Hopefully not impacted by hurricanes
With hurricanes on both sides of the continent there are many praying that they won't affect either Santa Anita or Aqueduct!
Santa Anita sees the inaugural running of the California Crown over 1800m now reduced to 6 runners possibly because of the strength of the top three in the market. They are Baffert's National Treasure 8/5, stablemate Muth 2/1 and Senor Buscador 6/1. National Treasure and Senor Buscador would seem to be pretty evenly paired as the seem to take turns in winning and Muth is the new kid on the block but he's responded to every challenge this year winning 3 from 3.
Also on the card the John Henry Turf Championship Gr 1 over 2000m with 11 runners. Not much between the top three in the market – Gold Phoenix on 7/2 for d'Amato-Frey, Dicey Mo Chara 4/1 for Powell-Berrios and the Chilean-bred Master Piece on 9/2 for Dutrow-J J Hernandez.
The Eddie D is also Gr 2 over the 1300m aprox downhill turf course and also a full field of 11. Big Invasion is on 3/1 for Clement-Prat, Johnny Podres 7/2 for Barocio-Rispoli and First Peace Glatt- Mike Smith is on 4/1 – all have good chances.
The City of Hope is the third of the Gr 2s and is over 1600m. Odds-on favourite is Johannes for Yakteen-Rispoli and two on 5/1 Du Jour Baffert-J J Hernandez and Conclude d'Amato-Berrios.
Over in New York it's a Belmont at the Big A card which includes the Woodward Gr 2 over 1800m but now reduced to 4 starters. Skippylongstocking is odds on for Saffie Joseph and Manny Franco with the two Pletcher runners Cruel and Tapit Trice around the 2/1 mark.
The feature is the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Gr 1 over 2400m and there will be 7 lining up headed by War Like Goddess who is taking on the boys and trying to win this for the third time. 8/5 the quote. Godolphin's Silver Knot has plenty of support and is on 2/1 for Appleby- D Davis.
The Vosburgh is Gr 3 over 1400m and 7 set to run with Saffie Joseph's Comedy Town on 5/2 and the Chilean bred Mafasa 3/1 for Correas-I Ortiz.
And then there's the Pilgrim Gr 2 over 1700m on the turf for 2yos and in this edition they are all colts. Zulu Kingdom is on 8/5 with Rosario riding for Brown – he's by Ten Sovereigns. Concord Green is on 4/1 with McCaughey booking D Davis for the ride on the son of War Front. There are several at 6/1 so watch the market if you are planning multiples.
