US Racing / Nick Shiambouros / 23 November 2007 /

Nick Shiambouros gives a run down on the big races Stateside...

The week before Thanksgiving still gave us some super racing to get stuck in to with some good quality Group action. Criminologist was particularly impressive when bolting up in The Cardinal Handicap at at Churchill Downs under a supremely confident John Velazquez handing out a thrashing to Argentina. It looks as if Argentina has run her last race as breeding season is around the corner. No such luxury for the impressive winner as she stays in training next year. Hopefully regular readers made a bit of cash but she was shorter than the [4.0] I was looking for. Look out for Criminologist in the early part of next year at Gulfstream Park as she's one to keep on the right side of.

Up at Aqueduct, Naughty New Yorker was scratched in The Stuyvesant Handicap and our choice Utopia looked like he had the race won a furlong from home but he was run out of it by outsider Hunting in a thrilling finish. I would not give up on Utopia just yet as he had a troubled trip in this one.

Up in Canada, True Metropolitan held on grimly in a desperate battle with Leonnatus Anteus close home in The Autumn Stakes. The Sovereign Award for best older horse now looks a certainty for him. Eccentric disappointed after having every chance. After the race trainer Terry Jordan praised rider Jim McAleney saying "You couldn't have asked for a more perfect ride". There is no argument from me on that score.

Regular readers would have thought that Thanksgiving had come early because Wednesday saw another appearance from The Green Monkey. This time he showed up on the West Coast at Hollywood in a maiden on the turf. Unbelievably this overpriced and over-hyped horse went off at around [2.0] and once again he disappointed and finished out of the money. All I can say is that poor Todd Pletcher must be under instruction from his owners to persevere with him. He clearly has shown he has limited ability and believe me Todd is nobody's fool. If you see him run again in maiden company again then the advice is still lay him because it's not easy to win an open maiden in southern California at any time.

Thanksgiving weekend sees the reappearance of Breeder's Cup Sprint hero Midnight Lute in The Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. I don't think he will be much of a price but I am still going to back him. I hope I can get close to [2.0] but I will probably take less. Sir Greeley and the three year old Xchanger do offer some competition to this very smart horse.
On the same card at Aqueduct there are two good 2yo races in The Remsen for the boys and The Demoiselle for the girls. The latter features Elusive Lady who looks good for the win at around [3.5] in this wide open affair over nine furlongs. Sunday Elegance has to be considered a danger but has a bit to find in this company along with Expect The End. The Remsen also looks a very competitive affair but I will be having a small wager on Court Vision ridden by Eibar Coa at around [4.0].

Over on the west coast of California this holiday weekend The Grade 1 Hollywood Derby looks to be a super race and I think the winner will come from Medici Code and the much travelled Nobiz Like Showbiz. I like the look of Medici Code at around [4.0] give or take but this is no two horse race as Twilight Meteor has to be considered.
The Grade 1 Matriarch on the same Sunday card features champions like Wait A While and Naissance Royal in this hot race. I just favour the latter but I would not go overboard as there's little to choose between the two.

Well that's it for another week but before I close out the column, it's nice to see The Fairgrounds racetrack opening its doors for another season after the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina caused so much devastation in New Orleans. I am sure they will continue to rebound after a good 2006/7 meet. For that alone we should give thanks.

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