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Ten Most Wanted Makes Return in NJC Handicap

STICKNEY, IL -- 2003 Illinois Derby, Travers and Super Derby winner Ten Most Wanted makes his return to the track on Saturday in the running of the Grade 3, $250,000 National Jockey Club Handicap at Hawthorne. Last year, Ten Most Wanted solidified himself as a top three-year-old with his win in the Grade 2, $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne.

After a troubled trip in the Kentucky Derby, the Wally Dollase trainee came back to run second behind Empire Maker in the Belmont. He would go on to post wins in the Travers and Super Derby before again catching trouble during his run in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

After opening the year with a disappointing fifth place finish in the New Orleans Handicap (G2) at Fair Grounds on February 29, the decision was made for Ten Most Wanted to return to Hawthorne, the site where he got things started last spring. Owned by James Chisholm, Michael Jarvis & Horizon Stable, Ten Most Wanted is the 7-5 favorite in the morning line. David Flores will be replacing Pat Day in the irons.

Second choice in the National Jockey Club Handicap is Parrott Bay. Although he went winless in 2003, he posted some strong races, finishing third while beaten only a neck by Fight For Ally in this race last year, and finishing second in the Delta Mile on February 21 of this year. Owned and trained by Kenny Hoffman, Parrott Bay is the 7-2 second choice in the morning line He will be ridden by Jesse Campbell.

New York Hero is the second starter this meet for owners Paraneck Stable and trainer Jennifer Pedersen. These connections hooked up with second-place finisher Song of the Sword in the Illinois Derby just two weeks ago. New York Hero has been active in 2004 with six starts on the year, winning an allowance race at Aqueduct on February 13. New York Hero is 4-1 in the morning line and will be ridden by Norberto Arroyo, Jr.

Colonial Colony is another that comes out of the 2003 edition of the National Jockey Club Handicap where he ran second in this spot last year. Owned by Lakeside Farm LLC and trained by Walter Bindner, Jr., Colonial Colony makes his second start of the year after finishing third in allowance company at Fair Grounds on March 18. James Lopez rides. Colonial Colony is 9-2 in the morning line.

A pair of local-based runners will also take their chances in the NJC Handicap as Fighting Indians and Flemish Cap will both try for the upset on Saturday. Fighting Indians makes his first start of the year on Saturday. He looks to get back in the winner's circle after a winless 2003. Owned by L. & N. Calkins & C.B. Racing Inc., and trained by Charles Bettis, Fighting Indians is 8-1 in the morning line and will be ridden by Hawthorne's all-time leading jockey Randall Meier.

Flemish Cap looks to be the claim of the Hawthorne meet thus far as he tries for his fourth win in as many starts. After being claimed for $25,000 off a 15 length win on February 28, he has come back to post a pair of convincing wins in allowance company, all over this track. Owned by Rich Papiese and trained by Jerry Gryczewski, Flemish Cap will be ridden by the meet's current leading rider Eddie Razo, Jr.

Below is the field for the National Jockey Club Handicap:

PP Horse Trainer Jockey M/L
1 Parrott Bay Kenneth Hoffman Jesse Campbell 7-2
2 Fighting Indians Charles Bettis Randall Meier 8-1
3 Flemish Cap Jerry Gryczewski Eusebio Razo, Jr. 8-1
4 Ten Most Wanted Wallace Dollase David Flores 7-5
5 New York Hero Jennifer Pedersen Norberto Arroyo, Jr. 4-1
6 Colonial Colony Walter Bindner, Jr. James Lopez 9-2