Notes From The Underground

NOTES FROM BLOOD HORSE MAGAZINE



The Grade 1, $250,000 Gamely Stakes on Memorial Day is the highlight of the weekend, with the Grade 3, $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap on the undercard. Saturday plays host to the Grade 2, $150,000 American Handicap.


Marjorie L. Everett H. (G2): Jay Em Ess Stable's INCLUDE ME OUT streaked to her third straight graded score with a three-quarters of a length tally in this one for conditioner Ron Ellis. The ultra-talented four-year-old stopped the teletimer in 1:44 for the 1 1/16 miles run on the Cushion oval beneath Joe Talamo.

Railbird S. (G3): Steve Beneto's VIA VILLAGGIO wore down the 1-20 favorite en route to a half-length win in this one under Martin Pedroza. The Jerry Hollendorfer sophomore trainee sped seven panels on the main oval in 1:23.


HORSES TO WATCH

DANDEREK took command early and led all the way in this one in a fine tally for trainer Francesco Santella. The gelded six-year-old was pretty strong throughout this one while never being seriously tested, and could evolve into a stakes player at marathon trips with steady growth.

 CANDY AND THUNDER put in a solid late run following a slow break to fall just a jump or two short in this turf dash. The Doug O'Neill trainee should be a big player next out if placed with similar foes.

 MAKE MUSIC FOR ME was the recipient of a heady ride by Martin Garcia and impressed when showing a new tactic by going to the lead early in this eventual tally. The five-year-old could really benefit if he can get into his races sooner in the future.

Trainer Mike Mitchell surely had KALK BAY primed for her return in this one, as the four-year-old miss left this group in her wake inside the final furlong. Last seen at Del Mar in the summer, the bay was not claimed and could be in line for a class rise.

PLAYFUL COUNCIL was a sharp second in an improved showing for conditioner David Hofmans and could graduate soon. We thought this was a fairly solid cast of juveniles.

AKKADIAN put in a strong late run to be second after being last for most of the early running in this turf test. The Julio Canani trainee showed glimpses of being a real good one last year, and could evolve into a solid performer in 2012.

BYRONY absolutely exploded in the stretch on this day to win like a good thing in her U.S. debut for conditioner John Sadler. The four-year-old filly beat a questionable field in our minds, but did so with a ton of class, getting her final five-sixteenths in a swift :29 3/5. She could be a very good one.