RUNNERS LOOKING FOR THEIR NICHE

The CUVEE BEAU Special

Seven one-half furlongs                      $75,000

All horses       3 years old

The CUVEE BEAU Special may not be recognized as a prep for the Bluegrass Derby, but for the owners of the eight entries into this event, they would welcome a performance that could propel them into the Derby picture.  For many of the entries, a strong showing may lead to bigger events at longer distances, while others will be delegated to the  lesser known events or be classified as sprinters. 

CUVEE BEAU (the runner) won over seven hundred thousand in 91 trips; over a span of seven racing seasons.  His twenty stakes events in the money included six stakes wins.

As for the field for the running of the 2006 CUVEE BEAU Special:

Proud and True x Deerhound

Ownership hopes that he bounces back from a six furlong trip in which he found himself quickly behind a wall of runners and never found his footing.  Winner of only one of seven, the increase in distance seems to be a positive move, and he has hung tough with slightly longer trips. 

Mt. Livermore x Miesque’s Son

With only four career starts under his girth, he is still learning and developing.  His last outing was his only trip out of the money, but his sixth place finish is a bit misleading, he finished only 2 ½ lengths back of the winner.  He did not break as well in that trip, so expect Ashmore to try to coax MT. MISEQUE to be closer to the front early on. 

Acceptable x Court Trial

A winning debut on dirt in a restricted allowance win, prompt the placement of this colt in this stakes event.  That win came at nine furlongs, so he will have to get in high gear a little sooner to be a factor.  He has only four career trips, but shown a preference to be in a stalking position from the gate to the top of the stretch.  He may need to put out a good run before he gains much respect from the handicappers.

Marino Marini x Carson city

Out of a lesser known Storm Cat offspring, his test on the turf LTO was anything but positive.  He should benefit from the fast conditions, and should be pressing the lead early on.

Stonge Hope x El Gran Senor

Morning line favorite- he comes in off of several trips at a mile, and the half-furlong reduction in distance may enhance his chances.  I would expect him to be the one that everyone is chasing down the back stretch.  The key is will be if they allow him to grab and hold the lead too easily . 

Annihilate x Lucence

A veteran of fourteen races already in his career, WHISPERLY brings in a six race non-winning streak.  He faced a very strong group of runners in his last outing (gr. II Hutchingson Stakes).  That race consisted of eleven stakes winners, and two others that were graded stakes place runners, and WHISPERLY ran strong enough to finish only 6 ¼ furlongs back.  His closing run in the stretch is another reason to give him strong consideration in this race.

Ballingarry (IRE) x Woodman

Ships in from Kentucky following an allowance win.  If the early times are brisk, he may need a strong kick in the turn to get back into contention. 

Night Shift x Seattle Slew

2006 has not been good to SHIFT INTO SLEW- two starts and two eighth place finishes.  After a few trips at a mile or better resulting in “tiring” finishes, he is stepping back a bit to find a more suitable distance.  If he breaks well, then he may be a factor- if he doesn’t, then he may be used up before finish.   

WHISPERLY has faced some strong runners and should find the going a bit softer here.  GRAN HOPE has been the most impressive and brings in the most momentum into this event.

SHIFT INTO SLEW’s finish may be influenced by position early on, and the overall pace of the race.  Regardless of the outcome, expect the decision of where some of these runners are placed in future races be based on this event.

-deajai