Saturday's American Racing Preview
- By A.J. Ryder on November 25, 2011 19:47 GMT
There are a lot of high-quality flat races still to come in America despite the Breeders' Cup running in Louisville earlier this month. As the attention begins to shift towards next year's Triple Crown trail, we'll be taking a look at a few different races that are expected to take in the bulk of the wagering this weekend.
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The Grade 1 Cigar Mile sees top trainer Bill Mott send out his classy thee-year-old To Honor And Serve, who managed a seventh place finish in the Classic after being knocked off the Triple Crown trail due to injury earlier this year. The first-rate colt won the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct around this time last year and will be looking to build on the experience his trainer has at this track.
Mott trained the venerable Cigar, whom the race is named after, and would love nothing more than to follow up with another high-profile winner over the 1m distance. Formerly known as the NYRA Mile, The Cigar Mile ranks as one of the top contests for milers on the New York circuit.
Punters can expect Haynesfield, who is an accomplished contender over Aqueduct's surface, while Calibrachoa represents the Todd Pletcher barn and also boasts a great record at the Jamaica, NY racetrack.
The 1m1f Gazelle Stakes kicks off with undefeated Awesome Feather being the best tip for this one and it will be her first effort in a Grade 1 race since she scored in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last year.
Saturday at Churchill Downs sees an entire day of juvenile racing with one of the most interesting races looking like the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. The favourite for that one looks to be another Pletcher horse, Gemologist, who is owned by Winstar. The same connections won this race with Super Saver, and then went on to score in the Kentucky Derby, back in 2009.
Out west, the Vernon O Underwood Stakes runs at Hollywood Park where Bob Baffert's popular sprinter Euroears will be trying to bounce back off a dismal effort in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Comma To The Top returns for this race as well after a lengthy lay-off. He has flourished over synthetic surfaces in the past and should enjoy the cushion track.
