Sports

CATINCA AIMS TO BAG SHUVEE

The 24th running of the Grade 2 Shuvee Handicap at Belmont today is an interesting mix of quality and potential. It will be run at one mile and the purse is $150,000.

The starting highweight of the race is Catinca. After finishing second in the Barbara Fritchie and the Distaff Breeders Cup, she came back to win the Bed O’Roses Breeders Cup in impressive fashion. Winner of four straight races last year, she will be tough to beat.

Sister Act has been in the best form of her career since Lasix was added. Trainer Jeff Jacobs is so high on her, he considers her to be the second best older filly and mare in the country behind Banshee Breeze.

Zupparado Ardo comes off an impressive performance in the Humana Distaff on Kentucky Derby day. She came from last to win the race by half-length over French Braids.

2ND RACE – Mike Smith did a masterful job with Roscommon Lady. He rated early, took the lead and then looked like a beaten horse when Asap was closing fast in the center of the track. Roscommon Lady had something let and was able to pull away again near the wire for the victory. Wollaston’s Baby rated off slow pace and never seemed to get in gear.

3RD RACE – Hazing Tony was acting up prior to loading in gate. Once loaded in and he broke, he was nothing but business, going gate to wire for the victory. Canfield tried running with early pace, dropped back and tried going around him in the far turn. They were on even terms entering stretch, but Canfield was bearing out and was no match for winner.

5TH RACE – Killer Joe has been pointed to turf in both lifetime starts, but each time the race was switched to dirt. After this, Angel Penna Jr. may have second thoughts of returning to the turf soon. After stalking slow pace, John Velazquez sent Killer Joe to the lead entering the stretch and he pulled away to an authoritative victory. He ran the last eighth in :12 flat and left no doubt who the better horse was.

7TH RACE – Jorge Chavez is just one of the best in the game, plain and simple. After seeing how the track was playing and knowing what his horse likes and dislikes, trainer Richard Schosberg told Chavez to take back off the pace with Hearts At Risk, then angle outside and make sweeping move to the lead. But when the first quarter was run in :25, Chavez found himself stalking early pacesetter Dawson City from the rail. He took back slightly, but when he saw there was no chance to follow the instructions, he maintained his position on the rail. At top of stretch, Hearts At Risk and Flora’spersonalboy were on even terms and Chavez used everything he had to pull ahead near wire and get the victory.

8TH RACE – Doneraile Court made a statement that he is a major contender again in the 3-year-old division with an impressive gate to wire victory. With the addition of blinkers, he set the early pace with fractions of 23 2/5 and 45 4/5. That’s right, the second quarter was run in 22 2/5. Around the far turn he had pulled away to an insurmountable lead and was never threatened. His final time of 1:42 4/5 was very impressive, considering he was never asked in stretch. After the race, Zito said the Dwyer is the next probable start.

PICK SIX

Winning numbers: 6-3-9-7-1-9

3 winners each receives $11,172

70 consolation (5 of 6) winners

each recieves $159.50

No carryover.