Underhill's Tab can improve, spring minor Sugar Bowl upset
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Underhill’s Tab made some mistakes and still won his career debut Nov. 26 at Fair Grounds, which leaves him room to improve and capture the $75,000 Sugar Bowl Stakes on Monday.
Higher Standard, the horse to beat in the Sugar Bowl, a six-furlong dirt race for 2-year-olds, has done little wrong in two starts, acing his career debut at Churchill Downs on Nov. 14 and coming back less than three weeks later to finish second as the favorite in the Advent Stakes at Oaklawn Park behind razor-sharp winner Kavod.
These colts meet for the first time, but their trainers know one another well. Al Stall Jr., who trains Underhill’s Tab, was the childhood friend who first brought Tom Amoss, Higher Standard’s trainer, to Fair Grounds decades ago.
Underhill’s Tab was nearly ready to debut at Churchill in November, but after the logistics of a workout there went amiss, he awaited the Fair Grounds meet. Breaking from post 1, Underhill’s Tab, from sire Unified’s first crop, got an inside trip before making a stretch move and prevailing by three-quarters of a length while wandering inside and out in the late stages.
“He was off his line as they say, but I figure he learned a little bit. I’ve worked him in company twice since then,” Stall said Wednesday. “He was very, very strong with the rider this morning. The timing is good for this; we kind of like him.”
Higher Standard pressed, pounced, and held a stretch lead at Oaklawn before being reeled in by Kavod. “If you pick the Oaklawn race apart, I think the rider moved too soon,” Amoss said.
Higher Standard, very much a speed type, looks well drawn on the outside of this nine-horse field. “I like his post a lot,” said Amoss.
Rail-drawn Chattalot should show speed, and races for the first time on Lasix. Freelancer, a sharp Ellis Park debut winner but somewhat disappointing in two subsequent starts, including a loss to Chattalot, also adds Lasix.
Kaely’s Brother was fortunate to be placed first via disqualification last out in the Jean Lafitte, a two-turn Delta stakes, but could benefit from cutting back in distance. And if you give Kaely’s Brother a chance, you also should consider Blue Kentucky, who beat him this past August at Ellis.
Letellier Memorial
Microbiome returns from a needed freshening with a good chance to bounce back to her best form and win the $75,000 Letellier Memorial for 2-year-old fillies over six furlongs on dirt.
Debuting July 15 at Saratoga, Microbiome went to the lead and ran away to a 5 1/2-length victory, a sharp performance that came with a cost.
“It was a very good debut, but sometimes a race like that can really rattle a young horse, and that was the case with her,” said trainer Tom Amoss.
Microbiome faded to fifth in the Aug. 8 Adirondack at Saratoga and was a flat fourth a month later in the Sorority at Monmouth Park.
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“She was a little edgy in her second start and flat over the top when we sent her to New Jersey,” Amoss said. “Mentally, she needed a little freshening, and she’s come back and been a lot better about everything.
Microbiome has posted fast works at Fair Grounds. She races for the first time on Lasix and will have a new jockey, James Graham.
The two other fillies sure to take action are Girl With a Dream and Com’ On Sweet Luv. Both hail from the barn of Eclipse-winning trainer Brad Cox. Girl With a Dream flopped in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga but has three other races that fit this spot. Close to the pace when she won her career debut and finished second in a Keeneland allowance race, Girl With a Dream closed from seventh to land a Churchill sprint allowance last out.
“She didn’t break quite as well and put herself in the race, but I was glad to see she was capable of passing horses,” Cox said.
Florent Geroux rides Girl With a Dream while Marcelino Pedroza Jr. is back aboard Com’ On Sweet Luv, a solid Fair Grounds maiden sprint winner Nov. 27, albeit over a modest group.