Baker's dozen set for Acorn; Woody Stephens draws short but strong field
Baker's dozen set for Acorn; Woody Stephens draws short but
strong field
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After finishing sixth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), multiple Grade 2 queen AMEN HALLELUJAH (Montbrook) will cut back to a one-turn mile distance that figures to suit her well in Saturday's $300,000 (G1). The Richard Dutrow-trained filly recorded impressive wins in her last two starts at one turn, including a 6 1/4-length score in the one-mile Davona Dale (G2) at Gulfstream Park, and she's the likely favorite against a solid cast of 12 challengers on the Belmont S. (G1) undercard. Ramon Dominguez will guide Amen Hallelujah from post 6. The dark bay filly's top challengers include Santa Anita Oaks (G1) heroine CRISP (El Corredor), who will also look to rebound at a shorter trip following a seventh in the Kentucky Oaks; Southern California invader TANDA (Sweetsouthernsaint), a good-looking winner in the Railbird (G3) and Santa Paula S. (G3) in her last two outings for Dan Hendricks; Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) victress QUIET TEMPER (Quiet American); Eight Belles S. (G3) romper BUCKLEUPBUTTERCUP (Najran); and Kentucky Oaks third-placer TIDAL POOL (Yankee Gentleman), who exits a third in the Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2).
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The Acorn marks the stakes debut for a pair of unbeaten and exciting fillies,
MUCH REJOICING (Distorted Humor) and STREAKER (Forest Wildcat). The former is
out of 1999 turf champion Soaring Softly (Kris S.) and exits a pair of sprint
victories for James Toner. Streaker is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner
Pine Island and will bring a three-for-three mark into the Acorn for Shug
McGaughey.
A strong field of five three-year-olds will square off in the $250,000
Woody Stephens S. (G2) at seven furlongs, and Bay Shore (G3) winner EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY (Forest Camp) will be the one to catch. The ultra-quick colt
faltered as the heavy favorite when stretching out to a mile in the Derby Trial
(G3) last time, but he's fired four bullet workouts since then for Gary Contessa
and has always been highly respected, with BRIS Speed ratings of 109 and 107 in
his five-race career.
Swale S. (G2) and Hutcheson (G2) hero D' FUNNYBONE (D'wildcat) came up short
in fourth when trying a mile in the Withers S. (G3) most recently, but the
classy Dutrow pupil is a candidate to strike from just off the pace on
Saturday's cutback. Risen Star (G2) winner DISCREETLY MINE (Mineshaft), who
exits a 13th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) for Todd Pletcher, has the class to
factor at this level and finished second in the 2009 Futurity (G2) in his lone
start at seven panels.
The $250,000
North H. (G2) for older horses didn't attract a strong group. Multiple Grade
3 hero CUSTOM FOR CARLOS (More Than Ready), winner of the Count Fleet H. (G3) in
his latest outing, is the top draw among 10 rivals in the six-furlong event.
Grade 1 winner BRIBON (Fr) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) probably prefers more ground
but can't be overlooked in this spot, and ELUSIVE WARNING (Elusive Quality)
exits a smart two-length score in the Vincent A. Moscarelli Memorial S. at
Delaware Park for Kiaran McLaughlin.
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