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Anyone remember the old Saturday night live bit ? Anyway, I’m very sad to see Lady Eli retired, as it appeared there was a glimmer of hope she might race again this summer at the Spa (which I openly lobbied for on twitter). I had a long history with her, as I was against her before I was for her. The perhaps overly schmaltzy reporting of her injury and return created a juicy opportunity for me two years ago, where her layoff and a swift pace scenario let me score with $67 Strike Charmer in the Ballston Spa. But having followed Lady Eli’s career I was thrilled to be in the House for both her wins at the Spa in 2017, as she and Antonoe broke through the gate, and then jostled in the stretch in the Diana, and Lady Eli survived the inquiry to reach the winners circle. (Forgive the cloudy photo, my lens was broken).

Then on Travers Day, she again turned back Antonoe in the Ballston Spa, and some how I had allowed East Coast Paul to leave her off our community pick 4 ticket. (Great move, tossing the historically significant horse. )

Her rough trip in the 2017 Breeders Cup doesn’t tarnish her legacy in the least, in light of the bad cuts her legs took.

As disappointed as I am to not see her race in 2017, can’t give enough of a tip of the cap to all of the connections, who have done right by Lady Eli and the game, every step of the way.

I’ll post Pegasus Day thoughts Saturday am.

Lecomte

Instilled Regard repeated his effort from the Sham, stalked from post 10 and worked out a good trip from  outside post.   His result flatters McKinzie and Solomini.   Snapper Sinclair turned in a good effort dueling for the lead and holding on late.  Not sure if he ultimately stays on dirt and the Derby Trail, but probably earned another shot on dirt with the effort.   Watch the replay. Earned a 92 Beyer.

Smarty Jones

Mourinho had everything his own way on the front end in the Smarty Jones, and won easily.  Earned a beyer of 99, but I suspect he’s a cut below Baffert’s California Division right now, but the pedigree is there to get the distance, and at some point may need to prove he can rate.  Fully admit I may be underrating him at this point and is eligible to move up.  Nothing behind him is of any interest to me for the derby trail at this point.

Jerome

Firenze Fire (85 beyer) was an impressive winner in the Jerome, but his speed figure says to me that he’s a cut above the elite’s of the division, and visually he strikes me as an excellent one-turn horse.  My gut says look for him in the Jerkens/King’s Bishop at Saratoga later this summer.

New Shooter: World of Trouble earned a 97 beyer and nearly set a track record in a visually impressive performance in the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.   The Tampa races have turned out some legit triple crown trail horses in recent years (Tapwrit last year).  His pedigree looks to be more speed than distance to me, but I’m not a pedigree-ologist, though I am interested to see how he stretches out.

Got you with that headline, didn’t I ? Really, the watch horse for Thursday at Santa Anita is Insubordination in the 6th Race.

Was hammered to 6/5 last time out, now comes back against MSW company. By the looks of the tote board, they knew hew was ready to fire, and led every step but the last one …. I’m going to watch the board. Any significant movement off the 8/1 morning line says to me he’s the goods. D’amato, Blacker and Baltas all have runners in here, so the water’s a little deeper, but perhaps that will keep our insubordinate behavior off the radar as we slink to the windows.

NFL NOTE: I grabbed the Pats early at -13.5 for this weekend. Belichick and Brady live for these ‘us against the world spots’ and are apt to shove the Titans just to prove a point.

Hopefully you took the football teaser advice because that saved my Sunday… Lunaire and Meadowsweet ran uninspiring races and are off the watch list. Win the War turned in the best of the bunch running in late for second. They hit her hard at the windows early, opening at even money before drifting up a bit. War Heroine dueled early, then collapsed after bumping at the top of the stretch. The experience will likely do her good. Will look for her coming back in an allowance spot. Both wars stay on the watch list. Have one for later this week, so check back.

Mask rolled in the Mucho Macho Man, sliding himself way up the list of Derby contenders. Got pounded at the windows even more than I expected. They knew he was ready to roll. Cashed the late Pick 5 at Santa Anita which paid $175 on my $15 ticket with McKinzie and Itsinthepost anchoring the prices. He Will didn’t show much in the San Gabriel. In the other Gulfstream stakes, Andina Del Sur was a late running third to Thewayiam. Jose Ortiz had a beyond brilliant ride on the winner, and I’m not afraid to label him the best rider in America right now (certainly on the East coast circuits).

THE PLAYBACKS

Four watchers run back today. Definite plays on Meadowsweet in the fourth at Santa Anita, and Lunaire in Race 9 at Gulfstream, who gets the services of Javier Castellano.

Race 8 at Santa Anita, the Santa Ynez stakes (there must have been a lot of Saints in California back in the day, and there is a stakes race named after each of them) there are two up and comers from the watch list. I’ll give a slight nod to War Heroine, who I watched roll a good MSW race a few weeks ago, but also have good reports on Mark Casse’s Win the War.

Speaking of Saints, tease them with the Bills today.

Stay warm !