AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
| AEGON TURF SPRINT S.
(G3), 6TH-CD, $100,000, 3YO/UP, 5FT, 1:26 P.M. EDT, 5-1 |
|
| 1 |
CHITOZ, 4, c, by Forest WildcatWichitoz, by Affirmed O-Wertheimer and Frere; B-Wertheimer & Frere (Ky) |
| 2 |
SMART ENOUGH, 6, G, by Horse Chestnut (SAf)Quick ‘n Smart, by Polish Numbers O-Edith R Dixon; B-F. E. Dixon Jr. (Ky) |
| 3 |
HEWITTS, 5, G, by ConcertoRomance Me, by Cozzene O-Schroeder Farms LLC; B-Mrs. Dianne D Cotter (Fl) |
| 4 |
CAPTIVATING CAT, 5, h, by Storm CatExotic Wood, by Rahy O-Mr and Mrs Martin J Wygod; B-Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Wygod (Ky) |
| 5 |
DUE DATE, 4, c, by El Prado (Ire)Hidden Assets, by Mt. Livermore O-Richard Bertram and Elaine Klein; B-Richard, Bert & Elaine Klein (Ky) |
| 6 |
CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE, 5, G, by War ChantShe’s Got Class, by Trempolino O-Carl R Moore Management LLC; B-Eugene Melnyk (Ky) |
| 7 |
CANNONBALL, 4, G, by CatienusNo Deadline, by Skywalker O-Kenneth L and Sarah K Ramsey; B-Kenneth L & Sarah K Ramsey (NY) |
| 8 |
ACCREDIT, 4, c, by E DubaiPocketbrook, by Montbrook O-Kenneth L and Sarah K Ramsey; B-Humphery David (Fl) |
| 9 |
JAZZ NATION, 4, c, by City ZipJazz Star, by Dixieland Band O-Westrock Stables LLC; B-Box Arrow Farm (On) |
A fine field of turf sprinters has been assembled to contest the $100,000
Aegon Turf Sprint S. (G3) on Friday at Churchill Downs. We’ve always had a
fondness for SMART ENOUGH (Horse Chestnut [SAf]), who has been among the best in his
division for John Fisher, and we’ll tab the talented gelding for the win in this
well-matched field. The chestnut Kentucky-bred compiled a solid mark last
campaign, running second in all three of his starts against top-quality foes,
and he sports a nifty 3-2-1-0 mark over this turf course. He can run well fresh
and has trained well leading up to this five-furlong dash, and we expect a stalk and pounce trip
under Jeremy Rose.
CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE (War Chant) was a game third in the Shakertown S. (G3)
at Keeneland last out for Bret Calhoun, staying on well to miss by a neck in his third try
of the year. The gelded bay owns two dominant wins over this course in as many
tries and appears to be in good form, so we’ll give the five-year-old a huge
chance under Garrett Gomez.
ACCREDIT (E Dubai) is the wildcard in here in his turf debut for Michael
Maker. The speedy four-year-old has been a fine performer on the main oval
throughout his career, and while he was claimed two prior, he still has the look
of a stakes type. If the colt moves up on the grass, which we expect, he could
be in the mix late for a minor award.
HEWITTS (Concerto) ran an even sixth in the recent Shakertown but is capable of better for Bob Hess Jr., especially if the turf is
on the firm side. The swift bay should be in the mix from the
outset, and his best gives him an outside chance beneath Kent Desormeaux.
CANNONBALL (Catienus) was a head second in the Shakertown for Wesley Ward,
just missing between horses in a fine showing. The four-year-old has a real nice
turn of foot and loves some give in the turf, so we think he’s a big threat if
rain hits the green, and a moderate contender if the turf stays dry.
The well-bred CAPTIVATING CAT (Storm Cat) has plenty of ability but is coming
off a poor effort, and he’ll be making his first grass start in this dash for
Bill Mott. As much as we respect the breeding and connections surrounding this
horse, we still must pass.
JAZZ NATION (City Zip) is a solid racehorse, but he’s making his second start
off a lengthy layoff and he’s never won on the turf. While the four-year-old
might be good enough to make a big impact on this day, we prefer others with
more experience.
DUE DATE (El Prado [Ire]) outran his odds when a closing fourth at 46-1 in
the Shakertown for Steve Margolis, but we’ll have to see that kind of
performance again prior to siding with the gray.
CHITOZ (Forest Wildcat) won a turf sprint in the summer at Monmouth and has
some ability, but it would be a surprise if the Todd Pletcher trainee could
challenge this field from the rail.