Cibelli pair both have a good chance
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Trainer Jane Cibelli has two excellent shots in an optional $32,000 claimer on the turf Tuesday at the Meadowlands. A Unique Treasure and Carte Blanche, both relative newcomers to the grass, race as separate betting interests in the five-furlong race, which attracted a full field of 10.
"Both horses are doing really well," Cibelli said. "It's hard to run the two together because either one could jump up and win. The problem is, this time of year there aren't too many of these races around. We're lucky enough that the owners don't mind the two horses running together."
A 4-year-old gelding, A Unique Treasure will make his fourth straight turf sprint appearance. After running fourth in an off-the-turf spot at Monmouth Park, A Unique Treasure perked up in his grass debut with a strong inside move to get second. Sent off the 13-10 favorite next time out, A Unique Treasure rewarded his backers with a pacesetting win.
A Unique Treasure caught a good course last time in his first try at this level, finishing sixth, beaten less than two lengths.
"He had always shown he was going to be a pretty nice horse," Cibelli said. "He had some problems, which why he had intermittent form, but we always had high hopes for him."
Eddie Castro picks up the mount.
Carte Blanche has turned into a turf wonder in two starts on the grass. A 3-year-old gelding, Carte Blanche had been running in low-level claimers on the main track. He sank all the way down to the $5,000 level at Monmouth before stepping up to allowance company for both of his turf sprints. He chased the pace in his first grass experience, holding on well to get third before coming back on opening day at the Meadowlands to pull off an 11-1 upset.
"I always wanted to run him five-eighths on the turf, but he always seemed to be sitting on a dirt win," Cibelli said. "It didn't come as a great surprise to me, because he always had a turf action. I didn't know how good he was going to be."
Pablo Morales retains the ride.
General Perfect, always a factor in these grass sprints, drew the rail for the fifth time in the last seven races.
Linda Rice, a master with grass sprinters, sends out Kaper Lake, fourth most recently in a starter allowance at Belmont Park.