neI hope everyone enjoys the great racing that will be taking place this weekend. There are three G1's (Haskell, Diana and Go For Wand), plus two pretty major G2's (West Virginia Derby and Jim Dandy). The Haskell and WV Derby will have the return of the Bird Brothers (Mine That Bird and his fellow Birdstone foal Summer Bird). Forever Together will be in the Diana, and Cocoa Beach will try to rebound from her horrible season debut in the Go For Wand. Warrior's Reward will try to become the first male Medaglia d'Oro to win a stakes race in the Jim Dandy. Plus on the West Coast, it's the return of Dubai World Cup champ Well Armed and it will be the battle of the sexes as Allicansay is Wow makes her first try against the males. I'm missing something aren't I. Oh yeah a certin filly makes her second go-around with the boys.
Of the three 3yo's races this weekend, the Haskell has the most depth. You have Rachel Alexandra, Summer Bird, Munnings and Papa Clem leading the charge. Atomic Rain will make his Goldolphin debut, but he is recovering from an hoof injury, so he may end up not going. While on paper, this won't be a walk in the park for Rachel, I still think she will win it. Monmouth is a speed favoring track, and she likes the lead. She will either sit right off or be pressed by Munnings, whose stamina will come into question (However his dam's half sister was second in the Delaware Handicap). It may actually be too short for Summer Bird who may relish the 10 furlong distance more. There are a couple of longshots who are actually replacements for their highley regarded stablemates who either went elsewhere (Big Drama) or are out for the year (Musket Man).
The day before, Rachel's jockey and trainer will be facing off against each other. Steve Asmussen will send out Kensei (for Jess Jackson, Rachel's owner), where as Calvin Borel will be riding Warrior's Reward in the Jim Dandy. Saratoga Sinner, who made a brief apperience on the TC trail this year will make his comeback. Chartiable Man and Miner's Escape will also be in the race.
Up in the mountains of good old West Virgina, history will be made. Mine That Bird will be the first Derby winner to ever run at Mountianeer and in the WV Derby. Other then Big Drama, this is the weakest of the three major 3yo's races. If an honest pace is set, Mike Smith should have no problem guiding Mine back to the winner's circle. (BTW lets just hope we don't see a repeat of what happend to him on Thorn Song in the Eddie Read last week)
So my picks for the weekend are:
Jim Dandy: Warrior's Reward, Kensei
West Virginia Derby: Mine That Bird
Diana: Forever Together, My Princess Jess
Go For Wand: Weathered, Cocoa Beach
San Diego: Well Armed
Haskell: Rachel Alexandra, Papa Clem, Summer Bird
I hope everyone enjoys the weekend races. I personally will be out of town starting Sat. Hopefully I'll have a post either Sunday or Monday night. Until then, enjoy your weekend!
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