Delaware Park 15 August 2011
Instructions
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Elegant Swan takes a big drop down in grade having failed to figure at Churchill Downs on her debut, but she could find NO ANGEL too good here. Thomas Walsh's filly has improved steadily this term and had Lil Escape Artist behind when second here last time. M's Angel showed abundant promise when second on her debut here in May, but failed to build on that the following month and has been off since.
With the first turn so soon after the start, the inside stalls should have an advantage, but it's hard to get enthusiastic about Go Gone Girl and Timber Lane, as they were both behind Giuseppina over slightly shorter last time. Queenameina has claims on her form in better races but she hasn't been seen since a Pimlico flop in April, so KAWIYE looks the pick, as she trounced her rivals (inclusing She Walks On Air) in a similar contest here last time.
Key To A Cure has notched three wins in his last five starts, but he finished some way adrift of RIDGE AMOUR when last tried in this grade and Gary Capuano's grey is taken to confirm that form. Just a nose away from victory when last seen in June, he looks to have every chance of going one better if fully wound up. Pray For Action won here in May but his even longer absence tempers enthusiasm.
In what looks a very open contest, it may pay to side with the somewhat inexperienced LOST EXPEDITION. Nick Zito's filly has raced only twice in her career, but the second of those was a solid success over track and trip and she could prove better than this grade. Tia Chela went close here last time, but she is held by Mystic Gold on her previous run and Arthur Stauffer's filly has since been beaten behind Just Money.
BIG MACK DADDY had Beansntaters over a length back in third when filling the runner-up spot here last time and the way he finished the race that day suggests there will be better to come over this trip. Cacaway looked in need of even further than this when fourth over track and trip last time, while Hulako, who has form over slightly further at Gulfstream, didn't seem to see it out over track and trip last time.
Chief Dispute has been handed the coveted rails draw, but he has two lengths to find with BLITZBURGH on recent running over track and trip and Tim Ritchey's colt can confirm his superiority here. The Director looked to have a bright future when second at Golden Gate but has been off for 20 months since.
Christmas Punch came home strongly to finish sixth over track and trip last time, but he was still outfinished by DR. SKIP that day and Leigh Delacour's colt looks capable of ending a frustrating run of near-misses here. Last Empire is likely to be happier back on the grass after failing on a wet fast track at Tampa latest.
Loose N Capable has twice been foiled close home over half a furlong further and has every chance if given an easy lead, but that's highly unlikely with DURATION in the field. Juan Carlos Guerrero's colt proved a class apart when dropped markedly in grade here last time and that confidence-booster will have done him the world of good. Belgian Beer and Sixburgh can fight out the minor placings.
Golden Odessy and Lil Rich Girl meet for the third time here with score currently 1-1 between the pair, but both may find the challenge of SE DECI too much to bear. Lynn Ashby's runner has been well beaten on her last two outings, but the drop back to sprint trips could see her in a better light. Md Sugar And Spice went well last time and may have the edge over old rival Uncorked.
