Dear
Readers,
As promised, here are my thoughts on
the one-mile and one-eighth (GIII) Sunland Derby at Sunland Park.
1.
Bourbonize – This
horse looks like a grinder to me, he gets into one gear and stays there, if the
speed slows down, he’ll be grinding along passing tiring horses. I watched the
replay of the Southwest Stakes and he didn’t seem to have any excuses.
2.
Garen –
Lightly raced and he looks like he’s getting smarter with each race. He has speed, but is it stake race level speed?
3.
Commissioner – Fabulous
pedigree, great connections, but what happened in the Fountain of Youth Stakes?
He didn’t look uncomfortable. It didn’t look like he got in trouble. He looked
like he got outrun. Blinkers on. (Stalker?)
4.
Global
Strike – He’s got speed, and he’s getting better with each race.
This race looks like a good spot to find out what they’ve got. (Speed)
5.
Tanzanite
Cat
– This horse likes to run on the front end, and this race is setting up so he’ll
have a lot of company contesting that lead. I wonder what would happen if they
tried taking him back off the pace setters. (Speed)
6.
Lawly’s
Goal
– Would be a surprise.
7.
Midnight
Hawk
– Hooked a monster in the San Felipe. This horse has speed,
but I don’t think he has to have the lead. Very Impressive.
8.
Rebranded – This
colt is familiar with the course and has run two good races over the surface. I
can see why they entered him, but I think the California invaders are going to
be really tough. (Speed? /stalker.)
9.
Chitu –
Fabulous race in Robert B. Lewis Stakes (GII) and his first time going around two
turns. (Speed)
Wow, this race is
setting up to be a cavalry charge. They can’t all be in front. I really like Chitu to be there at the finish. I
think I would take a flyer on an exacta box with Global Strike and Chitu.
If I was willing to fork over the money on a Tri-fecta, I would have to throw
in Midnight Hawk. I don’t like the
way Commissioner ran in the Fountain
of Youth, so I can’t use him.
I still
think Midnight Hawk can stalk the leaders,
so he could be the choice if there is a suicide pace. I love speed, so this
race is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
Take care,
Shelley Lee Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown
Adventure
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