There will be no sweep of the 4-year-old Classic Series this year in Hong Kong.
Singapore Sling got a perfect trip under Chad Schofield and won the $1.278 million Hong Kong Classic Cup, the second leg of the series, by 1 1/4 lengths Sunday at Sha Tin. Singapore Sling had finished second in the first leg, the Hong Kong Classic Mile, while that race’s winner, Nothingilikemore, blew the break Sunday, raced last for much of the trip, and could only finish fourth.
From older horses in the Grade 1 February Stakes to 3-year-olds in the Hyacinth Stakes, Sunday’s program at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan could have ramifications for the biggest races in the United States this year.
The winner of the $2,031,984 February Stakes at a mile will receive an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3. The $321,730 Hyacinth Stakes is the third and final race in the Japan qualifying division for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5.
The ill-fated Rapper Dragon became the first horse to sweep the Hong Kong Classic Series for 4-year-olds when he swept through the Hong Kong Classic Mile, the Hong Kong Classic Cup, and the Hong Kong Derby in 2017 before meeting a tragic end last summer.
At Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, Nothingilikemore figures to be heavily favored to add the Hong Kong Classic Cup to his win in the Hong Kong Classic Mile.
SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, February 18, 2018)
:: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, and analysis
RACE 1: #5 Ever Strong, #3 Newswire Free, #2 Kwaichung Brothers, #4 Winning Controller
RACE 2: #1 Avellino, #4 Brilliant Dream, #13 Vital Spring, #3 Super Eighteen
RACE 3: #1 Let Us Win, #6 Such A Happiness, #11 Ever Laugh, #8 Electric Lightning
Gold Town remained unbeaten on dirt and undefeated in Dubai with an easy win in Thursday’s Group 3 United Arab Emirates 2000 Guineas at Meydan Racecourse.
Gold Town is scheduled to have his next start in the $2 million UAE Derby at 1 3/16 miles on March 31 at Meydan. If he wins the UAE Derby, Gold Town might be pointed to the Kentucky Derby, said trainer Charlie Appleby.
Ridden by William Buick for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing, Gold Town led throughout the UAE 2000 Guineas at a mile, cruising to victory by 10 1/4 lengths over the longshot Gotti.
HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, February 14)
:: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, and analysis
Brett Davis
Race 1: 6-10-7-2
Race 2: 2-4-1-7
Race 3: 3-1-7-10
Race 4: 12-1-4-9
Race 5: 1-8-9-12
Race 6: 1-8-5-6
Race 7: 3-6-9-8
Race 8: 5-7-9-3
Best Bet - Race 6: #1 E-Super
Longshot - Race 7: #3 High Five
Best Play - Race 7: Q/QP 3,6,9
The three-time winners El Chapo and Gold Town will start in a stakes on dirt for the first time in Thursday’s Group 3 United Arab Emirates 2000 Guineas at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.
The $250,000 UAE 2000 Guineas, run at about a mile, could produce a few starters for the $2 million UAE Derby on March 31, part of the undercard of the $10 million Dubai World Cup.
The UAE 2000 Guineas is part of a six-race program that begins at 10:05 a.m. Eastern. The UAE Guineas has a post time of 11:50 a.m. Eastern.
HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, February 14, 2018)
RACE 1: #2 Remarkable, #11 Happy Friendship, #7 Sweet Bean, #5 So Generous
RACE 2: #12 King's Steed, #2 Show Mission, #6 Scarborough Fair, #5 Idyllic Wind
RACE 3: #3 Great Joy, #7 See Me Now, #2 The Sylph, #10 Master Bernini
RACE 4: #4 Hero Look, #8 Gracydad, #12 Bingo, #6 Bond Elegance
RACE 5: #4 Har Har Heart, #12 Goal For Gold, #1 Don't Miss, #8 Charity Wings
ARCADIA, Calif. - Waldorf was a two-time stakes winner in New Zealand last year before being exported to Hong Kong.
The colt was seventh in his debut at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on Jan. 28, in a minor handicap at five furlongs on turf.
The experience could be invaluable.
Wednesday, Waldorf will have his second start in Hong Kong in the $167,512 Daffodil Handicap at six furlongs on turf at Happy Valley Racecourse. Waldorf is the 133-pounds highweight in a field of 12, an assignment based largely on his New Zealand form of three wins in eight starts.
Brett Davis - Selections
R1 - 8-10-3-1
R2 - 8-9-11-1
R3 - 1-8-11-6
R4 - 2-1-5-9
R5 - 2-1-10-11
R6 - 13-11-8-12
R7 - 6-7-4-5
R8 - 9-11-1-10
R9 - 3-5-9-12
R10 - 9-1-2-7
Best - R3 n1 Calculation
Longshot - R 5 n11 Kiwi Sunrise
Paul Lally:
R1 8-3-10-9
R2 5-8-11-9
R3 1-10-11-4
R4 5-1-7-2
R5 2-9-7-5
R6 13-5-11-1
R7 6-7-4-1
R8 5-4-9-8
R9 9-5-8-6
R10 1-11-2-9
