AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
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CIGAR MILE H. (G1), 9TH-AQU, $300,000, 3YO/UP, 1M, 3:38 P.M. EST, 11-28 |
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| 1 |
DRIVEN BY SUCCESS, 4, G, by Precise EndAfleet Closer, by Afleet O-Repole Stable; B-New Dawn Stud LLC (Ny) |
| 2 |
KODIAK KOWBOY, 4, c, by PosseKokadrie, by Coronado’s Quest O-Fox Hill Farm Vinery Stables; B-Hartwell Farm (Ky) |
| 3 |
PYRO, 4, c, by PulpitWild Vision, by Wild Again O-Godolphin Stable; B-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (Ky) |
| 4 |
BRIBON (FR), 6, G, by Mark of Esteem (Ire)Rowat Arazi, by Arazi O-Keller Marc; B-Darpat Sl (Fr) |
| 5 |
VINEYARD HAVEN, 3, c, by Lido Palace (Chi)Princess Aloha, by Aloha Prospector O-Godolphin Stable; B-Lynne M Scace (Fl) |
| 6 |
VACATION, 4, c, by DynaformerCountry Hideaway, by Seeking the Gold O-Phipps Stable; B-Phipps Stable (Ky) |
A compact, yet accomplished, field of six will vie in the $300,000 Cigar Mile
H. (G1) as the centerpiece of a big day at Aqueduct on Saturday. A quartet of
Grade 1 winners highlights the field, and we’ll look for one of them to add to
his resume in here.
VINEYARD HAVEN (Lido Palace [Chi]), with the exception of a failed winter in
Duabi, has been a phenomenal performer and looks like the class of the race. A
smashing winner of the Champagne S. (G1) at two, which prompted a private
purchase by Godolphin, the colt has crossed the line first in all but one U.S.
start and should find this distance ideal for him. We expect the Florida-bred to
track in second early before taking over beneath Alan Garcia.
Dual Grade 1 winner KODIAK KOWBOY (Posse) ran huge to win the Vosburgh S.
(G1) last out from off the pace for Steve Asmussen. The four-year-old was a very
good fifth in this last year against a strong field, and he could surely
challenge for the win this time around. The closer will have Shaun Bridgmohan in
the irons.
Met Mile H. (G1) star BRIBON (Fr) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) is a mile specialist
who is a two-time winner over this oval for Robert Ribaudo. Another win threat
if the pace is very fast, the late-running chestnut put in a pair of solid turf
runs in his last two and returns to his preferred surface on this day. Rajiv
Maragh will guide the six-year-old, who has won half of his 10 starts at the
distance.
Speedster DRIVEN BY SUCCESS (Precise End) should be leading early and is
plenty fast, but the competition and depth of the small contingent that awaits
him might be a bit too much for the Bruce Levine charge. Sensible fractions
would yield a top three finish, though, under Ramon Dominguez.
Forego S. (G1) victor PYRO (Pulpit), who is coupled in the wagering with our
top pick, didn’t fire on the Pro-Ride at Santa Anita last out but is a proven
dirt performer and adds class to the Godolphin entry. The four-year-old is
essentially a one-run closer that should love the small field, and we like him
at this eight-furlong distance. A fast pace would aid the colt.
VACATION (Dynaformer) looks like the odd horse out as far as class goes, but
we never underestimate trainer Shug McGaughey in these spots. The Kentucky-bred
has finished in the top three in 19 of 24 career tries but will need a lifetime
effort to put a dent in this field.