Good to see the racing form again, sure has been a while.
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Baffert’s Solomini looks tough here, but as mentioned has been out a while and may be vulnerable. He appears the class of the race but is behind Sporting Chance on the EFH.
The race and works is telltale. On 2/19, Sporting Chance runs in the Southwest, has trouble, regroups for show. Meanwhile, two days earlier on 2/17@ SA, Solomini works 5fl in 59.2H. On 2/24, Solomini works again, 7fl in 1:24.4H (nice endurance); three days later @ OP Sporting Chance works 4fl in 48.1B (nice tightener); on 3/4, Solomini works again, this time 6fl in 1:11.2H; one day later Sporting Chance goes 8fl in 1:41.2B (nicer endurance; is Lukas tracking Baffert?) Finally, on 3/10, Solomini goes 5fl in 59H; two days later Sporting Chance goes 4fl in 47B. Outstanding set of works by both colts however, Sporting Chance is breezing while Solomini is hand ridden. All things considered the conditioning edge goes to Sporting Chance.
Long story short, Sporting Chance is higher or equal in class compared to Solomini, but is in better condition. IMO, the key is the jock switch. With Johnny V up, Lukas has a Hall of Famer, class and condition. If Sporting Chance can sit tight on a fast and balanced track, should be a hoss’ race!
Finally, I would be remiss without mentioning Sporting Chance is a Dual Qualifier with the lowest DI / CD in this group, yet Solomini is also a DQ, but with higher DI / CD. Pedigree and performance will always matter. We’ll see how it shakes out in the Reb’.
Should be a fun race to watch! Get em’ Johnny V!