AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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APPLETON S. (G3), 11TH-GP, $100,000, 4YO/UP, 7.5FT, 6:15 P.M. EDT, 3-28 |
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| 1 |
PASSAGER (FR), 6, h, by Anabaa—Passionnee, by Woodman O-Johanna Louise Glen-Teven; B-M Alec Head & Wertheimer et Frere (Fr) |
| 2 |
VANQUISHER, 5, G, by Gulch—The Relentless Cat, by Storm Cat O-Kinsman Stable; B-Kinsman Farm (Fl) |
| 3 |
KISS THE KID, 6, h, by Lemon Drop Kid—Black Tie Kiss, by Danzig O-Hardacre Farm LLC; B-Jayeff B Stables (Ky) |
| 4 |
GRANIZO (BRZ), 6, h, by Ibero (Arg)—Glorious Magee, by Spend a Buck O-Phoenix Corp; B-Stud Raca (Brz) |
| 5 |
BOLD START, 5, h, by Jump Start—Dorky, by Flying Paster O-Lawrence E Carroll; B-Nordic Thoroughbreds (Ky) |
| 6 |
AVANTI AVANTI, 7, h, by Royal Academy—Norelands, by Irish River (Fr) O-Mr Amore Stable; B-Derry Meeting Farm & Christophe Clement (Pa) |
| 7 |
HYPOCRITE, 4, c, by Outofthebox—Nandys Gold, by Gold Meridian O-Jacqueline Tortora & Toni & Richard Ancona; B-Steve Tortora & Toni Ancona (Fl) |
| 8 |
CANNONBALL, 4, G, by Catienus—No Deadline, by Skywalker O-Kenneth L & Sarah K Ramsey; B-Kenneth L & Sarah K Ramsey (NY) |
| 9 |
ARTIC CRY, 4, c, by Rahy—Sailing Minstrel, by The Minstrel O-Eddie Kenneally; B-Robert N. Clay, Roy & Bobbi Reiman (Ky) |
| 10 |
PICKAPOCKET, 5, h, by Mecke—Lady Cerise, by Honor Grades O-Martin L Cherry; B-Cherry Martin (Fl) |
| 11 |
T. D. VANCE, 7, G, by Rahy—Freedom of Speech, by Danzig O-Courtlandt Farms; B-Tac Holdings (Ky) |
| 12 |
FAGEDABOUDIT SAL, 6, h, by Yarrow Brae—Stardust Love, by Wolf Power (SAf) O-Salvatore Racing Stable; B-Joseph Coppola Jr. (NJ) |
A field of 12, including one main-track only runner, has been entered to go 7
1/2 furlongs over Gulfstream Park’s turf on Saturday in the $100,000 Appleton S.
(G3), and we’re tabbing BOLD START (Jump Start) to come out on top. The
five-year-old has racked up two wins from four tries on the grass, and figures
to relish the 7 1/2-furlong distance, capturing two of three at a mile on the
turf. Trained by Kenny McPeek, the dark bay has always conducted himself
well against this level of stakes competition, and he’ll get Kent Desormeaux in
the saddle for this one.
CANNONBALL (Catienus) doesn’t own quite the same record as our top pick, but
the Wesley Ward charge is one of but a few in this field who appears to prefer
sprint distances. The four-year-old gelding just missed by 1 3/4 lengths when
fourth in an allowance while making his 2009 bow most recently over Gulfstream’s
turf, and filled the third spot against fellow New York-breds in a Saratoga
stakes last summer. Cannonball has been working well in advance of this one and
could find himself completing the exacta against this bunch. Rene Douglas has
the call.
T. D. VANCE (Rahy) will be making his first start here for trainer Bill Mott
off a 16-month vacation. Previously tutored by Graham Motion, the bay gelding
was last seen running off-the-board in the 2007 Hollywood Turf Express H. (G3).
However, the Grade 2 winner is no stranger to long layoffs, taking a listed
event at Saratoga in 2007 off a nine-month break. His works of late indicate the
seven-year-old is ready for the return to action, and he could surprise this
field and lead all the way home under John Velazquez.
VANQUISHER (Gulch) has finished first in three of his last four, even though
in one of those he was disqualified to second, and appears the one to beat in
here. The Greg Griffith trainee has the ability and speed to take this one, most
recently running fourth by just two lengths in the Canadian Turf S. (G3), but
our main concern is that this might be too short for the five-year-old. We’ll
just pick him to fill out the bottom of the gimmicks. PASSAGER (Fr) (Anabaa) is
another who might prefer a little longer than 7 1/2 furlongs. The dark bay
gelding, a Group 3 winner in France, was a close fifth in his U.S. debut last
out in the Canadian Turf, and probably needed that one to acclimate himself to
his new surroundings. Passager could easily take home a piece of this pie with
Jose Lezcano holding the reins.
KISS THE KID (Lemon Drop Kid) rounded out 2008 with a neck victory in the
Cliff Hanger S. (G3) and opened 2009 with another neck score, this time in the
Ft. Lauderdale S. He just missed when a rallying fourth in the Gulfstream Park
Turf H. (G1), earning a 102 BRIS Speed rating, and will be tough to deny in this
spot. Once again, though, the six-year-old might need more distance than this
one offers to make a sufficient rally. AVANTI AVANTI (Royal Academy) has been
burning up the track since being claimed last September at Monmouth Park,
posting two wins and two third-place finishes from four starts for trainer Jason
Servis. The bay never liked this distance in the past, but seems to have found
new life for his new connections and could make a run for the top three.
FAGEDABOUDIT SAL (Yarrow Brae) hasn’t really been able to challenge against
others in here recently and we don’t think he’ll start now. GRANIZO (Brz) (Ibero
[Arg]) finished up the track in his one turf try, and PICKAPOCKET (Mecke) has hit
the board only once in six tries on Gulfstream’s grass. We can’t recommend
either one. ARTIC CRY (Rahy) has won his past two but one of those was against
claiming rivals. He might be out of his class here.
HYPOCRITE (Outofthebox) will only run if this race is moved to the main track
and will be the one to beat if that occurs. However, clear skies have been
forecasted overnight and sunny conditions for Saturday, so that probably won’t
happen.