Fifty Five to make first start of year in Saturday’s Plenty of Grace
Todd Pletcher saddles three contenders in first running of Bridgetown
Peter Brant’s Fifty Five will make her 2018 debut after a nearly six-month layoff, headlining a group of five older fillies and mares in the $100,000 Plenty of Grace on Saturday on Aqueduct Racetrack’s inner turf.
Carded as Race 3, the fourth running of the Plenty of Grace is one of two stakes on the day, complementing the first running of the $100,000 Bridgetown for 3-year-old sprinters in Race 8.
Fifty Five, the winner of the 2017 Grade 3 Florida Oaks, is coming off a solid 3-year-old campaign in which she was the runner-up in the Grade 3 Wonder Again, third in the Grade 3 Lake George and third in the Memories of Silver for trainer Chad Brown. The New York-bred mare by Get Stormy is 4-1-4 in 10 career starts.
Junior Alvarado will be in the irons from the rail.
Her stablemate, Uni, will also return off a freshening. After winning two of her first six races in France, the English-bred daughter of More Than Ready arrived in the United States and finished third in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational on July 8. A strong runner-up effort in the Grade 2 Lake Placid on August 19 at Saratoga Race Course, followed by a win in the Grade 2 Sands Point on September 16 at Belmont, set her up for her 2017 finale in which she rallied from seventh to finish fourth in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on October 14 at Keeneland.
Irad Ortiz, Jr. will have the return call from post 3.
My Impression will be making her first appearance since running third in the Forever Together on November 25 at the Big A. The 5-year-old Sky Mesa mare has posted Beyer Speed Figures exceeding 90 in six consecutive starts, including a win in the One Dreamer on September 6 at Kentucky Downs and second-place finishes in the...
Today’s “Lock” is at Saratoga Raceway on race 6 with the #5-Love Yourself-Good post draw and has speed to win for driver Billy Dobson.
Last “Lock” won again! Howard’s rRecord now stands at: 207 of 342 wins with 62 seconds and 23 thirds.
Lock it up today at IdaBet.com! Good luck!
Northfield Track Announcer Ayers Ratliff’s free handicapping tips are provided for our IdaBet.com players.
Remember, due to their draw schedule, picks are made in advance and do not account for scratches or late driver changes.
From the “Ayers Above WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 11
Race 1: 1- Screamin Dreamin – Could drop and pop this week for trainer Dan Walksi, inside draw can’t hurt. 7- Miss Lulu Belle – Looks to be tough in here if she minds her
manners. 4- Lima Legend – Could be a factor with a good trip from mid-pack. 3- Asta La Pasta – Throw out the last start from the second tier where it looks like he didn’t
handle it all that well; giving another chance.
Race 2: 6- Cash Too Fast – Went 0 for 6 last year, tonight trainer Chris Short adds Lasix and should improve. 1- Oppa Hanover – Looks to be tough at this level of
competition. 8- Jethro Bo Dean – Draws tough this week, but adds Lasix for the first time; could be a factor late. 3- Western Legs – Has some early speed to contend with
and could be a pace factor early.
Race 3: 1- Hokuri Handrail N – Is a big closer and has performed well against this group. 5- Beignet– Took a couple weeks off and is back to racing tonight, consistency
combined with Wrenn could spell victory. 3- Captain Rhett – Likes to hit the board, but hasn’t returned to his three-year-old form.
Race 4: 6- Cash Delivery – Adds trotting hopples for the first time tonight, could strike at a price. 9- Notmeitsyou – Another with a big shot in here. 5- Haul N Dash –
Gets a good draw and showed some maturity from two to three. 3- Father Julio – Has as good of a shot as any in here to complete the Superfecta.
Race 5: 2- Ima Ironman – Is the third racing foal out of I Kill Time who was successful on the Open ranks, one to watch. 5- Ollie’s Trolley – Has the ability to be prominently
placed on this ticket. 8- Lucky...
The 10th running of the $1,200,000 CHARLES TOWN CLASSIC (Grade 2) will take place on Saturday, April 21st. The annual event attracts some of the top older horses in the world and ranks as one of the country’s richest races outside the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup World Championship races.
The CHARLES TOWN CLASSIC will highlight a 13-race card that is scheduled to get under way at 12:30 PM ET. Post time for the CHARLES TOWN CLASSIC is scheduled for 5:35 PM ET. Other stakes races on the day include the $100,000 Dance to Bristol Stakes, $85,000 Robert Hilton Memorial, $50,000 Russell Road Stakes, and several stakes for WV-bred runners.
Attached you will find post times and wagering menu for this great day of racing. Please note there will be a $100,000 guaranteed All-Stakes Pick 4 pool beginning in race #8.
2018 CT Classic Flyer 8.5×11
Remember to place your wagers at IdaBet.com!
Some insights into tonight’s racing program for our IdaBet players:
1ST RACE – (1) ONEISALONELYNUMBER is back for first local try since ’16 and has lost last dozen here. That said, field is combined 3-for-51, so why not?
5TH RACE – (5) CHAPTER TOO was victimized by a closed open stretch in last week’s series opener. Surmise she’s a factor through remainder of Bonus Trot.
7TH RACE – (6) PATTON was gazed in opener of series, though predictably was too far back to get involved. Bad draw again for confirmed closer, but we stay.
9TH RACE – (4) DONGAL RUNDLSCRK N has not embarrassed herself in first two stateside tries against some swift foes. No reason she shouldn’t work here.
11TH RACE – (2) SUMATRA has disappointed us at flat mile and ‘French’ distance of late. Draw and dip down ladder mean we’re not taking ‘no’ for answer.
12TH RACE – (4) SOME PLAYA tries it cross-country, resurfacing as shell of former self and 17 days out. Have no idea what to expect in finale, but curious.
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