Wrong Again

I guess I have to finally give in about Macho Again. I've insisted all along that he's a one-turn horse, and was able to ascribe his two two-turn wins to wet tracks. So I was all against him in the Stephen Foster, though fortunately, I didn't particularly like anyone else, so I didn't get in trouble. Last to first with Robbie Albarado, I won't even quibble that the Beyer was a pretty moderate, for a Grade 1, 99 (no doubt an indication of just how weak the handicap division is).

The Foster also provided the West Point syndicate its first Grade I victory when [sic] Flashy Bull prevailed in 2007. [Louisville Courier Journal]

It's the second Grade 1 winner for stallion Macho Uno, the first for the third-year sire since Wicked Style's Breeders Futurity in 2007.

Florentino and jockey Alan Garcia got to the half in 50.25 in the G3 Jefferson Cup on Saturday; and Churchill track announcer Mark Johnson remarked that they were picking up the pace. But actually, they weren't. The third quarter went in a pokey 25.05 over the turf course labeled 'good.' He had enough to get home in front of surprise favorite El Crespo; but the slow pace and a modest 91 Beyer means I'll watch out for him to bet against in a race which promises more pace. Three-year old colt is a Japanese-bred by the End Sweep stallion Swept Overboard out of a Sunday Silence mare.

A little red-boarding here, but the Ogden Phipps showed how bettors sometimes get carried away pounding entries to prohibitive favoritism; and a very fair price on Seattle Smooth ($6.20). This blossoming four-year old daughter of the venerable Quiet American had won four in a row since shipping east to the care of Anthony Dutrow, including three Grade 2 stakes. She had already beaten one of the Darley/Godolphin trio in Sea Chatter....and Music Note was making her first start since the Breeders' Cup. Seventh Street was the most worthy in my mind, though her Apple Blossom win came via a lone speed trip in a five horse field. So, with all due respect, the .35-to-1 odds seemed a bit overdone. Can't say I was too upset to see the overrated Music Note bring up the rear of the three. Seattle Smooth remains the only graded stakes winner of the year thus far for her sire.

Nor are we too broken up to see Kip Deville run a no-excuse 4th at 3-4 after setting an uncontested pace for Dutrow and IEAH. Sailor's Cap ($13.40) was making his first start since November, and loves a soft turf. "..We’ll probably watch the Weather Channel first and see where it rains, and that’s where we’ll go,” said trainer Jimmy Toner.