December 23, 2024

Hanshin Cup

Last updated: 5/26/06 2:00 PM


TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS









HANSHIN CUP H.
(G3), 8TH-AP, $100,000, 3YO/UP, 1M, 4:32PM, 5-27
 
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 FIFTEEN ROUNDS JANKS CHRISTINE K EMIGH C A 117
2 WITH DISTINCTION LUKAS D WAYNE MARTIN E M JR 116
3 GOULDINGS GREEN REINSTEDLER ANTHONY LANERIE C J 118
4 THREE HOUR NAP ROBERTSON HUGH TORRES F C 117
5 SEMAPHORE MAN VON HEMEL DON STERLING L J JR 114


A short field of five will line up Saturday for the $100,000 Hanshin Cup H.
(G3) at Arlington Park. Any one of these horses could come out on top, but we
will pick FIFTEEN ROUNDS (Fit to Fight) as our top choice due to his experience
over Arlington’s surface. Trained by Christine Janks, the six-year-old gelding
has eight victories in 11 starts here, his last coming in a wire-to-wire victory
in the Timeless Native S. earlier this month. He has been working sharply in the
mornings and will keep regular rider Chris Emigh for this one.

Although listed as the 5-1 longshot, THREE HOUR NAP (Afternoon Deelites) also
brings an excellent record at Arlington (5-4-0-1) to the table as well as winning both of
his races at a mile. The four-year-old bay colt has shown a good late kick in
several of his starts this year and could use this to get up in the end. Trainer
Hugh Robertson has garnered four winner’s circle pictures with his past 12
starters while winning four of 11 when teamed up with jockey Francisco Torres.

GOULDINGS GREEN (Charismatic) also has the ability to make a nice late run.
The Tony Reinstedler-conditioned five-year-old has earned triple-digit BRIS
Speed figures in eight consecutive races, including a career-high 106
when coming home third in the Oaklawn H. (G2) two back. Although able to make a
late run, he is also capable of running right up front as witnessed last March
against allowance company. He will be dangerous here, but at low odds.

WITH DISTINCTION (Storm Cat) has mainly proven himself a one-paced runner,
but is certainly able to get to the early lead with a short field and may
benefit from breaking in the second post position. Second in the Churchill Downs
H. (G2) last out, the D. Wayne Lukas trainee should be kept in mind for the
exotics.

SEMAPHORE MAN (Formal Gold) will be stretching out from his usual distance of
six furlongs. Although he will probably be seen vying for the early lead, the added
two furlongs as well as the class of his other rivals make this one to
pass on. Larry Sterling Jr. rides.




TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS:   1st-FIFTEEN ROUNDS
    2nd-THREE HOUR NAP
    3rd-GOULDINGS GREEN