Rumbling in Chi Town

With the Breeders Crown in the books, the racing season for the best horses is rapidly coming to an end with the running of the American Nationals and the Progress stakes over the next few days. As such, we turn our attention to Balmoral Park for Saturday night’s American Nationals which features the career finale of Mister Big. While Balmoral is unable to put on a strong undercard like Mohawk and the Meadowlands are able to do on their big nights, the six strong Am-Nat tilts are worthy of your attention. While the focus will be on the career finale of Mister Big, there are some challenging Am-Nats for two and three year olds on the card as well.

Here is my analysis for the stake races on the Balmoral card for Saturday night.

4th Race - $185,000 American National – Three Year Old Pacing Fillies

Yellow Diamond, despite her narrow loss in the Lady Maud at Yonkers last week looks to be the stand out favorite for this race, but she will be going off probably at less than her 3-2 morning line. Fox Valley Topaz has been a terror in the Midwest, winning eleven of fourteen starts this year. She raced well in her return and can be there if Yellow Diamond is pressured like she was last week; consider if getting decent odds. My Heart Was True is another that raced well in her return and she can grab the show spot. Eagle Way shows some ability; consider in your superfecta selections.


5th Race - $154,000 American National – Two Year Old Pacing Fillies

Odds on Dominca has the potential for a mild upset. Filly is lightly raced and finished a respectable fourth in the Sarah Myers. Filly adds lasix off that effort and raced well in her qualifier. Schadt trainee may be ready to score in pari-mutuel return; consider with decent odds. Makes You Wonder won last two starts at Balmoral and shows good lines in Lexington late closers; can win if top pick falters. Flip Flop Summer draws the worst of it post-wise. Favorite has the class and is logical choice; offers little value. Fox Valley Naomi another first time lasix horse; shows breaking issues but must consider in exotics from the rail.


6th Race - $180,000 American National – Two Year Old Pacing Colts and Geldings

OK Commander is my pick to break his maiden in this wide open affair. Parked the entire mile in the Breeders Crown and was 2nd through three quarters before folding. He showed life in International Stallion Stakes at Lexington and there is No All Speed Hanover or Sportswriter in this tilt. Payne’s Landing raced well in Kentucky before coming up empty at Woodbine; can pick up share here. Morgan Shark is logical morning line favorite but doesn’t convince me. Perrito Caliente picks up the pieces.


7th Race - $200,000 American National – Aged Pacing Open

No walkover for Mister Big in his last career start. Art Official is my pick to win. Expecting a fast pace which will allow Art Official to come flying late. Won The West, has proven himself to be a legitimate successor to Mister Big; picks up the pieces to grab second. Mister Big, we are wishing this pacing star a successful stallion career; expecting a wire-to-wire effort which may come up short; falters to third. Shark Gesture completes the exotics.


8th Race - $150,000 American National – Aged Trotting Open

Another solid field assembled here. Lanson is the one to beat; hard to see anything beat him. ABC Mercedes has been racing at top of his game at Indy; second best. Wind Surfer aired it out in Northfield qualifier; can compete in this class. Dink Adoo; 10 year old has certainly lost a step but used to thrive on the Chicago circuit. Back class gets classy warrior in the gimmicks.


9th Race - $265,000 American National – Three Year Old Pacing Colts and Geldings

If I Can Dream is the best three year old currently in training. Winner of Breeders Crown and Messenger Stake should add the Am-Nat to his resume; expect poor odds. Annieswesterncard has been getting ready in the mid-west and beat older in FFA last week at Balmoral; if IICD’s odds are too low, may want to take a shot with him. Sheer Desire has prepped with two sharp qualifiers at the Meadows; could pick up the pieces if a suicide speed duel develops. Straight Shooting is the best of the rest.

Viewers Note:  TVG is scheduled to carry the Am-Nats on television in addition to the Ontario Sire Stakes Super Finals at Woodbine.