12/6 (HOL): Turf Cup; Native Diver; Bayakoa
 

SAT. 6th (3:04) Native Diver H. (G3)

1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $100,000

1 Slew's Tizzy Rosario J 115 L
2 Barber Arambula P 114 L
3 Spring House Leparoux J R 118 L
4 Past the Point Bejarano R 117 L
5 Racketeer Sutherland C 112 L
6 Galantas Espinoza V 117 L
7 Ball Four Smith M E 119 L
8 Zappa Baze T C 116 L



SAT. 8th (4:05) Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G1)

1 1/2 Miles (Turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $250,000

1 Church Service Bejarano R 126 L
2 Summer Survivor Court J K 126 L
3 Winchester Smullen P J 122 Blk-On L
4 Champs Elysees (GB) Leparoux J R 126 L
5 Obrigado (FR) Rosario J 126 L
6 Mr. Chairman Baze M C 126 L
7 High Heel Sneakers (GB) Baze T C 123 L
8 Black Mamba (NZ) Smith M E 123 L
9 Rush Rush Espinoza V 126 L



SUN. 8th (4:05) Bayakoa H. (G2)

1 1/16 Miles (All Weather Track) | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $150,000

1 Model Baze M C 117 L
2 Spenditallbaby Smith M E 114 L
3 Lady Digby Valdivia J Jr 116 L
4 Baroness Thatcher Espinoza V 116 L
5 Double Trouble (BRZ) Bejarano R 115 L
6 Briecat Court J K 112 L
7 Wake Up Maggie (IRE) Baze T C 115 L
8 Bai and Bai Gryder A T 116 L

6th, Native Diver: http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdf...ill_132918.pdf

8th, Hollywood Turf Cup: http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/bongo_132913.pdf

Its pretty ridiculous how interchangeable the fields are (I think there were 4 or 5 horse cross-nominated), and yet one is a Grade 3 and the other a Grade 1. Champs Elysees, Spring House, Church Service, Mr. Chairman, and Zappa arguably could have shown up in either.

On top of that, you have a handful of horses that are curiously spotted. Black Mamba was going in the Matriarch at a flat mile against her own gender, now goes 12f versus males instead. Winchester, a Grade 1 winner at 10f versus 3yos, skips the 10f Grade 1 Hollywood Derby for the Turf Cup. He was up the track in the 12f BC Turf. Galantas, Grade 1 placed at a mile on turf, scratches from the Grade 1 Citation on grass for a 9f synthetic race. His stablemate, Rebellion, 2nd in the BC Dirt Mile, showed up in the Citation instead.

The races seem pretty inconsequential. I guess if it were to hold any significance in the grand scheme of things, I'd want to see Barber (who has sprinted his whole life and stretched out successfully last out at age 5) or Past The Point (who would validate his Woodward effort) win the Native Diver. Winchester or Champs Elysees winning the Turf Cup, would allow the race to continue its tenuous hold on its Grade 1 status.

Anybody but Zappa and Obrigado, anyways...

Is Dutrow training Racketeer now or something? Two stakes races in a week?

any guesses on what price Winchester will be? I'd give him a chance of finally staying 12f in this type of company (albeit still a G1!)

chesterhouse double!!