John B Connally Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3
- Prospector Fever- Ernesto Valdez Jimenez- Sarah Nicole Davidson
- Prospector Fever is one of many longshots in here with a very minimal chance at winning this race. He seems to like turf more than dirt which is beneficial but class is a huge disadvantage for this gelding and with the 1 hole being a rough post for a 12 horse field, I will be looking elsewhere.
- Cross Border- SCRATCH
- Patriot Drive- Colby Hernandez- Michael Maker
- Patriot Drive is a huge longshot with a chance today. I think this gelding will improve going the extra distance for the first time. If he goes back to the stakes race at Gulfstream and with the added distance, I don’t see why he can’t be rolling late. Patriot Drive is one of 3 Maker entries and this one is the longest shot out of all of them.
- Zumurudee- Brian Hernandez Jr.- Michael Stidham
- Zumurudee seems to be somewhat of a hanger to me and seems to run the same race almost every race. He has won at this unique distance which is a positive but I think that there are others in this huge field that are a little more reliable.
- Yeowzer- Iram Diego- Karl Broberg
- Broberg is always respectable when it comes to putting his horses in the right spots and this one on paper doesn’t seem to be in the right spot but Broberg could know something the public doesn’t. However, I think that this is a spot that’s a little over his head for Yeowzer.
- Another Mystery- Jose Valdivia Jr. – Chris Block
- Another Mystery has an outside chance today. He ran 2nd via DQ at Laurel going this distance in a small stakes race. Valdivia Jr is a legitimate rider and can get horses to sit in the right spot. With minimal pace signed up today for this long race, he will have to sit closer than normal like the races at Arlington or Laurel. If he runs the same type of race as those he can win today.
- Marzo- Corey Lanerie- Michael Maker
- Marzo seems to be one of the pacesetters today which can benefit him today. He has one win in one start at this distance. This is probably the best Maker horse in the race. He can sit off the pace as well and with his ability to be really close or on the lead he will be one of my top picks today. If he runs the same race as the Keenland race in which he won the Sycamore back in October, he can win this race with ease.
- Nate’s Attack- Luis Batista- Lonnie Briley
- This horse has little to zero chance in winning this race in my humble opinion. He prefers dirt and doesn’t seem to want the added distance. The class is a huge issue and with these small connections, I don’t trust the move up in class.
- Dot Matrix- Florent Geroux- Brad Cox
- Dot Matrix is a proven veteran in this sport. He should enjoy the distance and can sit closer than normal in need be. He has a ton of class and is proven which I like. He has a runstyle that could work in this spot and with consistent big speed figures he might just be the best today.
- Tracksmith- Adam Beschizza- Joe Sharp
- The sneakiest of connections in this race is the Sharp/Beschizza combo. He is a closer that can press when needed. He has never run at this distance and that could be an issue as I don’t see him wanting to run this far. Class shouldn’t be too much of an issue for him either but I think if this race was a little shorter he would be live.
- Sleepy Eyes Todd- David Cabrera- Miguel Angel Silva
- This lightly raced 4yo colt is the least experienced in this field. He has never ran on turf or at the distance. These connections can be deadly too, which is intriguing. He might be on the lead with the outside post as well. Too many question marks for me on this horse but he could be live. I will be using on horizontals.
- Bemma’s Boy- Tyler Gaffalione- Michael Maker
- Bemma’s Boy is the final horse in this race and also the 3rd Maker horse. He will be sent early due to the post and Gaffalione has been riding amazing lately. He has a win over the distance and has class. I like him in this spot if he sits close enough. However, do not like the post so I will be looking elsewhere for my top picks.
TOP PICKS
#7 Marzo
#9 Dot Matrix
#3 Patriot Drive