Maxxam Gold Cup Night Preview
For my first ever visit to Sam Houston Race Park, I will be treated to three stakes races this Saturday evening. I’m expecting a fun night at the races. Without further ado, let’s jump right into a preview of each...
Race 7 - Jersey Lilly Stakes - 1 1/16 Miles Turf - Fillies & Mares - 4 & Up
A wide open field of older turf mares will square off in the evening’s first stakes race. Ken & Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker come in with the race favorite, Kitten’s Queen. The five-year-old daughter of Kitten’s Joy is a consistent sort, but at only 3-for-17 lifetime, I would not blame anyone for trying to beat her in here. I Dazzle, the second choice, is a threat, but has not been on turf since early last summer for trainer Mike Stidham. Many of her performances have come on the grass, though, and she does come to Sam Houston in good form. Other interesting candidates in this one include Satin Gold, One Time Only, Femme Fatale, and Street of Gold, but I’ve actually landed on Compelling Case as my top pick. The Team Block charge, 8-1 on the morning line, ran a number of good races on the turf in Chicago last year, and comes in off solid recent form at Fair Grounds. She should get a good stalking trip from the outside and will have the red-hot Florent Geroux in the irons.
Race 8 - Texas Heritage Stakes - 1 Mile Dirt - 3 Year Olds
Won by Departing two years ago, you never know who is going to show up in this $50,000 stakes race at Sam Houston. Not a lot of odds here, but I look for the Larry Jones trained A Day in Paradise to be the one with the best shot to emulate the big success Departing enjoyed after winning this one. The Yes It’s True gelding is only 4-1-1-1 lifetime, but has run against some very good horses, including a second to War Story in his latest start. As the second choice on the morning line, he is my pick, but the Indiana-bred, Academy Bay, must be respected. From the Steve Asmussen barn, he looked good in winning both his lifetime starts last year at Indiana Downs.
Race 9 - Maxxam Gold Cup Stakes - 1 1/8 Miles Dirt -4 & Up
The night’s headliner gives me another chance to continue my rooting interest for the race favorite Albano. The Larry Jones charge hasn't always won, but the son of Istan has finished in the money in 9-of-10 lifetime, with his only out of the money result coming courtesy of a rough trip in last year's Louisiana Derby. His first race of 2015, 3rd in the Louisiana Handicap, was not his best, but that should serve as the perfect tightener for the Maxxam Gold Gold Cup. I look for the real Albano to show up in a big way on Saturday. Chief among his opponents on will be the talented C J’s Awesome, who will be making his first start of the year after finishing 4th in both the Pennsylvania and Indiana Derbies to close out his sophomore season.