South Florida Mile-G3
A field of 11 has drawn in for the Grade 3 South Florida Mile worth $150,000. Ten of which will be trying to gain an elusive graded win, but to do so would mean beating previous juvinelle turf star Yeah I Said It who is making his first graded turf try since his 2 yr old year in 2011.
The four year old colt spent the majority of his 2012 season on the dirt with the highlights being back to back listed victories. Winner of just once in four tries at a mile trainer biggredd is encouraged enough off an allowance and listed placing to try grade 3 company again. In his first effort against older in the listed Sjeng Schalken Turf Dash last time out he made a strong run, but ran out of room posting a 106. Odds makers have forgotten his back class and will be a surprise to re-introduce himself to the winner circle at a morning line of 12/1.
Favoritism will fall to one of two main rivals. Rowdy Storm or Party on Garth, but listed at 4/1. Rowdy Storm is another horse making his first venture into graded stakes since a 2 yr old campaign. This guy is coming of a workman like listed win at this distance, but will be getting bet heavily because of his efforts last year where he rattled off 5 consecutive 110+ efforts. Party on Garth is making his graded stakes debut on the weekend after the cast of Wayne’s World had a 21st anniversary party. Garth has only three starts on turf, but they include a 1, 2, and 3 in listed competition including a dazzling 112 wire effort two back.
A group of six others fall between 6/1 and 9/1 odds and make up the bulk of the field. Frankster stables sends out a pair in this group out from the outside. Eskidoro has found a sweet spot in turf miles running 105, 108 and 109 in three efforts with two victories; however he has yet to win in stakes competition on the grass. Duke of York ran a solid 5th in this event last year, and followed that up with a graded placing on grass. However he too hasn’t won anything more than an allowance on the sod. Bemusement is coming off back to back strong efforts and has a lifetime best of a 111, good enough to win here. Dubawi Cadet another in this grouping coming off a sharp allowance win and victories in four of last 5 turf routes. Cry in the Desert is skipping the listed step all together after two powerful allowance wins in his last three, top fig 112. Rounding out this grouping is former claimer Silence Please has a lifetime best of a 109 making him an outside shot.
The rest of the field includes: 14/1 shot Wings of Flame who has some serious class questions. But the biggest longshot of them all is 53/1 3 yr old Magma Wave. Most punters feels its too early to take on older competition and this colt has only broke a triple digit once. Way out classed in this field.
Top Selection: Party On Garth