US Racing / Nick Shiambouros / 21 December 2007 /

Nick Shiambouros is looking to round-off a year of American punting in fine fashion...

It is always good to reflect on the past 12 months racing at the end of every year to try and draw a conclusion to years gone past. I say with certainty that 2007 was a vintage season for many reasons and last weekend was no exception.

Citronnade was the main selection for us and it seems for many others, as she went off very heavily backed in The Dahlia Handicap. Our selection never gave us an anxious moment, David Flores took this daughter of Lemon Drop Kid to the front soon after the front she never came of the bridle and hacked up. I only managed to get [2.4] for this classy lady but Carla Gaines withdrew Nashoba's Key who would have gone off favourite. To be honest I was relieved for her as I have repeatedly said The Breeder's Cup takes its toll and I am not certain that anyone would have beaten Citronnade in the mood she was in.

Earlier in the day The Hollywood Starlet went to another heavily backed filly in Country Star who won in pleasing fashion. She skipped The Breeder's Cup Juvenile for this and you could do worse than backing her ante-post when the books open for The Kentucky Oaks. If you are in Las Vegas in the next month or so I would try and get a price of around [20.0] for her. Our choice Foxy Danseur finished unplaced and she clearly needs a long rest based on that effort.

For me, the most enjoyable race last weekend was The Gold Rush Stakes up at Golden Gate Fields when Patrick Valenzuela bolted up in this nice Stakes race. He was backed off the boards and I only managed to get [1.66] for small money. I didn't make a bundle but it was so good to see Patrick riding at the top level again. When the Santa Anita meeting opens he will be as hungry as anybody to win that prestigious riding title. The victor is clearly smart as he was taking on winners for the first time and I think he is up to Graded Stakes class

Now on to one of the last big races of 2007 which I am so looking forward to in the shape of The $750k Cashcall Futurity at Hollywood Park on Saturday. I like the look of Colonel John trained by the very talented Eoin Harty and will be backing him at around [3.5] for this Grade 1 event. He will face some very stiff competition in the unbeaten Massive Drama trained by Bob Baffert who is having a great year and richly deserved too. In my opinion these are the two best two-year-olds in California and a top-class effort could see them catapulted in to second or third favourite for The Kentucky Derby next year.

On the same card on Saturday Greg's Gold will be very short for the On Trust Handicap. This race does represent a drop in class but I will be laying him as I think he is over the top for the year. He may well trade at [1.9] or less but I will be happy to even take a higher price because as I have repeatedly said these Breeder's Cup horses are really not firing at all after competing in those gruelling races.

All eyes are on Hollywood this weekend as the fall meet draws to a close. As I have previously said in past articles change for better or worse is almost inevitable in some shape or form. I think the Cushion Track at Hollywood is something I am slowly getting to grips with. I really do miss the traditional dirt surface but after the results over the last couple of months I may be coming round. Maybe my bank balance has something to do with it...

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: