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A Day at the Races 04/11/2001
Gone Platinum, fifth race
After showing very little promise in her first seven races, Gone Platinum was claimed by trainer Steve Asmussen on Jan. 29. Since the fateful afternoon at the Fair Grounds, the daughter of Defrere has responded with a sharp sprint victory in New Orleans and a wire-to-wire win at Oaklawn Park. Her speed figures have improved by nearly 12 lengths, and she was an obvious bargain for $12,500.
Her recent form makes her a standout on Wednesday, and she picks up leading rider Corey Lanerie. Moreover, trainer Asmussen has won with seven of his first 14 starters at the meet.
Silver Frame, seventh race
In a race with horses from such high-percentage stables as Steve Asmussen, Mike Stidham, Elliot Walden and Keith Desormeaux, the betting pools should be well spread, giving a horse like Silver Frame a chance to win at a nice price.
The Jeff Trosclair trainee finished eighth in his six-furlong debut, but may have lost valuable energy with his poor demeanor prior to loading in the gate. The 4-year-old colt had been a decisive training-race winner at the Fair Grounds prior to his disappointing debut. He is bred to be an improved runner at the two-turn distance of Wednesday's race.
Claydif, Red And Rare, third race
The third race of the program is the first race of the meeting for two-year-olds, and a full field of 10 Texas-bred colts and geldings go to the post. The colt to beat is Claydif, who is a son of a stallion, Hadif. Claydif is bred for speed on the female side of his pedigree. Trainer Steve Asmussen has won with 12 2-year-old first-time starters over the past three Lone Star Park meetings, and this one has a string of encouraging workouts.
Red And Rare is out of a dam who has produced nine winners from nine starters, including three who have become stakes winners. He is a son of multiple stakes winner Rare Brick, who was never defeated in his career. He represents the stable of trainer Bill Leach, who has a history of winning with his 2-year-olds.
Princess Jen, Oaklawn Park, seventh race
In a field restricted to fillies and mares bred in Arkansas, Princess Jen looks like a filly destined to land in the winner's circle. She has been a model of consistency in three consecutive money finishes, while competing in vastly superior "open" company. She has won three of eight races at this six-furlong distance, and the Ron Campisano trainee is a quality late-runner in a field loaded with one-dimensional front-running types. Exacta or trifecta players may want to use her with Lucky Socks and Kora.
A talented field of entry-level allowance sprinters goes to the post in the fifth race at Keeneland, and Sherona has a chance to win and pay a generous price. The 3-year-old filly broke her maiden at first asking last November at Aqueduct but was unable to overcome a poor start when finishing fourth this winter at Gulfstream. Her speed should play well over the Keeneland main track, and she has a license to show big improvement with a clean break from the gate.
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