The first WAYI for Classic contenders is this Saturday with the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. Please note this is going to be how each preview post will be set up from now on. That is unless I do not have the time to do a full blown post like I did last week.
Here is the field:
8th Race - Churchill Downs - Saturday, June 14th, 2014
STAKES. 1 1/8 Mile Dirt. Purse $500,000. Stephen Foster H. (Grade 1). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. (09:39 PM) (9)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Revolutionary 4 C L 118 Smith Mike E. Pletcher Todd A.
2 Jaguar Paw 7 H L 114 Bridgmohan Shaun Lyster Stephen S.
3 Moonshine Mullin 6 H L 118 Borel Calvin H. Morse Randy L.
4 Will Take Charge 4 C L 123 Stevens Gary L. Lukas D. Wayne
5 Mylute 4 C L 115 Graham James Amoss Thomas M.
6 Departing 4 G L 118 Albarado Robby Stall, Jr. Albert M.
7 Golden Ticket 5 H L 117 Leparoux Julien R. McPeek Kenneth G.
8 Long River 4 C L 115 Ortiz, Jr. Irad McLaughlin Kiaran P.
9 Prayer For Relief 6 H L 117 Velazquez John R. Romans Dale L.
Horse Previews (in post position order):
Revolutionary (War Pass): Winner of the Pimlico Special in his last and second in the Oaklawn Handicap before that. Under normal circumstances would be the best horse in the barn, but that belongs to Palace Malice who won the Met Mile last Saturday. Is the one to beat in the race.
Jaguar Paw (Giant's Causeway): 5th in last year's Clark, but has finished way back in his next two starts which have been stakes at Oaklawn. Running over his head in his race I'm afraid.
Moonshine Mullin (Albert the Great): Since being claimed last November, he has finished no worse than 4th and has won the last four in a row including the Alysheba in his last. Churchill tends to be a speed favoring track and he is a front runner. Could be dangerous.
Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song): Started off the year great with runner up finishes in both the Donn and Big Cap. Would go onto pick up a win in the Oaklawn Handcap after that. Then, in his first start at Churchill since the Clark he would finish 6th in the Alysheba. Not a fan of going here.
Mylute (Midnight Lute): Won his season debut and was 4th in the Alysheba. This will be his fourth start since last year's Preakness. Thinking he finishes at least 3rd (maybe 2nd, but not sure a winner).
Departing (War Front): Has won 3 of his last 4, including his season debut in his last at Churchill. He's been hyped since the Preakness when he ran poorly (but that was partially because he was running against his pasture mate Orb). Does he finally put it together and get a stakes win against top quality? I say possibly.
Golden Ticket (Speightstown): Last year's runner up, won the Prairie Meadows Handicap was eighth in the Clark last year after his second in the BC Dirt Mile (to Goldencents). Since there has been two runner up finishes including in the Alysheba in his last. He has a love/hate relationship with the Churchill surface. One to watch carefully for.
Long River (A.P. Indy): Winner of 2 listed stakes at Aqueduct before finishing 2nd in the Excelsior and 5th in the Charles Town Classic. Even though I was a huge fan of his dam who won the 2006 BC Distaff (Round Pond) at Churchill, he is a big underdog here.
Prayer For Relief (Jump Start): 2nd in the Pimlico Special and 4th in the Oaklawn Handicap before that. Won the Cornhusker Handicap last year. Has never run well at Churchill, but all of those races where in the Fall. Will the Late Spring/Early Summer surface suit him more? Not 100% sure about that.
Picks:
Win- Golden Ticket
Place- Revolutionary
Show- Departing
Video Preview:
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