The North American horse racing calendar becomes especially thin this time of year, as all eyes point toward the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland in just two weeks.
As lean as the stakes action is this weekend, there are a few opportunities worth considering.
Below you will find selections from three stakes races taking place on Saturday: the G3 Noble Damsel at Belmont at Aqueduct, the G2 Hill Prince at Belmont at Aqueduct, and the G2 Raven Run at Keeneland.
After thirty-nine weeks, here is the results tally (records reflective of $2 WIN / $2 WPS):
WIN: 17-116 (14.7%, -$84.74)
WPS: 60-116 (51.7%, -$176.48)
1:42 ET – BELMONT AT AQUEDUCT R3 – G3 NOBLE DAMSEL – 1 MILE – TURF
The Noble Damsel is a rather paceless race, but there’s one filly in the field that’s shown she’s incredibly versatile and fits very well in this spot. EVVIE JETS (3) ran too well to lose last month’s Athenia at Aqueduct, as she was nabbed in the shadow of the wire by Love and Thunder who rallied from well off the pace that Evvie Jets set. With a slight turnback to a mile, look for the Mertkan Kantarmaci trainee to be just off the pace this time around – but only just. I would envision the mare on the inside (Kept Waiting) being sent by Irad Ortiz, Jr., and it would seem logical that Eric Cancel aboard Evvie Jets would take up a pressing position. It’s a short field of five, but Evvie Jets should go off at a fair and playable price.
THE PLAY: 3) EVVIE JETS TO WIN at odds of 5/2 or greater
3:48 ET – BELMONT AT AQUEDUCT R7 – G2 HILL PRINCE – 1 1/8 MILES – TURF
There was no apparent excuse for the even finish from UNANIMOUS CONSENT in last month’s G3 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, but I have to think the three-year-old trained by Chad Brown will take a step forward off that effort in yet another race that appears paceless on paper. A son of Almanzor, Unanimous Consent unleashed a wicked turn of foot when winning the Woodhaven at Aqueduct in late April before disappointing in the G2 Pennine Ridge at Belmont. That effort at Belmont can be excused, however, as Emmanuel got away with setting snail-like fractions on the front end before spurting away down the lane. Any closer that day should be given the benefit of the doubt. Now, with paired up career-best Beyer Speed Figures of 83 under his belt, I’m expecting Unanimous Consent and jockey Manny Franco to make their presence felt down the lane at Aqueduct on Saturday.
THE PLAY: 8) UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO WIN at odds of 6/1 or greater
5:16 ET – KEENELAND R9 – G2 RAVEN RUN – 7 FURLONGS – DIRT
She may be facing the stiffest test of her career, but FINGAL’S CAVE (5) isn’t “just” a New York-bred – she’s a quality filly that deserves consideration against some of the better three-year-old female sprinters in the country (who aren’t pointing to the Breeders’ Cup). Trained by the underrated conditioner David Donk, Fingal’s Cave is a perfect 4-for-4 to start her career, winning at distances ranging from six-furlongs to nine-furlongs. Truth be told, Saturday’s seven-furlong trip is likely her best, and the tactical speed she possess should have her in prime position over a Keeneland main track that’s been kind to runners that can sit closer to the pace. Ridden by Joel Rosario for the first time, look for Fingal’s Cave to figure prominently throughout.
THE PLAY: 5) FINGAL’S CAVE TO WIN at odds of 9/2 or greater