Philadelphia Park Notebook

PHILADELPHIA PARK NOTEBOOK

MAY 6, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

An optional-claiming event for fillies and mares, four-year-olds and up, was

the featured event this past Saturday at Philly Park. With the track playing

favorably to early speed, FINANCIAL RISK (Not for Love) was a logical choice to

wire the field off a freshening for trainer Todd Beattie. As it turned out, the

risk justified the reward as she proved to be a punctual favorite, winning by a

diminishing neck. Financial Risk took full advantage of her speed and outside

post to dictate the early pace under jockey Nick Santagata. She rated kindly on

the lead and held gamely in the stretch, withstanding a late rally by George's

Girl (My Prince Charming).

The runner-up had not sprinted since mid-February,

and relaxed nicely off the early pace while racing along the deeper inside. She

was then angled off the rail in the stretch and closed strongly to just miss in

a sharp effort. A claim of foul by jockey David Mello aboard the second-place

finisher against the winner was not allowed. Fast Laner (Mutakddim), resorting

to rating tactics, took down the show by a nose over Stylish N Adorable (Grand

Slam).

Financial Risk improved her Philly Park record to five wins from just 11

starts for Todd Beattie, who base of operation is Penn National. Santagata has

been aboard in each victory.

On Sunday, preliminary allowance runners took to the track in the nightcap.

The race, for older runners going a mile and 70 yards, brought together eight, with overwhelming favoritism going to the Scott Lake-trained Stroud (Meadowlake).

However, top honors went to FRISKY MARK (Miner's Mark), who battled gamely on

the front end virtually every step of the way to earn a well deserved neck

victory. Aibrean (Two Davids) closed gamely to just miss as Pocopson Man (T. V.

Alliance) gave ground grudgingly in the stretch after setting the early

fractions and finished third.

Early speed was key just about every racing day. The outside paths were

preferable over the weekend.

Harry Vega passed Josiah Hampshire Jr. to take a four win lead in the race

for top jockey. Jose Flores continues to follow in third with Victor Molina in

fourth and Frankie Pennington in fifth.

Lake stands atop the trainer standings with Jayne Vaders a distant second.

Robert Seeger holds on to third with Guadalupe Preciado and Patricia Farro

rounding out the top five.

Monday (4/25)

1ST – THE INDIVIDUALIST (Deposit Ticket) showed vast improvement making first

his start off the Krebs' claim. Set a very fast pace before weakening in the

stretch. Should be much fitter in second start off a brief rest and would

benefit from a cutback in distance.

8TH – LISA'S ROYAL GUY (Roy) was forced to steady in the midst of a rally

while attempting to split rivals in midstretch. Finished evenly thereafter in a

much better effort and was eventually elevated to second. Is eligible for softer

10K NW4L claiming contest.

Tuesday (4/26)

2ND – POTTERSVILLE (Conveyor) improved in his Philly Park debut effort,

running third. Forced to rally into a very slow pace in a race that finished up

well late. Appears to want more distance.

3RD – SAM'S SIXTEENTH (Heff) endured a tough trip on the drop with a 10-pound

bug on. Hesitated at the start, spotting the field a head-start. Was forced to

steady sharply thereafter when rank heading into the first turn. Saddled with a

tough task attempting to overhaul another class dropper that was loose on the

lead over a speed favoring track.

8TH – GOOD TIP (Crafty Prospector) was a daylight winner dropping into a

conditioned claimer and switching to Vega, who rides extremely well for Pino.

Nicely handled on the front end and drew away with complete authority once

switching to his proper lead in the stretch. Can win right back if properly

spotted and doesn't need to have the lead.

Saturday (4/30)

2ND – PRIDE OF THE FOX (Virginia Rapids) held gamely racing toward the deeper

inside while facing basement level claimers in a race that finished up well

late. Extremely dangerous if he remains at the 4K level and returns on a fast

track.

6TH – ROMANTIC RENDEZVOO (Partner's Hero) put forth a much improved effort on

the drop in a conditioned claimer. Recaptured her early foot to dispute the pace

along a bad rail before tiring slowly in the stretch.

7TH – PUGGY'S LAST LOVE (Not for Love) easily dispatched a field of $6,250

claimers on the drop. Might be able to handle a negligible rise in class off

this winning effort.

Sunday (5/1)

5TH – KEITH CAN SCORE (Aggressive Chief) was an even second on the drop into

a conditioned claimer. Finished with interest to gain the place chasing home a

wire-to-wire winner in a race that was fast throughout.

9TH – POCOPSON MAN (T.V. Alliance) was ambitiously spotted off the Fusco

claim stepping up into a preliminary allowance contest. Held well to finish

third while setting a fast pace. Is eligible for much softer competition.