Christopher Street, Money Clip meet again in allowance
DEL MAR, Calif. – There was no way Christopher Street was going to beat Bench Light last time, not the way Bench Light ran. But Christopher Street just did lose second in a tight photo behind Money Clip, a decision trainer John Sadler hopes can be reversed in Thursday’s featured seventh race at Del Mar.
“I thought he moved a little quick the other day,” Sadler said. “The winner was going to be the winner. He ran a freaky race that day. But we lost second by a bob.”
With Bench Light having advanced from that allowance condition, Christopher Street and Money Clip meet anew Thursday, again going 1 3/8 miles on turf, the same distance over which they chased Bench Light on July 24. Mike Smith is back aboard Christopher Street, who has finished in the money in his last five starts and whose last win came with Smith aboard.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Christopher Street. Trainer John Sadler and jockey Mike Smith are 3 for 4 with a $4.15 ROI over the past five years in turf races at Del Mar.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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That victory, back in March, came over a flat mile at Santa Anita.
“He’s won going shorter, but I don’t think he has any real distance limitations,” Sadler said.
Ten are entered in the race, but with the turf rails out 30 feet, only nine can run. Skip Tony wound up on the also-eligible list, but if he draws in, he would be a major player, as he has won three straight against softer but is sharp and in the best form of his life.
KEY CONTENDERS
Christopher Street (Last 3 Beyers: 81-81-87)
◗ Prefers to drop well back and then come with a run. Smith timed that run to perfection when winning going one mile at Santa Anita on March 27.
◗ Horses with big kicks usually need a hot pace, which is why a flat mile often is their best distance. His punch might not be as effective going this far, and there is a paucity of early speed in this race.
Money Clip (Last 3 Beyers: 81-84-77)
◗ Christopher Street’s middle moved carried him past Money Clip in upper stretch when they met July 24, but Money Clip came back to nail him for second. Both, though, were more than six lengths behind the victorious Bench Light.
◗ Although he has run well at long distances, his lone win came sprinting at Hollywood Park on Cushion Track.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 9 Money Clip. Trainer Tom Proctor is 1 for 34 with a $0.18 ROI over the past year in races at 10 furlongs and longer.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Grachus the Hunter (Last 3 Beyers: 78-79-72)
◗ Intriguing in that he hasn’t been stuck at this allowance level for a long time, unlike many of his rivals, and seems to be on the improve.
◗ He won over this course, from a dreadful outside post, going 1 1/16 miles on July 26. If he can continue his improving form, he has a strong chance to win right back.
◗ His best races have been since he switched to turf and since Kent Desormeaux took over.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Mr Lexis. Trainer Peter Miller is winless in 16 starts (with only three in the money) over the past five years adding blinkers in turf routes.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan