Wrzeszcz: Don't say it, just bet it

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Horseplayers who can correctly pronounce Wrzeszcz are in the minority. In contrast, those who like him in Thursday's ninth race - a $51,700, two-other-than allowance - are expected to be in the majority.

(pronounced re-SES-ich) is a winner of two of four starts and is proven as a short-distance turf horse, which gives him an advantage in the ninth race, a five-furlong turf dash.

Purchased privately by owner Richard Colton this winter following a maiden win on turf at Fair Grounds, Wrzeszcz has raced twice since. He finished third to Bull Market in his first start for trainer Tom Amoss in April, and followed that with a win over entry-level allowance runners in the mud on May 26. That day he settled on the lead and gamely turned back a bid from favored Go Lionel Go. He won by three-quarters of a length, earning a 99 Beyer Speed Figure.

Those positive efforts, and his maiden turf win, will likely result in him starting as the favorite.

Wrzeszcz, a son of Langfuhr, was so named because of his pedigree, his former trainer, Richard Kohnhorst, said Tuesday. Wrzeszcz is a suburb of Langfuhr, one of the quarters of the city of Gdansk, Poland.

Calvin Borel will ride.

If Wrzeszcz has a weakness, it is that he steps up into a tougher allowance condition after having made just four starts. His opponents are more seasoned, led by Justice for Auston, an accomplished grass sprinter. Earlier this meet he won a $62,500 claimer going five furlongs on the turf. Pat Day will ride for leading trainer Dale Romans.

Cloakof Vagueness in good position

The richest race on Thursday's card is the second, an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on the main track with a purse of $56,700.

, a graded-stakes-placed El Prado filly, appears in a position to win her second consecutive race. She comes off a nose victory over next-out winner Indy Groove, a performance that earned her a 90 Beyer.

Stakes winner Clear Destiny and recent allowance winner New Dreams head the opposition.

The latter is well suited to the allowance conditions of the second race, which is limited to horses that have not won $9,000 three times other than maiden, claiming, or starter. She has four victories, but some of her wins came for less than $9,000 when she raced in Brazil. Brice Blanc retains the mount for trainer Ken McPeek.