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Sunday, August 12, 2007

Nary a Grade 1 for Todd

A less than stellar day for Todd Pletcher in Grade 1 races, as Red Giant finished second to French import Shamdinan ($11.60) in the Secretariat, Honey Ryder didn’t like the shorter distance in finishing next to last in the Beverly D, and Sunriver didn’t threaten in the Arlington Million, as Canadian-invader Jambalaya ($17.20) defeated everyone’s favorite The Tin Man, with Doctor Dino a surprising third. In the Beverly D, I had the winner, Royal Highness ($20.40) in the DRF Public Handicapper contest, but my other selections, Lattice in the Secretariat and Danak in the Million, failed.

The Toddster’s woes continued at Saratoga, as Calvin Borel gave his patent rail-skimming ride on Grand Couturier to win the G1 Sword Dancer Invitational over English Channel, paying $33.20. I had Always First, who could only manage fifth.

In his debut, X Rated Cat went off as the 3-2 favorite, and battled for the early lead, but once they rounded the final turn, he was done, finishing sixth in the nine-horse field. Still, as an initial effort, not bad—not great, but not bad.

Perpetual maiden Four Acres is entered in race 1 at Suffolk Downs on Sunday, his 73rd attempt to win. However, I have found another maiden who is actually neck-to-neck with Four Acres as leading contender for longest current losing streak! In race 4 at Laurel on Friday, six-year-old mare Diamond Kind (Storm Creek-Diamond Mist, by Simply Majestic) lost her 74th straight race! Our new champion :)

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