Eight fillies set for Sands
Point; Harlington returns
Saturday’s feature at Belmont Park, the $150,000 Sands Point S. (G2) on the
inner turf, has attracted an intriguing group of eight sophomore fillies who
could boost their credentials for the July 5 American Oaks Invitational (G1) at
Hollywood Park. Earlier on the card, an allowance/optional claimer holds plenty
of interest, as it marks the return of the royally bred Grade 2 winner HARLINGTON (Unbridled).
Appalachian S. (G3) heroine ALWAJEEHA (Dixieland Band) ranks as the most
accomplished entrant in the Sands Point, which has been elevated to Grade 2
status this season. The Kiaran McLaughlin filly made her
stakes debut in the Tropical Park Oaks on New Year’s Day at Calder, where she
had to steady on the far turn, but still finished energetically for runner-up
honors to Bsharpsonata (Pulpit). Alwajeeha next lined up in an entry-level
allowance at Gulfstream Park and again checked in second, beaten this time by
LIFE IS SWEET (Storm Cat). The bay then broke through with her first stakes
score in the Appalachian at Keeneland, rallying to a hard-fought decision over
the smart Sweepstake (Ire) (Acclamation), with I LOST MY CHOO (Western
Expression) a close third. John Velazquez will be back aboard Alwajeeha, who
will carry the top weight of 121 pounds as she steps up to nine furlongs.
Life Is Sweet, a full sister to champion Sweet Catomine, is still seeking her
first taste of stakes success. After her aforementioned allowance victory at the
expense of Alwajeeha, the Bill Mott pupil tried her hand against much tougher in
the Ashland S. (G1) on Keeneland’s Polytrack, and was not disgraced in fourth.
Life Is Sweet reverted to turf for the Calder Oaks last time out, and although
she encountered trouble at the start, she closed well for second in the 1
1/8-mile event. Regular rider Kent Desormeaux will guide the late-running bay.
I Lost My Choo reeled off three straight wins at Gulfstream Park before her
game third in the Appalachian. The deep closer found herself in the unaccustomed
role of pace-presser in that contest, and she is eligible to improve with a more
typical trip. Edgar Prado will reunite with the Phil Serpe filly.
Completing the field are RAW SILK (Malibu Moon), a fading third in the
Gaviola S. most recently; Keeneland allowance scorer LOOKALIKE (Dynaformer), who
is the only contender with a victory at this distance; New York-bred allowance
winners QUEEN OF PROTOCOL (Housebuster) and AMBIDAXTROUS (Deputy Commander); and
the main-track only entrant, FOREST TRAIL (Forest Wildcat), from the Shug
McGaughey barn.
Queen of Protocol will lead the post parade beneath Cornelio Velasquez. Next
will come Life Is Sweet; Lookalike, Eibar Coa; Alwajeeha; Ambidaxtrous, Rajiv
Maragh; Raw Silk, Alan Garcia; I Lost My Choo; and if it is rained off the turf,
Forest Trail, Alan Garcia.
Except for Alwajeeha, each filly will shoulder 117 pounds.
A dozen New York-breds, including three main-track only hopefuls, have signed
on for the $75,000
Pebo’s
Guy S. three races earlier on the Saturday card. Among the top threats in the
grassy six-furlong dash are SILVER TIMBER (Prime Timber) and SOUTHERN PRINCE
(Hennessy), the respective second and third from the Music Prince S. last time
out; GIMME CREDIT (Artax), who cuts back to a sprint for the first time since
his romp in the Notoriety S. here last June; and three-year-old gelding
CANNONBALL (Catienus), who is also shortening up in hopes of sparking a form
turnaround.
Before the turf stakes action begins, the talented but fragile Harlington
will return from a year-long layoff in the
4TH
race for new trainer Tom Albertrani. Out of champion and $3.2 million earner
Serena’s Song (Rahy), the dark bay was a $2.8 million yearling purchase at
Keeneland September. The Melnyk Racing Stables colorbearer won his first two
starts for Todd Pletcher, but disappointed when winding up sixth in the 2005
Risen Star S. (G3).
After a nearly 10-month layoff, Harlington rolled to an impressive allowance
tally at Aqueduct, which was the beginning of a three-race winning streak that
culminated in the 2006 Gulfstream Park H. (G2). His sequence was broken next
time out in the Pimlico Special H. (G1), where he was beaten six lengths by
eventual Horse of the Year Invasor (Arg), and another lengthy spell on the
sidelines ensued. Harlington reappeared one year later to post a smashing
allowance/optional claiming score at this same track and 1 1/16-mile trip last
May, but he has not raced since.
Velazquez will ride the six-year-old, who will face five rivals in the
allowance/optional claimer. His chief opponent could be TASTEYVILLE (With
Approval), last seen romping in the Sport Page H. (G3) in October, while the
improving GREELEY’S LEGACY (Mr. Greeley) and the Wayne Lukas-trained RICHLAND
CREEK (Smart Strike) are also worthy of consideration.