21Sep07 MED race 9
G3 Cliffhanger
download past performances (.pdf)Interesting field for the first graded stakes of the fall t-bred meet at the Meadowlands. 9 horses with a ton of speed drew in to a turf course that has been playing like a billiard table and has yielded some nice returns on brave cheap speed types willing to wing it on the lead and hope for the best.
2. Touched By Madness (Elliot / Plesa)
Can run AND win on all surfaces, but seems to settle for slices at this class level and surface. Has yet to win since being claimed out of an expensive event at Gulfstream in February, though came a neck short of Icy Atlantic in the G3 Red Bank at Monmouth in last. Elliot is up again and no works on tab since before last start. Perhaps another minor award but for the top spot we'll lean another way.
1. Presious Passion (Garcia / Hartman)
Has been looking for his class level since clearing his n3X condition at Monmouth back in June. Overmatched on the board and the track in last 2 tries versus graded foes. Stalker type may be in a nice position coming for home but has yet to show the ability to kick versus the quality this field has drawn. Willing to toss out of our plays.
3. Silver Tree (Desormeaux / Mott)
NY connections come across the river having won 3 straight, the last being the very deep and competitive G2 4StarDave at Saratoga the first week in August. 7 year old showing some of the best form of his life this year and possesses the ideal tactical speed for the way this course is playing. Has certainly been facing better than this field and comes here off a 47 day layoff. Will be bet down to pennies on the dollar and deservingly so, but no value is no play in our book.
4. Heat Of The Night (DeCarlo / Pletcher)
South African bred has been up and down since coming to the US and clearing his n3X condition at a hefty 19-1 at Gulfstream in January. Only two starts since raises the question of soundness in this one as he attempts to put back-to-back outings for the first time stateside. Overmatched versus graded opponents at the Fairgrounds in March and a beaten favorite in 100k optional event at Saratoga on August 27th. DeCarlo may be considered a positive rider switch here with the way Velasquez has been riding lately. The likely second choice in the betting is surely interesting off his form, but have a feeling this one may just settle for a minor placing, if at all.
1A. Tune Of The Spirit (Lopez / Parker)
40-1 second place showing in this same event last year and is exiting two 5 furlong events that are likely to have this one tightened up to go for the lead and hope for the best. Rider switch to CC Lopez, who knows what to do with early speed types. This one was only 3 back to favorite Silver Tree at Delaware on July 15th and race before that beat Dreadnaught and Giant Wrecker, both of whom would not be out of place if they drew into this race here. Will be dismissed on the board despite the form saying this horse is a live one. At the very least you'll get a thrill for your money.
5. Carnera (Lezcano / McLaughlin)
Last seen in the G3 Poker in July at Belmont getting trounced by ten lengths. Only win out of 5 races this year was at a shorter distance on the polytrack at Keeneland in April. Has not shown improvement on the lawn since winning at Saratoga his 3 year old year. Also seems to lack the speed needed to be in the right place at the top of the stretch. We respect the connections and the fact he has been facing better but he's still eligible for n3X events and think the waters are once again too deep here. We'll toss.
6. Fishy Advice (Castellano / Donk)
Another NY invader also exits the 4StarDave though was no factor that day and has been on the shelf ever since. Most recent form cycle included an overnight stakes win in June at Monmouth but did not include the same early speed he displayed winning 3 in a row on the grass last year at 3 different tracks. He's certainly class tested and expect him to make a good account of himself here for sharp turf jockey / trainer tandem.
7. Jungle Fighter (Karamanos / Nixon)
Last seen putting away back-to-back stakes wins at Colonial in June and July. Connections 0 for the year in graded stakes and feel that although this is a sharp horse that has shown an exceptional amount of speed, he's not quite ready for this class test off of a more than 2 month break. Early speed type will likely duel early with Tune Of The Spirit but Tune is likely faster and most likely a better price on the board too. Looking at a speed and stop trip. Can't recommend in this spot.
8. Baron Von Tap (Maragh / Tesher)
Woke up at Monmouth over the summer after being beaten badly in graded events in NY. Likely to be stalking nicely coming for home. Was a half length to Touched By Madness in last and has finished in the money in half of his 26 starts on the lawn. Nice morning spin on Sunday at Belmont has this one primed to make a race of it. Maragh sees fit to take the mount again. Lots of things to like but can't put him on top of our plays.
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The Plays
$5 win / place / show on #6
$1 trifecta 1,6 with 1,3,6 with 1,2,3,6,8
Total wagered $45
Labels: gambling, horse racing
