Handicapper's Corner: Haskell Invitational (G1)

Setting Sail in the 2018 Haskell

By: Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman

The Grade 1 Haskell Invitational from Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey, is on our ThoroFan docket for Sunday.

The $1 million event is, a “Win and You’re In” for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The 2018 running marks the 51st renewal of the race named for, Amory Haskell, the first president and chairman of the Monmouth Park Jockey Club.

This year’s edition suffered a substantial loss of star power when it was announced Triple Crown winner, Justify, who was targeted for the Grade 1 summer fixture, would not be participating. The Bob Baffert trained colt was on the sidelines with a left ankle injury.

Those trainers that were originally going to skip the race to avoid facing horse racing’s 13th Triple Crown champion in the ‘Centerpiece of the Summer’ at the Jersey shore, then altered their objevtives when his absence was made public.

There were no plans as to when or where Justify would race next.

Then on Wednesday, it was announced that the unbeaten colt with immense talent who made his debut February 18th, and in a span of 111 days skyrocketed to stardom winning four Grade 1’s, including becoming the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a 2-year-old since Apollo in 1882, would not be returning to the races, but instead, was retired.

His vacancy presents a nice opportunity for some of the other top horses from the 3-year old division to participate in Monmouth Park’s signature event.

Headlining the list are the runners-up from the first two jewels of the Triple Crown, Good Magic and Bravazo. The former was last year’s champion two-year-old colt and chased Justify through the Churchill Downs stretch in the Kentucky Derby but could not close the 2 ¼-lengths deficit. The latter finished fast in the Preakness at Pimlico to come up just a half-length short of Justify.

With Justify gone to the breeding shed, the second half of the 3-year-old division is wide open, and several runners from this interesting and competitive crop are looking to be that next horse who emerges to the forefront and grabs the spotlight. And it all starts here.

The nine-furlong Haskell Invitational goes as race 12 on the 14-race card and will be televised live on NBC-TV from 5-6 p.m., with post time slated for 5:45 p.m.

Here is a look at field from the rail out.

1 - Lone Sailor – Bravo/Amoss - Gave the Haskell a major boost when it was determined he would run in the race. Colt has not won past the maiden ranks, but has competed against the best horses in the division in the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Was eighth in the Kentucky Derby and fifth, beaten just two lengths for the top spot in the Preakness, and only a length behind Good Magic. The son of Majestic Warrior enters off a runner-up finish behind Core Beliefs in the Ohio Derby. If you believe lightning can strike twice in the same place, remember last year’s Ohio Derby runner-up (Girvin) won the Haskell. Amoss saddles his first Haskell starter, and Lone Sailor has given every indication that he’s ready to go again following five-week layoff.

2 - Navy Commander - Arroyo/Reid – Shipped into Monmouth three weeks ago and became a stakes winner when he wired a five-horse field in slow time in the one-mile-and-one sixteenth Long Branch Stakes, the local prep for the Haskell. Navy Commander is on a two-race winning streak for the second time in his career and when it comes to winning races for this gelding, and he has five of them from 11 lifetime starts, albeit softer company, the son of Poseidon’s Warrior has always done his best running on or very near the lead. Has a win over the surface which is always a plus, but another win here in this spot would be shocking.

3 - Roaming Union - Jimenez/Breen- Union Rags colt was blanked in six tries in his juvenile campaign, then finally broke through maiden ranks in January at Aqueduct, winning by a dozen lengths. The Polytrack at Turfway didn’t pan out in his first try against winners, then he faltered back on dirt at Laurel after leading to three-quarter mark. Following a pair of runner-up finishes, including last month’s Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth, where he missed by a neck, he now makes his first graded stakes start. Roaming Union has since recorded a pair of five-furlong workouts and now must face his stiffest competition yet.

4 - Core Beliefs - Prat/Eurton – Unraced at two, this son of Quality Road did not compete in the Triple Crown races, but has developed nicely since breaking his maiden in the spring. Last month, he won the G3 Ohio Derby in a photo finish by a nose, overcoming a wide trip from post 10. In May, he managed a second-place finish in the G3 Peter Pan at Belmont Park after stumbling at the start. In April, in his first start against winners, he was third behind Justify in the GI Santa Anita Derby. All three were at today’s nine-furlong distance. Has yet to finish out of the money in six career starts. Core Beliefs has raced extremely well in graded stakes competition and could be just starting to put it all together.

5 - Bravazo - Saez/Lukas – Gave the race another major ‘shot in the arm’ when he was added to the lineup. Danced every step of the 2018 Triple Crown series and acquitted himself very well in each event. His late charge in the Preakness where he came up a half-length short behind Justify, was sandwiched in between a pair of ‘better than looked’ sixth-place finishes in the Derby and Belmont. Both races came with legit excuses - Wide the entire way in the former and pinned down along the inside for much of the race in the latter - Bravazo’s lone graded stakes victory came in the G2 Risen Star in February at Fair Grounds. Regular and solid works since the Belmont have this Awesome Again colt fit and on his toes for the Haskell.

6 - Good Magic - J.Ortiz/Brown – Last year’s 2-year-old champion and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner is the most accomplished horse in the race. Following his win in the Blue Grass Stakes, this son of Curlin was a solid runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness Stakes. In the latter, he dueled on the lead with Justify deep into the stretch before tiring. He skipped the Belmont with the Haskell as the next target and has trained steadily for this race. With Justify now retired, Good Magic is the best 3-year-old in training, until proven otherwise, and gives Brown an excellent shot at his first Haskell win.

7 - Golden Brown - Rendon/McBurney - Based at Monmouth Park, this son of Offlee Wild enters this contest having run good races over the turf in his last two starts, including an upset win in the G3 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park in his last race two weeks ago. Colt has raced four times at Monmouth– three on dirt and once on the grass where he rallied to finish a fast-closing second in the state-bred Dan Horn Stakes last month. He has also performed very well on dirt, although they have been strictly sprint races. Displayed an affinity for a distance-of-ground when put on the turf, but this is a dirt route where he is an unknown quantity. Golden Brown is in top form but pitted against some of the better 3-year-olds in the country is a very tough test to go long on dirt for the first time.

Summary: The biggest event of the summer at the Jersey Shore is a very competitive race, and a good one to wager on. Although the race seems to be Good Magic’s for the taking, only one favorite (American Pharoah) in the past four running’s of the Haskell has won.

With that said, I will look elsewhere for the win.

LONE SAILOR is still just a maiden winner but has given a very good account of himself competing against the best in the division. Throw out the Kentucky Derby, where was hampered by a slow start and his last three races have been highly competitive. He will be looking for pace up front and with several speed/stalkers types in here, enough may develop to allow his closing style to get it done. As an extra added attraction, he gets the services of ‘Jersey’ Joe Bravo, a 13-time Monmouth riding champion to guide him.

GOOD MAGIC will be a heavy favorite in this race and deservedly so.

He is the most accomplished horse in the field. Has won at the distance and sports a top-notch trainer/jockey combo. But he returns from a nine-week layoff and may not be fully-cranked. Therefore, he could be vulnerable.

BRAVAZO is a tough horse and showed his durability competing in all three legs of the Triple Crown. He is a Grade 2 winner, and two-time Grade 1 runner-up which gives him every chance to win this.

Play: With $100 ThoroFan dollars, I will wager $30 to win on Lone Sailor. I will play a $20 exacta box with Lone Sailor/Good Magic ($40 total) and a $15 exacta box with Lone Sailor/Bravazo ($30 total).

Good luck, and as always, enjoy the race.

Handicapper's Corner: Jim Dandy Stakes (G2)

Just Dandy - Short, but Sweet Field for Jim Dandy Stakes

By: John Caro, S. FL ThoroFan Member

The Jim Dandy Stakes is typically used as a preparatory race for the Travers Stakes in late August. The race is named for, Jim Dandy, the 100-1 winner of the Travers Stakes in 1930 over that year’s Triple Crown winner, Gallant Fox; “The upset for the ages.”

Well, I don’t see any big money falling from the sky in this race on Saturday. The field is disappointingly small given the purse with only five entries. There is little doubt that the favorite in this ‘pre-test’ is the best choice for the win and the payout will likely be small. ‘Capping this one will be brief.

#5 Vino Rosso – Has his regular jockey who’s won this stakes four times and his trainer has won here five times. The connection of Velazquez/Pletcher have won three times together. Vino’s run in the Derby was very wide and he was still closing to make up five lengths down the lane in the slop. Posted a 105 in the Belmont to finish 4^th and posted a 102 in the Wood going this distance to win.

#2 Tenfold – The good news is Santana is hotter than a freshly fired pistol and Asmussen is doing well at the meet. The breeding looks superior for this distance but, this guy hasn’t won past 1 1/16 miles, although his showing at the Preakness indicates he has guts and may like an off track. 

#1 Flameaway – Another candidate who hasn’t done much past a1&1/16^th. He likes the front and often misses and his wins are by very short margins. Good jockey and who doesn’t love the Ortiz’s at Saratoga? Unless he can get the ideal pace through this distance he may not make an ITM finish.

#4 Sporting Chance – Love the name, not the colt in any race over a mile. Needs to return to sprinting were he’s done his best work.

#3 Reride – There is always one horse that just peaks my interest in a race like this. Reride is that colt. Great record before traveling to Meydan. Although it looks bad on paper his third place finish against Mendelssohn and Rayya on their home ground was quite a test beating the 3-2 fav Gold Town and Seahenge. Then he takes about 80 days off and runs a prep on the lawn. If there is hope for a longshot to get in the money this is the one for me. Is Asmussen and Ortiz Jr. looking to pull down the 20% finders’ fee for second? I think so.

Selections/Handigambling

Handicapping is one thing, wagering another. I don’t see value in this race unless Reride can place in this race and get 5-1 to 8-1 odds. I suggest using Vino Rosso as an anchor key in a Pick 3 or Grand Slam bet at Saratoga. 

Bet only to your level of expected return*. Check the odds and results of the Honorable Miss Stakes on 7-25-18 with a very short fav (.95) and the second fav (3.2) coming second. Payout was 6.8-1 which is a good return. 

$24 Exacta: 5 with 3*

$40 Exacta: 5 with 2

$6 Trifecta: 5 with 2, 3 with All

Handicapper's Corner: Diana Stakes (G1)

Short but Sweet Field of Fillies in Diana Stakes

By: Robert Marks, They're in the Gate (& on Twitter @theyreinthegate)

On Saturday, July 21, 2018, Saratoga Racecourse will be host to the First Grade One Stakes race of the 2018 Saratoga Season. The race is for Fillies and Mares three-year-old and older. The purse is $500,000 and it on the turf going 1 1/8 miles.

Here are the participants:

Here are the horses we will focus on:

A Raving Beauty — One of 3 Chad Brown trained horses this one looks to have the best shot. On board will be Irad Ortiz. The Brown/Ortiz combo at Saratoga is lethal. She can get the distance with a win and a 3rd place in Europe at 1 1/8 miles. She has tactical speed and look for Irad to make a move with her coming off the final turn. She also comes off 2 straight wins, the last at Belmont on June 9th in the Just a Game Stakes.

Proctors Ledge —  Chad Brown horses get bet heavily at Saratoga and if you want to look elsewhere we like Proctors Ledge piloted by Jose Ortiz. She also can get the distance with 2 first and 2 second place finishes out of 5 starts at the distance. Proctors Ledge finished 2nd too in the Just A Game Stakes at Belmont but this race is at Saratoga where Proctors Ledge is 2 for 2. A Raving Beauty has never raced at the Spa.  If he stays at 4-1 or higher we consider this a good value pick.

Hawksmoor — With the Chad Brown horses most likely going off at low odds we like to always mix in a longshot, particularly if you are playing trifectas and exactas. This horse has not raced in 56 days and never raced at Saratoga. We will throw out her last start (5th place) as she stumbled badly out of the gate. I don’t expect her to get much attention at the betting windows. She has gone 1 1/8 miles 3 times finishing 3rd twice. In a small 7 horse field definitely worth a look.

With a short field and 3 Chad Brown horses running you will have to watch the tote board and see where the odds are going before placing final bets. We will gamble that Proctors Ledge and Hawksmoor can beat the 3 Chad Brown horses including A Raving Beauty. If this happens the payouts should be good.

Wagering/Betting Handigambling Bankroll

Here is our $100 worth of betting for the race

Trifecta ($10 Box for $60 Total)  2,6,7

Exacta Box: $10 Exacta Box ($40) 2,7

As always, watch the Board and if at the track watch how the horses look in the Paddock and adjust your bets accordingly.

Good Luck! a 

Handicapper's Corner: Sanford Stakes (G3)

Looking for a Silver Lining in Sanford Stakes

By: Laurie Ross, IMTBreds

The 2018 Sanford Stakes is the first of three graded stakes races carded for two-year-old colts during the Saratoga meet. The others are the Saratoga Special and Hopeful Stakes (G1).  This year, a field of seven colts are looking for their first graded stakes victory. The promising Dream Maker scratched.

The charges of super trainers Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen make up half of the field. Pletcher is looking for his seventh Sanford Stakes trophy.

The Favorites

SOMBEYAY (Into Mischief - Teroda, by Limehouse) was very professional in his second start, the 5 1/2-furlong Tremont Stakes. He sat near the back of the pack during the early stages, took the short way ‘round, and had to come off the rail to pass horses. The Todd Pletcher trainee gained ground steadily but had to settle for second, missing by just 3/4 length. The extra distance of the Sanford should help the colt, and he signaled his readiness with a sharp five-furlong bullet breeze. 

Pletcher’s other starter LEXITONIAN (Speightstown - Riviera Romper, by Tapit) settled directly behind the pace in his five-furlong debut, then squeezed through a narrow opening on the rail to win by a measured length. Lexitonian’s last two breezes were professional, and he tried blinkers for the first time breezing with the older maiden King Orb on July 7.  Some may recall Lexitonian’s second dam, the Grade 1 sprinter SWAP FLIPAROO, who placed in the Astarita (G2) and Miss Grillo Stakes as a juvenile.

Mark Casse’s barn is loaded with two-year-olds this year. He scratched the promising Dream Maker but is represented in the Sanford by STRIKE SILVER (Violence - Frank's Hope, by Pulpit).  The son of top 2^nd crop sire Violence captured his debut at Churchill Downs, traveling five furlongs in :58.38. The dark bay colt fought every step of the way, putting away three different challengers, and holding on to win by a neck over the royally-bred Tapit colt, Nitrous. Strike Silver’s dam is a 3/4 sister to the dam of the multiple stakes winning turf miler Dreaming of Sophia. Strike Silver’s second dam SILVER MAIDEN captured five of six starts, including the Frizette (G1), Arlington-Washington Lassie S.(G2), and the Honest Pleasure Stakes against the boys. Strike Silver had a sharp second to last breeze at Keeneland, traveling four furlongs in :47.4. His last work was an easy four-furlong trip around the Saratoga oval in :51.4.

Logical Longshots

BANO SOLO (Goldencents - Royale Paradise, by Unbridled's Song) sold for $400K after breezing two furlongs in :20.1 at the OBS March sale. The son of new sire Goldencents promptly won at first asking at Churchill Downs, traveling five furlongs in :59.00, while gearing down, three lengths in front of the field. Bano Solo breezed a bullet 5F 1:01.40 in company with Whisky Echo on July 9. Both moved strongly past the wire.

Steve Asmussen’s WHISKEY ECHO (Tiznow - Atala, by Stormy Atlantic) led every step of the way in his 5 1/2-furlong debut at Belmont, winning by an easy 3 3/4 lengths. The dark bay colt has the pedigree to handle middle to classic distances and has some impressive performers in his distaff line.  Whiskey Echo’s unraced dam is a 3/4 sister to ALDIZA, who placed in the Frizette (G1) and Tempted Stakes (G3) as a juvenile, and later captured the

Go For Wand (G1) at 1 1/8 miles. She and her daughters produced GSWs  FAR FROM OVER (Withers S. G3),  TIMELINE (Peter Pan G3),  and multiple graded stakes-placed Lone Sailor, to name a few. Whiskey Echo’s third dam is Rene-de-Course (superior producer) COURTLY DEE. 

Talented but Green

CHASE GREATNESS (More Than Ready - Salsa Star, by Giant's Causeway) was victorious in his second start when stretching to 5 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs. He battled with Carter Cat most of the way, both colts still green, and lugging in and out down the stretch, looking like two friends on their way home from a pub crawl. Chase Greatness persevered by a half-length, strictly on talent.  The dark bay colt is a half-brother to the listed stakes winning miler Blamed and stakes placed turf miler Chubby Star.  Chase Greatness had an easy four-furlong breeze over the Saratoga dirt in company with last year’s Arlington-Washington Futurity hero BARRY LEE. 

KNICKS GO (Paynter - Kosmo's Buddy, by Outflanker) zipped five furlongs in :57.96 at Ellis Park, wining his debut by an easy 3 1/2 lengths. The Ben Colebrook trainee shied from the whip a few times but looked like he could go around again. Paynter’s son recorded a last out bullet four-furlong breeze in :47 at Keeneland. The caveat here is that he’s shipping, adding distance, and hasn’t had a breeze over the track.

SELECTIONS

#8  STRIKE SILVER (3-1)

#1  SOMBEYAY (2-1)

#7  BANO SOLO (6-1)

#4 WHISKEY ECHO (8-1) – Longshot 

Handigambling

The key to being a successful handicapper is knowing which races to play and which to pass. Early juvenile stakes with short fields are the later.

Anything can happen with two-year-olds. That being said, betting a Todd Pletcher baby at Saratoga is a no brainer. Unfortunately, it’s a no money earner, either. Physical handicapping, selecting babies by how they look in the paddock and warming up is crucial. 

Absent that, if you must absolutely bet this race, toss a few dollars on the longshots and hope for the best.  Alternatively, you can key the favorites over the rest.

Handicapper's Corner: Indiana Derby (G3)

Title Ready might break through in Indiana Derby

By: Reinier Macatangay, Setting the Pace

Midwest Derby season is in full swing on Saturday, as the Indiana Derby (G3) will be run once again at Indiana Grand. Nine horses will go 1 1/16 miles around the main track, and at least four of them hold a good chance to win.

Whoever comes home first will take the winner’s share of a $500,000 purse.

The morning line is a little odd, and possibly inaccurate. Nevertheless, the analysis of each horse below will be written with those odds in mind.

1) Trigger Warning (8-1) – Odd horse. He spent a lot of time at Turf Paradise and Sunland Park without really accomplishing much. The connections decided to throw in a trip to Fair Grounds for the Lecomte Stakes (G3) in between, and he lost by 76 lengths. But after the last trainer switch, he posted a solid third in the Ohio Derby (G3), earning a 123 TimeformUS Speed Figure in the process. Contender.

2) Blame the Rider (6-1) – Turf horse looks like a turf horse. The pedigree signals both surfaces are fine, but in three starts on turf he never finished worse than second. On dirt, his best finish is a third place in a Santa Anita maiden race.

3) Givemeaminit (20-1) – Despite finishing sixth in the Woody Stephens (G2) around one turn, this runner’s future is in sprint races. He made up significant ground in the stretch in that loss, and fades every time he tries to route. While he could do enough to complete the trifecta in this spot, the distance is too long.

4) Dark Vader (8-1) – Love the name. As for the actual form, this Ohio-bred colt is consistent without being overly fast. He just finished third in the ungraded Easy Goer Stakes at Belmont Park against Rugbyman and Prince Lucky. The former runner is promising, although has not proven his class yet. Dark Vader earned a career best 118 TimeformUS Speed Figure for the effort. He is eligible to move forward again in this spot and win. But there is nothing to get too excited about.

5) The Money Dance (20-1) – This horse is too slow on numbers to win. If he runs his absolute best race though, maybe he can complete the trifecta or superfecta.

6) Axelrod (6-1) – Nice effort to finish second in the Affirmed Stakes (G3). He even finished in front of Solomini, which may not be such an accomplishment. TimeformUS awarded a low 106, and his other numbers are not great.

7) Title Ready (12-1) – Wow, a grandson of Personal Ensign. That is quite the pedigree. For those who do not know, Personal Ensign is a legend who completed her career undefeated in 1988 by defeating the Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors in a dramatic stretch drive. As for Title Ready, he is improving and ran a credible fourth in the Ohio Derby, earning a 122 TimeformUS Speed Figure. He needs to repeat that number at a minimum to score in this spot. Expect him to lay around third or fourth and get first run. He can make the trifecta interesting.

 

8) King Zachary (6/5) – His morning line is low. Very low. This horse only owns one fast race, when he picked up a nearly five-length victory in the Matt Winn (G3) over such horses as Tiz Mischief and the promising Ax Man. Before the Matt Winn, King Zachary barely won an allowance by a half length at Churchill Downs, and lost by over 13 lengths in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct. But if he repeats the Matt Win effort, then he probably wins in this spot. It is just hard to trust him alone.

9) Funny Duck (10-1) – He sure looks like a horse who loved slop when he won the Pat Day Mile (G3). Once he reverted back to fast dirt in the Matt Winn, he finished fourth and lost by 13 lengths, in a six-horse field. The 119 TimeformUS Speed Figure from the Pat Day win is good. Can he duplicate it on fast dirt though? It is nice to see Seattle Slew as the damsire, and maybe the Matt Winn was an off race.

Handigambling ($100)

$50 Win/Place - #7 Title Ready (12-1)

(To be clear though, King Zachary, Trigger Warning and Dark Vader can win too.)

 

Handicappers Corner: Belmont Derby Invitational (G1)

Hunting for the Belmont Derby Winner

By: Michael Amo, ThoroFan Chairman

This Derby with a purse of $1,200.000 presents an evenly matched field of nine horses. The purse structure will payout to the first eight with a range of $650,000 for winning to $24,000 for finishing eights. 

All indications are the weather in New York will be perfect for the race. The turf course this week has been even with winners coming just off the pace. 


The two European invaders, Hunting Horn (Ire) and Kingstar (Fr) will have a weight advantage based on previous races. Hunting Horn trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore tries Lasix for the first time. 

Here is the field:

    1.   Channel Cat (English Channel) picks up 5 lbs. and will be coming-off-the-pace. He has met three others in the race and was not successful. One of Pletcher’s two horses and keeps Luis Saez up.

    2.   Encumbered (Violence) is a California horse that last tried the Penn Derby with little luck. Retains jockey Mario Gutierrez. Tried the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf but was embarrassed by Mendelssohn. Hard to expect much better here.

    3.   Analyze It (Point of Entry) should be on the early lead for this Inner Track event. Will try to take them wire-to-wire. The tougher company may deny him this strategy. Yet with the combination of Chad Brown and Jose Ortiz anything can happen.

    4.   Hunting Horn (IRE) (Camelot -GB) seems to be improving at the right time. Has been running the distance on the turf of recent. He has deep turf breeding. Will benefit with the use of Lasix for the first time.

    5.   Maraud (Blame) is the son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Blame. He is stepping-up in class but comes from a strong barn with their go-to-jockey, Johnny V up. Based on PPs he will likely have trouble with the 10-furlong distance. Although he gave weight in the Penn Derby to the winner, Hawkish, he should have shown better. May be patterning in the wrong direction.

    6.   Kingstar (Fr) (Evasive-GB) is one-for-one in 2018 on the French turf winning that one off a long layoff. All his races have been on a soft turf which require some adjustment here if wants to win. Coming up in company with only 3 races in his PPs. Hard to predict.

   7.   Catholic Boy (More Than Ready) won an inner turf race at Belmont. Stretches out another eighth of a mile which may be his fall from grace. Retains jockey Javier Castellano who has shown he can get this one to the Winner’s Circle. Dangerous and the likely favorite.

    8.   Hawkish (Arti Schiller) was impressive in the 8-furlong Penn Derby, but looks like any farther will be too much for him. Yet if he can stay with the field, he has the ability to kick home at the end. Could be the exotics.

    9.   My Boy Jack (Creative Cause) owns the other 10-furlong experience with Hunting Horn, albeit in the sloppy Kentucky Derby. Hasn’t tried running on turf since November of last year at Delmar. His turf experiences have been on California turf courses which play much differently that what he will experience Saturday.

 
There will be an honest pace on the inner turf course, with a slight advantage to inside-speed-horse. However, this advantage should dissipate after 8-furlongs. Horses too far back will have trouble closing the gap created by the speedsters. The winner is likely to come out of mid-pack as the field turns for home. Expect Analyze and Catholic Boy to set and try to control the pace. Maraud may try to push these two, but only for a while. Hunting Horn should be well positioned to make a move in the stretch, as will Kingstar, Hawkish and My Boy Jack. Hunting Horn should get to the wire first with the other three scrambling for 2^nd and third.

Here is how they should finish:

    1.   Hunting Horn (GB) (4)

    2.   Hawkish (8)

    3.   My Boy Jack (9)

    4.   Kingstar (6)

Handigamble play ($100):

$.50 Trifecta Box –4,6,8 & 9 ---$12

$40 win and place on # 4  ------$80

$2 Trifecta Key –4 over (8,9) over (6,8,9) -- $8

Good luck but keep the day job.