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   Gulfstream - Donn Handicap (G1)

   By MIKE WELSCH (Picks)

   1. SAINT LIAM 2. ROSES IN MAY 3. EDDINGTON

   SAINT LIAM and ROSES IN MAY the class of a small but very good Donn lineup. Former has been pointing for this one for a long time and might have a bit of advantage breaking just outside his main rival. Need only run back to the incredible effort against Ghostzapper in the Woodward to register the mild upset. Roses In May beat all but Ghostzapper during a 5 for 6 2004 campaign and training well enough for his return although he is pointing for a much richer goal, $5.5 million richer, the Dubai World Cup in late March and might not want to empty the whole tank in this spot. EDDINGTON showed a little maturity to go along with his natural ability when beating an overmatched group of allowance rivals here earlier in the session but is stepping well up making his first stakes start against older horses today.

   

   posted by drtnapper07

   Feb. 4 2005 3:15pm
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   Gulfstream - Donn Handicap (G1)

   By PAUL MALECKI

   Eddington

   Gulfstream graduate was talented yet unfocused during 3-year-old campaign; certainly appears to be coming around lately with the turnaround apparently happening when Hennig switched him to turf in the Calder Derby; he continued his love affair with Hallandale in career-best Beyer triumph last out, scoring in handy fashion; 3-for-12 TJ team will hope Roses in May and Saint Liam knock each other out up front and that a ground-saving rally proves decisive; consider in current form.

   Pies Prospect

   Multiple G3 winner needs best while returning off a 7 week layoff into difficult spot; elder foes had no answer for his stretch rally in the Hooper but individual has to improve upon Hallandale form to defeat these; held off a wide Eddington to capture the Pegasus although note Prado, in the saddle for last victory, will pilot Saint Liam today; others rank higher.

   Seek Gold

   Pies Prospect's mate also emerges from a lifetime best performance; late-runner certainly outran his 42-1 quote behind Saint Liam in the Clark and Gulfstream's leading % jockey, Jerry Bailey, sees fit to ride today; gelding continues to advance although he likely requires a serious pace duel to triumph in this spot; daring him to repeat last effort.

   Wishingitwas

   Runner bred, owned and trained by the same man dropped a $78 bomb to begin the Breeders' Cup card in Texas; faces the most difficult task of his life in the Donn and it's noteworthy that's he's never really been one to fire fresh; needs to make his initial 9 furlong triumph a Grade 1 victory; siding with others.

   Roses in May

   The topweight is campaigned by Eclipse winning owners and was only denied a BC Classic triumph by a 124 Beyer effort by Horse of the Year Ghostzapper; experienced no trouble firing fresh in 2 allowance wins and appears capable of controlling the Donn pace under a jockey who also took home Eclipse hardware; handled 6 different surfaces just fine in 2004 so lone concern could be if Saint Liam guns from the bell, as he did in the Woodward; formidable in comeback.

   Saint Liam

   Much-improved runner simply gave Ghostzapper fits off a similar layoff in the Woodward; continued an impressive string of Beyers in initial stakes score in Kentucky and comes into this goal with a number of bullets in the holster; Prado's choice draws worst but can fall into easy striking range behind Roses in May with alert getaway; seemingly owns the best chance to upset Roses in May.

   

   posted by drtnapper07

   Feb. 4 2005 3:17pm
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   ^ good horses in this field

   ^All coming off a lay-off since last year except for Eddington who ran

   in January.

   ^Let's throw #4 and #5 out due to weight - 121 and 119, all others 113/114

   ^#3 - Wishingitwas could be a sleeper here - This 6 year old is finally showing form.

   ^ Gotta like Eddington and Pies Prospect together as they finished one-two by a neck last time against each other with Edd carrying 4 more pounds. Equal weight this time out.

   ^ Gotta like a 2-1-3 finish, but #3 will make a better pay-off on the Exacta Board.

   Pick ---

   2-1 EX-B 100

   2-3 EX-B 40

   

   posted by drtnapper07

   Feb. 4 2005 3:54pm