The Panhandle Derby
Even though the spotlight is on the Breeders Bowl races down in Florida even with the Hurricane causing chaos we have one of the seasons last graded race for three year olds the PANHANDLE DERBY Grade III over 9 furlongs on firm turf.
A full field of talented three year olds are ready to turn it on in what appears to be a very open affair.
Woette’s Delight(IRE) trained by totje and is showing odds of 16/1.This colt seems to have trained off and he has been out of the winners circle for some time, at his most recent run in the Ark De Triumph he failed to fire. He has been mixing it with the best and will appreciate the drop in class however he will have to be taken on trust that he will improve.
Heidelberg Heights trained by wish is showing 10/1.His last win was a Stakes over 9.5 six starts back but except for his run in the Sim Sports over 12 at GradeI level he has been ultra consistent. At his latest run at this distance and class level he finished fairly to get fourth. He appears to be able to come from the back or sit on the pace and will be ideally suited in this.
Beyer Beware trained by lenny271 and is at 13/1. Last run was below his best but prior to that was the winner of two from three in very smart times. If you forgive him for his poor run last start and he has had a nice rest since then than this bloke should be right in the frame here.
Redsadky trained by Sherwood of Robin Hood fame is at 7/1. This smart colt has really hit his straps he followed a Maiden win first up , than an Allowance, followed by two imposing Stakes wins and didn’t lose any followers with two seconds at GradeI and GradeII. You would have to say this lightly raced colt could turn out to be one out of the box. He loves to be on the pace and only has to run up to his best to be the one to beat here.
O.C. Cohen trained by theoc and is 14/1. Failed over 12 in GradeI at his most recent atart and prior to that ran a credible third over 9 in a Stakes. Likes to be in the lead and may have his work cut out in this one trying to hold a few of these out down the stretch.
Pass The Buck(IRE) trained by kwswps2 sounds like a CIA password is at 8/1. This colt has proven that not only can he win but that he can run smart times. He likes to take a sit just off the pace and then rattle home and he right in the mix for this one and will be hard to beat.
Winter Magic trained by magicflute and is at 7/1. He ran three huge races in a row including a Grde3 win over 8 and than faltered in a Grde3 over7. He turned that around with a smart win in an Allowance over 7.5 and I figure he should be better suited here over the 9 according to his classic breeding. He likes to be on the pace and provided his jockey shows a little patience he will go very close.
Sir Romulus(IRE) trained by jberg and is at 20/1. Since winning an Allowance over a mile four starts back has struggled to hit top form since even though two of those runs were in Grade I’s and were over 10 and 12 furlongs but at his latest run he failed to fire in a Stakes over 9. He may find some of these a little to classy.
Saratoga Storm trained by seppy and is at 10/1.The past five starts have all resulted in placings and all in graded races. His last run over 9 was excectionally good and he finished the race off strongly. The only query could be his times as it has been awhile since he broke one hundred and I figure the winner here will have to record at least 100 to win.
Mr Radke trained by joshua2 and is at 6/1. The favourite for this and with his record deserves to be there. He hasn’t won since winning two Stakes on the trot seven starts back, however he has been turning out in top Graded races since his last win and was not disgraced. The trainer felt that the time had come to give him a short let up and claims he has returned to the barn kicking the doors down, so if he is at his peak he will give them some hurry up here.
Our Star T trained by march2nd and is at 11/1.Winner of an Allowance three starts back over 8.5 then stumbled in a Grade2 over 8 but in a Stakes over 8 ran a good race to collect seconded. Appears to have plenty of ability but he is up against some very classy colts in this race and may find it a little tough.
Giant’s Banjo trained by itsalock must be from the Space Agency and is at 8/1. Four starts back won a Grade I over 8 in smart fashion, since that win has campaigned in three Grade I’s without being at his best. He is another who has been given a short rest and the drop in class will help him here and he is a big danger to all these runners.
Sip Of Saki trained by bjbandit2 bandit by name and bandit by nature and he is at 10/1.Didn’t fire up at his most recent run but who does against
Seeking Sal trained by keryn and is at 11/1.Last start finished strongly over 8 in a Grade2 to get seconded and prior to that won an Allowance over 9. This colt is another at great odds and he can run the times. I expect him to run a bold race and it would not surprise to see him get the money.
There you have it it is too hard for me to try and select a winner. They are a great bunch of colts and the best of luck to all the owners.