Philadelphia Notebook

PHILADELPHIA PARK NOTEBOOK

JUNE 17, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

The Peppy Addy S. for three-year-old Pennsylvania-bred runners at seven

furlongs was Saturday's feature at Philly Park. Odds-on favoritism fell upon

UNITED (Dixie Union), and his job was made a lot easier when his primary pace

rival in the pace, Mr. Good Stuff (Good and Tough) was scratched at the gate. As

a result, United led his five rivals on a merry chase, leading at every call en

route to a popular 1 1/2-length victory. North Potomac (Not For Love) gave the

winner a scare in midstretch as he loomed a dangerous presence, but the winner

brushed aside his challenge as he settled second. Moonshine Man (Malibu Moon)

dropped back in the stretch after stalking the early pace down the backstretch

and finished third.

A preliminary allowance contest for fillies and mares going a mile and 70

yards served as the main attraction on Sunday. KALKI'S PRIDE (Regal Classic),

benefiting from an astute ride from jockey Jorge Duarte Jr., won decisively by 2

1/4 lengths. The winner wisely sat off a speed duel racing down the backstretch

prior to making her winning move around the far turn. She blew past the

beleaguered pacesetters and proceeded to draw clear in midstretch. Roses from

David (Two Davids) ran well late to be second, but was never a serious threat to

the winner. Helltunerrider (Flying Pidgeon) closed belatedly to grab the show.

The main track appeared to be bias free all week, with no particular running

style holding any advantage. The outside paths were best over the weekend.

The turf course continued to play quite uniformly when in use.

Harry Vega and Josiah Hampshire Jr. have distanced themselves from the pack

in the jockey standings, with Jose Flores, Frankie Pennington and Victor Molina

maintaining their positions as well.

Scott Lake's lead over Jayne Vaders in the race for leading trainer now

stands at six. Robert Seeger is a furlong back in third, as Patricia Farro and

Guadalupe Preciado round out the top five.

HORSES TO WATCH

Monday (6/6)

1ST – MIMI'S SISTER (General Royal) finished a Strong second on the drop to

basement level maiden claimers. It took a her a while to find her best stride,

but she then leveled off nicely chasing home a multi-level class dropper in a

race that was quick throughout.

2ND – GRACIOUS PEGGY (Bombardier) exhibited much improved speed plunging down

to the $4,000 claiming level. Was forced to chase a loose wire-to-wire winner

who won by daylight. Appears set for a winning effort if kept at this current

level.

Tuesday (6/7)

3RD – ANGELS AND SAINTS (Perfecting) has been ambitiously spotted in both

starts since being claimed. Forced to chase the same superior speed rival and

faltered badly both times. Has run well stalking the pace in the past and would

surely benefit from a little class relief.

5TH – SAINT BONAVENTURE (Sweetsouthernsaint) wound up a creditable second

returning to the main track. Finished well late to gain the place off ordinary

fractions as the race quickened. Would surely benefit from a drop into a high

level maiden claimer and a lively/contentious early pace.

Saturday (6/11)

5TH – VICIOUS BOY (Golden Voyager) has been sharpened sprinting off the

Vaders' claim. Clearly second best in a swiftly run race chasing home a well

bet/well meant class dropping returnee. Expect to see him stretched out off this

effort.

6TH – REPUNZEL'S KNIGHT (Homebuilder) closed very strongly despite being

zealously spotted off a basement level claiming win. Eligible for much softer

spots.

Sunday (6/12)

2ND – JUSTICIERO (Count On Steve) finished a good third turning back to a

sprint and dropping in class. Ran "sneaky well" against strong fractions in a

race that was quick for the class level. Note that it was nearly seven lengths

farther back to the fourth place finisher.

6TH – HURRICANE AL (Thunder Gulch) was compromised by a wide trip from an

outside post in his turf debut. Is certainly capable of much better than he has

been showing lately.

7TH – ELUSIVE JORDAN (Elusive Quality) was hard used setting a very

enterprising pace against a strong band of 5K claimers. Clearly needs his speed

rationed carefully, and would benefit if Flores returns to the saddle.