AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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CLIFF HANGER S. (G3), 8TH-MED, $125,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16MT, 3:57 P.M. EDT, 10-3 |
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| 1 |
EVEN RAISE, 5, h, by Stephen Got EvenWild Raise, by Wild Again O-Winning Move Robbins & Paddock Tree; B-Stanley M. Ersoff (Fl) |
| 2 |
BRAVE TIN SOLDIER, 5, h, by Storm CatBless, by Mr. Prospector O-Kiaran P McLaughlin; B-Classicstar (Ky) |
| 3 |
GET SERIOUS, 5, G, by City ZipJava Gal, by Java Gold O-J M Dinan J J Moore & Phantom House; B-Morgan’s Ford Farm (NY) |
| 4 |
NERGAL (FR), 6, G, by Simon Du DesertNoemie, by Beaudelaire O-Richard Bassett; B-Dr Georges Sandor (Fr) |
| 5 |
PLEASANT STRIKE, 5, h, by Smart StrikeColonella, by Pleasant Colony O-Edward P Evans; B-Edward P. Evans (Va) |
| 6 |
VANQUISHER, 5, G, by GulchThe Relentless Cat, by Storm Cat O-Kinsman Stable; B-Kinsman Farm (Fl) |
| 7 |
KISS THE KID, 6, h, by Lemon Drop KidBlack Tie Kiss, by Danzig O-Hardacre Farm LLC; B-Jayeff B Stables (Ky) |
| 8 |
AT THE DISCO, 5, h, by Disco RicoMary Lou’s Magic, by Concorde’s Tune O-Patricia A Generazio; B-Generazio Patricia (NJ) |
A useful field of eight, one of whom is a main-track only entrant, will vie
in the $125,000 Cliff Hanger S. (G3) at Meadowlands on Saturday. GET SERIOUS
(City Zip) reeled off a quartet of stakes wins from his last five tests at
Monmouth Park for John Forbes, and the gelding will try his luck on this turf
oval for the first time. The favorite is a front-running machine as of late and
will be difficult to reel in under Pablo Fragoso.
NERGAL (Fr) (Simon du Desert) has earned triple-digit BRIS Late Pace numbers
in eight straight for Christophe Clement and was a fast-closing third versus
better in this race last campaign. The ultra-consistent gelding will likely be
the one in the winners’ circle if our top pick misses a beat.
KISS THE KID (Lemon Drop Kid) was a sharp winner of this last year and is
perfect upon this green in two career tries for Amy Tarrant. The consistent
six-year-old will challenge for the top spot with his best.
BRAVE TIN SOLDIER (Storm Cat) has not lived up to his lofty pedigree but
could still put a graded win on his resume with a career best for Kiaran
McLaughlin. The late runner would benefit from a rapid pace, and if he gets it,
could be a sleeper at a square price. Red Bank S. (G3) runner-up PLEASANT STRIKE (Smart Strike) has a useful turn
of foot and some tactical speed, but we think he’ll be outkicked late while
still remaining in the mix for a placing.
VANQUISHER (Gulch) has yet to regain the form that saw him roll to three
straight in Florida over the winter, but his last was good and we’ll throw him
in the mix. AT THE DISCO (Disco Rico) is very quick but has just one turf win
from 14 tries. He may make life difficult for the favorite early, though.
EVEN RAISE (Stephen Got Even) has very good dirt form for Gary Contessa and
ran into a monster named Girolamo (A.P. Indy) last out, so if the rain washes this one off the green, we
consider him a live contender.