Y16 July Week Three

[Cavallo]

Great Lakes Stakes - G5+ - 11f - T - 2yo
WIN Enchanting Soldier
PLACE Mr. Wild
SHOW Eternally Smoldering
4th Laddie Luck
DQ'd Rise Me Gold (runs dirt)

I dq'd Rise Me Gold since she runs on dirt and not turf. Enchanting Soldier has had a rough go of things, but has had so much class and today was her day. Mr. Wild has been rounding into superb form, enough to nose out Eternally Smoldering who is doing superbly for you Isabelle! Laddie Luck is every inch as classy as this field, but today wasn't in his favor. Enchanting was able to close with a kick and nose out a very versatile Mr. Wild. Eternally Smoldering was in the thick of things with Mr. Wild as Laddie Luck took the front. With all the action on the front end of things this left Laddie Luck trying to hold off a very determined tidal wave of talent and today wasn't his day to hold them off. Mere inches separated everyone in this field.

[cruisey]

ORCHID STAKES*
WIN Lilith Wind
PLACE Reflected In Water
SHOW Dry Your Tears
fourth Trinity

[ripley]

Port Huron Derby - G5+ - 11f - D - 2yo
Win. Momentarily Herself
Place. Hurricane
Show. Winning Fire
Fourth. Italian Beauty


Momentarily Herself: Although this was a speed oriented field, I really thought Momentarily Herself had the ability to stretch out to eleven furlongs at this point in her career. Her dam line is as marathon as it gets with her sire line giving her a good deal of speed. She seemed to be the most mature and clipped off good fractions all the way to the line.

Hurricane: Tracked Momentarily Herself and Italian Beauty from third, his rider doing her best to restrain the animal. He hasn't run in a month and was rank early. He made a huge middle move, getting the jump on Winning Fire and overtaking a tiring Italian Beauty. He was lucky that he made such a large move because he really started showing tiredness in the final half-furlong, finishing three lengths behind the winner.

Winning Fire: She was the proven class of the field and took up the fourth spot of the pack. She was moving well, but this was one of her first times over the track. When Hurricane made that move, Winning Fire was hustled forward, but she just couldn't get up in time. She finished a neck back in third, closing strongly but she simply ran out of times. 

Italian Beauty: I am a big fan of her and am so glad you've started racing her. She's run big in her previous three starts, but I thought stretching her to eleven against this field was a big ask. She will get on this level. She just needs a lot more racing. Unfortunately, all maidens that are getting started so late are likely to face this so you're not alone Isakins in this endeavor.

[ripley]

ROSEBEN HANDICAP* - G3+ - 10F - DIRT - 3YO
Win. Barely Smokin
Place. Incognito
Show. Fusillade
Fourth. Wyvern


Barely Smokin: He stood out to me today. Even though he lost the Kentucky Derby, I feel that he can easily cut back and win ten furlongs, especially with a favorable pace scenario. This was a favorable pace scenario. Fresh off a break, Barely Smokin bounded out of the gate and lit the track up, running to the front and not looking back. He bulleted to a four length victory and left a reminder that he's not one to be forgotten.

Incognito: This handsome colt ran a good race for his return. Unfortunately, like the others in the field, he was giving a great horse a pace advantage that he didn't need. He raced alongside Fusillade throughout, both colts being put to the chase sooner than they would like. Incognito was as game as they come in his first race back, turning away the repeated challenge of the latter two colts.

Fusillade: He was sharp today, but I feel like ten furlongs is a bit out of his reach compared to the top two. He ran on heart the last eighth of a mile even though he finished third. I think he's best at 9 and shorter, but with maturity and more speed to run into he could prove me wrong.

Wyvern: I really like this colt, but I think he needs a few confidence building races. He's been running into the top dogs too often and hasn't found the winner's circle since May Week 1. He could easily turn into a top older horse if given the rest of Year Sixteen to develop his style and class.