Dear
Readers,
As promised, I am back to the horse
races. Got to looking at this race a little late and before I get this posted on the blog, the horses may
already be headed for the gate. But here you go, this is The Fountain of Youth, a
GII race at Gulfstream Park.
I
took a quick look at all the horses, and here is an equally quick comment
section. I have bold typed the names of the horses I think will be most in
contention in this race.
Commissioner – out ran
Top Billing in Commissioner’s last race. This colt is lightly raced and impressive.
We Miss Artie – likes to stalk the speed,
got in lots of trouble in the Breeders Cup. He definitely needed his last race
and is always game in the lane. He’s a high headed runner, which is not my favorite running style. Gut wrenching photo
finish in his last.
Medal
Count – At first glance he seems to in over his head, but then again, you never know.
Wildcat Red –
Speed, lots of speed, but can stalk the pace up close. Lost a photo to General
A Rod. Another gut wrenching photo finish.
General A Rod –
Running himself fit against tough company. Won the photo over Wildcat Red.
Another gut wrenching photo finish.
Casiquapo
– Beat a long way in Delta Downs Jackpot Stake.
C. Zee –
Beat pretty handily by Wildcat Red in the Hutcheson.
Almost
Famous – Is definitely going to be first or second in the early stages.
Best
Plan Yet – Looked good running in restricted stakes. Last two outs tell a tale, however.
Our
Caravan – Looks to need more seasoning against easier company than this.
Hesinfront
– Not sure why this horse is in this race. It would be a surprise if he won.
Top Billing – Let’s
see….hmmm. Okay he’s got a great trainer, one who is known to have a lot of
depth in his stable. He’s got a pedigree to die for. On the down side, he hasn’t
hooked up with top company yet. But then again, there is speed in this race and
he should be coming at the end.
East Hall
– Has the most experience in this race, he’s just not one I would choose to
outrun the top flight horses he's up against in here.
So
then, who do I pick?
In his
last race, Top Billing looked to me like
he didn’t like the dirt in his face, early on, especially when the field was
bunched up in front of him. He looked amazing rounding the turn for home. He
was very wide and looked like he could go off and win by ten or more lengths.
Then coming down the lane he went to looking around, jumping up and down and
still he won by almost three lengths.
Wildcat Red, We Miss Artie and General A Rod, I can’t separate them. Each is a very nice horse and also extremely
game. They all have great futures in front of them, and I wouldn’t be surprised
if any one of the three finished on the board.
But if
I was going to put my two dollars to work, I think I would go place it on Commissioner, lightly raced, and he
outran the horse that will probably be the horse favored to win—Top
Billing.
In
conclusion, this race is so tough, I can’t give an opinion as to how they will
stack up. I can’t give you a first, second and third order of finish. If one
horse goes off and wins by many in this field, he will definitely be eyeing the
road to the Kentucky Derby, and that I can say with certainty.
Take
care,
Shelley
Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
No comments:
Post a Comment