Get Your Grass On

The next couple of weeks, the 3yo focus will be on turf and not dirt. This weekend's Colonial Turf Cup is the first leg of what I call the "Turf Triple Crown" (there's actually no such thing, but if there was this would be the first leg). We see that there are some fermiler faces who where on the TC trail and/or particpated in the TC races. Lets take a look at this year's field:

10th (5:19)
Colonial Turf Cup S. (G2)
1 3/16 Miles (Outer turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $500,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Paddy O'Prado Desormeaux K J Romans Dale 121 L 9-5
2 2 Workin for Hops Baird E T Stidham Michael 119 L 9-2
3 3 Kindergarden Kid Velasquez C Tagg Barclay 117 L 5-1
4 4 Vamos a Ver Prado E S Motion H Graham 119 L 20-1
5 5 Doubles Partner Gomez G K Pletcher Todd A 121 L 5-2
6 6 Dean's Kitten Garcia Alan Maker Michael J 117 L 8-1
7 7 Two Notch Road Russell S Thompson Glenn R 119 L 10-1

The two big names on this list are Derby 3rd place finisher Paddy O' Prado and Lane's End winner Dean's Kitten. These two returning to grass makes for an interesting race. However keep an eye on Doubles Partner. He's a WinStar horse whose dam is a full sister to Serena's Song. His sire has done well with turf runners, and he has already beaten on of the most well bred horses out there in Lentenor. Kindergarden Kid fills in for his ownership mate Lentenor who is being pointed to the Summer dirt races. Paddy should win this race with ease, with Double second and Dean third.

Colonial is not the only racetrack where a turf stakes rules the card, up at Belmont.

9th (5:17)
New York S. (G2)
1 1/4 Miles (Inner turf) | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $150,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Ave (GB) Luzzi M J Attfield Roger L 116 L 3-1
2 2 Changing Skies (IRE) Hill C Mott William I 120 L 9-2
3 3 Sweet and Flawless Goncalves L R Reed Eric R 116 L 20-1
4 4 Nehantic Kat Cohen D Tagg Barclay 116 L 15-1
5 5 Daveron (GER) Maragh R Clement Christophe 116 L 7-2
6 6 Lady Shakespeare Velazquez J R Attfield Roger L 120 L 5-2
7 7 Gozzip Girl Dominguez R A Albertrani Thomas 118 L 4-1

This should be a nice race between Lady Shakespeare and Gozzip Girl. I think Nehantic Kat may have a say in things as well. Sweet and Flawless might suprise people, but I think this maybe a little bit out of her league. I'm going with Lady in this race with Gozzip in second.

Some other great racing this weekend with Jackson Bend, Schoolyard Dreams, and Backtalk all back. The first two racing at Monmouth and the latter in Charles Town's big sprint stakes card. Don't forget that the HRBA's close on Monday and winners will be announced with a live chat on Weds.

I hope everyone bets responcibilty this weekend, I'll be back on Monday with a weekend recap!