How to Play the Sunshine Forever Stakes
By: John Caro, S. FL ThoroFan Member
Considering the times of our new era and lifestyles, many of
these horses have been on layoffs, and I’m sure trainers have been looking for
a place to run as the summer season begins. And there some good performers in
this group.
I’ll run through these as I see them as contenders.
#9 Social Paranoia (3-1) – Pletcher/Zayas – He’s two
for two at Gulfstream winning the Appleton G3 last out 42 days ago. They have
him listed as late closer P5, but his running lines say he can be versatile,
run with the crowd, track the pace and closes well. He’s my top pick.
#6 Halladay (4-1) – Pletcher/Saez – Saez took him to
the front in his last out here and improved his position. This four-year-old
War Front/Tapit mare mix is ideal for the race and is also two for two at
Gulfstream. It was hard to put him second in my selections with his 2019 ITM
record in all six races and a win to open up this year. Can we get a Pletcher
Exacta?
#11 Admission Office (5-2) – Lynch/Rosario – His
class alone says he’ll be a contender, and his work tab is good given his
layoff. They have been running him longer in classy company, but his last win
was for 80k in an allowance race at Keeneland. I don’t believe he’s at the
right distance, but he has been second in three races here. Rosario has been
hot as of late; maybe he can work out a trip? ITM contender.
Wild Horses….
#7 Hawkish (10-1) – Toner/Jaramillo – This half-million
dollar winner has won and placed her in three races, has very good works over
the turf at Palm Meadows since early March. He seems to do his best when
traveling with the pack and breaks for the lead in or near the final turn.
Jaramillo may be just the guy to help Toner get out of his slump. Logical given
his record.
#12 War of Will (10-1) – Casse/Gaffalione – Liked him
coming up as a contender to the Triple Crown last year, and he captured the
Preakness. After that, it seemed to go awry. He been on a rest for 189 days and
got back to work in February with a lot of bullet works over the grass at Palm
Meadows, including some very hot 57s going five. When ya look at his lines,
he’s a dirt horse? No. He’s a War Front with at Irish mom out of Sadler’s Wells
screams TURF, and he’s been on the turf early in his life. If he can turn this
around, wouldn’t it be great to watch him get older and better? Gaffalione
knows what to do and may surprise.
#4 Aquaphobia (10-1) – Maker/Ortiz, I Jr. – Since
coming to Maker, he’s won one and was going there when the rider lost the whip.
I think we draw a line through that race. Twelve of this seven-year-old’s
fifteen races at this distance were ITM. He won and is 60% ITM here. The
connections give me hope for a good effort. If he goes 12-1 or higher, I’ll
play him to win as part of my bets.
Bombers….
#5 Cullum Road (20-1) – Ignacio/Bravo – Last seen
finishing second and a neck ahead of Admission Office in the Grade 3 River City
at Churchill, he has been steadily working into condition. He’s been over the
lawn here and is one for two. His journeyman jockey will know what to do. I
have to like him personally as he helped my winnings at Kentucky Downs last
fall. He could go off at big odds and help any trifecta play.
#2 Sand Dancer (20-1) – Hills/Meneses – The
connections worry me as their stats are not exactly stellar, but the horse is
interesting. He’s raced the distance eight times with three wins and second
place twice. Can’t put my finger on it, but he shows up at the right price. And
Marcos has pulled off some crazy stuff this season once in a while. Have to put
him under in a trifecta.
#3 El Tormenta (12-1) – Cox/Davis – I think Gail had
a good plan for this guy last out putting him in the Appleton G3 here, but he
pulled post 12 in a field of 12 rushed to the front as he was being pushed
wide. Hard way to go at Gulfstream. He’s a Grade One winner who’s made three-quarters
of a million going off at 44-1. So, who can argue with that? Not me. He is
another that seems logical, and if his odds are right, he should be played as a
win bomber.
The Rest…
#1 Just Whistle (8-1) will be scratched.
#8 Regally Irish (20-1) – Motion/Maragh – Like Graham
Motion and turf on any contest, but the horse has not shown anything that
resembles contender status for this one.
#10 Highland Sky (15-1) – Tagg/Vasquez – This animal
has been going long for most of his career, and the breeding doesn’t show me he
should go those distances. Having said that, he has been a winner at this
distance three times and showed twice in six attempts. His latest claim to fame
is a win against three others in the slop. I can’t justify him in the top
three. Put him in the bottom of a Superfecta if that’s what you like.
Handigambling
Exactas
$2 Exacta Key – 9 & 6 with All = $40
$2 Exacta Key - 9 & 6 with 2,3,5,6,9 = $20
Trifecta
$.50 – 9,6 with 9,6,12,7,4,5,2,3,11 with
9,6,12,7,4,5 = $35
Good Luck
Just Whistle – Answer: Lauren Bacall with Bogart in
To Have and Have Not 1944.
Great Scene – Great Movie at a time when America fought back
against great threats.
You could take in the movie while we are in the pandemic
while we have Social Paranoia as we are on Halladay at the beaches to be a Sand
Dancer ‘cause we have Aquaphobia go to battle this War of Will against El
Tormenta in a Haskish manner. Take Cullum Road to the Admission Office and get
your tickets to freedom from boredom.
No comments:
Post a Comment