AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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QUEENS COUNTY H. (G3), 8TH-AQU, $100,000, 3YO/UP, 1 3/16M, 3:44 P.M. EST, 12-12 |
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| 1 |
STUD MUFFIN, 5, h, by Raffie’s MajestySaratoga Princess, by Seattle Dancer O-Zito Louis Crean John Romanelli James; B-Majesty Stud LLC (NY) |
| 2 |
RESEARCHER, 5, m, by Two SmartWild Magnolia, by Apalachee O-Rutledge Farm; B-Virginia Tech Foundation (Va) |
| 3 |
NAUGHTY NEW YORKER, 7, h, by Quiet AmericanNaughty Natisha, by Known Fact O-Fox Ridge Farm; B-Dr. William B. Wilmot & Dr. Joan M. Taylor (NY) |
| 4 |
HONOUR DEVIL (ARG), 5, h, by Honour and GloryDiamond Fitz, by Fitzcarraldo O-Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum; B-Firmamento (Arg) |
| 5 |
MORE THAN A REASON, 4, c, by More Than ReadySab’s Reason, by Sabona O-Cp Racing Stables Persaud Randi; B-Ron & Tom Kirby (Ky) |
| 6 |
RODMAN, 4, c, by Malibu MoonCrystal Gem, by Affirmed O-Schwartz Barry K; B-Hager David E. II (Ky) |
| 7 |
LORD KIPLING, 6, G, by KiplingFilliano, by Jamiano O-Mondello Ben Russo Adam; B-Center Hills Farm (Ar) |
| 8 |
STORM PLAY, 4, c, by Smart StrikeCat Play, by Storm Cat O-Evans Edward P; B-Evans Edward P. (Va) |
Saturday’s $100,000 Queens County H. (G3) is the last graded race of 2009 in
New York, and the 1 3/16-mile event will be the second start of the season for
STORM PLAY (Smart Strike), who left a grand impression last year when winning
his first three outings in convincing fashion. We’ll tab the four-year-old for
top honors.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Storm Play recorded back-to-back 106 BRIS Speed
ratings prior to his graded debut in the 2008 Cigar Mile H. (G1), where he
chased the pace and weakened to sixth, beaten 4 3/4 lengths. It was a
respectable effort to build upon for the lightly-raced colt, but he wasn’t seen
again under silks for 10 months, returning in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance/optional
claiming event against juvenile champion Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song). Storm
Play never got untracked at a distance that was too short for him that
afternoon, but he gained valuable fitness for Saturday’s stretch-out. Jose
Lezcano will pick up the mount on the bay, who will be on or very close to the
lead from the start.
2008 U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) hero HONOUR DEVIL (Arg) (Honour and Glory) has
been well-supported in his three U.S. starts, including a sharp 1 1/2-length,
wire-to-wire score over allowance/optional claiming rivals, and he’s got a fine
chance to carry his form forward here. Go-to jockey Alan Garcia will pick up the
mount for Arthur Magnuson, who is subbing for the suspended Kiaran McLaughlin,
and the five-year-old should be in position to offer a serious challenge turning
for home.
RESEARCHER (Two Smart) will look to win his second consecutive running of
this event, but the West Virginia shipper looks vulnerable to us at short odds
(5-2 favorite on the morning line). He entered last year’s Queens County off a
victory in the Mountaineer Mile in which he earned a 112 BRIS Speed rating, but
he netted only a 100 Speed rating for his runner-up finish in the same race last
time out. The Jeff Runco trainee would move up on a wet track (7-4-1-0), but
we’ll include him only on the bottom of our exotics.
MORE THAN REASON (More Than Ready) will be tested by the distance, but the
stalker still looms as an exotics player. The four-year-old is doing well
presently for Randi Persaud, winning or placing in his last eight starts, and
the claimer brings excellent BRIS Late Pace numbers into the race. He could
offer some value to the gimmicks at 12-1 on the morning line. STUD MUFFIN
(Raffie’s Majesty) owns some decent BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers, but he’s
winless in eight previous starts over the inner track. Freshened off three
straight unplaced finishes, the gray is eligible to outperform our expectations
with a minor award, but we’ll have to let him beat us.
RODMAN (Malibu Moon) romped by 7 3/4 lengths in a one-turn allowance test
over the main track last out, but we can’t envision him getting the 1 3/16-mile
trip. LORD KIPLING (Kipling) could be a pace presence, but he doesn’t figure to
last in this spot. NAUGHTY NEW YORKER (Quiet American) doesn’t look fast enough
to challenge.