AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
| PHILIP H.
ISELIN S. (G3), 9TH-MTH, $300,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/8M, 4:50 P.M. EDT, 8-22 |
|
| 1 |
RESEARCHER, 5, m, by Two SmartWild Magnolia, by Apalachee O-Rutledge Farm; B-Virginia Tech Foundation (Va) |
| 2 |
CHIRAC, 4, G, by Sligo Bay (Ire)Mona Lisa, by You and I O-Pia M Kirkham; B-Mrs. Pia M. Kirkham (Fl) |
| 3 |
SOLAR FLARE (ARG), 5, h, by Salt LakeStellaire, by Southern Halo O-Fox Hill Farms Inc; B-La Quebrada (Arg) |
| 4 |
YOU AND I FOREVER, 4, c, by A.P. IndyYou, by You and I O-Edmund A Gann; B-Gann Edmund A. (Ky) |
| 5 |
COAL PLAY, 4, c, by MineshaftWiscasset, by Kris S. O-Robert V Lapenta; B-Emory A. Hamilton (Ky) |
| 6 |
PAMPERED SIR, 5, h, by ConcertoAnother Treasure, by Tasso O-Stacey & James A Frangella Jr; B-Pierce Joseph H. Jr (Fl) |
| 7 |
ACTIN GOOD, 5, G, by Yes It’s TrueHollow Design, by Colonial Affair O-W Corrigan P Dicosmo & Leo-Sag; B-Johnson Hollow Farm (Fl) |
A solid field of seven will travel nine furlongs in Saturday’s $300,000
Philip H. Iselin S. (G3) at Monmouth Park. Grade 3 victor RESEARCHER (Two Smart) drew the rail in here for trainer Jeff
Runco and gets out top billing on this day.
The talented gelding had a stellar
2008 campaign, winning or placing in all eight starts including a triumph in the Queens
County H. (G3) to conclude his year, and he’s run well with mixed results this
season. A winner of the lucrative Charles Town Classic S. three prior, the
five-year-old has excellent tactical speed and should enjoy this oft
speed-favoring oval.
SOLAR FLARE (Arg) (Salt Lake) finished a good third in the local prep for
this, the Salvator Mile H. (G3), and rates a winning chance for conditioner
Larry Jones. The five-year-old chestnut, who romped by nine lengths in the Frisk
Me Now S. upon this oval two back, looks to have all of the tools necessary to
challenge late under Gabriel Saez.
Monmouth-lover COAL PLAY (Mineshaft) freaked when wiring the Salvator Mile
last out for Nick Zito, registering a robust 110 BRIS Speed figure along the
way. The Kentucky-bred bay is a different animal at Monmouth, compiling Speed
numbers of 90, 100, 103, 108 and 110 here while winning three times. We fear
that the four-year-old will be overbet in this one, but he’s an obvious win
threat beneath Joe Bravo.
Grade 2-placed YOU AND I FOREVER (A.P. Indy) has been somewhat inconsistent
at this level but can be really good when he is right for Marty Wolfson, who
took over from trainer Bill Mott this year. The bay colt had two decent preps in
advance of this and gets a positive rider switch to Eddie Castro on this day, so
we’ll use the four-year-old in our exotics at an expected square price.
Grade 3 winner ACTIN GOOD (Yes It’s True) was ultra-game to win for
the fourth time on the Monmouth oval in the Majestic Light S. last out, but 1 1/8 miles seems to be stretching
this gelding beyond his comfort zone and we will take a pass on this occasion. Majestic Light fourth CHIRAC (Sligo Bay [Ire]) has come to hand nicely this
campaign for Jane Cibelli, winning four of his eight starts including three over
this strip. The improving sort still must prove himself against this type of
field, though, so we’ll take a pass on the four-year-old.
PAMPERED SIR (Concerto) runs best when on or near the lead for trainer James
Frangella Jr., but the front end looks awfully busy in this race and he could get
fried if he tackles the expected favorite early. The chestnut would be a big
surprise in the winners’ circle.