California Chrome, Untapable star in Philadelphia
|
The track in suburban Philadelphia which has undergone various name changes -- Keystone, Philadelphia Park, and now -- has become quite adept in recent years for attracting name horses. On Saturday, the track which opened 40 years ago this November, will offer the public arguably its biggest jackpot of horseflesh in its history when dual classic winner California Chrome and leading three-year-old filly Untapable head stellar fields for the Grade 2, $1 million and Grade 1, $1 million respectively. California Chrome, who became somewhat of a folk hero to racing and non-racing fans alike during his bid for the Triple Crown last spring, will be making his first start since finishing in a dead-heat for fourth in the June 7 Belmont Stakes. The California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit was virtually invincible this season leading up to the "Test of the Champion," winning five stakes including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Santa Anita Derby.
|
The colt's chances at a Triple Crown sweep, the first since 1978, were
effectively dashed at the start of the 1 1/2-mile classic, when California Chrome
stumbled and grabbed a quarter. Although in contention until the final furlong
or so, the minor injury and the overall rigors of the classic campaign finally
caught up with the modestly-bred chestnut owned by breeders Steve Coburn and
Perry Martin.
Widely considered the leader of the division despite his summertime absence,
California Chrome will attempt to regain some momentum in the championship race
on Saturday. Shared Belief, last year's unbeaten juvenile champion who missed
the Triple Crown due to injury, has come back with sterling performances in the
Los Alamitos Derby and Pacific Classic, the latter against older horses. Shared
Belief is not in the Pennsylvania Derby, but several other top three-year-olds
are.
Bayern, whose 7 1/4-length tour de force in the Haskell Invitational remains
one of the top efforts turned in by this year's three-year-old class, figures to
be a primary target for the rail-drawn California Chrome. The son of Offlee Wild
failed badly in his attempt to steal the 1 1/4-mile Travers over a less
speed-friendly course last time, but should appreciate the cutback in distance.
Bayern previously took on California Chrome in the May 17 Preakness, but was
never in contention after a rough trip in the early stages kept him from being
closer to the lead.
|
Tapiture and Candy Boy, separated by a nose in the West Virginia Derby in early August, have also whiffed in previous attempts against the favorite. Tapiture, who was 15th in the Kentucky Derby, has nonetheless carved out a successful campaign that also includes wins in the Southwest and Matt Winn, both Grade 3 events. The West Virginia Derby, despite the narrow margin of victory, was arguably his most impressive victory, though, as he was steadied trying to rally up the rail at the eighth pole, was switched outside for running room, and caught Candy Boy at the last jump. Candy Boy, who has had a taste of both California Chrome and Shared Belief this season, kicked off 2014 with a half-length score in the Robert B. Lewis, finished a distant third in the Santa Anita Derby, and was 13th in the Kentucky Derby prior to garnering place honors in the Los Alamitos Derby and at Mountaineer. |
The local prep for the Pennsylvania Derby, the Smarty Jones contested on
Labor Day, has yielded two starters. Protonico, exiting a photo-finish third to
subsequent Travers winner V. E. Day in a Saratoga stakes, overcame traffic to
take the Smarty Jones by three-quarters over Classic Giacnroll. Those two are
also joined by Noble Moon, who beat Classic Giacnroll in the Jerome at Aqueduct
in early January and was most recently fourth in the seven-furlong King's Bishop
at Saratoga following a layoff of more than four months.
The field is rounded out by C J's Awesome, a first-level allowance winner at
Saratoga who might apply early pressure on Bayern.
Untapable, who is undefeated against her own sex in four starts this season,
is so far in the driver's seat for divisional honors entering the 1 1/16-mile
Cotillion. The Steve Asmussen trainee swept the Rachel Alexandra, Fair Grounds
Oaks, Kentucky Oaks, and Mother Goose by an average margin of 7 3/4 lengths,
which convinced her connections to roll the dice against males in the Haskell
Invitational.
|
Favored at 7-5 favorite in that Monmouth Park fixture, Untapable stumbled at the break, raced wide, and proved no threat to Bayern, who was left alone on an uncontested lead. Untapable wound up fifth, nine lengths back. On paper, Untapable still lords over her competition, but a couple fillies could put themselves in the championship discussion if they were to upset. Stopchargingmaria, who fared poorly in her first two starts of the year, has reeled off consecutive wins in the Black-Eyed Susan, Coaching Club American Oaks, and Alabama, albeit against suspect company in generally slow times. Sweet Reason has been a stronger one-turn performer, winning the Acorn and the Test after finishing a distant third in the nine-furlong Gazelle back in April. Heroine of the Spinaway last year and a troubled second in the Frizette, she might yet find 1 1/16 miles within her scope. |
Likely to show speed in the Cotillion, thus setting the race up for all three
major contenders, are Monmouth Oaks heroine Cassatt and the California-based
Jojo Warrior, who enters off back-to-back wins in the Summertime Oaks and Torrey
Pines.
Also of note are the multiple Grade 2-placed House Rules; Alabama and
Delaware Oaks runner-up Joint Return; and Test third-placer Little Alexis.
Fast Anna, who just missed preserving his undefeated streak in the King's
Bishop last out, is one of several fast three-year-olds in the Grade 3, $300,000
Bob over six furlongs. The Kathy Ritvo charge, who blew away maiden and
allowance company at Gulfstream prior to his neck loss at Saratoga, will race
without blinkers for the first time on Saturday.
Prudhoe Bay and Favorite Tale, one-two in last month's Jersey Shore at
Monmouth Park, are the other main contenders in a field of seven.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
Authors
Categories
FEATURED PRODUCTS
Daily Selections
Full racecard analysis/expert picks for major tracks from America's top handicappers.
Buy Nowe-ponies Picks
E-Ponies computer-based figures have been around since 1997. Using an algorithm written by the business owner and handicapper, Liam Durbin, and powered by BRIS data files, E-Ponies offers a unique, fact-based, dispassionate analysis of every horse in every race, assigning scores for speed, class, form, connections, and more. Forget which jockey owes you money! What does the data say!
Buy NowBruno With the Works
Bruno De Julio & team bring 30+ yrs experience observing racehorses to Brisnet with valuable insight into their morning routines & chances for success in the afternoons.
Buy NowValue Plays AI by Predicteform
Full race card program with easy-to-use win chances and contender classifications for every runner plus analysis of the Best Bet, Live Longshot, and Wagering Suggestions for every race.
Buy NowADVERTISEMENT