Hammersly's review: Class drop no help to Golden Itiz

More rain effect

As with Friday’s card, some turf racing was lost to the rain as races 2, 8, and 10 were switched to the main track. The early part of the card was decimated by scratches – only 20 horses contested the first four races. Hey, it happens. Be thankful there was no weather like this last Saturday.

Oddly enough, by first post, the main track was listed as “fast.”

Golden he wasn’t

Golden Itiz’s experience and success in stakes ranks, coupled with the significant drop for race 2, led him to be the heavy 7-10 favorite in this six-furlong $40,000 claimer that originally was scheduled to turf but that was transferred to a fast main track. Well, the big drop may have been telling.

Just three weeks after finishing fourth in a stakes at Monmouth, he dropped in for a tag here and the 7-year-old showed little of his prior spark as he was last early in the field, which was reduced to four after scratches, and never mustered a run, finishing a well-beaten third (6 1/2 lengths).

They don’t give anything away out here, so this drop, coupled with the dull outing, makes you wonder about his future prospects.

Love the placement

Trainer Ramon Preciado claimed Love the Breeding for $15,000 at Laurel last Oct. 9. The 4-year-old filly wasn’t seen again until Jan. 30 on Aqueduct’s inner, when she returned to win nicely for $12,500. He sent her March 11 to Parx, where she romped over $16,000 N3L foes by eight lengths and whipped starter allowance foes by 3 1/4 lengths there April 7. That was enough to earn a shot at first-level allowance foes there May 11. However, as the 6-5 favorite, she stalked the pace but came up empty in the lane, finishing fifth.

Preciado brought her here for race 3, a $20,000 claimer at 1 1/16 miles, and the placement was perfect. Under Angel Arroyo, she bided her time early and came with a smart, sustained rally that got up her in the final strides.

She’ll do her next work for someone else, however, as she was claimed by Danny Gargan.

It’s Pletcher’s juvenile world. We just live in it.

It’s no secret how trainer Todd Pletcher dominates the 2-year-old scene in New York. On Friday, he sent out dazzling debut winner Nonna’s Boy. It was interesting to see him send out Fashion Alert ($5.70) for her debut in the Astoria Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs. After all, he could have found a maiden race in which she could debut.

Well, Pletcher knew exactly what he was doing, as this daughter of Old Fashioned went right to the lead from her outside post, took pressure from Lindy, dispatched with that foe turning for home, opened up a clear lead, and cruised home. As with Nonna’s Boy, graded stakes company figures next.

Horse to watch

BARREL OF LOVE
Trainer: John Hertler
Last race: June 14, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 1 3/4

Blossomed in Florida this past winter/spring and was making his first start in nearly three months. He bided his time toward the back, swung wide into the lane on a soggy turf course, and finished smartly. The effort looks even better when you note that not only was this his first start in a while, but the two who beat him were Compliance Officer (at one point the best New York-bred turfer around) and Notacatbutallama (Grade 3 winner/placed).