Handicapper's Corner: Maxxam Gold Cup

Class Mix in Maxxam Gold Cup

By: John Caro, ThoroFan Member

This non-graded contest will be at Sam Houston Park under the lights on Saturday night with two four-year-olds going against older veterans. A wide variety of class is represented in this race, the top two local jockeys are up, but few of these horses have had success at the distance. Should make for an interesting outcome.



Here are the entries for the Maxxam Gold Cup:

#2 Bluegrass Traveler (6-5) – The morning line favorite has a good record at and is one of two youngsters tonight. He is also the one with the best record at the distance with two seconds including his place in the Spiral last year. He boasts the highest speed of the contestants, is a mid-pack closer his speeds are much improved as he matures. Channing Hill is up and has had good success going long with him. Hard to doubt that he won’t be there for first or second.

#3 Franco (10-1) – This guy’s race record is great given his competition and lower level tracks. You gotta love his form, but class is a question. Interesting note that the owner-trainer has no numbers for 2017-18 but a fair past record and brings this one in from Northern tracks for a ‘lark’? Hymn, makes me wonder. Luzzi is up and given Mike’s riding style, this youngster is may be playable. I will play him as a value.

#4 Net Gain (5-2) – He’s had a long career at six and a steady diet of black type races with a recent outing here in the G3 Connally Turf Cup. Success has eluded him since October through his prior record was quite good. His speed is very consistent and matches Bluegrass Traveler. I think he’s a contender for second and might surprise.

#1 Social Misfit (9-2) – Another who is a black type and listed stakes veteran. This nine-year-old has the top connections of the group, but his speeds and distance experience don’t measure up for this contest. I can’t justify putting him in the top two, but the connections success says he may play a role in the exotics.

#6 Hyper Drive (5-1) – Great connections for this one and it would be nice if the horse would live up to his name. Wade up is always a plus at Sam Houston. Drive is another who runs with the pack and is sometimes capable of closing well. The question will be the pace and distance. He’s not gone the distance, but his pedigree says he can go longer than his usual races. Third?

#5 Holiday Mischief (8-1) – Mystery horse of the race for me. He is the only one here that shows some proclivity for running on the front, and winning or coming close. Can we expect the jockey to make a move to the front, settle in for a long ride and move to finish? He’s on a two-month rest with four nice works. The two long breaks he’s had in the past have resulted in two wins and a second. Is this the screwball comedy in the race? 

I think Holiday Mischief will make a move to the front with Net Gain and Bluegrass Traveler in trail. If the pace drags through the first half, Gain and Traveler should take the race as they both close well and can maintain a higher speed then the others. 

Handy betting…. You’ll need to decide how much to bet on the exotic bets as the odds will dictate in a six-horse race. As I said above, I’ll play the #3 as the odds may suit and the race record says he can show up despite his class. 

Trifecta (Superfecta*) – 2 with 4, 3, 5 with All (with All*)

$15 Win Bet – 3

$3 Exacta – All with 3