Saturday July 1, 2000

The 44th Mother Goose Stakes
8th @ Belmont
All carry 121

 

1. C'est L'Amour...Prado...You have to like the way she has performed over this track. Not just in the afternoons, but mornings as well. There's no reason to think she won't like this distance even though she's untried over it. Johnson hitting at 22% this meet and he and Prado combining for 22% as well with a positive ROI. Last two have been at double-digit odds. I'd like that again here please! Only question might be is there a regression somewhere soon in her future.

2. Finder's Fee...Velasquez...She definitely likes this track as 4 of her 5 wins have come here. A bit of a concern is the distance as she flattened a bit, though still winning, the 1 mile Acorn. The Shugster hitting an unbelievable 39% at the meet so far. This will be her 6th race since mid-March so the tank might not be full. Another effort like the last one though, and she's a winner. Tough call with the extra furlong.

3. Secret Status...Day...Ran out of her skin in the Oaks and it probably took a ton out of her as she has had only maintenance works since--up until Monday that is. She sprang to life over this track with a 59:4 bullet and that could mean trouble for the rest of the field. If she backs up that Louisville performance here, she'll be damned near impossible to beat. Howard shipping at 28%, and off of a 30-90 day layoff he's winning 23%. A.P. Indy 3 year-olds winning at a 24%, 22% over a mile. The breeding looks mighty special. So does she.

4. March Magic...Migliore...It's possible she's nearly as good as Secret Status. Just a neck back in the Florida Oaks, won the Comely, then finished 2 1/2 back of Jostle in the Blackeyed Susan. Those last 2 on off surfaces though so it might be tough to make a prediction for her here. Ran decently at Saratoga last summer finishing 4th by 6 in the Spinaway. Probably would have to make a major move to win here. Exotics not out of the question though.

5. Heavens Above...Chavez...Intriguing entry here. She hasn't been asked yet but has blown away her competition in her only 2 starts. Both on this track. Bond winning 19% and bringing back a winner 21% of the time. If somebody doesn't put some serious pressure on her, she could be long gone by the 1/4 pole.

6. Jostle...Smith...Best efforts have come on off surfaces. The Pimlico surface must have been like molasses on Preakness day. Servis winning 19% this year and in Graded Stakes. A repeat on a fast surface is unlikely here I think.

7. Cat Cay...Bailey...Probably not ready for these--yet. She's got a bit of developing to do. Shug and Jerry though, they're right on top of their game. 39 and 38% respectively at this meet. Phenomenal! They might be able to carry her across first.

 

 

      I expect Secret Status will become something quite special. Whether today is her first step, we'll have to wait and see.

     I'll use Finder's Fee too. I'll hope the last furlong won't cost me..

     Two or three could be used in 3rd, but Heavens Above is really about the only one that could win as well..

1. Secret Status

2. Finder's Fee

3. Heavens Above

 

8TH BEL JULY 1, 2000 MOTHER GOOSE TIME 1:48
3 SECRET STATUS 121 DAY P 3.40 2.70 2.20
6 JOSTLE 121 SMITH M E 8.20 4.30
1 FINDER'S FEE 121 VELAZQUEZ J R 2.50
$2 EXACTA 3-6 PAID $30.60
$2 TRIFECTA 3-6-1 PAID $79.50

 

© 2000 bBra

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