Hammersly's preview: Class droppers aplenty
A number of southward class moves dot the card. The dilemma for handicappers is how to assess the drop. Is it a move to get the money? Is it a move to maybe get rid of a horse? Is it merely an adjustment in class to get said horse to its proper level? And regardless of which, does the drop mean overplay at the windows, as is often the case?
SILK IN SILVER dueled and paid the price for $12,500 and now drops to the $8,000 level in Race 1. Vann Belvoir just claimed her for $12,500, so moving down two levels is a bit disconcerting, but he also might be playing poker. Maybe she runs big, and if no one takes her, he can move her back up the ladder.
SCRATCHMEIFYOUCAN set the pace but fizzled badly for $50,000 in her debut at Gulfstream on July 10 and now drops in for $30,000 in Race 4. Not only might that level have been too much, but it was also her debut, so you can be a bit forgiving about that fizzle.
WEDDING BLUSH’s drop isn’t nearly as worrisome. In Race 6, the 2-year-old moves into optional-claiming ranks (is not eligible to be claimed) after a respectable stakes third at Santa Rosa on Aug. 8.
Finally, DADDY’S DUO flashed talent against straight maidens in her debut at Arlington (ran second). She then came here July 20, again facing straight maidens, and pressed the pace before fading to sixth. The Desormeaux boys team up here (trainer Keith, rider Kent) as she drops in for a $50,000 tag in Race 9.
‘RIDING’ HIGH FOR BAFFERT
It’s tough enough to win first time out, but to do so routing is a real tall order. Well, WEST RIDING didn't make her debut until July 20 due to a pastern injury, but when she did appear in her one-mile debut here, she had no trouble at all with those hurdles. She pressed the pace, took over into the lane, and drew off to handily beat maidens.
The daughter of Tapit was 4-5 that day, so players didn’t see the hurdles as overwhelming, and she proved them correct. She now faces winners for trainer Bob Baffert in Race 5, a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer that includes some tough customers, but Baffert has reported that she's always hinted at significant talent, so there’s every reason to believe she can develop further.
QUITE THE DUO
When Kent Desormeaux brought SHUN home to win Sunday’s seventh race, it marked the 10th time he and trainer Bob Hess Jr. had combined for a victory this meet.
The claiming eyes were dead-on in that race, as one-two finishers SHUN and HURRICANE LAKE were claimed for $20,000, SHUN by Doug O’Neill in a two-way shake and HURRICANE LAKE in a four-way shake by Jeff Bonde.
SPOT PLAY
Race 6
WEDDING BLUSH (#8, 5-2) looked super while blasting maidens in her Pleasanton (dirt) debut July 5 and then ran on well to be third in a stakes at Santa Rosa (dirt) on Aug. 8. Not only was that a nice run, but the gal she chased is a proven Southern California filly (Seduire). So, today’s drop helps, it’s nice to see Rafael Bejarano climb aboard, and pedigree-wise, she should handle synthetic just fine.
HORSE TO WATCH
WARREN’S JEN FIZZ
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last Race: Aug. 23, 5th
Finish: 2nd, by 1 ½
Beyer: 74
She did the hard work, dogging pacesetter Marina Del Heat into submission before opening up into the lane as if it was a done deal, only to get caught in the final half-furlong by perfect-trip closing favorite, Stylish in Black. This gal appears to be sitting on a win.