Friday, October 24, 2008

BREEDERS’ CUP AND MISTER DIZ STAKES HIGHLIGHT SATURDAY ACTION

LAUREL, MD. 10-23-08---Laurel Park presents two fan favorites on Saturday, the full program of Breeders’ Cup World Championship races from Santa Anita and ten live races, featuring the $50,000 Mister Diz Stakes. First post at Laurel is 12 noon with the first Breeders’ Cup race set at 1:10 p.m.

The Mister Diz Stakes, a race named after a four-time Maryland-bred champion, is a 5-1/2 furlong test to be run on the turf. Twelve state-breds are entered including 6-5 morning line favorite Natural Seven from Benny Feliciano’s stable.


Natural Seven, claimed for $15,000 last January, has won five of seven starts for his new trainer. In his most recent start, the Maryland Million Turf Sprint, the son of Partner’s Hero led to the very last jump, losing by a nose to Kosmo’s Buddy in a sharp effort. Luis Garcia retains the mount.

“I was really disappointed but the filly ran a lifetime best to beat him,” Feliciano said. “When we claimed him we never envisioned he would do this well. We thought he could compete on the turf and he has exceeded our expectations.”

With rain in the forecast Feliciano also entered Norjac (15-1), who the trainer claimed for $4,000 on opening day at the Timonium State Fair meeting. He’s won both starts since at the allowance level on the main track at Laurel.

“I liked this horse since he beat Crafty Schemer at Colonial (July 2007),” added Feliciano. Crafty Schemer, a multiple stakes winner, has 27 first or second place finishes with earnings of nearly $485,000.

“I was actually walking to the winners’ circle when that horse nailed us on the wire. I followed him ever since and when he dropped all the way down to $4,000 at Timonium I thought it was worth the risk.”

Scott Lake has entered Lycurgus (9-2) and Cayman Condo (10-1). Lycurgus, a Not For Love gelding, finished just ¾ of a length behind Natural Seven in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint and has a 4-3-3 record in twenty-three starts on the turf. Cayman Condo will run if the race is conducted on the main track.

Saay Mi Name (8-1), Mr Mutter (12-1), Nashly’s Runner (20-1), Four Karats (20-1) and Bobbilinkapoo (20-1) are expected to compete if the race stays on the turf.

Love’s Strong Hart (10-1), Now It Begins (12-1) and Sarto (15-1) will run if the race comes off the grass.

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