Happy Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Day! 

Nice card at the Big A today with four graded stakes headlined by the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. The wonderful seven year old mare, War Like Goddess, who has won the last two renditions of the Joe Hirsch is back today to defend her crown against the boys.   

The Woodward comes up short as it will be scratched down to four with Mott indicating that Kay Army won’t run. Nonetheless it is a competitive group where the the case can be made for three of the four runners. Sadly, the Woodward is getting squeezed and I fear for the future of this great historic race. Twenty years ago top horses like Ghostzapper, Mineshaft, Cigar (twice), and Holy Bull were winning this race. I don’t see any Ghostzapper’s in this group. 

Trivia Question: Only two fillies have won the Woodward Stakes and they were both during the past fifteen years. Who are those fillies? 

Race  4 – The Woodward  – Grade II 

One Mile and One Furlong On the Dirt For Three Year Olds and Upward 

1. Skippylongstocking: Last out he won the Charles Town Classic for the second year in a row (107 Beyer) on the front end. He was left chasing Arthur’s Ride in the Whitney two back as he was unable to keep up with the winner. Today he should try to get to the front and control the pace from this inside post. That’s the key for this one, if he gets out front early then he is pretty tough. Race flow should suit. The Pick.
2. 2. Crupi: In the Whitney he trailed the field but made a long sustained drive to get second (106 Beyer) but was no threat to Arthur’s Ride. He’ll need the right pace setup to get a similar result again. His Beyers have been on the improve throughout this year. Deep closer should be coming in the lane. Six for nine in the exacta going nine furlongs. Don’t think is the ideal set up for him. Gets a piece.
3. 3. Tapit Trice: Won off a long layoff in the Monmouth Cup back in July where he was dominate late (101 Beyer). Came back in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and was OK but was empty in the final quarter mile – finishing a distant fourth (95 Beyer). This is the third race of the form cycle. Should be able to sit a trip while saving ground in behind Skippylongstocking. Good tightener last weekend. Dylan Davis takes over for Irad who stays with Crupi.
4. Masqueparade: Was going marathon distances earlier this year which means he has been getting hammered by Next. Don’t hold that against him. Was a close second to Crupi in the Suburban earlier this year. Will need to be faster – the turnback should help. Minor award.
5. 5. Kay Army: Bill Mott has confirmed he will SCRATCH Kay Army. This one would have interesting as is he undefeated in ten career races in Chile – nine of which were on the turf. 

Picks 1-3-2 

Race 6 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic – Grade I 

One Mile and One Half on the Turf for Three Year Olds and Upward 

1. 1. Get Smokin: Speedster should set the pace. Was out front in the Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs but faded after setting a stout pace. Two back he wired the field in the United Nations Stakes at Monmouth (98 Beyer).  Could get loose on the lead if Emmanuel doesn’t go with him. Exotics player.
2. Daunt: Hasn’t won a race in two years while running primarily against optional claimers. Makes the jump to Grade 1 company.  Beyers have been consistently in the low 90s. Will need to be much faster to contend. Don’t see it.
3. 3. Emmanuel: Has generally been a miler type but was decent in the United Nations in July where he finished fourth (97 Beyer) after making in a late run. Mike Maker knows how to get a horse ready to win marathon turf races and this is the second start in his barn after running an OK fifth in the Mint Millions at Kentucky Downs going a mile. Blinkers go ON.
4. 4. War Like Goddess: Two time defending champion of this race takes on the boys again. Last out she was best in the Flower Bowl (95 Beyer) but couldn’t run down Idea Generation who was allowed to walk on the lead (26.0, 4). Two back she was closer to the lead than normal in the Robert Dick Memorial and she kept coming late to win (99 Beyer). A mile and a half is her preferred distance with seven wins from ten starts. Just one work since the Flower Bowl, but this mare knows the assignment. She should get some pace to run at – and when that happens she is very, very tough. The Pick.
5. 5. Truly Quality: Won the ungraded Colonial Cup at Colonial Downs for his first stakes win of his career (97 Beyer). Moves to Grade 1 company off that win and picks up Irad in the irons. Has performed much better since they stretched him out. Positive signals.   
6. Silver Knott: In the Sword Dancer he was in striking position but stalled in the lane (93 Beyer) while finishing third behind Far Bridge. Two back in the Bowling Green (104 Beyer) he took them gate to wire setting a course record in the process. Should stalk the pace setters who are drawn to his inside. Dylan Davis picks up the ride as Prat is at Santa Anita. Win candidate.
7. Far Bridge: Stole the Sword Dancer on the front end as he walked the dog (half mile in 50.4, three-quarters in 1:17.1) and no one could catch him (99 Beyer).  Two back he didn’t run well in the U.N. at Monmouth where he was wide. Likely underlay off that Spa win. Looking elsewhere.

Picks 4-6-3-7 

Trivia Answer: Havre de Grace (2011) and Rachel Alexandra (2009) are the only two fillies to win the Woodward. Rachel’s win was one for the ages as the three year filly defeated older colts in a rousing performance. It also might be Durkin’s best race call as he was living and dying with Rachel as she rolled down the stretch while under tremendous pressure. 

“For she is indeed – Rachel Alexandra the Great!!”