Tag Archives: Penn Oaks

BetPTC.com Graded Stakes Preview – 7/7/18

BetPTC.com Graded Stakes Preview / Ed Meyer

Belmont

BetPTC.com Selections / #6 – Mendelssohn / #7 – Firenze Fire / #3 – Rugbyman

Race #6 – G3 Dwyer – 1 mile – 4:36 pm EDT

#6 Mendelssohn is a son of Scat Daddy looking to get back on track in a big way. He’s looking to rebound off a dismal Kentucky Derby effort, and Aidan O’Brien retains the services of nine time Breeders’ Cup winning rider Ryan Moore. I’ll toss out the Derby for a bevy of reasons, and most importantly he caught a monster by the name of Justify. He broke his maiden in Ireland going a mile and has faced every possible surface. He gets 2nd Lasix and should make a big move getting back on track.

#7 Firenze Fire looks to bounce back from the Derby blues as well. Irad Ortiz in the saddle for Jason Servis and won the G1 Champagne last year going a mile. He likes the distance and is 2 for 3 ITM going this far, and we can expect a big closing move fresh off a 2 month layoff.

#3 Rugbyman has Jose Ortiz for Graham Motion in the driver’s seat. A lightly raced colt who broke his maiden by 14 over the track. He looked super running a closing effort in the Easy Goer and adds blinkers today.

Race #8 – G1 Belmont Oaks – 1 1/4 on the turf – 5:46 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #5 Toinette / #10 Mighty Scarlett / #8 Thewayiam

#5 Toinette has Flavien Prat in the saddle for Neil Drysdale. Prat wins 23% on the turf and she’s a perfect 3 for 3 on the sod. She is a daughter of Scat Daddy and will come calling late in the lane. She’s been off for two months and has four works over the Belmont turf around the dogs. Look for a mighty run against a talented field.

#10 Mighty Scarlett comes to post for Chad Brown with Jose Ortiz in the irons. She’s a daughter of Scat Daddy and is 3 for 3 ITM on the green. She had a building block effort in the G3 Wonder Again, and Ortiz wins 19% over the greensward. When he rides for Chad Brown they win 21% and this lightly raced filly is ready to start her summer campaign.

#8 Thewayiam goes to post for trainer Graham Motion with John Velasquez in the driver’s seat. She’s 8 for 10 ITM on the grass and exits a fast closing effort in the Penn Oaks getting beat as the chalk. Look for a rebound effort worthy of sealing the deal as she’ll come rolling in the final quarter mile under Johnny V.

 

Race #10 – The G1 Belmont Derby – 1 1/4 on the turf – 6:50 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #7 Catholic Boy / #8 Hawkish / #4 Hunting Horn

#7 Catholic Boy has Javier Castellano in the saddle aboard this son of More than Ready. He is 3 for 4 ITM on the grass and locked horns with some of the big boys. Trainer Jonathon Thomas wins 38% with graded stakes and comes in 2nd off a layoff. He won at first asking off a 3 month layoff and is looking for continued improvement rolling late in the lane.

#8 Hawkish is a son of Artie Schiller who won the G2 Penn Mile. He begins his summer campaign with Manny Franco in the saddle for James Toner. He owns a sharp work around the dogs over the Belmont weeds. Franco will uncork a rally when he gives the cue.

#4 Hunting Horn has Ryan Moore in irons for Aidan O’Brien. They bring a son of Camelot to post who won the Group 3 Hampton Court at Royal Ascot. He gets first Lasix and Ryan Moore comes to the big city to take down a nice score with a repeat effort.

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BetPTC.com Graded Stakes Preview – 6/23/18

BetPTC.com Graded Stakes Preview / Ed Meyer

Thistledown

BetPTC.com Selections / #7 – Diamond King / #3 – Lone Sailor / #2 – Flame Away

Race #9 – The G3 Ohio Derby – 1 1/8 – 5:10 pm EDT

#7 Diamond King comes in for the John Servis barn winning 24%. Frankie Pennington is back aboard and they are rolling back 3rd off a layoff exiting a bumpy trip in the Preakness. Pennington seems to fit nicely, and this colt has a bullet work in the morning to prepare. He’s a solid runner who has run into trouble for the big races and needs a clean trip today. With a little bit of racing luck, he will play the role of a stalker looking to shine down the lane. #3 Lone Sailor has the services of Irad Ortiz in the saddle for trainer Thom Amoss. He exits the Preakness with a wide trip and a solid 5th place effort against Justify. He’s cutting back in distance and Ortiz gets the return engagement. This runner will come calling at the 1/4 pole under a full head of steam. #2 Flame Away brings Jose Lezcano in the driver’s seat for trainer Mark Casse. This son of Scat Daddy has controlled speed and his only poor outing was in the Kentucky Derby. Lezcano is going to send this colt and try and control the pace. If he’s allowed to dictate the pace to his liking he’ll be tough to reel in.

Belmont

Race #4 – The $100,000 Wild Applause – 1 mile on the turf – 3:09 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #7 – Got Stormy / #3 – Punked / #2 – Brattata

#7 Got Stormy exits a win in the Penn Oaks. Today she gets a rider switch to John Velasquez for the Mark Casse barn. She is 4/4 ITM going this distance and comes right back off a brief rest. 2018 has been a good year for this gal as she seems to be figuring out the game with every effort. Look for a repeat in the hands of Johnny V. #3 Punked is making her 3rd start off a layoff for the hot Chad Brown barn. She came over from Ireland and got into a little trouble at Keeneland two races back. But after getting 2nd time Lasix she scored with a clean trip at Belmont going 1 1/16 on the turf. Javier Castellano in the irons and he gets the call right back off her last win. Chad Brown scores 27% off the last race win coming back. #2 Brattata has Jose Ortiz as the reinsman going from dirt to turf, and dropping in class may be just what the doctor ordered. Ortiz was at Royal Ascot this week and now he’s back in New York where he holds court. She’s a closer and Ortiz is a tactical rider who knows when to make his move.

Santa Anita

BetPTC.com Selections / #4 American Anthem / #7 Stone Hands / #6 Touching Rainbows

Race  #11 – The G2 San Carlos – 7f – 8:00 pm EDT

#4 American Anthem has the services of Mike Smith for Bob Baffert. They are winning at a 42% clip as a team and make their second start of the 2018 season. This son of Bodemeister is 4/4 ITM going 7 panels and exits off a win at Churchill Downs. 15 days after the winning prep he came right back and scorched a bullet work in 59 flat going 5f. He has the look of a perfect stalker and should be effective coming back to California. #7 Stone Hands comes in for Doug O’Neill and has the barn rider, Mario Gutierrez. He is 8/9 ITM over the track looking for three in a row. They have been going to the winner’s circle at a 25% clip. He should be up close and stalk the leaders. #6 Touching Rainbows has Flavien Prat aboard for Phil D’Amato looking for 5 straight. This is 3rd off the layoff and they win 20% on this move. He is on the stretch out from 6f to 7f and should be closer to the front. Prat is an excellent judge of pace and should send right to the lead.