AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
|
DALLAS TURF CUP H. (G3), 7TH-LS, $200,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/8MT, 4:23 P.M. CDT, 5-26 |
|
| 1 |
GOING BALLISTIC, 4, c, by Lite the FuseHoly Lightning, by Holy Bull O-Kindred Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Adena Springs (Fl) |
| 2 |
EIGHTEENTHOFMARCH, 4, G, by Wild EventOopsy Daisy, by Evansville Slew O-Thoroughbred Partners LLC; B-Mr Gabriel Dixon (Fl) |
| 3 |
SWAINS NEWS, 4, c, by Swain (Ire)Azireprice, by Repriced O-On Target Racing Stable LLC; B-On Target Racing LLC (Ky) |
| 4 |
CHURCH SERVICE, 5, G, by PulpitTo Be Approved, by With Approval O-Robert Tjosvold; B-Allen Joseph (Ky) |
| 5 |
JAZZ QUEST, 4, c, by Jambalaya JazzAngel’s Our Star, by Broad Brush O-Richard C Colton Jr; B-Charles Nuckols, Jr. & Sons (Il) |
| 6 |
RED ROCK CREEK, 7, G, by NumerousStreaming, by Oh Say O-Steven M Asmussen; B-Jim E. Nelson (Ky) |
| 7 |
BETA CAPO, 4, c, by LangfuhrMiners Mirage, by Mining O-Cathy & Bob Zollars; B-Adena Springs (Ky) |
| 8 |
SCRAPPY ROO, 5, G, by Roo ArtDance’s Lyph, by King Lyph O-Tawana Cantrell; B-Dr. David S. Taylor (Tx) |
| 9 |
STORM MILITARY (ARG), 6, h, by BernsteinShy Mandona, by Shy Tom O-Castleton Lyons & La Biznaga; B-La Biznaga (Arg) |
Monday’s $200,000 Dallas Turf Cup H. (G3) looks like a good spot for JAZZ
QUEST (Jambalaya Jazz) to break through with his first graded stakes victory.
The Tom Amoss charge has been a solid performer in graded company, placing in
such events as the Jefferson Cup (G2), Crown Royal American Turf S. (G3) and
Fair Grounds H. (G3), where he was a rallying second to the classy Daytona
(Ire) (Indian Ridge). Jazz Quest is coming off a close third in a stakes-quality
allowance/optional claimer at Churchill Downs, and we’re sure that Amoss
wouldn’t ship to Lone Star if he didn’t rate a big chance. The chestnut’s
tactical speed should serve him well in this grassy nine-furlong affair,
allowing him to get first run on the closers. Aaron Gryder picks up the mount on
the honest colt, who has won or placed in seven of his last 10 outings.
Argentinean champion STORM MILITARY (Arg) (Bernstein) has flashed brilliance
on occasion for Bobby Frankel, but for every stellar effort, he manages to throw
in a disappointing run. If he turns in a performance akin to his smashing
victory in the Thunder Road H. three back, the dark bay will put this field to
the sword. Storm Military did not run up to that level when retreating to fourth
in the San Gabriel H. (G2), beaten 4 1/4 lengths by the aforementioned Daytona;
or the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1), when he again faded after dueling early; or
the Commonwealth S. (G2) last time out, although he deserves a pass for that one
being on the Polytrack. This represents an opportunity for class relief on the
turf, which he may well take advantage of. He’s a bit too inconsistent for us to
endorse for the win, however, especially at short odds. Garrett Gomez sticks
with the mercurial six-year-old.
The versatile GOING BALLISTIC (Lite the Fuse) is accomplished on both dirt
and turf, and he has compiled a smart 3-2-0-1 mark over the Lone Star course. On
the debit side of the ledger, the Donnie Von Hemel trainee tends to drop too far
back off the early pace, which could leave him with too much to do in the
stretch. That was one of his problems en route to a fourth in the Texas Mile S.
(G3) on the main track last time out. We still respect the Super Derby (G2)
hero, who has also hit the board in the American Derby (G2) and Secretariat S.
(G1), and will include him in our exotics. Clifton Berry will be back in the
saddle.
California shipper CHURCH SERVICE (Pulpit) has mostly been competing at
marathon distances. Claimed for $50,000 by Mike Mitchell in January, the gelding
progressed dramatically next time out to finish second in the San Luis Obispo H.
(G2), and he followed up with a near-miss in the Tokyo City Cup H. (G3) on the
Cushion Track. A repeat of either of those efforts would make him dangerous, but
we’re not thrilled with the abrupt cutback from 12 furlongs. Brice Blanc will
guide the deep closer.
Texas Mile third BETA CAPO (Langfuhr) has back class on the turf from his
2007 sophomore campaign. A multiple stakes winner versus lesser on the dirt, the
dark bay claims a stakes victory on this lawn at the expense of Going Ballistic
last year. Beta Capo still strikes us as a notch below some of these and is best
viewed as a fringe player in this event, if trainer Steve Asmussen opts to run.
The dark bay is cross-entered to the Lone Star Park H. (G3) later on the card.
SCRAPPY ROO (Roo Art) just held on by a head from Going Ballistic in the John
B. Connally Turf H. (G3) two starts ago, capping a remarkable rise from $25,000
claiming company. The fairy tale was interrupted when he wound up a remote fifth
in the Texas Mile, but he is eligible to improve back on the grass. This
represents another step up in class, away from his home base of Sam Houston, so
we remain slightly skeptical of the Texas-bred. EIGHTEENTHOFMARCH (Wild Event),
a close third in the Connally most recently, would need to step up his game to
crack the top three here.
SWAINS NEWS (Swain [Ire]) brings a three-race winning streak into his stakes
debut for Pat Mouton. The lightly raced four-year-old could have the talent to
make his presence felt, but we’d prefer to watch how he fares this time. RED
ROCK CREEK (Numerous), who is coupled in the wagering with Beta Capo, looks up
against it in this group.