Race 4 – The Pennine Ridge, Grade 2 (1 mile, turf) for 3 year olds
A field of seven are set to go with a notable absence for a graded turf stakes, Chad Brown. Perhaps it is the presence of Decorated Invader that is keeping Brown and others away.
#1 Decorated Invader – Likely to go off at even money or less, the only graded stakes winner of this group is the one to beat. He seems to be improving each race and has the highest Beyer (by 9 points) at this trip. Christophe Clement horses have been running tremendously at all levels lately which bodes well for this colt with Joel Rosario on the mount who led him to a strong victory last out.
#2 Venezuelan Hug – Solid runner who is off back to back wins and has a bright future ahead of him. Has a chance to make a late run at the pace and pass some tiring horses to make it into the money.
#3 Proven Strategies – The only horse to have a win at this trip other than #1 he comes off a strong front running effort in a non-graded stakes where he was caught at 1 1/16 mile at 13/1. Might take some money and should lead this one coming for home.
#4 Mr. Kringle – Would need a Christmas miracle to deliver a win today but I don’t think Jose Lezcano’s nose will be shining red today. He will make some money in his career but he is over his head in this one could cash a check for today’s workout.
#5 Vanzzy – Has the right jockey to try and turn some early speed into a placing, though he is making his first try on turf. Michael Pino is 11% with first time turf starters and 0 for 2 in graded stakes tries.
#6 Maroon Maniac – Jonathan Thomas is taking a shot with a nice son of Violence who is coming off his maiden win. He is 29% in graded stakes races showing he knows how to spot horses, so he feels he has a live one here. He will send with Castellano hoping to clear the field and hang on but would need a huge improvement to get it done.
#7 Famished – The morning line of 5/1 is questionable here and he will likely go off much higher. Bettors who support this colt to win will likely be left hungry for another race to chase. This son of Uncle Mo has the breeding, but he has never finished better than fourth on turf and is likely to fall into that category here today.
Selections: 1-2-6
Race 9 – The Jaipur, Grade 1 (6 furlongs, turf) for three year olds and upward.
Eight will try for their first Grade 1 victory including one mare going against the boys. This race also features one of racing’s favorite quagmires, Hidden Scroll. In addition to the victor’s share of the 250k purse, this race is a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeder’s Cup Turf Sprint.
#1 Kanthaka – An interesting entry who hasn’t run in over a year after a string of Graded races, including a G2 and G3 win. Has only one turf effort, however performed well enough to give new conditioner Graham Motion the confidence to take a shot here today. He is 21% with new additions and 24% with horses coming off extended layoffs. Don’t ignore this one today.
#2 Oleksandra (Aus) – The added distance will help this late runner’s chance. Rosario is back on the mount after four excellent rides. She has improved her speed figure in each of her last four races and comes off a recent bullet. Drysdale is not well known in the east coast circuit and is only 7% this year overall, however that can be overcome. Has a great chance to beat the boys today.
#3 Texas Wedge – Owner/Trainer Peter Miller is 16% with graded stakes horses and shippers, not to mention 27% second off the layoff. He won a G2 on New Year’s Day and has improved Beyer figures since then in two more starts. He has as good a chance as any today off a triple digit figure.
#4 Pure Sensation – Nine year old gelding hasn’t raced since the Breeder’s Cup Turf sprint in November where he was a beaten favorite placing 5th. No doubt he will put forth a great effort off a recent bullet workout. He hasn’t run a 6f race since 2018 so it will be interesting to see what that brings. Underlay situation.
#5 Stubbins – Coming off a third place in a G3 with a nice figure is a late runner shipping in for Doug O’Neill. Rosario rode for him last couple times he was on the east coast but he opted for #2, so he gets Luis Saez. Has the Beyer speed figures to contend.
#6 Hidden Scroll – Despite never having finished in the money in a stakes race, this horse has put forth some impressive efforts which keep us hanging on. He was supposed to make his turf debut last out but stumbled out of the gate and unseated the jockey. Velasquez climbs back aboard after that mishap for another shot. There is a possibility that his speed and turf will be a perfect match and three turf bullet works help make the case that he is a legitimate contender here. Play or don’t play at your own risk. I think he is worth a shot here at 8/1.
#7 White Flag – Hasn’t raced since finishing 8th at a G3 turf sprint at Kentucky Downs. This son of War Front likes the Belmont turf with four victories in seven starts, never finishing out of the money, but the last time he felt these blades was July 2018. I think the best days are behind him.
#8 Lohntwist – Had a rough outing in a non-graded stakes race less than two weeks ago t 79/1. His resume includes a couple of wins at the allowance level and his late kick has helped him earn over 200k in 16 starts. His trainer, Keith O’Brien is just getting back into the game so as you can see there are a lot against this one today. Might take 7 stumbled starts with lost riders to get this one a victory today, but could very well factor in the exotics.
Selections: 6-2-1