Glenners' Picks
08/19/00
by GLEN GALLIVAN08/19/00
Wire To Wire Racing Editor
Saratoga Picks
Race 1— Tobin's Prospect, Michellemybelle and All Net Joe
Race 2— Battle Cat, Ransom's Fire and Muskrat Ramble
Race 3— Wild Bidder, Alarm Code and Electra Q Shun
Race 4— River Bed, Knock Again and Trumpster
Race 5— Deed I Do, Quanah and Rhinestone Dewey
Race 6— Dollar Bill, Dayton Flyer and Private Cat
Race 7— Scagnelli, Colonel Bradley and A Little Luck
Race 8— Resort, Spain and Secret Status
Race 9— Gritty Sandie, Royal Strand and Dixie's Crown
Race 10— Newspeak, Kadhaaf and Swamp Wolf
A closer look at race 8
Resort heads into this test off a solid second-place finish in the Coaching Club of America Oaks at Belmont Park. The 3-year-old daughter of Pleasant Colony showed an impressive late rally that day, despite the fact that she was caught behind a pedestrian opening pace. Her connections had to be happy with her performance; especially considering it marked her first attempt against graded stakes company.
Today, Resort should move forward off of the recent effort, but more importantly, this time there will be a swift early pace, which is perfect for Resort’s closing kick. The quicker the early fractions are, the better the chances are for Resort to collar them down the stretch. Let’s not forget the old, but tried and true phrase — pace makes the race. Throw in the fact that she has retained the services of one of the elite jockeys, my main man Edgar Prado, and this gives the filly the look of a live play in the Alabama.
Watch Prado position our top selection in a ground-saving inside trip soon after the gates swing open. Then the talented rider will get his mount to relax into the long run up the backstretch. Expect some sharp fractions set through the first six furlongs, with a number of runners battling up front. This scenario will set the table perfectly for Resort to come charging late down the lane, passing her rivals in the final furlong. Let's play Resort to win and then play some exacta and trifecta tickets by using Spain and Secret Status.
SPOTLIGHT ON CALDER
Race 2— Big Tater, Bolero Type and Legs Galore
Race 3— Sweeping Eva, Storm Lass and Sunday Wager
Race 8— Shady Lawyer, Bold Advantage and Early Report
Race 11— Thrillin Discovery, Dancing Guy and Stormy Do
Race 7— Happyanunoit, Snow Polina and Country Garden
Race 8— Hurricane Bertie, Five Delights and Dif A Dot
Race 9— Bienamado, Slickly and Chester House
Race 10— Jimie Son, Ultimate Warrior and Kings Command
Race 11— Think Red, King Cugat and Ciro
A closer look at race 9
Let’s start off by looking at the favorite, Manndar. The Irish-bred colt has emerged with triumphant efforts in a pair of grade one grass races that were held on the undercards of the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. This son of Doyoun showed a versatile running style in those affairs, having success near the front at Churchill Downs and then coming from well off the pace in New York.
Maybe I’m crazy here, but this guy hasn’t impressed me. Sure he’s finished first in two important races, but who did he beat those days?
In the Manhattan Handicap, Boatman finished a close second to Manndar, crossing the wire a length back. Then we went with Boatman in last week’s Sword Dancer at Saratoga … could someone in upstate New York let me know when he finally finishes? Granted the course was soft — resembling a drenched sponge more than a racing surface — but even if you don’t count the Sword Dancer, Boatman hasn’t done a whole lot.
So that brings us back to the original point: just how good is Manndar? I’ll sum it up this way: he will have to beat me because he won’t be getting any of my money.
The next runner bound to get a great deal of attention is Chester House. I’m not going to lie to you; I really don’t know how he’s going to fare this afternoon. The son of Mr. Prospector has been an enigma since his surprising fourth-place finish in last year’s Breeders Cup. He showed so much promise that day in his first try over the main track. Many believed that performance would propel him into becoming a force in the handicap division. That just hasn’t panned out.
Chester House has shown glimpses of that potential in his next five starts in the States, but the end result is he has yet to win. Jerry Bailey picks up the mount for the Million, and that certainly helps his chances. However, Bailey picking up the mount also means the betting public will hammer him. At a short price, I can’t recommend backing him.
So who are we going with? Don’t say Running Stag… OK, I won’t. I like the English-based fella, and he’s as game as they come. However, I don’t see him frolicking over the Arlington weeds. No thanks, I’ll pass on this one also.
That brings us to the winner. Bienamado trounced a pair of West Coast fields so far this year, giving him the look of a future champion. His European form last year was superb. It included a hard-fought second-place finish to the talented Montjeu. Trainer Paco Gonzalez allowed the 4-year-old son of Bien Bien to mature and develop with patient handling. He obviously was saving the colt for a late Summer/Fall campaign. That begins today in Illinois.
In Bienamado’s two victories he took the lead soon after leaving the gate. He isn’t the type that has to have the lead to win. In fact, I expect him to settle off the front-runners, sitting a few lengths behind. This will allow him to rate and relax through the opening stages, saving energy for the all important stretch drive. Kent Desormeaux picks up the mount today, and he’s had great success in grade one races so far this year. He should position Bienamado in the perfect spot to win. Let's play Bienamado to win and then play some exacta and trifecta tickets by using Slickly and Chester House.
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