The 7-year-old gelding Peeping Tom heads a field of nine lined up for Saturday's $100,000 Donald LeVine Memorial Handicap (gr. III) as Philadelphia Park kicks off the 2004 stakes season.The six-furlong test for 3 year-olds and up is named for longtime chief state steward at Philly Park, Don LeVine.Owned by the Flatbird Stable and trained by Patrick Reynolds, Peeping Tom, a son of Eagle Eyed has banked over $1.3 million in his 47-race career. Perhaps not quite the horse he's been, Peeping Tom nonetheless continues to be a quality East Coast sprinter who has knocked heads with some of the best in the business. In his most recent start in the Carter Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct against the likes of Pico Central and Strong Hope, he finished seventh. He's been out six times this year and shows a victory in the Paumonak Handicap at the Big A January 24 and a close fourth, beaten only a length and three-quarters, in the General George (gr. II) at Laurel in mid-February. Jockey Ariel Smith has been named for the ride.Last year's LeVine winner, Michael Gill's Highway Prospector, will be back to defend his title. The 7-year-old son of Crafty Prospector had an outstanding year in 2003, winning five of 13 starts while hitting the board in several graded events. Besides the LeVine, he also won the Artax at Gulfstream and ran third in the Sporting Page Handicap (gr. III), the Salvator Mile (gr. III), and the Maryland Breeders Cup Handicap (gr. III). In early June, he ran second, beaten only a neck by Scott Lake's Shake You Down in the True North Breeders Cup (gr. II) at Belmont Park. Highway Prospector was a sharp second in his 2004 seasonal debut on Preakness Day at Pimlico to Gators 'N Bears in the Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap. Trainer Mark Shuman has not named a rider.Others expected to get some attention at the windows include multiple stakes winner Crossing Point (Ben Feliciano, Jr.), and two Scott Lake trainees, Spooky Mulder and graded winner True Passion.
$100,000 Donald LeVine Memorial Handicap (gr. III), 3 & up, 6 furlongs
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Secret Run (FL), 114, Norberto Arroyo, Jr.
2. Peeping Tom (KY), 116, Ariel Smith
3. Out of Fashion (KY), 114, (No Rider)
4. Kazoo (FL), 114, Harry Vega
5. True Passion (KY), 115, Jose Luis Flores
6. Highway Prospector (KY), 117, (No Rider)
7. Richierichierich (KY), 113, Victor H. Molina
8. Spooky Mulder (KY), 114, Jose Luis Flores
9. Crossing Point (MD), 116, Ryan Fogelsonger