#crespano

Okay, since it's my first time doing a whole race handicap list, go easy on me.  I'm still learning, so if I make a few mistakes, gently correct me.

       (Number, horse name, jockey, trainer, morning line odds, weight, reason why I'd pick/not pick.)

Cluster of Stars (Javier Castellano, Steve Asmussen, 3-1, 117).  This New York-bred daughter of Greeley's Galaxy is unbeaten in five starts, but she has yet to past 6 furlongs.  I know the Gallant Bloom is 6 and a half furlongs, but has yet to face any fillies or mares of this caliber.  She's also always on the lead and I expect her to be on or just off the lead, so I'm not sure if I'd use her,given this type of stakes race quality.

Villanesca (David Cohen, Kiaran McLaughlin, 7-2, 115). While this Kentucky-bred Distorted Humor filly has gone well over the six and a half furlong distance, she's too inconsistent for my tastes.  She finished third behind Dance to Bristol and Book Review last out in the Ballerina.  I don't know if she deserves the 7-2 morning line, but we'll see.

Holiday Soiree (Johnny Velazquez, Todd Pletcher, 4-1, 117).  This Kentucky-bred daughter of Harlan's Holiday is 5 for 18 and seems too inconsistent for my blood.  She's raced in five graded stakes races, and has only shown on the board once and that was in the Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs in the slop on Kentucky Derby day.  Although graded stakes placed, she's also non-graded stakes placed and a non-graded stakes winner.  She has clearly gone over the six and half furlong distance, but likes to stalk the pace.  The debate is there on the amount of speed in the race, so again, we'll see how she does.

Defy Gravity (Mike Luzzi, Valora Testerman, 30-1, 114).  A Kentucky-bred filly by Bandini, Defy Gravity is also cross-entered in the Musical Romance Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.  She took the seven-furlong Potomac Handicap at Charles Town on a disqualification after finishing half a length behind Hymn Note for trainer Valora Testerman and has won two in a row.  She's 5 for 23 and likes to come from off the pace, around mid-pack.  I'd expect her to scratch in favor of the ungraded Musical Romance Stakes.

Munnings Sister (Edgar Prado, Barclay Tagg, 12-1, 115).  A full sister to the champion sprinter, Munnings, this filly also has the same connections.  She started her career in California before being shipped back east to Barclay and to Belmont Park.  She's traveled the East Coast, racing in New York, Maryland, and Florida, with moderate success.  She's 6 for 13 in her career, but 2 for 4 this year, with only one off the board finish.  I'm not sure if I'd use her but expect her to be on the pace.

(1A) Dance Card (Junior Alvarado, Kiaran McLaughlin 7-2, 117).  This filly is a coupled entry with the other McLaughlin trainee.  The Tapit filly finally gets back to the track for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. She won four of five starts last year and is undefeated since breaking her maiden going 1 1/16 miles at Belmont last July. The Gallant Bloom distance will be her shortest outing ever; she was second to Book Review sprinting seven furlongs in her May 20 debut at Belmont in 2012, and only raced at 1 1/16 miles and 1 1/8 miles for her four consecutive scores. Junior Alvarado rides from post 6 as part of a 117-pound impost.  Kiaran reports that the filly had a couple chips taken out of her ankles and has reportedly been training great.  Expect her to be on the pace with Munnings Sister, Cluster of Stars.

Crespano (Angel Arroyo, Juan Coronel, 30-1, 113).  She has yet to actually step out of allowance optional claiming races, so I justify her 30-1 morning line and I expect it to creep up even higher by post time.  She's a Kentucky-bred filly by Mineshaft and is 4 for 12 lifetime.  I wouldn't even include her on a ticket if I was betting.  Avoid at all costs.  Unless, you know, you like going for big risks, then be my guest.  I will avoid her like the plague.

Classic Point (Alex Solis, Allen Jerkins, 10-1, 116).  A Florida-bred daughter of Flatter, this won't be her first foray into graded stakes company.  Two races back, she ran in the Grade II Honorable Miss and finished a game second behind Dance to Bristol, whom she faces again here.  She's also one that's always on the lead, so there should be plenty of pace in the race.  She also faced Dance to Bristol in her last start, a fifth place finish in the Grade I Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga.  I'd expect her to still be on the lead at the top of the stretch, but weakening.  Although it wouldn't surprise me to see her start faltering as they leave the backstretch.  Like I said, there's a lot of pace in the race which will set it up perfectly for closers.

I'm so happy I was able to go to the local Sunday morning market in Crespano. It is the most gorgeous day out (56 degrees and sunny) which made the experience that much better. The market showed me about Italian culture and traditions. There were all kinds of cultural foods, fabrics, and goods. There were Italians there buying fresh cheese, meat, and vegetables for the whole week as well as anything else they might want. 

Walking to the market from campus.

Very strange to have the mountainous background in contrast to the goods sold. 

I bought a container of fresh strawberries here for 2 Euro.

Continuing my collection of moss decoration photos haha.