"Stars of Tomorrow" card at Churchill for opening day. Big fields so likely got to be creative with exotics or muti-race tickets.
9th race is no bargain with an obvious bunch of aspiring horses.
Just Steel: That was a really solid MSW win 3 back at Saratoga in a nice time. Ran on the front and outdueled his foe. Got aggressive after that with back-to-back G1 races in the Hopeful and Breeder's Futurity where he basically ended up being cheap speed that folded. Now he is back to more his company and will almost certainly be looking to be forward again. Pulls in the solid front-running jockey in Saez. Solid contender.
Steeler Mischief: Interesting switch to turf last out where he didn't run all that poorly. Speed figures are light compared to many in here, so he is going to have to improve to compete. Should be a big price, but prefer others.
Andy's Candy: Nice win at KEE last out, but that was against MCL company, and the time wasn't all that good. Certainly has room to improve, but if he is to contend he'll likely need to pass a lot of rivals today. Looks to be a tough task while stepping up in class.
Beaudacious Colton: 7 career races under his belt since his debut in April, so he has obviously been busy. Ran against some peers last out, and wasn't remotely competitive. Hard one to back and likely the longest shot in the field.
Call Me Andy: 4 pretty solid races thus far and has been very competitive with similar types. Can he turn the tables on some rivals today and get the W? Not without a shot, but I'll be putting in Exotics only as he seems like a board hitting type at this level.
Otto the Conqueror: Two very solid races to start his career and gets the 7F distance again today which obviously suits him. Has a win at this distance and track last out. Pulls in Gaffalione for the mount. Oddly enough, however, is that Asmussen/Gaffalione are only clipping at 8% in their last 24 races together. Looks to be a solid contender, and should vie for post time favorite.
Iridescent: Cox took a swing with this one at Kentucky Downs for a big purse. He didn't embarrass himself in his 4th place finish, but gets back to what I feel is his preferred surface today. Gets a decent post that he could get a solid stalking trip if ready to fire. Another solid contender out of the solid Cox barn that is clipping away at 28% in almost 800 starts this year.
Sponge Bath: All 3 career races have been on turf, and he was a vet scratch at this venue back in September. He then ran an uninspiring 7th in a 5.5F turf sprint last out. Speed figures fit, but I have to let this one beat me.
Group Ticket: Needed to drop down to MC$40K company to get his lone win in his 5 career starts. Ships in from the east coast, but has been training sharply at KEE. Could this be a live longshot today? Definitely need to see this one on the track and a toteboard watch for me. Concerned about the field size for him though, and not a great post for a horse that has had some trouble in smaller fields.
Baytown Chatterbox: Has a stakes win at this distance. They got aggressive after that win with back-to-back G1s in the Hopeful and Breeder's Futurity much like the
. He wasn't remotely competitive in either of those, so definitely needed some class relief. Should be coming from well off the pace, so this post isn't a huge concern. Still, he has to get better to contend in here it looks. Gotta pass.
Epic Battle: Two solid starts to begin his career, and that was a good 2nd last out against similar. Good work tab coming in and should get a solid price for a horse that should be running on late. Contender.
Honor Marie: Ran down the entire field in his lone start at this track, and in a solid time. Works coming out of that one aren't all that inspiring though. Another that I want to see on the track and watch the tote. 15/1 ML seems quite a bit high for an entry with a nice win here just a month ago.
Molly's Town (AE): Interesting entry that needs a SCR to get in. Thinking he probably does draw in. Has four dominating wins to start his career, but that was all against state-bred company in Indiana. Speed figures fit, and he looks to be the speed of the speed. Tough post for a burner, but he has to be strongly considered if he draws in.
