NEWS
Vineyard Haven gets a second chance in De Francis Dash
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 6:46 PM
VINEYARD HAVEN
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Jeff Lowe
Vineyard Haven took a giant step forward that came painfully short of a victory in the NetJets King’s Bishop Stakes (G1) on August 29, and he will get a chance to make amends in the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Laurel Park.
The three-year-old Lido Palace (Chi) colt finished a head in front at the finish line of the seven-furlong King’s Bishop, which was his first start since a dull performance in the Gulf News United Arab Emirates Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) on February 12 knocked him out of contention for the U.S. Triple Crown races.
The only negative in the King’s Bishop was Vineyard Haven’s inability to maintain a straight path in the stretch under jockey Alan Garcia, which led to contact with Capt. Candyman Can approaching the finish. Stewards disqualified Vineyard Haven, placed him second, and elevated Capt. Candyman Can to the victory (video).
Vineyard Haven did show in the King's Bishop that he was back in top form for Godolphin Racing, which purchased him privately last fall following victories in the Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course and Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.
The gray or roan colt drilled four furlongs handily in a bullet :47.10 on Wednesday at Belmont. Vineyard Haven drew the rail in a field of nine for the six-furlong De Francis, which returns to Laurel after a one-year hiatus.
“He’s had an easy time for a couple of weeks after that race, but once he got back at Belmont we gave him a couple of easy half-miles and then we had him stride along and he looked great doing that,” said Rick Mettee, the U.S.-based assistant to Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “We think he’s fit, sound, and ready to run another big race. It is not going to be easy from the rail but we are 8-to-5 [on the morning line] in a Grade 1, so we’ll take our chances.”
Roaring Lion may be the top local hope after flying to a 3½-length win in the Maryland Million Sprint Handicap on September 26 at Laurel (video). The Lion Hearted gelding is unbeaten in three starts since joining trainer Bruce Levine’s barn.
Fleet Valid also has on a big upswing since trainer Scott Volk and owner Shillelagh Racing Stables claimed him for $14,000 in April at Aqueduct. He has pieced together four straight wins, including fast victories in the Teddy Drone Stakes and Icecapade Stakes, both at Monmouth Park, over his last two races.
“This is as good as it gets,” Volk said. “He’s got a lot of back class and for $14,000 you take a chance. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. He’s gotten better every time he’s run for us.”
Volk cross-entered Fleet Valid in the Eillo Stakes on Friday at the Meadowlands.
True Quality will try to end a three-race losing streak since his front-running win in the General George Handicap (G2) on February 16 at Laurel.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer
Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S.
For Equibase entries of Saturday's Laurel card, click here.
October 24, $300,000, 3yo & up, 6F, Laurel Park, 5:07 PM ET
| Post |
Horse |
Sire |
Weight |
Jockey |
Trainer |
| 1 |
Vineyard Haven 3, c. |
Lido Palace (CHI)
|
116 |
Alan Garcia |
Saeed bin Suroor |
| 2 |
Roaring Lion 5, g. |
Lion Hearted |
118 |
Elvis Trujillo |
Bruce Levine |
| 3 |
Ravalo 5, g. |
Mutakddim
|
118 |
Jeremy Rose |
Donald Barr |
| 4 |
Fleet Valid 6, g. |
Montbrook
|
118 |
Pablo Morales |
Scott Volk |
| 5 |
True Quality 4, c. |
Elusive Quality
|
118 |
Charles Lopez |
Roy Sedlacek |
| 6 |
Peace Chant 6, h. |
War Chant
|
118 |
Jorge Chavez |
William Phipps |
| 7 |
Sacred Journey 4, c. |
Unbridled's Song
|
118 |
David Cohen |
Anthony Dutrow |
| 8 |
Saratoga Russell 4, c. |
Trippi |
118 |
Channing Hill |
Michael Hushion |
| 9 |
Ah Day 6, g. |
Malibu Moon |
118 |
Sheldon Russell |
King Leatherbury |
