Fourth Fireworks

Some lightning fast times today! First, Idiot Proof (4-1) took the G2 Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup in a new 6f track record of 1:07.22. The old record had been held for nearly 15 years, by Gilded Time. Impressive! He passed Southwestern Heat at the final turn and never looked back. Spin Master (3-2) finished second and my beloved Southwestern Heat (who went off at 21-1!) lost out in a photo for third to Principle Secret (also 3-2).

Looking for a nice spot for Southwestern Heat to aim for next is tough. Not many graded stakes at six furlongs and under. However, I have another proposition. He won easily at five furlongs on turf…how about the $150,000 Turf Monster Handicap at Philly Park on Labor Day? Also at Philly, on September 29 is the $150,000 Gallant Bob Handicap at six furlongs. Just suggesting…

At Belmont, High Finance, Commentator and Rondo were flying mid-race, as the half went in 43.99! High Finance ($13.20 win) pulled off the upset over third place finishing Commentator. The closer 11-1 Awesome Twist made an incredible late run to finish ahead of the odds-on favorite Commentator. West Point Thoroughbreds is having one heck of a good year, with Flashy Bull’s surprising win in the G1 Stephen Foster, and now High Finance’s upset in the Tom Fool. They also have the fillies Lear’s Princess and Dream Rush in their lineup, as well as the graded-stakes winning gelding Awesome Gem.

The Dwyer played out exactly as I envisioned it. Any Given Saturday won easily over Nobiz Like Shobiz, and those two were obviously much better than the rest. Sightseeing finished third; First Defence scratched. Very nice to see Any Given Saturday back on form. Nobiz seemed a little distracted again in the stretch, pulling out from the rail just a tad.

Finally, in the $100,000 Wadsworth Memorial Handicap at Finger Lakes, Funny Cide won easily coming from behind. What a treat to see this old gelding run! He obviously loves it, so who cares if it is not against top company any more.