Eatontown Handicap preview

Saturday, June 16, 2007
Monmouth Park - Race 9
1 1/16 Miles (Turf)
Eatontown Handicap (Grade 3)
3-year-olds and upward, fillies and mares
Purse $150,000.

KAREN'S CAPER may be using this race as a prep for the Grade 1 CashCall Mile at Hollywood on July 6, but she's the class of this race, and if she runs anything close to the 112 Beyer she earned at Keeneland last October, she will have her opposition over a barrel. She was very impressive in the First Lady Handicap at Keeneland as she angled four wide on the far turn only to be run down late by top-class mare Gorella. Karen's Caper has been working steadily for her 2007 debut for Bobby Frankel, and should get enough pace to adequately setup her late kick.
PROP ME UP may offer some value as she hasn't reached the winner's circle in almost a year. She's hit the board in seven of her last eight races as well as 15 of her last 17, however, and she had a bit of trouble in her last race on grass at Tampa Bay Downs two starts back. She's a Grade 3-placed course winner, and should be used in exotics. POMMES FRITES just failed to last in the Grade 1 Matriarch in her final start of 2006, and may shake clear in the early stages of the Eatontown. A multiple Grade 3 winner, Pommes Frites adores this distance, and will be very tough to run down if allowed to set a lonely lead under top rider Joe Bravo.
ROSHANI was a chalky gate-to-wire winner for Team Pletcher against weaker over this course, but she is just as comfortable from off the pace. She may get first crack at Pommes Frites on the far turn. RAHY'S APPEAL is a Grade 2 winner on the main track, but she's Grade 2-placed on the lawn, and will make the important third start of the form cycle after chasing tougher on dirt. Her two Beyers in this form cycle haven't matched up well to her previous form, however.

Selections:
1. Karen's Caper
2. Prop Me Up
3. Pommes Frites