AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
|
ACK ACK H. (G3), 8TH-HOL, $100,000, 3YO/UP, 7.5F, 3:44 P.M. PDT, 6-6 |
|
| 1 |
NOBLE COURT, 5, h, by Doneraile CourtGrey Dawn Grey, by Grindstone O-Joy Ride Racing; B-Brereton C Jones (Ky) |
| 2 |
LUHUK’S DANCER, 6, G, by LuhukMishawaka, by Miswaki O-Haymes or Master or Sterling Stables; B-Oakford Lee (BC) |
| 3 |
MUTAK GOLD, 4, G, by MutakddimHoney Grove, by Gilded Time O-Hollendorfer or Todaro; B-Nelson Bunker Hunt Sr. (Ky) |
| 4 |
DAVOS, 4, G, by LangfuhrCarrie Can, by Saratoga Six O-Ron Crockett Inc; B-Ron Crockett Inc. (Ky) |
| 5 |
PRUSSIAN, 4, c, by DanzigCrystal Downs, by Alleged O-Monticule Farm LLC; B-Monticule (Ky) |
| 6 |
DOPPIO, 7, G, by Gentlemen (Arg)Gran Dama, by Rahy O-Keith Brackpool; B-John T. L. Jones Jr. & Bemak NV (Ky) |
| 7 |
PAUL’S HOPE, 5, G, by Lake AustinFondest Hope, by Personal Hope O-Hollendorfer or Todaro; B-Sunrise Stable South (Fl) |
| 8 |
RUSH WITH THUNDER, 5, G, by Tribal RuleGentle Words, by Bertrando O-L-Bo Racing or Pyle; B-Wygod Martin J. Mr. & Mrs. (Ca) |
| 9 |
SIERRA SUNSET, 4, c, by BertrandoToot Sweet, by Pirate’s Bounty O-Lebherz or Mariani or Schmitt; B-Mr & Mrs Martin J Wygod (Ca) |
| 10 |
LIBERIAN FREIGHTER, 4, G, by BertrandoAnachristina, by Slewpy O-Dugan Est of Nahem & Winner; B-Nahem Edward (Ca) |
| 11 |
STAR NICHOLAS, 6, G, by PoteenViznaga, by Royal Roberto O-King Max Farms or Mostero Family Trust; B-Pete Cristofi & Bob Nugent (Ca) |
Eleven sprinters are set for Saturday’s $100,000 Ack Ack H. (G3), and NOBLE
COURT (Doneraile Court) is the pick from the rail. Winner of the 2007 San
Vicente S. (G2), the bay horse has raced sparingly since then but shows very
solid form, winning two of three starts since October 2008. He’s earned whopping
BRIS Late Pace ratings in those outings and owns some of the best BRIS Speed
ratings in this field. John Sadler probably has much bigger goals and will
carefully craft a campaign with the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) in mind, and Noble
Court will look to rally from just off the pace for the win.
LIBERIAN FREIGHTER (Bertrando) turned in an excellent showing on the front
end of the Tiznow S. last out, and the Neil
Drysdale pupil looms as a serious wire-to-wire threat in this spot. He’s well
drawn in post 10 with Rafael Bejarano, and he likes the 7 1/2-furlong distance.
We give him a shot at a front-running score.
DOPPIO (Gentlemen [Arg]) didn’t enjoy the best trip last time in the
six-furlong Los Angeles H. (G3), but the late-running gelding figures to benefit
from the additional ground and has shown a preference for Hollywood (two-for-four) in the past. With his huge Late Pace numbers, the Grade 3 runner-up can be
along for a share.
SIERRA SUNSET (Bertrando) is a top three candidate off the long layoff.
Trained by Jeff Bonde, the California-bred colt established himself as a
Kentucky Derby (G1) contender with a three-length score in the 2008 Rebel S.
(G3), but he headed to the shelf afterward and hasn’t been seen under silks in 448
days. Sierra Sunset is bred to prefer middle distances anyway, and he’s trained
forwardly in advance of his return. We don’t expect a win, but we’ll use him in
our tickets.
DAVOS (Langfuhr) has displayed a decent late kick in his last couple of
starts, but he’s stepping up into a more difficult spot. However, the improving Doug
O’Neill trainee merits consideration for the exotics. PAUL’S HOPE (Lake
Austin) kicked it in late in the Los Angeles, falling short by only
three-quarters of a length in second, but we don’t like the added ground for
him. The late runner is also zero-for-seven at Hollywood. The Florida-bred still
figures to offer a solid showing, given the fact that he’s hit the board in 10
of his last 12 starts.
STAR NICOLAS (Poteen) owns a solid kick, but he’s been getting off slowly
from the gate and could leave himself too much to do on Saturday. PRUSSIAN
(Danzig) showed plenty of promise on the turf earlier in his career, but we’re
not sure about him sprinting on the Cushion Track. We won’t recommend off a
disappointing effort last time at low odds in the San Simeon H. (G3).
Golden Gate invader MUTAK GOLD (Mutakddim) has run well this year for Jerry
Hollendorfer, but we’ll watch to see how he fares in his Southern California
debut. After recording a pair of unplaced finishes versus higher-priced
claimers, LUHUK’S DANCER (Luhuk) dropped to the $25,000 level to secure a win
last out. He’s probably overmatched here. RUSH WITH THUNDER (Tribal Rule) is
also facing a difficult class hike.