Jaipur J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Saturday's $150,000 Jaipur S. (G3) attracted a field of eight, including a

main-track only entrant, for six grassy furlongs over the Belmont turf. HEROS

REWARD (Partner's Hero) is among the top in this division and has been for the

better part of two years for Dale Capuano, and he seems more than logical in

this spot. The gelded seven-year-old took the Shakertown S. (G3) in his seasonal

debut and finished a solid third while defending his title as the favorite in

the deep Highlander S. (Can-G3) at Woodbine most recently. The fact that jockey

Javier Castellano has traveled to seven race tracks to ride in his last 10

starts speaks volumes to us.

The speedy LE GRAND CRU (Dynaformer) dominated a useful allowance field most

recently, earning a healthy 105 BRIS Speed number, and appears to be properly

placed in a one-turn turf test. The Allen Jerkens trainee didn't fare well in

two turf races at longer distances and looks like a sprinter, but his pedigree

screams turf and he ran well in his previous attempt over the course/trip.

Mike Luzzi has the call on the interesting exotics threat.

DUE DATE (El Prado [Ire]) was a smart off-the-turf allowance winner last out

for Steve Margolis and will hope to break through at the graded level for the

first time in this dash. The consistent Kentucky-bred has been close at this

level in the past, and while we don't see him good enough to win this, he could

get a piece.

YIELD BOGEY (Langfuhr) ran his best race to date for Patrick Kelly, finishing

a solid third in the Poker H. (G3), over this turf oval last out. The gelded bay

has won or placed in four of six tries locally and is in good form, so we must

include the five-year-old in the gimmicks from the rail.

MOHEGAN SKY (Straight Man) has just one win since 2007 and has not looked

particularly well this campaign for Linda Rice. With that said, this

six-year-old mare was third in this last campaign and is a completely different

animal when there is moisture on the lawn, so we'll give this one a minor chance

if the turf is playing on the soft side. Should the sod be firm, we'll let her beat

us. SILVER TIMBER (Prime Timber) was claimed for $25,000 two back and promptly

destroyed state-bred allowance foes by four lengths for Chad Brown. The gray

gelding appears to be a cut below the best in here, though, so we'll pass.

PREMIUM WINE (Prime Timber) would be a top contender if the race were to be

transferred to the dirt. We were intrigued by Grade 2 winner TRUE QUALITY (Elusive Quality) in his

turf debut, but he's been withdrawn by NYRA officials due to ownership concerns.