Saturday, March 5, 2011

Saturday's stakes timeline

It's a busy Saturday, with action happening in a number of divisions coast-to-coast. Here's a quick guide to what to look for and when. All times are Eastern.


1:56 p.m.: Broadway Stakes, Aqueduct

This sprint for statebred fillies and mares is headed up by Meese Rocks, winner of the Union Avenue Stakes at Saratoga last summer. But the tough 6-year-old daughter of Rock And Roll has just two seconds from three starts this year.


2:24 p.m.: Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes, Aqueduct

Stakes winner Sensational Slam and stakes placed Rift are favored in a short field for this sprint for 3-year-olds.


2:52 p.m.: Grade 2 Tom Fool Stakes, Aqueduct

Todd Pletcher sends out the heavily favored entry here, headed up by Calibrachoa, a two-time stakes winner at the Aqueduct meet this winter. Stablemate Have You Ever is the weaker half of the entry, while stakes competitor Flat Bold could also contend.


3:33 p.m.: Maiden special weight, Santa Anita

The long-awaited debut of Wilburn, a son of Bernardini who sold for a sale-topping $625,000 to Stonestreet Stables as a 2-year-old in training last spring. The strapping bay colt is a half-brother to graded winner Beethoven. Mike Smith has the mount for trainer Steve Asmussen.


4:25 p.m.: Allowance optional claimer, Gulfstream

This sprint for older horses features graded winner Aikenite and Godolphin's well-regarded Tahitian Warrior.


4:40 p.m.: Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks, Santa Anita

One of the season's most interesting young rivalries, as Zazu and Turbulent Descent meet for the third time. The latter filly earned victories in the Moccasin and Hollywood Starlet, before she suffered her first defeat at the hands of Zazu in the Las Virgines last time out. Zazu could be even better going longer for owners Jerry and Ann Moss, who wouldn't mind having another special filly in the barn. Also in the field is Frizette winner AZ Warrior, making her 3-year-old debut.


4:50 p.m.: Challenger Stakes, Tampa Bay

Drosselmeyer makes his first start since winning the Belmont Stakes. The long break was necessitated by an ankle issue; he's looking to regroup and get back on track for this season after having to pass on the Dubai World Cup due to illness. This won't be a walkover by any means for a talented colt who was just starting to show his best stuff when he was sidelines. Also in the field are the talented Schoolyard Dreams, Jardim, Mad Flatter and Colizeo.


4:55 p.m.: Allowance optional claimer, Gulfstream

New York-bred turf star Banrock, now 8, is looking for his first win of the season.


5:12 p.m.: Grade 3 Gotham Stakes, Aqueduct

Toby's Corner has won three of four starts lifetime, including the Whirlaway at Aqueduct last time out. He looks to take another step toward the April 9 Wood Memorial and a showdown with Eclipse champion Uncle Mo. First he's got the champion's stablemate Stay Thirsty to contend with. This is no second-stringer. By Bernardini and from an outstanding female family, Stay Thirsty, who was second in the Hopeful last year, needed a long break after a green performance in the Juvenile. He might need a start to be at his best, but his pedigree suggests that the time off will have done him a world of good mentally.


5:15 p.m.: Clocker's Corner Handicap, Santa Anita

Reba Is Tops and Unzip Me are both coming off strong stakes wins at this meet.


5:25 p.m.: Honey Fox Stakes, Gulfstream

A deep field of fillies and mares takes of the turf.


6:02 p.m.: Mountain Valley Stakes, Oaklawn

Its timing on the calendar now makes it nearly insignificant, but it's worth noting that 2005 Eclipse champion Afleet Alex used this sprint as a springboard to bigger and better things.


7:40 p.m.: Grade 1 Kilroe Mile, Santa Anita

Caracortado has won both of his starts on turf, including the Sunshine Millions Turf - against graded winner and fellow Kilroe entrant Jeranimo - last time out. The 4-year-old is looking for his first Grade 1 score. Fluke was second to Proviso by a nose in this event last year; he comes in this year off a win in the Thunder Road Handicap.


8:10 p.m.: Santa Anita Handicap, Santa Anita

All eyes are on Twirling Candy, who has been the most exciting older horse at this meet. The son of Candy Ride broke Spectacular Bid's track record in winning the Malibu on opening day. He came back to dominate the Strub last month. He's trained strongly for this and appears to still be at the top of his game. Trainer Bob Baffert sends out four runners, including First Dude - making his first start for Baffert, the colt is looking for just his second lifetime win, but is multiple Grade 1 placed. Aggie Engineer has developed into a solid older horse this winter and won the San Pasqual earlier in the meet.


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