Man O'War

- It would seem as if Bobby Frankel has the most to lose from the presence of Shake the Bank, the rabbit entered by Graham Motion to ensure a fast pace for Better Talk Now in Saturday's G1 Man O'War at Belmont. Frankel’s King’s Drama is coming off his win at Saratoga in the G1 Sword Dancer, and sports the highest recent Beyers in the field. But all of his wins have been on the lead. In the Sword Dancer, he gamely contended with a persistent Relaxed Gesture throughout. He hasn't yet shown the ability to win without being in front, and he’s going to have to sprint from the gate in order to have the lead in this race. Relaxed Gesture has shown the ability to sit behind and rally, but hasn't been able to break through in three attempts since moving up to stakes company, settling for second each time.

Perhaps Frankel can benefit from a fast pace too. He's also entered Vangelis (Highest Honor*Fr), a 6 year old who has earned over $200,000 this year getting minor shares in graded stakes. He finished third, 4 lengths behind Kings Drama in the Sword Dancer; he rallied on the inside after steadying, and finished OK as the top two sprinted home in :23.4. Though he hasn’t won since April, 2004, he always makes a run for the money. Also, while Better Talk Now, the intended beneficiary of the rabbit, prefers a softer turf, Vangelis seems to like a firm course just fine, and it hasn’t rained here in weeks. If the pace gets out of hand, Vangelis, with Edgar Prado aboard for the first time, could be the one to take advantage, and I think the cutback of one furlong from the mile and a half of the Sword Dancer may help. Besides, if Frankel could get Mass Media to win the Forego, you figure he could do anything at this point.

Any ticket I have will also include the filly Angara for at least a minor share. She actually outkicked Megahertz in the Beverly D, looking her in the eye and edging her for the win. And she performed more than creditably in her last against males. She was three wide on both turns in the G1 Manhattan, had to pause and swing out for room when she entered the stretch, and missed the whole thing by just 1 3/4, finishing 5th at 22-1 and, getting her final quarter in :23.4.