AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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DOGWOOD S. (G3), 10TH-CD, $100,000, 3YO, F, 1M, 5:29 P.M. EDT, 5-29 |
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| 1 |
TAP TAP TAPPING, 3, f, by TapitSenorita Spike, by El Gran Senor O-Carl F. Pollard; B-Hermitage Farm LLC (Ky) |
| 2 |
AGE OF HUMOR, 3, f, by Distorted HumorAge of Silver, by Silver Deputy O-Bluegrass Equine Center Sky Chai Racing; B-R L Reineman Stable Inc. (Ky) |
| 3 |
FUZZY BRITCHES, 3, f, by Pollard’s VisionFlame Trick, by Mt. Livermore O-Lansdon B. Robbins III and Samuel P. Delan; B-Lansdon B. Robbins (Ky) |
| 4 |
AILALEA, 3, f, by Pulpit—Wood Sprite, by Woodman O-Starlight Partners; B-Brylynn Farm Inc. (Ky) |
| 5 |
HELEN BELEN, 3, f, by Five Star DayWaterford Express, by Cherokee Run O-Desk Farms LLC; B-Dr. & Mrs. R. S. West & Mr. & Mrs. Mackenzie Miller (Ky) |
| 6 |
VERTICAL VISION, 3, f, by Pollard’s Vision—Caney Creek, by Service Stripe O-Heiligbrodt Racing Stable; B-John James Revocable Trust (Ok) |
| 7 |
VISAVIS, 3, f, by Indian CharlieLady Cerise, by Honor Grades O-Martin L. Cherry; B-Cherry Martin (Ky) |
| 8 |
BELL’S SHOES, 3, f, by MineshaftIsabell’s Shoes, by King of Kings (Ire) O-Patricia B. Blass; B-Patricia B. Blass (Ky) |
An octet of sophomore fillies will go one-mile on the Churchill Downs main
strip in Saturday’s $100,000 Dogwood S. (G3), and we like AILALEA (Pulpit) to
return to her winning ways in this affair for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The
Grade 3 victress hasn’t placed in a trio of 2010 starts but has faced the best
of her generation, and we’re willing to forgive her for those tries. The bay
will be up close from the start stalking the pace and should enjoy the class
relief in here beneath Calvin Borel.
FUZZY BRITCHES (Pollard’s Vision) was a sharp second in a recent allowance
tune-up, posting a 108 BRIS Late Pace number in the process for Richard Dutrow.
The Grade 2-placed Kentucky-bred seems capable of handling this trip and we’ll
use the late runner in the gimmicks with Corey Lanerie.
VISAVIS (Indian Charlie) was a decent second in the Eight Belles S. (G3) on
the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard last out and looks like a threat in this
one-mile test. The bay Kentucky-bred has very good tactical speed and looks
capable of further improvement, so we’ll toss the lass in our gimmicks plays.
Jamie Theriot has the call.
Busanda S. queen AGE OF HUMOR (Distorted Humor) was no factor in the Kentucky
Oaks (G1) last out but had good finishes prior to that, so she can’t be
dismissed in this affair. The bay filly, who was a close second in the
Bourbonette S. (G3) two prior, is an exotics threat in our minds. Two-time
stakes heroine VERTICAL VISION (Pollard’s Vision) was a solid second in advance
of this but lacks the BRIS Speed figures to be a win threat in this test. The
Oklahoma-bred could get a small share, though, at a big price.
HELEN BELEN (Five Star Day) rolled home a 14 3/4-length winner of the Valdale
S. at Turfway three back but has yet to build upon that showing for trainer
William Denzik Jr. The bay will be making her dirt debut in this event and while
we think it’s possible that she improves, we’ll let her beat us. BELL’S SHOES
(Mineshaft) owns just a maiden win and may find herself overmatched in this
field. Honeybee S. (G3) third TAP TAP TAPPING (Tapit) was dusted in a recent
local allowance and can’t factor into our wagers on this occasion.