Keeneland Daily Notebook

KEENELAND DAILY NOTEBOOK

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2006

by Brian P. Turner

A mere field of six went to the gate for Wednesday's 6TH race, a 1 1/16-mile

allowance event for three-year-olds and up who had never won a race on the grass

other than maiden, claiming, starter or state-bred. BETTER THAN BONDS

(Sweetsouthernsaint) was sent to the gate as the overwhelming favorite and

rewarded his backers by taking the lead out of the gate and guiding the field

through early fractions of :23 1/5 and :47 3/5 before digging in through the

stretch to hit the finish line 1 1/2 lengths in front under an excellent ride by

Julien Leparoux.

Dynagold (Gold Case) was content to lay off the pace early but finished well

late to cross the wire in second, 2 1/4 lengths clear of Tap Dancing Mauk (Louis

Quatorze) in third.

There were five sprints contested on the Polytrack Wednesday with horses on

or near the pace winning three of them. Closers won both routes on the main

track. In addition to the 6TH, the other turf route was won by a horse pressing the pace.

Leparoux won two races today to take the outright lead in the jockey

standings with 26 for the meet. Rafael Bejarano went winless on the day and is

currently in second with 24. Robby Albarado added one to his total today and now

has sole possession of the third spot with 12.

As for the trainers, Patrick Biancone didn't send out any runners today but

still leads the way in the trainer standings with 10 for the meet. Christophe

Clement's runners were idle today as well and he remains in second with six, one

better than Dale Romans and Eddie Kenneally, who are tied for third.

Horses to Watch

1ST - FORTUNE HUNTER (Unbridled's Song) did something in this seven-furlong

maiden claiming event that has not been easy to do at the meet so far -- win in wire-to-wire fashion. The two-year-old colt bounded out of the

gate and onto the lead, guiding the field through opening fractions of :23 3/5

and :47 1/5. Once the field hit the stretch, no one was able to make that

typical off the pace move that has been so prevalent for the meet and Fortune

Hunter scampered to the finish line 1 1/2 lengths clear of the competition.

5TH - HARMONY JANE (Gulch) had a very nice performance to break her maiden

in her third career start. The two-year-old filly was content to

lay off the pace early in the about seven-furlong event through opening

fractions of :23 3/5 and :48 1/5, made a seven-wide move into the

stretch, and finished with good energy late to gamely take the victory by a half

length. The bay has been improving with each start and could prove to be a

handful next out as well.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Thursday, October 26

A well matched field of nine is set to go to the gate for Thursday's

Jessamine S. for two-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Trainer

Todd Pletcher will be sending out the uncoupled entry of AUDACIOUS CHLOE (More

Than Ready) and BRUSHED GOLD (Touch Gold) and either appears capable of bringing

home the victory in this event. Audacious Chloe made her turf debut last out in

the Junior Champion S. at Monmouth where she stalked the pace early on her way

to an impressive four-length victory. The chestnut has looked good in all of her

starts except for a dismal finish in the Schuylerville S. (G3) where she

finished fifth, beaten by 20 1/4 lengths. The move to the grass seemed to be the

ideal route to take with her though and she has a very solid chance of

repeating, especially considering that John Velazquez has made the trip down

from New York for the ride.

Brushed Gold has been to the winner's circle twice in three tries on the

lawn. The bay's lone defeat came last out in the Miss Grillo S. at Belmont this

last Sunday where she finished sixth, beaten by 5 3/4 lengths. Brushed Gold's

best BRIS Speed ratings on the grass are on par with the best of these though

and she looms a solid threat if she is able to make the quick turnaround.

BAVARIAN BELLE (More Than Ready) overcame being bumped at the start to miss by a

half-length last out here against allowance-company. Prior to that, the chestnut

put in an extremely impressive performance while breaking her maiden at

Arlington in which she once more overcame being bumped at the start to press the

pace on her way to an easy 5 1/2-length score. She stands an excellent chance

here at what should be a fair price.

KATERBUG (Pulpit) was the one that narrowly defeated Bavarian Belle, after

overcoming a bit of bumping herself, and is definitely more than capable here.

The chestnut is a perfect two for two in her brief career and, with Leparoux in

the saddle, appears to be more than capable of continuing her winning ways here.

STREET SOUNDS (Street Cry [Ire]) had a very nice grass debut last out at

Delaware in which she led from gate to wire on her way to a very nice 6 3/4-length victory. If she is allowed to escape with an easy lead, she could easily

repeat.

SWIFT TEMPER (Giant's Causeway) was supposed to make her turf debut last out

at Hawthorne but that event was moved to the main track. This did little to

deter her though as she romped to an easy 7 1/4-length victory. The chestnut has

an excellent pedigree for the grass and is more than capable here. SWINGIT (Victory

Gallop) was well bet here last out when running fourth behind Katerbug and

Bavarian Belle. The bay was in contention throughout though and could definitely

have an impact with any improvement at all.

MISS MARY PAT (Service Stripe) is a stakes winner on the main track and

possesses a respectable pedigree for the lawn. It would not be a surprise to see

her hit the board. MINI MOM (Parents' Reward) has been running well against

fellow Buckeye-breds but may be in a bit too deep here.

Thursday's forecast calls for a chance of rain and a high in the low 50s.

Thursday's Best Plays

1ST - YES LEE (Leelanau) will be taking a class drop in search of a win in

this 6 1/2-furlong maiden claiming event. The bay will be making her first start

since finishing fourth, beaten 7 1/2 lengths, against maiden special weight company

at Ellis Park back in July, but she has been working forwardly and steadily for her

return to the track. The two-year-old filly's best BRIS Speed ratings top the

field among those with a start to their credit and she also holds the advantage

in both BRIS Prime Power and BRIS Class rating. Given all that she has going for

her, the 5-1 morning line is extremely generous.

3RD - A K'S QUEST (Mortlock [Fr]) will be taking a bit of a class jump in his

first start for new trainer Steve Hoskins. The bay is coming off an impressive

score here on the opening day of the meet against bottom level claimers where he

rallied from just off the pace for an easy 4 1/4-length victory. The

five-year-old gelding is in possession of the best last race BRIS Speed rating

and he is also near the top of the field in BRIS Prime Power. Though he will be

stretching out to a route for this effort, he has had success when going long in

the past and appears capable of repeating at a very generous 8-1.