C Z Rocket and Firenze Fire filled the places in last year’s renewal though both have been beaten by today’s rivals this year with Kelly Breen’s charge finishing well behind Following Sea in the Vosburgh at Belmont last month. The latter couldn’t live with Jackie’s Warrior in a Grade 1 over 7f at Saratoga before that and Steve Asmussen’s speed machine has subsequently romped home in a prep-race over today’s trip. But another three-year-old in DR. SCHIVEL is rapidly improving having landed the Grade 1 Bing Crosby over course and distance despite a broken rein before warming-up for this with a cosy victory at Santa Anita and Mark Glatt’s colt gets the vote. Special Reserve beat Aloha West at Keeneland last month having earlier finished runner-up to the unpredictable Lexitonian.
Following Sea (USA) 5-2 (8-6) 2p turn,mild hand ride, won at Belmont Park 6f stks fst in Oct beating Firenze Fire (8-12) by 4 3/4l, 4 ran.
Jackie's Warrior (USA) 1-20fav (9-0) Drew off under wraps, won at Philadelphia Park 6f stks fst in Sep beating Pickin' Time (8-10) by 6 3/4l, 5 ran.
C Z Rocket (USA) 12-5 (8-12) Bit slow, denied 2nd, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Dr. Schivel (8-10) at Santa Anita 6f stks fst in Oct.
Matera Sky (USA) 4-1 (8-9) 5th of 14, shd behind Ryuno Yukina (8-9) at Morioka 6f in Aug.
Aloha West (USA) 17-10 (8-8) 4w upr,strong kck,miss, 2nd of 7, nk behind Special Reserve (8-8) at Keeneland 6f stks fst in Oct.
Firenze Fire (USA) 11-10fav (8-12) Brk thru gate,bmp foes, 2nd of 4, 4 3/4l behind Following Sea (8-6) at Belmont Park 6f stks fst in Oct.
Lexitonian (USA) 15-2 (8-12) Stmbld bad brk,off slw, last of 8, 31 1/2l behind Yaupon (8-6) at Saratoga 7f stks fst in Aug.
Special Reserve (USA) 6-5fav (8-8) 2wd,bid,cleared,held, won at Keeneland 6f stks fst in Oct beating Aloha West (8-8) by nk, 7 ran.
Dr. Schivel (USA) 9-5fav (8-10) Right rein broke early, won at Santa Anita 6f stks fst in Oct beating Flagstaff (9-0) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
