Several Breeder\u2019s Bowl hopefuls got in their final preps this week. It was a week with not a lot of races but several very good finishes. Empire Reef, Manifest Destiny and Casterly Rock (IRE) were impressive. Estrogen and The Aus Boss (Aus) hooked up for a stretch battle, while Hold the Pickles upset a couple of Breeder\u2019s Bowl Classic contenders. \u00a0<\/SPAN>\u00a0<\/SPAN> Race: 2629.0515 LA <\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/B> Hold the Pickles shocked two of the top contenders for the Breeder\u2019s Bowl Classic. This late developing son of A.P. Indy showed some heart in the stretch running strong all the way to the wire to win by a quarter length. Barring several defections from the Classic he does not have the stakes point to qualify. He never lost contact with the front runners staying within about five lengths of the front runners. Macho Niner showed he can stalked just off a pace setter, stalking in second with <\/SPAN> Entering the stretch it looked like we were going to get a juicy stretch drive with Macho Niner and <\/SPAN> Have no fear Aniticosti fans he seems to be set up for a good performance in a few weeks. His last two may not be up to his standard but he has had a little time off and if freshness counts for anything he may have an advantage. Macho Niner looks like a top contender still despite being run down late. Keep in mind neither one of these contenders wanted to run their big race this time out. http:\/\/www.smartacre.com\/hr\/jp\/rlook.asp?league=00001&raceid=2629.0515<\/A><\/SPAN> Race: 2629.5415 Mospe Cup<\/SPAN> – Grade I – $600,000<\/SPAN><\/B> Not much of a surprise to see Manifest Destiny flying down the lane to pick up the win. He had stretched out in his previous couple of races and was solid but he appears to be much more suited to the one mile distance. This win makes him one of the favorites for the Breeder\u2019s Bowl Mile. Your Desert (IRE) did just what he does best and went straight to the lead. He was pressured for the first part of the race but kicked away from the pressure around the turn for home. At the top of the stretch if was nearly four lengths back to the closest runner. Manifest Destiny was the only runner in the field that was on the same level today. He cruised past rivals and was all out in the stretch. He needed nearly every inch of the stretch to run down Your Desert (IRE) winning by three quarters of a length. http:\/\/www.smartacre.com\/hr\/jp\/rlook.asp?league=00001&raceid=2629.5415<\/A> \u00a0<\/SPAN> Race: 2629.0114 Yellow Submarine Stakes<\/SPAN> – Grade I – $500,000<\/SPAN><\/B> In the preview the favorites here looked vulnerable but on the track the looked outstanding. Estrogen was a grade I winner on turf before this race but has mainly run on the main track this year. She did not let that stop her from picking up her second grade I win on turf this year. She did it in gate to wire fashion. No one pressed Estrogen so she set an easy pace clear of the field by more than two lengths early and as many as five lengths at one point. She was trailed by the other favorite The Aus Boss (AUS) who was stretching out for the first time. At the half way point The Aus Boss (AUS) kicked it up a notch and she made up some ground around the far turn. Entering the stretch Estrogen was still ahead four lengths but The Aus Boss (AUS) found another gear and started making up ground. The two were pretty close mid stretch but Estrogen had just enough to hold off the amazing Aus Boss (AUS) by a quarter of a length at the wire. Long shot Adagio Fragrance closed from well off the early pace almost tracking down the top two. Adagio finished just a length and three quarters back with Spooky Ballet a close up fourth. \u00a0<\/SPAN><\/SPAN>http:\/\/www.smartacre.com\/hr\/jp\/rlook.asp?league=00001&raceid=2629.0114<\/A> \u00a0<\/SPAN> Casterly Rock (IRE) has now stamped himself as a key contender for the Breeder\u2019s Bowl Sprint. He had an amazing stalking trip sitting just off a very fast pace and had enough in the tank to pull away in the end. In fact he was never seriously threatened in the stretch coasting to a two and three quarter length victory. He has won three of his last four, the older runners better pay attention. They Call Me Magic basically followed Casterly Rock (IRE) the whole race. He stalked in fourth behind Casterly Rock (IRE) and tried to run with him into the stretch but just could not gain any ground on the winner. Call the Shots was one of the few runners able to gain any ground on the winner as he closed from eighth. He really only made up about half a length on the winner but that was enough to earn him the show a length in front of the fourth place runner Kingpin Jacob.
Track: <\/SPAN>
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Dirt
Track: <\/SPAN>
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: One mile on the Turf
Track: <\/SPAN>
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Turf
Race: 2629.7716\u00a0 <\/SPAN>GRRM <\/SPAN><\/B>– Grade I – $500,000<\/B>
Track: <\/SPAN>
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: Six furlongs on the Dirt