Lemon Drop Husker
02-06-2016, 09:35 AM
Now this is what horse racing is all about. Not the biggest of fields, but competitive throughout and offers up a great wagering opportunity to the horse player. A fantastic race.
:1: Madefromlucky: Interesting note is that all 4 of his career wins have come at 1 1/16th. Unfortunately for MFL, he'll have to travel 9 panels to get the win here. While a talented colt, he really hasn't put it all together when facing the toughest of competition. A big fan of this one, is he ready to take the next step? Probably the horse with the most on the line with regards to his connections and where he moves next.
:2: Closing Bell: The lone "stretch" in the field looks to be up against it in here. Switches from turf to dirt, takes on the Gulfstream surface for the first time, and looks to be pace challenged. If you 'cap solely based upon recent bullet works, then this is your guy. Otherwise, this one is really tough to see being any part of this one.
:3: Mshawish: Turf? Dirt? Doesn't matter for this Graded Stakes veteran as he put any doubts away with his win in the Hal's Hope as to whether the switch to dirt was the right move. It took a while to recover from his trip to Dubai, but all seems to be well now. Some concern as he is stretching out to his longest distance ever traveled, but he does like to come late, so I'm considering it a slight concern. A major player with major connections in Pletcher/Velazquez. Of note is that Castellano is getting on the :6: Keen Ice.
:4: Valid: This 11 time winner has won 3 of his last 5 and is training extremely well. Nipped by :3: Mshawish in his last, but always seems to bring his A game every time to the track. Distance is the huge question here as he'll be on the lead looking to wire this field. Even if you don't like on top, an almost must include on all exotic tickets and a horse that can steal this one on the front end if he is let loose on an easy early lead.
:5: Mexikoma: Dangerous horse that can run big. A lightly raced 5 year old that has been spotted well throughout his career, and when he is right, he is right. Either way, this is probably the toughest field he has ever faced. I love me some Corey Lanerie, and this one is going to be overlooked amid other big name horses in here. Can upset the apple cart in here.
:6: Keen Ice: Any horse that can claim a win over American Pharoah has to pique your interest. Coming in off of a much needed layoff, he is training well, and looks to be ready for a big time effort. This one looks to be a big time player in the older male division in his 4YO season, and nothing would be more of a pronouncement than a win here today. Major contender that will be coming late.
:7: Itsaknockout: He was an interesting player at one time on the Kentucky Derby trail last year. After a huge layoff, he returned to beat optional claimers last out and now takes a huge step up in class. ML of 4/1 seems a bit eager, and I highly doubt he goes off that low. Connections are solid, and this has long been a "what if" colt. He is the horse in this field that you'll kick yourself if you exclude from tickets.
:8: Financial Modeling: A new, and big time player to the older male division has really put things together over the past year. While this is a massive step up in class, he is as ready as ever to take on this kind of field. In my opinion this is the biggest question mark in the field with regards to pace, and he could make or break for a number of others. Will he be sent to challenge :4: Valid? Can he sit and stalk against these? Even if you don't like, he has to be a huge consideration in how this race plays out. A massive wildcard.
WP: :1:
EX: :1::6: Box
TRI: :1::6:/:1::4::6:/:1::3::4::5::6:
:1: Madefromlucky: Interesting note is that all 4 of his career wins have come at 1 1/16th. Unfortunately for MFL, he'll have to travel 9 panels to get the win here. While a talented colt, he really hasn't put it all together when facing the toughest of competition. A big fan of this one, is he ready to take the next step? Probably the horse with the most on the line with regards to his connections and where he moves next.
:2: Closing Bell: The lone "stretch" in the field looks to be up against it in here. Switches from turf to dirt, takes on the Gulfstream surface for the first time, and looks to be pace challenged. If you 'cap solely based upon recent bullet works, then this is your guy. Otherwise, this one is really tough to see being any part of this one.
:3: Mshawish: Turf? Dirt? Doesn't matter for this Graded Stakes veteran as he put any doubts away with his win in the Hal's Hope as to whether the switch to dirt was the right move. It took a while to recover from his trip to Dubai, but all seems to be well now. Some concern as he is stretching out to his longest distance ever traveled, but he does like to come late, so I'm considering it a slight concern. A major player with major connections in Pletcher/Velazquez. Of note is that Castellano is getting on the :6: Keen Ice.
:4: Valid: This 11 time winner has won 3 of his last 5 and is training extremely well. Nipped by :3: Mshawish in his last, but always seems to bring his A game every time to the track. Distance is the huge question here as he'll be on the lead looking to wire this field. Even if you don't like on top, an almost must include on all exotic tickets and a horse that can steal this one on the front end if he is let loose on an easy early lead.
:5: Mexikoma: Dangerous horse that can run big. A lightly raced 5 year old that has been spotted well throughout his career, and when he is right, he is right. Either way, this is probably the toughest field he has ever faced. I love me some Corey Lanerie, and this one is going to be overlooked amid other big name horses in here. Can upset the apple cart in here.
:6: Keen Ice: Any horse that can claim a win over American Pharoah has to pique your interest. Coming in off of a much needed layoff, he is training well, and looks to be ready for a big time effort. This one looks to be a big time player in the older male division in his 4YO season, and nothing would be more of a pronouncement than a win here today. Major contender that will be coming late.
:7: Itsaknockout: He was an interesting player at one time on the Kentucky Derby trail last year. After a huge layoff, he returned to beat optional claimers last out and now takes a huge step up in class. ML of 4/1 seems a bit eager, and I highly doubt he goes off that low. Connections are solid, and this has long been a "what if" colt. He is the horse in this field that you'll kick yourself if you exclude from tickets.
:8: Financial Modeling: A new, and big time player to the older male division has really put things together over the past year. While this is a massive step up in class, he is as ready as ever to take on this kind of field. In my opinion this is the biggest question mark in the field with regards to pace, and he could make or break for a number of others. Will he be sent to challenge :4: Valid? Can he sit and stalk against these? Even if you don't like, he has to be a huge consideration in how this race plays out. A massive wildcard.
WP: :1:
EX: :1::6: Box
TRI: :1::6:/:1::4::6:/:1::3::4::5::6: