San Pellegrino in for the Secret Siphon

October 2005 will go down as the warmest in history (until next year, thanks to global warming), but it has finally cooled in Minnesota to be a perfect running weekend for horse and man.

The two year olds trying the one and one sixteenth mile $55,000 Secret Siphon Stakes will appreciate the cool sunny weather.

All of the entries are eligible for nonwinners of three lifetime allowance conditions, and most have fewer than five starts.  So there is a lot more potential than history to go on here.

As a special promotion, women over 18 attending today’s races will automatically be entered in a chance to win a Lake Minnetonka boat cruise with members of the Minnesota Vikings football team! [Ed. note: Delete this paragraph; cruise has been cancelled.] (Editor’s edit – I will not delete the paragraph – I want on that cruise!)

Let’s look at today’s entries:

1. For three straight races For Teresa (2 yo c, Hennessy x Teresa (Kayf Tara (GB)) x Mtoto (GB)) has been on the lead for the third call, but for three straight races the Layeguada (14%) trainee has hung.  Trainer did notice a five point jump in speed figures when the colt tried routing.  It is up to a competent jockey in Orenthal Stinson to rate For Teresa to last beyond earlier efforts and even another half furlong.  Top speed figure was 83.

2. Eagle Hawk (2yo c, Giriffinite x High Brite x Silver Hawk) debuted in Minnesota under the same pilot as today.  Broke his maiden last time with an impressive move at a furlong shorter than today, with an 80 speed figure.  Trainer Graywolf9 (12%) has, in associate stables, bred several Griffinite runners, including a stakes winner.  They have had most of their success in sprints.

3. The regally bred Air Seattle (2 yo c, Fusaichi Pegasus x Secretariat x Northern Dancer) has won two of four for the Fairway (14%) barn.  He was odds on and had no trouble beating five others in an allowance sprint last out.  He has had an eight week freshening and makes his stakes and route debut here.  Should be sitting just off the lead.

4. Azroc Pennarello (2 yo c, Alannan x Mummy’s Pet (GB) x Don B.) has not been given much of a chance in the morning line, and the modest breeding accounts for that.  The thirteen Alannan sim runners have not yet won a route.  On the other hand, trainer Jarrod (17%) is more than competent, and Azroc is undefeated, winning his debut at five furlongs.  In that race he rallied from twelfth to win comfortably.  Former talk show host Merv Griffin (8%) rides.

5. The Hot Drink (2 yo c, Spinning World x Go For Gin x Star de Naskra) showed a big improvement when he tried two turns last time.  He rallied to win by two lengths with an 85 speed figure.  The Nitrocavy (15%) trained colt is now two for four and looks like a major player here.

6. Editorialized (2 yo c, Point Given x Storm Cat x A.P. Indy) won his first race and then tried two graded stakes where he faded badly.  This field is a lot weaker than what he has been facing.  That and his breeding make him a threat.  But the biggest thing he may have going for him is his trainer.  Correction has earned 1,674 points this year and wins an astounding 28% of his starts.  Any Correction entry has to be considered.

7. In his first start, Clan of the Cat (2 yo c, Mountain Cat x Oak Clan (Danzig) x Secretariat) caught an off track.  He came back two weeks later for a rallying win at a mile and a competitive speed figure of 83.  Slowracers (7%) has rested him for seven weeks, and in that time the next five colts finishing behind Clan of the Cat have all raced – and none of them have flattered Clan’s performance by showing any improvement.  The figure and the win at two turns makes him a player here, though.

8. Azroc a Beel (2 yo f, Regal Classic x Grey Mon Go (Zabeel (NZ)) x Grey Dawn II) is another coming straight from a maiden sprint win to a stakes route.  The lone filly in the race will need to run a bigger speed figure than she has so far to compete with the boys.  The backwards spelling Corza7 trains.

9. San Pellegrino (2 yo c, War Chant x Pleasant Colony x Caerleon) owns two route wins, the only stakes win, has the highest speed figure, and draws the leading jockey.  He tried a graded stakes four weeks ago and rallied for a small check.  The Super12  (20%) should find today’s company much easier.

10. With six starts, Annuity (2 yo c, High Yield x Forli x Exclusive Native) has the most experience in the field.  He has won an allowance route, but the CVBear trainee hasn’t run an 80 speed figure yet.  In his last race, he faded badly, but may have used the off track as an excuse.  There is not a lot of early speed in this race, so Annuity’s best chance to cash a check may be to try to steal this on the front end.

Morning line pick’s: 9-6-7-3

Timmn’s picks: 9-5-6-1

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