SPOTLIGHT PERFORMANCES
AUGUST 4, 2005
by James Scully
SHAKESPEARE (Theatrical [Ire]) won his first two career starts,
including a victory over eventual Grade 1 winner Prince Arch (Arch) in the
grassy Caltech S., at Gulfstream Park last year before suffering a severe knee
injury. The four-year-old colt made it back to the races 16 months later in a
turf allowance last Wednesday at Saratoga and showed little sign of rust with a
robust 1 3/4-lenght triumph, earning a 101 BRIS Speed and a 113 Late Pace
rating. The undefeated Bill Mott trainee will keep getting better if he remains
healthy and could wind up being a serious factor in turf stakes this fall.
ARISTOCRAT (Awesome Again), a full brother to 2004 Horse of the
Year Ghostzapper, raced only once at two and made his three-year-old debut a
winning one over maiden special weight rivals last Wednesday at the Spa. Trained
by Bobby Frankel, the Stronach Stables homebred closely tracked the pace before
drawing clear late for a half-length decision and earned a commendable 100 Speed
figure.
INDIAN VALE (A.P. Indy), who is out of 1999 Test S. (G1) winner
Marley Vale (Forty Niner), remained perfect from two career attempts with a
13-length romp on Monday in Saratoga Springs, New York. Trained by Todd Pletcher,
the sophomore filly received an excellent 107 Speed rating and is headed to
stakes events off this dynamite performance.
AIR ACE (Forest Camp) captured his first career start Sunday at
Del Mar, winning a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight for juveniles by three
parts of a length for conditioner Bob Baffert. A $450,000 yearling purchase, the
Kentucky-bred colt hails from Cope’s Light (Copelan), dam of the Grade 1-placed
Miss Jennifer Lynn (El Prado [Ire]), multiple Grade 3 winner Political Attack
(Hawk Attack) and Grade 3 hero Zillah the Hun (Hawk Attack). The highly touted
Air Ace was favored at even money over seven rivals and will likely make his
next appearance in a stakes event.
GOLDEN SILK (Songandaprayer) defeated maiden special weight foes
on Saturday, taking a six-furlong maiden special weight event by 1 1/2 lengths
at Del Mar. Runner-up in her first career outing, the James Cassidy-trained
two-year-old filly is out of Sharp Call (Sharpen Up [GB]), making her a
half-sister to four-time Grade 2 winner and millionaire Flag Down (Deputy
Minister). The Florida-bred lass should get plenty of endurance from her dam as
well as the possibility of a bright future on the turf.
SORCERER’S STONE (Gulch) vied for the lead between horses before
drawing off down the stretch for a 2 3/4-length score in Sunday’s Honest
Pleasure S. at Arlington Park. Now two for two in his career, the Pat
Byrne-trained youngster is out of Magical Holiday (Slew O’ Gold), making him a
half-brother to the multiple Grade 2-placed Holiday Thunder (Thunder Gulch).
Sorcerer’s Stone looks like a two-year-old who will continue to improve as he
stretches out in distance.