Philadelphia Park Notebook

PHILADELPHIA PARK NOTEBOOK

JUNE 3, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

Turf racing made its long awaited 2005 debut at Philly Park over the Memorial

Day weekend, and it certainly was a welcome addition. Not only did grass racing

serve to spice things up a little after months of racing on the main track, but

racing over the turf usually means full fields, and more often than not, double-digit payoffs.

Philadelphia Park presented the Donald Levine Memorial H. on Saturday for

three-year-olds and upward. The field was literally cut in half with five

program scratches, making GADACE'S KHAMSEH's (Piccolino) task a bit easier as he

proceeded to wired the field in racehorse time, completing seven panels in

an ultra fast time of 1:21.27. The winner, ridden by Victor Molina, set the pace

racing well of the dead rail, and would not relinquish the lead despite a last

gasp effort by runner-up Saay Mi Name (Not for Love) in deep stretch.

The runner-up raced toward the deeper inside down the backstretch while

stalking the pace and continued to gain ground on the winner late. Polish Pride

(Polish Numbers) raced lethargically early on as the 6-5 favorite in the race,

and had to be pushed along to remain within striking distance of the leaders. He

lacked the necessary punch in the stretch, and checked in a well-beaten third.

While the feature race on Sunday was an allowance for fillies and mares

sprinting six furlongs, the contest that piqued the interest of most

handicappers was a starters allowance contest for amateur riders on the turf. I

must admit that it was fascinating race to watch and, all in all, the riders did

a good job. However, betting on such events is not for the faint of heart, and I

must confess that I prefer to be a disinterested bystander when confronted by

these types of races.

There wasn't nearly as much drama concerning the featured 8TH race as odds-on

favorite, SPECTACULAR MOON (Migrating Moon), made every pole a winning one en route to a 1 3/4-length victory. Golddigger Beware (Prenup) gave futile chase to

the winner throughout and was clearly second best, finishing nearly six lengths

in front of Unique Opportunity (Harry the Hat), who was a non-threatening third.

The main track appeared to be bias free to begin the week on Monday, and

remained that way on Tuesday as well. On Saturday, runners who stalked or closed

from just off the pace did well. On Sunday there did not appear to be any

perceivable bias.

I have never seen a track where the inside paths remain deep, day after day.

That was the case last week for each racing day, and the bias toward the

outside paths varied in intensity once again.

The turf course played quite fairly when in use.

Harry Vega maintains a sizeable cushion over Josiah Hampshire Jr. in the

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

completing the top five.

Scott Lake still leads Jayne Vaders in the race for leading trainer. Robert

Seeger remains in third with Patricia Farro in fourth and Guadalupe Preciado in

fifth.

HORSES TO WATCH

Monday (5/23)

6TH – ANGELS AND SAINTS (Perfecting) was a bit overmatched off the Mark Fusco

claim. She tired slowly chasing extremely fast fractions on the front end and

would also benefit if able to secure the lead in subsequent starts. Fits well at

the 5K level.

7TH – MY BULLS EYE (Carnivalay) continues to race over his head, but still

performs reasonably well. Finished with good energy behind a pedestrian pace to

get the place, following home a well bet/well meant Fair Grounds shipper who

dominated the competition. A little class relief would help in addition to a

more flattering pace scenario for him to locate the winner's circle.

Tuesday (5/24)

6TH – SILVER LURE (Silver Charm) improved to second dropping into a

conditioned claiming event. Forced to rally against a slow pace in a race that

finished up well late. Needs a lively pace on the front end to produce a top

effort.

9TH – BULLETTHEBLUESKY (Known Fact) continues to run well despite being

pitched to high. Even third in recent outing behind a multi-level class dropper.

Would obviously benefit greatly from much softer company.

Saturday (5/28)

1ST – PHONEONAHIGHNOTE (Semoran) easily handled an overmatched field of

basement level maiden claimers in a very fast time in her career debut. Can win

right back if not ambitiously spotted.

9TH – Saay Mi Name turned in a sharp effort shipping in from his Maryland

base. Stalked a modest pace toward the deeper inside set by the wire-to-wire

winner and was gaining late. Seems to be more at home when competing at 6 or 6

1/2 furlongs.

Sunday (5/29)

3RD – MYTHICAL TIME (Gilded Time) was severely compromised by an indecisive

ride and weak handling dropping down to the 5K level for the first time in her

career. Closed well to gain the place behind a perfect trip winner.

6TH – STONE DENIAL (Grindstone) finished a much improved second-place finish

with the addition of Lasix and blinkers. Exhibited good early speed and held

well, yielding only to a well meant California shipper.

7TH – SUMMER CHARM (My Prince Charming) wound up a good third switching back

to the main track off a brief rest. Loomed boldly while rallying between rivals

in the stretch and finished evenly in a much needed effort. Appears to respond

extremely well to seven-pound apprentice rider Maria Charles.