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Artiste Royal seeks Whittingham repeat
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Madeo will attempt to earn his first Grade 1 in the Whittingham
(Charles Pravata/Horsephotos.com) |
Multiple Grade 1 hero ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill) will pursue his second
consecutive edition of the $300,000
Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (G1) at Hollywood Park on Saturday. Trained
by Neil Drysdale, the eight-year-old opened up his 2009 season with a victory in
the San Marcos S. (G2), but he found the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) distance
too short for him when rallying for fifth next out. Artiste Royal wasn't able to
catch MIDSHIPS (Mizzen Mast) after stumbling at the start of the San Luis Rey H.
(G2), checking in third as the favorite, but he's eligible to make amends for
that setback under new rider Joel Rosario.
Midships, who has made a fast transition to U.S. racing under the tutelage of
Bobby Frankel, will bring a two-race winning streak into the 1 1/4-mile turf
affair. After defeating Artiste Royal in the San Luis Rey, the front-running
specialist captured the San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2) on April 19. The
four-year-old will retain the services of Victor Espinoza.
MADEO (Mizzen Mast) will look to build upon the momentum of his head decision
in the Inglewood H. (G3) on April 26. Mike Smith gave up the mount on Mine That
Bird (Birdstone) to ride the Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss colorbearer, and the John
Shirreffs-trained colt captured the 2008 edition of the Del Mar Derby (G2). The
four-year-old is the 119-pound highweight over Artiste Royal and Midships, who
will both tote 118.
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Canadian Grade 3 winner GLOBETROTTER (Street Cry [Ire]) exits an encouraging
allowance score at Santa Anita, his second start back from a lengthy layoff, and
Joe Talamo will pick up the mount for John Sadler. Grade 2 victor UNION AVENUE
(Gone West) and Grade 1 runner-up LIQUIDITY (Tiznow) round out the six-horse
field.
One race earlier at Hollywood, the $100,000
Ack Ack H.
(G3) will feature a field of 11 over 7 1/2 furlongs on the Cushion Track.
Grade 2 winner NOBLE COURT (Doneraile Court), winner of the March 21 Joe
Hernandez S. at Santa Anita in his lone 2009 appearance, is a top contender, and
SIERRA SUNSET (Bertrando) will make his first start back following a near
15-month layoff. Trained by Jeff Bonde, the California-bred Sierra Sunset was
last seen recording a three-length score in the 2008 Rebel S. (G2).
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