Takin It Deep a Snow Chief Probable
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (April 19, 2001) Early indications are that California Derby winner Takin It Deep will head a talented lineup of California-breds competing in the Gold Rush Days races at Hollywood Park Apr. 28.
Although the race goes only 14 days after his big win in northern California, Takin It Deep's connections have told the Hollywood Park racing office that the $250,000 Snow Chief Stakes for 3-year-olds remains the target for the son of Beau Genius bred by Billingsley Creek Ranch.
Among the 3-year-olds also considered probable for the Snow Chief are Cherokee Kim, Champagne Day, My Two Sons, Noble Kinsman, Romanceishope, Starring Willy, either Stocks Are Rising or Heavens Treat, Upsanddowns and Waingarth.
The $150,000 B. Thoughtful Stakes for older fillies and mares figures to draw a very competitive field, including Bountiful Pirate, Cover Gal, Fair Apache, Go Go, Image of Glory, Kinky Kinky, Pert Laura, Wingless Flight and Wired to Fly.
Millionaire Native Desert's presence in the $175,000 Khaled Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the turf has limited the expected opposition to Adminniestrator, First Journey, 2000 Snow Chief Stakes winner Grey Memo, Incitatus, Lesters Boy, Lily's Lad and defending champion Spinelessjellyfish.
The $175,000 Fran's Valentine Stakes, also at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, shapes up as a competitive race with the probables including Excessively Hot, Mimi's Café, Rare Charmer, She's Grand, Shoe Crazy, Top of Our Game and Yes We Do.
Headlining the $150,000 Melair Stakes for 3-year-old fillies is 1999 Del Mar Sales grad Warren's Whistle, with competition coming from Bafferta, Bar Breeze, Channing Way, Comedy Class, Dawaytogold and Exquisite Woman.
The $100,000 Quicken Tree Stakes, a 1˝ mile turf marathon, is expected to feature Astra Ridge, Bolchina's Prize (entered opening night), Continental Red, Daring General or Golden General, Gracious Prize, Lucky Molar, Meet Me in Dixie, Ringaskiddy and Vaguely Gallant.
The $70,000 Melair Stakes for non-winners other-than could attract Apalachee's Native, Brodrick, Continental Stitch, Driven Force, Golden Roamer, Mr. Joe C, Spanish Ranch and Valiant Wonder.
The counterpart for fillies and mares, the $70,000 Lakeview Thoroughbred Farms Stakes, is likely to have Glittering Affair, Kalihi Maggie, Maid of Ice, Remember Dorothy, Stefandrew and The Heebster.
Both $60,000 maiden stakes races are expected to lure full fields.
Among the boys expected are Abounding, Affairintheforest, Bettor Royalty, Ex Federali, Hemet Thought, J. Harmon, Laser Con, Lov In Excess, Margeds Dandy, Market Cap, Pirate's Slew, Ron Cherry, Speedy Pick, Time For Excess and Water Czar.
The maiden fillies expected are Charm Alone, Classy Lily, Colleens Racer, Dena's Diamond, Digby, Escape With Me, Got the Memo, Illusive Diamond, Lady Evergreen, Lucretia, Our Family Jewel or Princessaconcuervo and R. Excess.
Gold Rush II Nominees