PHILADELPHIA PARK NOTEBOOK
APRIL 1, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Philadelphia Park will once again switch to its spring schedule of live
racing this week. Racing will be conducted on a Saturday through Tuesday basis,
with a 1ST race post time of 12:25 p.m. (ET).
The featured race this past Saturday was an allowance contest for
four-year-olds and up at seven furlongs. An evenly-matched field of 10 went to post, as handicappers eventually made ROYAL SIPHON (Siphon) a lukewarm
5-2 favorite in the closing minutes of wagering. Even though he had not raced
since February, 2004, at Santa Anita, the layoff proved to be of little consequence
as he ran past the beleaguered leaders in the stretch. Royal Siphon
eventually edged away to a 1 1/4 decision as Strata Climber (Charismatic) closed
belatedly off the fast pace to finish second, just three parts of a length ahead of Barney
Smith (Evening Kris), who rallied as well.
The winner is trained by Clifford Sise Jr., who has a presence here and in
California as well. Handicappers should pay close attention to this outfit, as
they can expect an influx of California shippers from Sise, which will be cover
allowance runners all the way down to basement level claimers looking for
softer competition. Sise does quite well for himself at Philly Park, with a near 30
percent strike rate.
The main track played quite favorably to speed on Monday and Tuesday.
However, Friday featured a majority of winners from off
the pace. There was no perceivable bias on Saturday. The lone path bias occurred
on Friday, when runners racing toward the outside part of the course fared
well.
Josiah Hampshire Jr. owns a seven-win edge over Harry Vega in the jockey’s
standings heading into this week. Jose Flores remains in third followed by
Victor Molina and Frankie Pennington.
Jayne Vaders leads Scott Lake by a single victory in the trainer’s standings.
Robert Seeger is far back in third, followed closely by Guadalupe Preciado, Mark
Fusco and Patricia Farro.
HORSES TO WATCH
Monday (3/21)
6TH – STONE HOPE (Grindstone) was clearly second best chasing home an odds-on
winning favorite. Could not match strides with that rival in the stretch in a
race that finished up well late.
7TH – KALKI’S PRIDE (Regal Classic) displayed wrong tactics off the Stephen Mick claim while
stepping up in class. Chased a lively pace only to finish evenly in the stretch.
Appears better suited to stalking tactics and would benefit from some class
relief in her second start for new connections.
Tuesday (3/22)
1ST – VICIOUS BOY (Golden Voyager) improved to third on the drop into a
restricted claimer. Finished with interest after stalking a loose front runner
and appears to be sitting on a winning effort.
9TH – REPORT A HIGHFIRE (Joy’s Report) exhibited much improved early speed
chasing a lively pace for the class level. Finished willingly to be second best
while being dropped down to a more suitable level. Has been winless a long time, but
also has been racing a bit over her head.
Friday (3/25)
3RD – ONE BAD SISTER (Bon Point) turned in an improved effort returning to a dry track for
Lake. Carved out extremely fast fractions over a course favoring
closers. Appears to be rounding back into form and look for a change in jockeys to
Flores, Lake’s main rider at Philly.
5TH – BABY SHAQ (Mercedes Won) awoke from a long slumber while switching pilots and
getting the fast track he prefers. After steadying shortly after the start,
gelding dispensed a strong move down the backstretch to reach contention and continued
on well in the stretch while second best in a swiftly run race.
Saturday (3/26)
4TH – NELLIE L (Irgun) gave a much-improved showing while reuniting with jockey Hampshire on the drop. Had to wait while trapped behind horses around the
far turn and closed strongly in the stretch when maneuvered to the inside while
second best to a winning favorite who enjoyed a perfect trip. Fits extremely
well at the $5,000 NW4L level.
8TH – GOOD TIP (Crafty Prospector) was hard used setting a quick and pestered
pace off a brief respite. Held well until midstretch before tiring slowly.
10TH – JORDAN’S ROSE (Jack Livingston) gave a useful fourth place finish shipping
down from Aqueduct. Dueled through a very quick opening quarter mile from an
extreme outside gate and understandably tired late, having not run since February
10. Should have derived beneficial conditioning and experience from her first
effort over the Philly Park oval.