Generous Stakes (Div. 1) preview

November 24, 2006
Hollywood Park - Race 3
Generous Stakes (Grade 3 - first division)
1 Mile (Turf)
2-year-olds
Purse $75,000

The IEAH ownership group has had great success with new acquisitions, and their European import Rebel Rebel won the Grade 3 Poker earlier this season. They will send out OPTARI in the first division of the Generous, and the son of Diesis is already Group 3-placed in France. The first foal from multiple stakes-winner Desert Sky, Optari is bred to handle this distance, and seems to have enough tactical speed to stay in touch with the leaders entering the final bend. His Timeform ratings are impressive for such a lightly-raced baby, and he finished ahead of a pair of Group winners in the Prix de Cabourg last time out. He seems to class up very nicely with these. GOLDEN BALLS sold for 200,000 guineas at Tattersalls on October 25, and is immediately paired with P. Val for his North American debut. He handled a mile quite admirably last time out, but must handle a hike in class on Friday. He's battle-tested, however, and shouldn't be ignored. QUIETLY MINE steps up in class seeking the hat trick, and he shows the powerful two sprints-to-a-route move for the third start of his form cycle. He projects for a nice ground-saving trip under Garrett Gomez, and trainer Christophe Clement excels with turf runners. DEADSHOT KEEN sold for 43,000 guineas at Tattersalls on October 23, and he was in too steep in the Goffs Million two back at the Curragh. He has some price potential. UNUSUAL SUSPECT and WARNING ZONE both enter in fine form, and have successfully navigated this mile distance. MAN TO MAN makes first start against winners, but could find himself up front early.

Selections: 1. Optari 2. Golden Balls 3. Quietly Mine