MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (June 22, 2008) - Steve Dwoskin’s 4-year-old Dixie Matt and J D Farm’s 3-year-old gelding Dulansky ran well to finish third and fourth, respectively, in a ‘two other than’ optional allowance on Apr. 27 at Calder Race Course, and the two meet again Thursday in a similar race at 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Jockey Ariel Smith gets a return call on Dixie Matt for owner-trainer Steve Dwoskin, and came back after the Apr. 27 race to finish a strong second by a neck under similar conditions over the course and distance on May 17. The son of Dixieland Band has won two of six on turf with a second and a third.
St. George Stable’s 4-year-old Cenzontle has improved steadily this season for leading Calder trainer Kirk Ziadie and will get plenty of attention in Thursday’s race with Manoel Cruz named to ride. The son of Smart Strike won back-to-back races at Gulfstream Park this spring, the first for a $32,000 claiming price and the second an ‘a other than’ optional, and rallied for third last out in the Big Bubble overnight stakes on June 14.
Brazil Stable’s 5-year-old gelding Tupi bids for a third straight victory over the course with jockey Manuel Aguilar aboard for trainer Ron Spatz. The Florida homebred by Hazaam won an ‘a other than’ optional by a nose on May 12 and dropped in for a $25,000 claming tag to score by three last out on June 12 with no takers.
Completing the field of 10 drawn for Thursday’s race are AML Stable’s Marnesia’s Big Boy, Wilmer Galviz; Alan Benning and Michael Tolnai’s Lady Tropicana, Juan Carlos Sanchez; New Life Stable’s Ungi Blanc, Jermaine Bridgmohan; Rose Family Stable’s Rachel’s Dancer, Percival Williams; Alan Benson’s Gregory (main track only), Manny Aguilar; and James Newkoop’s Grato Recuerdo, Sasha Ortiz.
Lopez Extends Lead in Standings Posting Saturday Triple
The good news for apprentice jockey Paco Lopez is that the 22-year-old Mexican-born rider extended his lead over veteran Manoel Cruz in the Calder Race Course standings riding three winners on Saturday (46-40), but the bad news is that after Sunday’s card he will be out of action until July 10 serving suspension days.
Cruz, leading rider at Calder meets in 2003 and 2006, was set down for three days this weekend, but gets back in the saddle beginning Thursday. Well back in third currently after 36 days of the meet are Javier Santiago and Ariel Smith with 27 victories apiece.
Defending Calder meet training champion Kirk Ziadie continues to lead the standings after sending out 16 winners, but three veteran horsemen are tied for second just three back at 13 tallies each – Marty Wolfson, Dan Hurtak and Eddie Plesa, Jr.
Mairzy Doates Winner Mauralakana Extends Stakes Streak in New York
Robert Scarborough’s 5-year-old French-bred mare Mauralakana was among the stars of Calder’s inaugural Turf Million program on Apr. 26 winning the $300,000 Mairzy Doates Handicap over J’ray for trainer Christophe Clement, and continued her rise in the ranks of the filly and mare turf stakes division nationally winning Saturday’s $250,000 New York Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park.
A daughter of Muhtathir, Mauralakana has won four of five starts this season and was second in the other, all stakes. Prior to the Mairzy Doates she captured The Very One Handicap (G3) and finished second in the Orchid Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream Park and captured the Sheepshead Bay Handicap (G2) at Belmont by three lengths on May 24 last out.
Two other prominent stakes runners from the Turf Million are set to see action this afternoon at Woodbine. Stronach Stable’s 3-year-old filly Ginger Brew won the $200,000 Calder Oaks and the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks by six lengths on June 8 for trainer Brian Lynch and is among the favorites facing colts in the $1 million Queen’s Plate today.
Earlier on the Woodbine card in the $200,000 Highlander Stakes (G3), Rob Ry Farm and Jane Marie Slysz’ 6-year-old gelding Heros Reward is the morning-line choice. Based in Maryland with trainer Dale Capuano, the son of Partner’s Hero invaded Calder to finish third behind Lookinforthesecret in the $250,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint on the Turf Million card and won the Turf Sprint at Pimlico on Preakness Day on May 17 in one start since.