BetPTC.com / Weekend Stakes Preview / Ed Meyer
Arlington Park
Race #7 – Arlington Washington Futurity – 7f – 5:35 pm ET
BetPTC.com Selections – #7 – Barry Lee / #10 – The X / #4 – Capturing Moon
#7 – Barry Lee = Speedster shipping in from the G2 Saratoga Special. Trainer Horacio DePaz wins (22%) with ungraded stakes and drops down the class ladder. He was a beaten favorite last out and the barn wins (21%) with shippers. #10 -The X = Deep Closer from the Ben Colebrook barn. Ships in from the Ellis Park meet and has a bullet work to prepare. With a clean trip, he’ll be picking up the pieces down the lane. #4 – Capturing Moon = Son of Malibu Moon exits off a turf maiden win. His works have been very strong coming into this race.
Race #8 – Arlington Washington Lassie – 7f – 6:05 pm ET
BetPTC.com Selections – #2 – Ardor / #4 – Richie’lilwildat / #6 – Southampton Way
#2 – Ardor = Pedro Cotto aboard for Eoin Harty shipping in from Woodbine and the trainer wins (21%) on the all-weather surface. Looks to be a solid stalking type who will fit like a glove if the morning works are any indication. #4 – Richie’lilwildcat = Speedy filly who is bred to relish a sprint distance. She hit the gate last out and still managed to grab the lead and show the way to the finish. Catch her if you can! – #6 – Southampton Way = Stalker from the Horacio DePaz barn. She ships in from Saratoga and drops a few rungs down the class ladder. The trainer wins (22%) with two-yr-olds.
Louisiana Downs
Race #9 – $60,000 Happy Ticket – 1 mile on the turf – 5:00 pm ET
BetPTC.com Selections – #2 – Lady O’Toole / #3 – Taylor’s Princess / #5 – Rosie O’ Prado
#2 – Lady O’Toole = Colby Hernandez in the saddle for Brad Cox and been away from the races for 45 days. This daughter of Colonel John should e forwardly placed and the barn wins (32%) with 1st tiers on the grass. #3 – Taylor’s Princess = Daughter of First Dude for the Scott Garner barn (44%). She is 1/1 at LaD and impressive winning her first effort out on the grass. The trainer wins (29%) with 2nd timers on the sod and she’ll come rolling late in the lane. #5 – Rosie O’ Prado = Daughter of Paddy O’ Prado is a blistering pace factor. Her dam Alemora has produced one turf winner and looks to keep the family numbers growing.
Race #10 – $60,000 Unbridled Stakes – 1 1/16 on the turf – 5:32 pm ET
BetPTC.com Selections – #2 – Big Changes / #9 – High Noon Rider / #6 – Fort Pulaski
#2 – Big Changes = Diego Saenz in the saddle for Brad Cox and makes his 2nd start in a month. 4/5 ITM on the turf and 1/1 over the course. A perfect stalking type and owns a bullet work on 9/3 at CD preparing for a big effort. #9 – High Noon Rider = Brad Cox trainee fresh off the claim at Saratoga. The barn wins (30%) with new runners to the shedrow and sports a red-hot bullet over the deep CD oval. #6 – Fort Pulaski = 2/3 ITM on the green and was a beaten favorite last out. Two back, this son of Any Given Saturday was rolling late in the lane and rider Gerard Melancon wins (19%) on the turf.
Race #11 – The $200,000 Super Derby – 1 1/16 on the turf – 6:05 pm ET
BetPTC.com Selections – #2 – Gorgeous Kitten / #4 – Mr. Misunderstood / #5 – Sonneteer
#2 – Gorgeous Kitten = Colby Hernadez in the irons for Mike Maker. Exits the G1 Secretariat and cuts back from 1 1/4 on the turf – 1 1/16. The drop in class may fit the son of Kitten’s Joy and should be a major danger today. #4 – Mr. Misunderstood = Chris Rosier for Brad Cox and exits off an impressive win in the $60k Prelude at LaD. This son of Archarcharch is a stone cold closer. #5 – Sonneteer = Keith Desormeaux brings this son of Midnight Lute to post. He ships in from Del Mar off a maiden win on the turf. Been off for 48 days and the barn wins (18%) with layoff runners.