Belmont Park 27 September 2008
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DROWNING BEAR made the ideal start to his racing career when striking gold over 6f here in October and looks sure to take all the beating providing he arrives fully wound up for his return. Coastal Drive has crept into the frame on his three latest starts and should be on the premises once again, while Urban Flight is another in with a shout.
DUCANE made a pleasing introduction when third over 6f at Saratoga last month and, with further improvement on the cards, he looks the one to beat tonight. Nowhere To Hide appears to be improving with race experience and should have his say in the final outcome here, while Precursor is another that cannot be ruled out with any confidence.
PIAZZA DI SPAGNA produced a gallant effort in defeat when runner-up over a similar trip at Saratoga last time and, with much less on his plate tonight, he could prove a cut above these rivals. Ode To Revolution was less than two lengths behind the selection on that occasion (finishing third) and should go close once again, along with Triple Bogey Blues.
IFONLYJOHNNY was mightily impressive when bounding clear to score by four lengths over seven and a half furlongs here last time and could take some stopping in his bid to complete the double. Lost Going Home won in comfortable fashion at this venue latest and is unlikely to go down without a fight, while Remorse is another with solid place credentials.
CABARET COWBOY showed plenty of encouraging signs when fifth on debut over five and a half furlongs at Saratoga last month and, with normal improvement expected, he could prove a tough nut to crack this evening. Prince Charming appears to be heading the right way and should make his presence felt here, while Legendary Monarch is another interesting sort.
Last Year's Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine GINGER PUNCH comes into this on the back of three successive Grade 1 successes and had the reopposing Lemon Drop Mom and Unbridles Belle behind when warming up for this with a resolute victory in the Personal Ensign last month. Disappointing in last year's renewal, she is taken to erase such memories tonight with the main danger possibly coming from Godolphin's Cocoa Beach who routed a modest-looking field at Saratoga last time.
MAURALAKANA is expected to prove hard to beat having continued her remarkable rise with an impressive Grade 1 success at Arlington last time, her fourth successive victory. It has been a remarkable upward curve since she was transferred from her native France and Christophe Clement can look forward to another success here with old rivals Communique and Dynaforce taken to chase her home again.
The 'Vosburgh' has been won by some of great sprinters over the years and FABULOUS STRIKE can etch his name into an exclusive list for the second time. Last year's impressive winner warmed up for this with a comfortable success at Delaware Park and is reported to have enjoyed a good preparation as he bids to follow up. Nothing went right for Lucky Island when disappointing behind another of tonight's runners, First Defence, last time and he ought to finish much closer tonight with the J Be K camp in bullish mood ahead of tonight's clash.
Connections of Strike The Deal are entitled to feel a little hard done by having narrowly missed out an a big prize in four starts this year but their charge has the form to prove a big player again tonight. Grand Couturier and Dancing Forever cross paths again after the former tasted Grade 1 success at Saratoga last month but PROUDINSKY ran Big Brown very close when just touched off at Monmouth Park earlier this month and he is taken to claim a much deserved Grade 1 victory tonight.
Beaten by a nose when second in the million-dollar Travers Stakes at Saratoga last time out, Mambo In Seattle would appear to be the only real danger to CURLIN, who won last year's renewal of this event and followed up with a wide-margin victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Further success at the highest level has followed this year, in the Dubai World Cup and two more Grade 1 events in his native land, and he should be extremely hard to beat. Wanderin Boy enters the equation for combination bets.
