Commonwealth Stakes Feature Horses for Courses
By: Laurie Ross, IMTBreds
Three entrants have previously
competed over Churchill sod. Hot Springs is three for three, and Year of the
Kitten won his only start. Zero Gravity placed in one of two starts.
Let’s review the contenders.
Horses for Courses
#7 HOT SPRINGS (2-1) has won
three of six-lifetime starts, and all three victories were over the Churchill
lawn. The son of Uncle Mo captured his last start, the 1 1/8-mile Jefferson Cup at Churchill, and is making his third
start off the layoff for trainer Steve Asmussen. Strong Win Contender.
#6 YEAR OF THE KITTEN (15-1)
captured his debut over the Churchill lawn last year around this time with
Corey Lanerie aboard. Since then, Year of the Kitten has only won a claiming
race at Saratoga but placed in the
Rushaway Stakes earlier this year. Lanerie hasn’t been aboard the son of Kitten’s
Joy since the colt’s debut, but the two reunite here. Wild Longshot Play.
Class of the field
#4 MARCH TO THE ARCH (5-2) placed
ahead of Hot Springs in the Saranac Stakes (G3) two starts back. Last time out,
he just missed in a blanket finish in the Hill Prince (G2), finishing fourth,
beaten a head and neck for third. The bay gelding cuts back in distance from his usual 1 1/8 miles but is capable of winning at shorter
distances. Strong Win Contender.
Making up the exotics
#3 SNIPER KITTEN (7-2) was
out of his league in the Secretariat Stakes two races ago and ran out of oats in the Caesar’s
Stakes at Indiana last out. Mike Maker gave the colt a light break, and he’s
ready to get back on course. His prior record says Sniper Kitten fits here, but
he’ll need to step up his game to beat the top pair.
#1 RERIDE (4-1) won an allowance over soft turf last year but has been off the board in two subsequent
turf starts. Career-wise, he’s been all over the board, from allowance races to
graded stakes. He may find his niche as a sprinter-miler in restricted/listed
stakes. Note that he’ll likely play catch
me if you can from the rail spot, but may be
hounded by Marzo.
#2 MARZO (12-1) showed
nothing last year in two starts for the Pletcher barn. After being off for
close to a year, Marzo surfaced in Ben Colebrook’s barn and has hit the board in
two of three starts. Marzo takes on
stakes company for the first time, and this lightly raced colt may contest the
lead. So far, his speed figures are
lower than the more experienced colts, but he has the most room for
improvement.
#6 ZERO GRAVITY (8-1) took
his sweet time finding his way to the winner’s circle, finally getting his
picture taken in his seventh start. Since then, he’s finished second by a neck
and just missed second place, beaten a
head by Reride, in an off the turf allowance at Keeneland.
Ehhh.
SELECTIONS
It doesn’t look like there will be surprises
here, but that’s why they run. Hot Springs loves the course and can get a good trip from the
outside. Even if floated wide, he’s cutting back from 1 1/8 miles and is fit
enough that it shouldn’t matter.
March to the Arch is the class of the field and has won over multiple
tracks. He’ll sit back and make one run.
Marzo has the most upside, but he’ll likely contest the pace.
Sniper Kitten can sit anywhere and make a run & fits with
these.
HANDIGAMBLING
Probably a chalky race, so you don’t
want to bet $2 to get back $2.10. Exotics may be the best bet.
$10 exacta box: #7, #4, #3 = $60
$5 exacta box: #7, #4, #2 = $30
$10 for a mint julip
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