Saratoga 30 August 2014
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FIRESPIKE has displayed a fair level of ability in both visits to the racetrack thus far and it could be a case of third time lucky for Michael Maker's colt. Tapkee and Epsilon make most appeal of the newcomers.
TWO WEEKS OFF made a promising start to his racing career when runner-up over 5 1/2f here earlier in the month and, likely to improve for this step up in trip, he could prove difficult to beat. Da Jenius was just one and a quarter lengths behind the selection in that race and warrants respect, while Evolution ought to run another sound race.
RIVER ROCKS has impressively notched up a double recently and he is fancied to strike again whilst the iron is hot. Salutos Amigos and Mshawish are feared most dropping down from Grade 3 level, although William Mott's Sinatra also commands respect.
ROYAL SON shaped with tons of promise on his debut over 6f here earlier in the month, only beaten a length, and normal improvement would make him difficult to beat this evening. El Kabeir rates the biggest threat following his promising introduction over 5f here, ahead Kiaran McLaughlin's newcomer Kick Off.
WISE DAN needs little introduction having won on 21 of his 29 starts and is likely to start at short odds after beating Boisterous (third) over a similar trip in Grade 1 company at Churchill Downs latest. The last-named is considered the main danger to the selection, though Lea, bidding for a hat-trick but off the track since landing Grade 1 honours at Gulfstream Park in February, is also worth monitoring in the betting.
JOAN'S CHOICE looked on good terms with himself when scoring over track and trip when last sighted and should take all of the beating if reproducing that effort. Regulus and Prosecution are the pair expected to put up most resistance.
HOPE CROSS was touched off by just a nose over track and trip in July and wouldn't need to improve much on that level of form in order to land the spoils. Angel Choir is feared most, while a big run from Colorful would also come as no surprise.
THIRTEEN ARROWS stayed on well in the closing stages when scoring over the extended 5f at Delaware and is expected to continue her improvement now granted this extra yardage. Sweet Whiskey and Miss Behaviour are others for the shortlist.
BALLERINA BELLE had Orient Harbor trailing in her wake when second over track and trip last time and a similar effort in this company could be enough to land the spoils. Scatcapade took second in a stakes race here last time and is another to note.
Palace landed a Grade 1 handicap over a furlong shorter last time and meets the third that day, Falling Sky, on 6lb better terms. That weight swing and good form should see Palace confirm those placings, but CLEARLY NOW could hardly have been more impressive when beating Palace by over six lengths in a Grade 3 here last time and even on 3lb worse terms, he could confirm that form.
With a roll of honour including the likes of Curlin, Rachel Alexandra and Ghostzapper in recent years, this is one of the biggest Grade 1s of the season and could give ZIVO another chance to showcase his talents. Chad Brown's entire was a surprise winner of the Suburban Handicap at Belmont, beating Moreno and Prayer For Relief, but Moreno's subsequent Grade 1 success over Itsmyluckyday only serves to strengthen the claims of the selection.
Bill Mott's Irish import BELISARIUS could prove ideally suited to this test, having finished second over slightly further at Roscommon on his last start for Aidan O'Brien. He could get the better of Iron Power, who missed out by just a neck last time, while Grand Strand would have to come into contention if the race is switched to the main track.
