LOUISVILLE, Ky. - If it is possible to run a monster race while finishing third, well, that's exactly what Congaree did the last time he raced at Churchill Downs. The colt was passed in the stretch run of the 2001 Kentucky Derby by Monarchos and Invisible Ink, but only after earning the admiration of many handicappers by emerging as the lone survivor of a punishing pace.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The effort stands out like a sore thumb when compared to the rest of his fair-to-good past performances. On March 3, Parade Leader fairly jumped out of his bridle to win the $500,000 New Orleans Handicap by 5 1/4 lengths, a race that continues to remind trainer Neil Howard of the horse's capabilities.
"I don't think that was an isolated incident," said Howard.
ELMONT, N.Y. - A change in plans for Invisible Ink and E Dubai sets up an intriguing matchup of famous bridesmaids in Saturday's $250,000 Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park.
Invisible Ink, runner-up to Monarchos in last year's Kentucky Derby, seeks his first stakes score in the nine-furlong Brooklyn, while E Dubai, second to Point Given in last year's Travers, make his first start in 255 days. Those two head a nine-horse field entered in the
Grade 2 race that also includes Westchester Handicap winner Free of Love and Oaklawn Handicap runner-up Bowman's Band.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Bobby Frankel can win the two richest stakes races Saturday at Hollywood Park, and that's without even using the really good horses he's saving for Del Mar.
Milwaukee Brew is not the best handicap horse Frankel trains, but he won't have to be as good as Mizzen Mast to win the Grade 2 Californian. Neither Skipping nor Denon is the best turf horse Frankel trains, but they won't have to be as good as Beat Hollow to win the Grade 1 .
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - It's been a while since trainer Arthur Silvera has had a 2-year-old with stakes potential.
In 1997, Silvera won the first two juvenile races run at Woodbine, with future stakes winner Lady Beverly and Champman Again, who subsequently finished second in the Victoria Stakes.
Silvera will saddle likely favorite El Ruller in Saturday's renewal of the $134,375 Victoria. The five-furlong dash drew four other 2-year-olds, and will have just three betting interests, with no place or show wagering offered.
CALGARY, Alberta - When Sweet Monarch faces 10 colts and geldings here in Saturday's Alberta Derby, she will attempt to become the first filly to win the race since Winmore Miss in 1983.
Sweet Monarch's 7 1/2-length romp in the June 1 Lilac persuaded owners Elliot and Dave Kerr and trainer Dale Greenwood to test the waters in the $100,000 Alberta Derby, a Grade 3 race over 1 1/16 miles. She gets in with 116 pounds, receiving five pounds from her rivals, and breaks from post 2 with leading rider Quincy Welch in the irons.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - A lively pace should help Inish Glora's chances in the $35,000 Sun Handicap this Saturday at Hastings Park. The 1 1/16-mile feature drew just four fillies and mares and it shapes up as a battle between Grooms Derby, who will be part of the pace, and the late-running Inish Glora.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Vickie Foley was recently asked whether she gets nervous whenever her stable star, Sky Terrace, is about to race. Before she could answer, her longtime boyfriend, jockey agent Terry "Jaws" Miller, interjected: "The only one who gets nervous is the track photographer."
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - You might say that Spain won from here to maternity when capturing her last start.
Spain is in foal, having been bred to Storm Cat shortly after she won the Louisville Breeders' Cup Stakes last month, a development that will preclude her from running a third time in the Breeders' Cup Distaff later this fall.
Clearly, the Thoroughbred population's gain is trainer D. Wayne Lukas's loss.
"I sure would like to take one more shot with her," said Lukas, who saddled Spain to first- and second-place finishes in the last two runnings of the Distaff.
