The two most prominent British handicapping outfits, The Racing Post and Timeform, took their assessment of American Pharoah to a giddy level after the colt won the Haskell at Monmouth Aug. 2. Timeform raised his overall rating to 136, the highest for any American racehorse since Cigar in 1994.
Finnegans Wake, winless in his last three starts, is in need of a win in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap.
Southern Solution lost his last two races by double digits, but he looks like the one they will have to catch and beat in a $15,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up that headlines the 10-race card Saturday at Emerald Downs.
A talented group of 3-year-old fillies, many of whom have been lightly raced and appear to just now be coming into their own, will square off in the Grade 3, $100,000 Monmouth Oaks on Saturday.
It’s a good thing Wild Dude has earned $404,667 this year. He is paying his way into the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland this fall.
I think it is going to take at least a 105 Beyer Speed Figure to win the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Beholder can obviously do that, but she is not alone. Bayern, Red Vine, and Catch a Flight are all dangerous.
If ever a race looked like a good spot for a new face, it is Saturday’s Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Red Vine, my play, is that new face.
London Tower takes on a quality field of 3-year-old fillies in her turf debut Saturday at Woodbine in the Grade 3, $150,000 Ontario Colleen Stakes.
Trainer Jimmy Jerkens saddles Tricky Zippy (#10, ML 6-1) in Thursday’s ninth race at Saratoga, the 6 1/2-furlong Union Avenue Stakes. Since Jan., 1, 2014, Jerkens is winning at a 26 percent clip in stakes races, for a return on investment of $3.74. Check out the Positive ROI report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
Trained by 94-year-old Jerry Bozzo, Flutterby ran off to a 9 1/4-length victory in the May 30 Sea Lily at Gulfstream, and now she’s back in a similar spot Saturday at the south Florida track in the $75,000 Gold Mover.
