Summary
It’s interesting to
see what angle the major horse racing publications use when previewing a race
with no clear-cut favorite. Nine entries were drawn for the LeComte (G3) this
Saturday at the Fair Grounds, while Oxbow, Circle Unbroken, Avie’s Quality,
Malibu High, and Golden Soul all received first paragraph attention. The LeComte field represents a diverse
cast in both accomplishments and geography. The entries have raced in California, New York, Canada,
Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Accomplishments range from maiden wins (Oxbow, Hawaakom, Golden Soul, Ive
Struck a Nerve), allowance winners (Malibu High, Fear the Kitten, Heitei), a listed
stakes winner (Avie’s Quality), and a graded stakes winner (Circle Unbroken)// With
Calvin Borel on the sidelines with a wrist injury, Miguel Mena gets the
temporary assignment aboard undefeated Malibu High. I’m sure he’s happy to fill in for a $200,000 stakes race,
but knowing he’s only a stopgap replacement will surely damper his enthusiasm
if the colt performs well. Full entries and a link to free PPs for the LeComte can
be found below// Palace Malice, last seen in August easily winning a Saratoga
maiden contest, was entered in an allowance Saturday at Gulfstream. Todd
Pletcher most likely has bigger plans for him after that// Undefeated Get Happy
Mister was transferred to Kelly Von Hemel’s barn and pointing for the
six-furlong Gazebo Stakes March 3 at Oaklawn. I normally wouldn’t pay much
attention to a sprinter from Arapahoe Park, but the fact he’s won his four
races by a combined 31 1/4 lengths and sired by Fountain Of Youth winner First
Samurai I’ll keep him on my watch list.
You would hope his connections would at least try to stretch him out// More
ink for Brown Almighty who will be making his dirt debut in the Smarty Jones
Stakes on Monday. The buzz
generated for this slightly above-average turf runner is astounding, but apparently
his trainer Tim Ice feels he’ll show a new dimension on dirt. Among the challengers Brown Almighty
will face is another buzz horse Avare. The Doug O’Neill trained sophomore is a
recent winner of the Eddie Logan Stakes at Santa Anita and just arrived at
Oaklawn// more…
Entries:
LeComte Stakes (G3)- Fair Grounds- 1M 70 yards- 5:55 ET
Derby Points 1st,
2nd, 3rd, 4th: 10, 4, 2, 1
PPs: Click
Here
Preview Articles: Bloodhorse
/ DRF
/ Brisnet
/
Articles:
Pedigree Profile: Vyjack (Horse Racing Nation)
Kentucky Derby Report 1-17-13 (Brisnet)
Workouts:
Heitei- EVT- 4F-
51:15- B- 2/10
Tweets:
Photo of Avare at
Oaklawn by Nick Hines via Twitter:
