Our brand new track correspondent Greg Pickel will be providing pre-and-post coverage of this weekend's Governor's Cup at Penn National. He'll be at the track all weekend long, so feel free to harass him on Twitter.
The 38th running of Pennsylvania’s biggest stakes weekend, the Governor’s Cup, commences this Friday July 29th, 2011 and finishes on Saturday July 30th, 2011 at Penn National Race Course in what can be considered one of the best stake racing seasons the track has seen in years.
We’ll give you a run down of each race, a preview and a pick, and some fun things to do in the area before post-time.
A ten race card will greet race-goers Saturday evening; the first race goes to post at 5:30PM and will run maiden clamiers for 15,000 dollars and mile and one sixteenth on turf. Nine horses go to the gate in the opener, and the morning line favorite Philology who was just claimed out of the Graham H. Motion barn by Leslie Young, and this one is going to take a ton of money. But if you’re reading this, you’re not John Q. Public, nor are you a fan of losing money, so you’re going to go with the #1 in this race, Bigstormrising, who drops in for a tag here from the 25,000 dollar level, and one that Rob Seeger will have geared up going from dirt to turf.
Get your money in quick on Race #2 for the #3 Primo Cuore to beat the morning line favorite, and hustle on over to a unique feature at Penn National, the Sky Box and try their Pittsburgher sandwich, which is a nice touch of a Pittsburgh style cheesesteak with fries, coleslaw, and cheese all stacked in to one sandwich. Wash it down with one of their feature drinks, which changes nightly.
Now that your stomach is full, time for Race #3, the first stakes race of the night, the Capitol City 100k Stakes for three year olds. If you don’t get to see it for yourself, the turf out at Hollywood Park looks fantastic, even with the recent drought in the area, and this race will be an equal match for it. Nine will line-up for this one, and #5 Live in Joy is my pick in this one. The best turf speed in the field comes from this one, and she is battle tested, as she ships in from Indiana as well as Arlington Park. If you don’t like the odds you’re going to get on her, give the #8 Kentucky Reign a shot, who ships in from Monmouth after placing fourth in the Choice 72k Stakes back on July 4th.
So at this point, maybe the horses aren’t lining up for you picking through the program, and you’re down a few bucks. Time to start picking some names, the colors you like, anything to get you back on top! The fourth race at Penn National is a 34,000 dollar allowance for non-winners of two over a mile since June 30th. Neferti is the play here for those of you playing with statistics, but for those of you playing for fun, here’s a few choices:
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Dramatica- For your girlfriend who just can’t pick what drink she wants, right?
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Regina Twain: For you literature lovers out there!
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Runaway Suzanna: Because…. Well… she runs away, right?! A name is a name is a name… she has to!
Alrighty everyone, time to impersonate your favorite ring side announcer… IT’S SHOWTIME! Race 5 is the Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup Handicap 200k, and this is going to be a fun race for all involved. We have 10 runners going to the gate in this one, and it will be the fastest grass race you see in Pennsylvania this year. In what is maybe a sad note for Penn National, eight of the 10 runners ship in from different tracks, but the positive is that will make this race that much better for spectators. The 9 Philly Bound is going to be fun in here, as this one was souped up last time out at park to earn top honors in an Optional Claimer, and this is a slight step up for her. Don’t look down on the 7 Local Celebrity, either. Big potential on the turf and Sheldon Russell has had her in great form as of late.
Some fun picks:
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#10 Towzee- It sounds like something from Tarzan.. Right dad?
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#6 Bubber- For the younger member of the family who probably doesn’t know his real name because everyone calls hum Bubba.
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#1 Cardashi- For the folks who came to the track for the casino and to maybe get a tan while watching the races, and think this horse is the first thing they ever saw with a bigger butt than Kim Kardashian.
The final stakes race on the card will be Race #7, the East Hanover 100k Stakes for three-year olds. By this time, if you’re not winning any money, you’ve probably swatted a lot of flys and bugs with your losing tickets. So why not give Bug Juice a chance in here, who comes off the bench for the third time since a lay-off lasting from November till May, and has something in common with you! Or, if you are a basketball fan, Victor Lebrun rides the rides the #11 Matthewsburg, and that’s close enough to Lebron, right? Finally, how about the #10 Divine Music for those of you who just love to jazz it up in the elevator!
The stake races are over, but the fun is just starting at Hollywood Casino. Marshall’s Highway, an American Rock band from Schnecksville, Pa will be jamming until midnight, and the casino is always open! For a few tips on where to eat, check out Eating like a V.I.P at Penn National!
Finally, I’ll be at the track all day Friday and all day Saturday, waiting to answer your questions via Twitter, add me @gregpickel
