AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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MOLLY PITCHER S. (G2), 9TH-MTH, $300,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/16M, 4:50 P.M. EDT, 8-30 |
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| 1 |
YOU ASKED, 5, m, by Yes It’s TrueDixie Deb, by Dixieland Band O-Richard Santulli; B-T.F. Vanmeter II (Fl) |
| 2 |
JESSICA IS BACK, 5, m, by Put It BackJessica’s Halo, by Jolie’s Halo O-Farnsworth Stables LLC; B-Larry Perkins (Fl) |
| 3 |
ANNABILL, 6, m, by OutflankerA. J.’s Hot Shot, by Explodent O-Kenwood Racing LLC; B-Fuller Peter (Fl) |
| 4 |
LUNA VEGA, 4, f, by Malibu MoonDonnavega, by Rock Royalty O-Millennium Farms; B-Marshall Thoroughbreds (Ky) |
| 5 |
DEVIL HOUSE, 5, m, by Chester HouseDiablo’s Bobett, by Diablo O-Glencrest Farm LLC; B-Harrison Trust (Ky) |
| 6 |
EUPHONY, 4, f, by Forest WildcatStrike It Up, by Smart Strike O-Pin Oak Stable; B-Pin Oak Stud, LLC (Ky) |
| 7 |
SPRITELY, 4, f, by Touch GoldWood Sprite, by Woodman O-Edward P Evans; B-John E. & Barbara R. Smicklas (Ky) |
Seven fillies and mares will vie in Saturday’s $300,000 Molly Pitcher S. (G2)
at Monmouth Park. This 1 1/16-mile event has attracted a decent cast, including
win-machine EUPHONY (Forest Wildcat), who we’ve settled on as our top pick. The
Donnie Von Hemel charge has been an excellent runner since debuting at three,
compiling a stellar 12-9-2-1 career mark while competing on dirt, turf and
synthetic ovals. The classy dark bay is perfect at this distance and should have
a target in the lane under Cliff Berry.
SPRITELY (Touch Gold) has reached new levels this campaign for Todd Pletcher,
winning or placing in each of her six starts in 2009, five of which came in
stakes events. The improved four-year-old ran a big one to lead in the stretch
of the Go For Wand H. (G1) last out and just missed in the First Flight H. (G2)
two back, signaling the excellent form she is currently in. The bay will be
forwardly placed and looks formidable beneath Chris DeCarlo.
DEVIL HOUSE (Chester House) is a dangerous speed play in here for Bruce
Levine, and a wet track could propel this mare to another wire-to-wire stakes
tally. An easy winner in the slop of the Lady’s Secret S. most recently, The
Kentucky-bred has never been worse than third over this strip and should be
included in your multi-race wagers.
The key to this race could lie in the hands of Eddie Castro aboard JESSICA IS
BACK (Put it Back), who along with Devil House could ensure of a rapid early
tempo. Trained by Marty Wolfson, the chestnut five-year-old has been really good
in 2009, evidenced by her 8-4-3-0 record, and her 5 1/2-length romp in the slop
at Calder upped her mark to a perfect two-for-two at this trip. Her most recent
work indicates that she’ll be ready to fire from the gate, and the Florida-bred
makes sense if she doesn’t get fried early.
LUNA VEGA (Malibu Moon) earned a strong 101 BRIS Speed figure in her lone
effort at this venue, taking an allowance event by 6 3/4 lengths. The chestnut
filly is stepping up in class for this affair, and while she’s far from a
no-hope contender, we simply prefer others. ANNABILL (Outflanker) is not in
great form and has struggled outside the cozy confines of her Calder base,
including three mediocre tries over the Monmouth oval. The 18-time winner could
rally for a minor share if the pace backs up, but that’s the best we can
envision. We’ve never thought of YOU ASKED (Yes It’s True) as a two-turn animal,
and she lacks the class of a few of these, so we’ll omit her from our wagers.