AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
| HANSHIN CUP H.
(G3), 8TH-AP, $100,000, 3YO/UP, 1M, 4:32PM, 5-27 |
|
| 1 |
FIFTEEN ROUNDS, 6, G, by Fit to FightStar of the Dance, by Fast Play O-Ken Meeker & Carson Springs Farm; B-Emerald Ridge Farm (Fl) |
| 2 |
WITH DISTINCTION, 5, h, by Storm CatExtravagant Woman, by Alydar O-Robert B & Beverly J Lewis; B-William S. Farish Jr. (Ky) |
| 3 |
GOULDINGS GREEN, 5, h, by CharismaticElusive Gold, by Strike the Gold O-Melnyk Racing Stables Inc; B-Marvin Delfiner (Ky) |
| 4 |
THREE HOUR NAP, 4, c, by Afternoon DeelitesPilgrim’s Treasure, by Pilgrim O-Hugh H Robertson & Homewrecker Racing; B-Frank A. Penn Jr. & D. Flannigan (Ky) |
| 5 |
SEMAPHORE MAN, 4, G, by Formal GoldSemaphore Ms., by Lost Code O-Double Bogey Stable; B-Mr. & Mrs. John D. Murphy (Ky) |
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.