Raising the Stakes Amerman Racing’s million-dollar colt Test Score heads into Saturday’s $200,000 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita (G2T) as the established 4-5 morning line favourite. The bay son of Lookin At Lucky–Joy of Learning earned early top dog status after compiling an impressive 2-1-2 line through six sophomore starts for trainer Graham Motion. Test Score achieved his first of two perfect grades in the 1 1/16-mile Transylvania (G3T) on April 7 at Keeneland before stepping up two levels to secure the $750,000 Belmont Derby (G1T) on July 4. Held out of the winner’s circle in two subsequent starts – third in the Saratoga Derby (G1T) and fourth in the Nashville Derby (G3T) – Test Score will shorten from 1 5/16 miles in the Nashville to 1 1/8 miles in the Twilight. Leading the contingent aiming to eclipse Test Score is 2-1 Namaron (GER), who scored the Group 3 Grosser Preis der Wohnstatte Krefeld Dr Busch Memorial on April 27 at Krefeld in his native Germany. Family Affair While improbable but absolute fact, seven of the 12 contenders in Saturday’s $600,000 Bryan Station (G3T) are sired by Not This Time: Giocoso, Final Gambit, Troubleshooting, Tenacious Leader, Antisocial, Dream On, and Mesero. Giocoso, at 9-2, is the favoured party regardless of sire, ahead of the one-mile turf tilt on the final program of Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet. The dark bay, bred by Breed First, endured a slow start to his sophomore campaign, fumbling to finishes of 12th (Grade 2 Risen Star) and two fifth’s (Grade 3 Jeff Ruby and Grade 1 American Turf). A three-month layoff between action seemingly worked wonders for Giocoso, as the Keith Desormeaux charge collected his first career stakes tally in the Secretariat (G2T) on August 8. Overall, the colt purchased for $75,000 by Rocker O Ranch sports a 3-2-1 line from 11 starts ($887,971). Don’t Be Upset Fresh off his first graded triumph, Bracket Buster paces the field of 11 hopefuls vying for the top spot in Saturday’s $350,000 Fayette (G3) at Keeneland. Opening as the narrow 3-1 choice after a spectacular showing in September’s Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park (3 ¼-length victory), the 3-year-old Vekoma colt returns to Keeneland for the first time since finishing second to Gosger, also entered here, in the Lexington (G3). Gosger, as the only other 3-year-old in the Fayette, follows Bracket Buster as the 9-2 third choice. When the pair renew their rivalry Saturday, it will be at 1 1/8 miles rather than the 1 1/16 miles they traversed in the Lexington. No Place Like Home New York-bred Bank Frenzy has certainly enjoyed a home-field advantage at Aqueduct, notching six wins to go along with three thirds across 10 starts at the South Ozone Park oval. On Saturday, the LSU Stables chestnut can add to his already formidable scorecard in the $250,000 Empire Classic Stakes – a 1 1/8-mile dirt dash for state-bred 3-year-olds and up. A stakes winner five times before – three at Aqueduct – Bank Frenzy has performed admirably for his connections through 19 starts (9-5-0), banking over $700,000. The Rudy Rodriguez charge faces stiff competition, however, from Albany Stakes winner and 7-5 favourite Iron Dome. New Beginnings As one Kentucky racetrack closes the curtain on its fall meet, another kicks off its 26-day fall meeting on Sunday with an 11-race “Stars of Tomorrow I” program, reserved for 2-year-olds. The headliner on iconic Churchill Downs’ season opening program – the $200,000 Street Sense (G3) – features a deep cast of seven rising stars. Among the group of rookie racers is Incredibolt, who after breaking his maiden last time out, opens as the 7-2 third choice. Trained by Riley Mott, the son of Bolt d’Oro–Sapphire Spitfire conducted himself with class to capture the $120,000 maiden contest at Churchill Downs by two lengths. With his sights set higher on Sunday, Incredibolt lines up in post seven under rider Jaime Torres. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
