Ellis Park Notebook

ELLIS PARK NOTEBOOK

AUGUST 9, 2007

by Steve Collison

As expected, Claiming Crown Day on Saturday was everything advertised and

more. The day was capped by trainer Michael Maker's MIAMI SUNRISE (Wheaton), who

took the $150,000 Claiming Crown Jewel as the third choice while returning

$13.40 for the win. However, that wasn't Maker's only success story as his

stable also captured the $47,000 Claiming Crown Iron Horse with

BARGAINWITHTHDEVIL (Southern Halo) and then the $97,000 Claiming Crown Emerald

when ONE EYED JOKER (Polish Numbers) crossed under the line first to return a

hefty $44.40.

The day was also highlighted by the expected victory of Steve Asmussen's war

horse GOLDEN HARE (Gilded Time), who took the $47,500 Claiming Crown Express to

cap an incredible journey since being claimed by the Asmussen stable for a mere

$3,500. Fittingly, Claiming Crown Day was invented to help honor and reward

runners just like Golden Hare, and his winning effort was justifiably a crowd

pleaser.

ADORE YOU's (Tactical Cat) score in the $72,000 Claiming Crown Glass Slipper

was also a crowd pleaser, but for altogether different reasons. Going off at

49-1, this one proved to be the upset of the day and easily created the biggest

smiles as those who found something to like here were rewarded with a $100.60

payout.

All in all, the Ellis management produced a remarkable product and should be

commended for the show they put forth. This should go a long way in helping this

oval gain the respect and following they are seeking and deserve. We would hope

the Claiming Crown will come to Henderson, Kentucky, again in the future.

From a handicapping standpoint, the main racing surface was fairer then it

had been in previous weeks with runners winning from all over the strip. A prime

example was Miami Sunrise's powerful winning move along what had been a dull

rail. Although many jockey's still favored racing slightly off the rail it was

possible to win inside as well as from off the pace which had been difficult

previously. Of course, the management may have taken added steps to ensure an

honest surface as happens so often during big days, and a return to the status

quo is always possible and must be watched for. The turf course remained fair.

While Ralph Martinez has continued his winning ways and still stands atop the

trainer's standings with 15 wins, there's a few others who deserve some notice

as well. To no one's surprise, Tom Amoss is starting to make some noise, which

should be expected as Amoss always, and I mean always, comes ready for any meet

at which he's stabled. On the other hand, trainer David Vance has now won with

five of 12 starters, which follows a long and painful slump for this veteran

conditioner. Perhaps the worst is now behind Vance, and his runners can be given

added attention. Vance wins with distance switches and claims when things are

going right.

RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH

Wednesday (8/1)

8TH -- CATNIP HILL (Catienus), a shipper from Indiana, had been away for more

than a month yet was still claimed by trainer Barbara McBride. Since she has

been at Ellis Park the question becomes what does she know about this one and

why the claim? Considering McBride has typically done well with runners coming

from the barn of Ladeana Bastida, a likely answer has yet to surface. In any

event, this gelding suffered through a poor trip and has a license to improve

especially considering these new connections.

Friday (8/3)

6TH -- WRAPPER (Capote), four-year-old filly, had just one win from 18 trips

to the post yet was claimed by Bastida, who does extremely well with runners

first-time off the claim. Aside from the poor record, what makes this an

interesting purchase is that Bastida claimed this filly for herself, which opens

up all kinds of possibilities. Could be she claimed this well-bred runner for

breeding purposes down the road, or Bastida might feel she can make immediate

improvements since this horse has always been under the care of subpar

connections.

Saturday (8/4)

1ST -- CHESTER'S BEST (Home at Last) was taken by trainer Ralph Martinez, who

has been on a roll with everything he touches. There's nothing catchy about this

five-year-old gelding, but he did turn in an encouraging performance here and it

wouldn't take much improvement for him to hit the winner's circle for his new

outfit.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (8/1)

3RD -- MARKDOWN (Repriced) has been in the money for all six of his starts

this year going against tough starter allowance company. This hard-knocking

six-year-old gelding is at his best when going two turns, but was forced here to

contest a hot pace going a shorter seven furlongs and despite being out of his

true element still turned in another gritty performance. He'll fare much better

next out going longer.

Thursday (8/2)

4TH -- STRIPED FLAG (Service Stripe) returned from a two-month vacation going

short over the lawn. The three-year-old filly was never ridden hard through the

early going then made a solid move late in the lane. Jockey Randall Toups then

galloped her out strongly after the finish in an effort that has all the

appearances of a prep while looking ahead to a longer race next out.

6TH -- OLD MAN BUCK (Hold That Tiger) started his career by having the

misfortune of catching an incredibly tough key-race field at Churchill Downs

back in May. The two-year-old colt came back last out following two months of

retooling by trainer Kenny McPeek and looked like a new horse while going long

over the grass. He finished that race full of energy, and McPeek's runners

typically do much better going the second time around.

8TH -- PARIOLI'S TRICK (Favorite Trick), a lightly raced three-year-old colt,

was stretching out for the first time and turned in a deceptively strong

performance to gain the show spot. When considering that trainer Charley

Lopresti is zero for ever with his first-time route runners, we can easily

expect better from this colt the next time around.

Friday (8/3)

5TH -- GUIDING STAR (Touch Gold) returned from a five-month hiatus only to

have the misfortune of getting hooked up in a sizzling speed duel from the

outset. The well-bred miss still managed to hold her own against a legitimate

allowance field while going first time around for high-powered trainer Kelly

Ackerman.

6TH -- MS. ROSIN (Brahms) didn't run in this one but was instead scratched by

the shrewd Martinez. The bay miss is going first-time out for this high

percentage barn and Martinez excels under these circumstances. In this case, it

looks like the trainer saw the tough Paul McGee runner Golden Gallant

(Stravinsky) dropping in and opted out to look for a softer spot down the road.

Saturday (8/4)

3RD -- MOGA (Yankee Gentleman) did well to finish second despite being forced

to break from the far outside. As good as Asmussen is with debut runners, he's

even better going the second time around, hitting somewhere around 30 percent.

It wouldn't take much for this modestly bred first-time starter to pad that

total.

5TH -- IMPLICIT (Broad Brush) gave heavy favorite Golden Hare all he could

handle in the Claiming Crown Express despite suffering through a rough trip and

trainer Hugh McMahon isn't one to miss an opportunity. You'll probably have to

look toward the Mid-Atlantic tracks to find this seven-year-old gelding next

time out but he could prove worth the trouble.