in the Fair Grounds H. (G3). The five-year-old gelding was extremely impressive in his first start over an all weather surface as he easily handled a very talented graded stakes horse in Go Between. The favorite did hold on to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths clear of a fast closing Sir Whimsey (Jump Start) in third. There were a total of five sprints contested over the Polytrack Sunday with horses on or near the pace winning all of them. There were two other routes in addition to the feature and both of these were also won by horses on or near the pace. The lone turf offering on the day was won by a closer. Kent Desormeaux went winless today but still leads the way in the jockey standings with 18 for the meet. John Velazquez rode a winner and is second with 12 followed by Jamie Theriot and Garrett Gomez, who are in a tie for third with 10 winners each. As for the trainers, Todd Pletcher added one to his total and still leads the way in the trainer standings with 11 for the meet. Bill Mott was unable to get Go Between's picture taken today but remains in second with seven. H. Graham Motion and Dallas Stewart remain in a tie for third with five winners each. Horses to Watch 1ST -- CACTUS CONIE (Cactus Ridge) found the drop back into claiming company to be exactly what she needed to get back into the winner's circle. The three-year-old filly had reeled off three wins in a row before tackling allowance/optional claiming company last out where she finished a well-beaten fifth. Back at a level where she belongs here, Cactus Conie was content to stalk the pace early through opening fractions of :22 3/5 and :46 4/5 before finishing with a solid turn of foot through the stretch drive to claim the victory by 1 3/4 lengths. The dark bay was claimed out of this event and will be making her next start for the always dangerous Tom Amoss. 4TH -- CRIMSON HOPE (Forestry) is a well-bred filly and can improve off of her debut effort in this six-furlong maiden special weight event. The bay was content to lay off the pace early through opening fractions of :22 2/5 and :46 3/5 before beginning to close ground nearing the turn. The three-year-old filly was trapped behind a wall of horses at the head of the stretch and then forced to check but was finding her best stride again late as she crossed the wire in fifth, beaten by 4 1/2 lengths. Crimson Hope should improve off this effort and becomes even more appealing once she stretches out. 9TH -- TALE OF THE WEST (Tale of the Cat) had a very nice career debut for trainer Todd Pletcher in this six-furlong maiden special weight event. The three-year-old filly took the lead out of the gate and guided the field through opening fractions of :22 2/5 and :45 3/5 before opening up on them in the stretch drive on her way to an easy 7 1/4-length victory. Outlook for Wednesday, April 23 Wednesday's 8TH race is an allowance/optional claiming event for four-year-olds and up going 6 1/2 furlongs over the Polytrack. A field of seven is set to go to the gate headed by KORBYN GOLD (Gold Case), who is exiting an 8 1/4-victory against listed stakes company on the Polytrack at Turfway Park. The gray stalked the pace early before absolutely exploding coming off the turn to leave the field in his dust while posting an outstanding 108 BRIS Speed rating. The seven-year-old gelding can be a bit inconsistent at times but anything close to the race he ran last out will be enough to get the job done here. TACTICAL WEAPON (Tactical Cat) appears to be the one most likely to claim the victory should the top choice falter. The gray is exiting a third place effort in the Woodchopper H. on the grass at Fair Grounds where he pressed the pace early before tiring late. The four-year-old gelding has run well in both of his efforts over Polytrack and can definitely contend here. WINYAH (Mutakddim) almost pulled off a huge upset against listed stakes company last out on the grass at Fair Grounds. The chestnut is another with consistency issues but has run well in both of his starts over Polytrack. The four-year-old colt is capable with his best effort. LAST GRAN STANDING (Distorted Humor) will be making his first start of the year but has never been off the board in four starts over all weather tracks. This includes a solid 1 3/4-length victory against high end claiming company here last fall. The gelding fits well here. Wednesday's forecast calls for scattered storms with the high in the mid-70s. Wednesday's Best Plays 1ST -- ANNE RIDES AGAIN (Winthrop) will be looking for her second win of the meet in this claiming event contested at about seven furlongs. The dark bay overcame trouble at the start last out which left her six lengths off the early pace to rally through the stretch drive for a determined half-length victory. The four-year-old filly possesses the best BRIS Class rating and is near the top of the field in BRIS Prime Power. A repeat of her recent effort, minus the trouble, will be enough to make her a solid threat here. 7TH -- CLOSEOUT (Repriced) appears to be a standout in this nine-furlong allowance event to be contested on the grass. The three-year-old filly broke her maiden at first asking last out on the lawn at Fair Grounds as she stormed from dead last and 15 lengths off the early lead to claim the victory by 5 3/4 lengths. The bay has more than a 10 point-advantage in BRIS Prime Power and she also possesses the best BRIS Class rating. A repeat of the BRIS Speed rating she earned in her debut would be more than enough to get the job done here.
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