Our second-in-a-row 9th race Pick at Gulfstream didn’t turn out well either as Noble Lion was probably pushed a little too early to get into contention and faded in the last quarter mile. Otherwise it was a good week for BreezeFigs maidens with 11 of them breaking their schneids at: Aqueduct (three), Evangeline, Gulfstream (three), Oaklawn, Parx, Tampa Bay and Turf Paradise.
The card Friday at Santa Anita was overshadowed by a whips-off/whips-on stunt that was resolved midweek. Jockeys will carry whips Friday, and use them as necessary for steering and/or encouragement.
“We feel the riding crop is an essential tool, used the right way,” former rider and Jockeys’ Guild representative Darrell Haire said this week. Many agree. With the whip shenanigans tabled for now, on to Friday. Compared to the small fields Saturday and Sunday (six starters or less, 13 of 17 races), Friday's card is a virtual blockbuster. Preview …
Race 3: Greek Alphabet (#1)
The Pace Projector is predicting a situation favoring the leader and he will be in front early after the expected scratch of Driven to Compete.
The two main rivals, Lemonist and Prioritize, both come from off the pace.
His lone turf start resulted in a career-best 110 TimeformUS Speed Figure.
5-1 on ML
NEW YORK – The long series of prep races for the 2019 Kentucky Derby ends Saturday with the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, and the Grade 3, $200,000 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.
The Arkansas Derby, worth a total of 170 Kentucky Derby points, is supported by the Grade 2, $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap, and the Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap.
The Lexington, worth a total of 34 Derby points, shares top billing with the Grade 1, $350,000 Jenny Wiley and the Grade 3, $200,000 Ben Ali Stakes.
Lexington Stakes
Aqueduct | Race 5 | Post Time 3:36 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
Race 4
My Galina (#3)
Sold for a hefty sum as a weanling and is bred to be a sprinter.
Has worked very well over the turf course at Palm Meadows and seems ready for a top effort in debut.
Jorge Abreu gets a 90 TimeformUS Trainer Rating with first-time starters.
3-1 on the morning line
Aqueduct | Race 8 | Post Time 5:15 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
Race 2: Metaphorical (#6)
Should appreciate getting back to one turn after trying 1 1/8 miles last time.
Ran much better than it seems on March 10, getting squeezed back into the clubhouse turn and making a premature move on the far turn.
Has run his best races over a fast track, which he is expected to encounter on Wednesday.
4-1 on ML
