Y14 JULY WEEK FOUR

[creativecause]

NEARCTIC STAKES* 
Win: Innocent Passion
Place: Cross My Heart

Bolivia Stakes -  G5
Win: Baciami
Place: Black Magic

Cococabana Derby - 9F - G4
Win: Radiant Silver
Place: Headstrong

[creativecause]

Best of the west sprint*
Win: Crowned Queen
Place: Sugar Rush

[Ripley]

Petrichor Stakes
Win. Girl Talk
Place. Impassioned Nut

[Ripley]

Bonifica Derby
Win. Ivory Storms
Place. Beyond The Stars
Show. Furious Flyer

[Ripley]

Synergy Derby Race One
Win. Silver Secret
Place. Sweetness Unlimited

Sweetness Unlimited needs a more recent workout, but she will skyrocket once she's had some one on one time.

[Ripley]

Riparian Stakes
Win. Prima Donna (half-length)
Place. Desert Amber
Show. Livin The Jazz

Last minute scratch: Restricted Access, was listed main track only.

Really had a serious challenge picking between the two fillies. Desert Amber has been on an absolute tear this season. She's really blooming for you Isa and everyone has taken notice. For all of her recency, I just felt the nine furlongs was really in Prima Donna's wheelhouse. She's more of a miler type where Desert Amber makes me think she'll excel more at 10-11 distance ranges. Prima Donna flaunted a fine turn of foot, but had to dig deep to get by Desert Amber.

Livin' The Jazz simply was not prepared to take on the classy Prima Donna and the in-form Desert Amber. He needs a more recent workout.

[creativecause]

THE DIANA*
Win: Paradise Island (1/2 length)
Place: Paranormal Hunter
Show: Fleet Majesty

Fleet Majesty was outclassed in this race. Paradise Island wanted the win just a little more then Paranormal Hunter which resulted in her 1/2 length win. 

[creativecause]

JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC*
Win: Ode To Glory (Neck)
Place: Abastor (1/2 Length)
Show: Passionate Flyer
4th: Bowen Arrow

Ode To Glory was very stubborn today and wouldn't let Abastor pass him in the stretch.  Bowen Arrow was a bit outclassed by these horses today and faded into the stretch. Passionate Flyer fought hard down the stretch but fell short at the wire. 

[creativecause]

PENN NATIONAL DERBY*  G2+
Win: Forbidden To Fly (Neck)
Place: Mastermind (Neck)
Show: Ventura
4th: Tears Of An Angel

This has to be the showdown of the season, this wasn't an easy race to judge at all guys! This was one of the fastest races run all year!
They all broke well, Tears Of An Angel got bumped around a little but she straightened herself out and went on to be perfectly fine. There was no leader in this race so Tears Of An Angel and Ventura were out front, but Tears Of An Angel got a bit worked up and refused to let Ventura get past her, which resulted in a suicidal pace. Mastermind stalked behind the front two and Forbidden To Fly sat chilly behind them all. Rounding the final turn Ventura and Mastermind were pushing Tears Of An Angel and pretty much tearing her to pieces and she started to fade around the ending of the far turn. Ventura and Mastermind duked it out for a bit but Mastermind got his head in front, Forbidden To Fly came flying past the grandstand and joined the battle fighting fiercely on the outside. The three were all out sprinting for the wire and no one wanted to give up! They pretty much did this for the final furlong and a half before Forbidden To Fly finally let out his last bid to win by a neck over the seemingly unbeatable Mastermind who had poked his nose in front in the middle of the stretch. Ventura came just a neck short of Mastermind and Tears Of An Angel faded to fourth and was behind the rest by about four lengths. Taylor, I don't think she was ready to go up against these horses so soon, she's coming off of a second place finish in a regular stakes race and a two month layoff. Maybe get a few wins under her before you try these guys again.

Final Time: 1:33.22

[Ripley]

With Anticipation Stakes
Win. Pandora
Place. Lissome
Show. Devil's Flair
Fourth. Take Flight
Fifth. Refute
Sixth. Wild Daisy

This was a very fast race as always when Devil's Flair is involved. He really pressed Refute and Lissome became a victim as well. She was hemmed in and committed to the fast pace. She also wanted to get first jump on Take Flight, whom has been on a roll of late. But Take Flight was not the true enemy today. The enemy was Pandora who capitalized on a perfect trip and stormed up late to take the victory by a nose. Lissome did everything but win today and I expect her to be a terror as the season progresses.

[Ripley]

Hegemon Prospect
Win. Cyclonaria
Place. Sophie's Pride
Show. SmashDashing
Fourth. Luminous Wave

Last three were very dirt oriented compared to Cylonaria.

[Ripley]

Jetme Prospect
Win. Burning Blitz
Place. Rough Diamond
Show. Doubloon Moon
Fourth. Ares

Hated placing Ares last. I love his personality, but obviously when I bred him I wasn't thinking proven bloodlines. I was thinking creating a new line. Cannot wait til he starts proving those lines. All are very beautiful horses. Thought Burning Blitz had the perfect pedigree for this one as Ashes to Ashes and Mastermind, who is related to through grand-daddy Speed Demon, are better known for their miler capabilities. Rough Diamond, definitely a filly for shorter races. Doubloon Moon, I really think is unique and I think she will help to prove a new line as well!

[creativecause]

HUMANA STAKES*
Win: Nirvana
Place: Impressionable
Show: Vengeance
4th: Impress the Moonlight
5th: Meritorious

I freaked out, all of these fillies deserved 1st, but in the end I couldn't give it to them all. Based mostly on experience and some on running style.
Cav it kills me to have to place Meritorious in last, but the other fillies had a bit more experience running against HOTY competition and I felt she wasn't ready to take on a field like this yet. 

[Cavallo]

holy frick. okay -dies-