1 SADDLING WELLS(IRE) pm2 P Reich 27/1
Not much going for this 6yo granddaughter of Sadler's Wells. She was nowheresville in the Originial Margarita(G1) and really does not belong at the graded level. Flashed some early speed two weeks ago in a 7f ALW tightener. Hopes to fire a once-in-a-lifetime performance on one week's rest. Honestly, no chance whatsoever.
2 SLEW'S GIANT(KY) super12 Be Smith 9/1
Giant's Causeway 4yo filly nabbed a Grade 3 victory in the Azeri Breeders Bowl early last month. Traditionally a stalker, Slew's Giant got a good jump out of the gate and shook off an early challenge to score an easy 109 SP# laugher. Talented gal who has made the most of her ALW schooling days. Clearly proven over this distance. We'll see how she tackles the big girls in this deeper field. Pretty good chance if she doesn't mind more competition up front.
3 AS IS(KY) bigiron R R Logan 13/1
Victory Gallop 5yo was a listed winner over 8.5f last season, but couldn't step up effectively to the graded level. The stalker clearly enjoyed racing versus males in ALW LTO. She scored a 108 SP#, missing the photo finish. This is her 3rd start of the year and she could be ready to fire big, sneaking in as a tasty outsider. Interesting, but must run back to her last and not "bounce."
4 SJ'S GHOST DANCE(KY) factorx X Jones 5/1
Grand Silver Ghost dame rides a strong 4-race win streak into Saturday. Previously a sprint specialist, SJ's Ghost Dance has won two straight short routes in fabulous time. She's simply at the top of her career, winning the Ramp Art(G2) wire to wire with ease over 9f. It's now or never to test the G1 waters. Perfect spot for the 5yo, but will she get an easy early lead again? Doubtful, but maybe if she just towers over all opposition.... look out!
5 MAINTAIN(KY) pedro1975 T Thomas 12/1
Third in the Original Margarita(G1), Maintain has positively blossomed into a lovely 4yo filly. The War Chant daughter struggled for most of 2008, until she finally strung together some prime 100+ speed figures. She won a track-restricted 112 SP# ALW prior to the Margarita. Another board placing if not victory in this spot would definitively affirm her climb to the upper echelon level. Keep an eye on this one -- might be the last time you can get her at such a sweet price.
6 WALL OF SALT(AUS) borrow2 V Jennings 13/1
The highest ranked filly in the field (#6) goes off at considerably long odds due to a couple of misfires over a flat mile. Wall Of Salt won the Three Smokestacks(G1) last autumn over 9f and followed that triumph up with a fine 3rd in Black Flag Flying's Breeders Bowl Distaff. Additionally, the Encosta De Lago 4yo has hit the board in two other G1s since, the most recent of which being Slave To Ambition's Vermont 4 Lovers on Valentine's Day weekend. The downtown closer seems to be stronger over 9f though, but I don't think the sixteenth less in this spot will make too much of a difference. This filly's really overdue for another victory after suffering from such poor luck in top-tier company of late. I think she's pretty dangerous. Don't let the odds fool you.
7 LA PATRONA(IRE) magallanes G R Larson 16/1
Shamardal 5yo mare took a 111 SP# ALW two back, finally exhausting her conditions. Naturally she tried the stakes ranks afterwards, but couldn't get hold of the Georgia Racetrack surface, finishing last of seven. Big leap up after such a drubbing. The stalker recent numbers are about average in this field. A lot to ask of her. Maybe some minor money at best.
8 NORTHERN PULP theogbarn C Schultz 8/1
Pulpit grand dame needs just a little over $2k to boast $2-million in lifetime earnings. That's a lot of Sim bucks and this turf specialist has won more than her fair share of races through 37 starts, looking for victory #19 Saturday. Northern Pulp can still throw the numbers over the lawn, but is just as lean and mean over the dirt too, finishing 2nd in listed company with a 108 SP# LTO. She's not used to stretching out to the extra sixteenth though. Quite an accomplishment if she can snare the main track grade. Kind of a live sleeper. Can go either way but hey! Old-timers Lannister Gold and Senior Anzio both won G1s on the Sand Castle card last week! Will Northern Pulp follow in their footsteps?
9 KORNSNAKE(IRE) korn S Proudfoot 9/1
Sixth in the Original Maragarita(G1), Kornsnake got mixed up in a speed duel, but held well to just miss the money positions. She's been tough in graded company all season. There's not a ton of speed in this group, but favorite SJ's Ghost Dance looks pretty formidable and Kornsnake has a nagging history of folding under pressure. Interesting to see that she cuts back a sixteenth. She was 4th to males over a mile earlier this season. Could the lesser ground be just the ticket? Tip: Trainer Vett is smoking hot after taking the Sand Castle Classic last week!
10 GRANDSTAND DELIGHT(KY) al A Arthur 8/1
What a tough gal Grandstand Delight is! She near always give us her best, hitting the board often. Stretch's Rock Hard Ten starlet chased the frotnrunner home in 4th in the Original Margarita(G1). Saturday's distance is well within her superior range. This filly's just so overdue for a big score. She just needs some luck though. Merits heavy respect and consideration for all the marbles. Go, Delight, GO!
11 SKIDMORE INDY(KY) jrogue Pa Gangi 9/1
Wow, this is a very nice frontrunner seemingly peaking at the right time. AP Indy 4yo worked her way out of the ALW ranks late last season and threw climbing SP#s in Grade 3's so far this year. She was a winner in the miler JD Challenge(G3) two back and was just as solid in a brdesmaid effort over 9f LTO. Faces Kornsnake and SJ's Ghost Dance for the lead. Difficult assignment but this filly is a live longshot if she can overpower them. Look out if she shows up to run.
12 BLACK FLAG FLYING(KY) simsters1 A Fairfield 11/1
Uh oh, Black Flag Flying won the Breeders Bowl Distaff last year after a "wake up call" prep over the turf. And here she is again after taking a very fast turf ALW over 9.5f in her 2009 debut. Mmhmm. Very talented filly -- she's a bit erratic though and that probably cost her the 3yo filly Sim Eclipse last season. I expect her to run big even though she might be best going at least 9f of course. Another concern is that this is only her 2nd start of the season and might be a bit short on conditioning. Regardless, read that price and weep!
13 STENO BOOK(KY) mav176 F Cherry 10/1
Excellent form for this Storm Cat royal bred with a 107 and 112 SP# climb recently. She's won two straight including a Grade 3. If there's fine speed duel up front, I can see this closer in the winner's circle easily. Great numbers, but is she due for an "off" race after three straight very swift efforts? I wouldn't count on that. Live outsider for the prize.
14 SLAVE TO AMBITION(KY) gwyneth A Weldon 9/1
