The GR III Spiral Stakes

[TJ]

The GR III Spiral Stakes goes this Saturday at Turfway Park. Only catch, it's run over synthetic at 1 1/8th miles. This race was made viable thanks to Animal Kingdom....but synthetic races aren't really the best preps for the Derby? PP's below. TJ

11th RACE. (C11) Post 6:28PM The 43rd Running of Stakes
THE HORSESHOE CASINO CINCINNATI SPIRAL STAKES (Grade III)
$550,000 Guaranteed
PURSE $550,000 Guaranteed (Includes $50,000 from KTDF) 1 1/8 Miles
FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS.

1 BIG BAZINGA (L) '11 G E52 123 Contreras, L Derby Dreamers Racing Stable Vassilieva, K
2 ASSERTING BEAR (L) '11 C E52 123 Rocco, Jr., J Bear Stables, Ltd. Baker, R
3 POKER PLAYER (L) '11 C 123 Hill, C West, Gary and Mary Catalano, W
4 TAMARANDO (L) '11 C 123 Baze, R Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Hollendorfer, J
5 COASTLINE (L) '11 C 123 Elliott, S Oxley, J Casse, M
6 SMART COVER (L) '11 C 123 Lanerie, C Donegal Racing Romans, D
7 ALL TIED UP (L) '11 C 123 Saez, L Dogwood Stable Pletcher, T
8 SOLITARY RANGER (L) '11 C 123 Geroux, F Moulton, S Catalano, W
9 ALMOST FAMOUS (L) '11 C 123 Borel, C Chuck and Maribeth Sandford, LLC Byrne, P
10 HARRY'S HOLIDAY (L) '11 C E33 123 Napravnik, R Skychai Racing LLC, Raymond, Terry and Wagner, Jana Maker, M
11 WE MISS ARTIE (L) '11 C 123 Velazquez, J Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Pletcher, T
12 ARCTIC SLOPE (L) '11 C 123 Jimenez, A Shortleaf Stable, Inc. McPeek, K
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... m3=1860936

[Cree]

Tamarando- he's just so consistent. I also like We Miss Artie and Asserting Bear.

This race looks better than the Sunland Derby.

[Bill from WA]

I like Solitary Ranger here.

[TJ]

Not too excited about this race as far as a Derby contender....but it is possible we might see a long-shot winner in here. Top Canadian prospect Asserting Bear trained by Reade Baker, ran very well going 1 1/8th miles over a similar surface when he was only 2. Coastline ran huge in his only try over synthetic and should also be a price. We Miss Artie will like the surface and the way the pace sets up he may run over them at the finish...JV won't hurt his chances in here. Tamarando is the logical choice. Smart Cover beat Tapiture in a GR III as a 2YO....will be a very big price in here? TJ

Asserting Bear
Coastline
We Miss Artie
Tamarando

[TJ]

We Miss Artie gets up in time...I've got a bone to pick with Harry's Holiday:>) TJ

We Miss Artie
Harry's Holiday
Coastline
Asserting Bear

[Cree]

Hmm...I hope the owners of this horse don't get all crazy thinking and send him to the Derby. He's clearly a polytrack specialist. He should stick to that. I can see him winning the Queens Plate.

[TJ]

Hmm...I hope the owners of this horse don't get all crazy thinking and send him to the Derby. He's clearly a polytrack specialist. He should stick to that. I can see him winning the Queens Plate.

Hi Cree,
I doubt they will pass up either race with him....plenty of time for We Miss Artie to run in the Derby and the Queens Plate. I agree poly is his surface....but Derby fever is in the air:>) Asserting Bear will most likely go to the Queens Plate and I think he will give We Miss Artie a real tough time at 1 1/4 miles. The Bear got in a jam at a crucial point early on, or I think he would have been right there....he was coming fastest of all at the wire. TJ

[Cree]

Of course Ramsey will send him to the Derby. That man has major Derby Fever.

I have always liked Asserting Bear, and I think he will be tough for the Queens Plate. He's a hard-knocking little horse and I loved his half sister.

[TJ]

Here's the race. We Miss Artie received an 85 beyer for his effort. TJ
http://www1.drf.com/displayVideo.do?tra ... ountry=USA