Wide-open field for Rantofan Handicap(G3)
Oklahoma– It’s a wide-open contest in this week’s featured Grade 3 $125,000 Rantofan Handicap for sophomore turf colts. Ten colts challenge 8.5 furlongs over a firm grass course. While the race lacks any heavily-credentialed faves, we’ve got more than our share of interesting newcomers……..
On the rail, phantom’s Excellency(AUS) (6/1) switches back from main track. The Exceed And Excel(AUS) son is 1-for-7 lifetime over the green stuff, displaying speedy competitiveness. He’s only made one start around two-turns and that 85 SP# effort was a heartbreaking runner-up performance. Stamina-laden female family suggests he might eventually want more ground. Green at black type level, but this is a soft Grade 3. Look for Excellency(AUS) to gun for the lead or make pace with the frontrunners.
He didn’t care for the 9.5 furlongs LTO, and that should signal a sharper effort this time around from Ojai Toot (6/1). Ojai4keith’s son of Mineshaft has won or placed in 5 of his last 7 stakes attempts. The little guy seems far more authoritative too in short routes, outgaming an 8.5f turf 12-horse field three back pretty effectively with an 88 SP#. I like this colt a lot — he’s got a real dirt pedigree though and finished 1st and 2nd in his two dirt attempts early last season. Has to try a dirt mile soon! There will be a thick pace fray here, so Ojai Toot might get caught up in that, but this guy displays a lot of heart in speed duels. Could be something special once trainer finds his best distance and surface. Extremely well-spotted. Perfect graded debut for the colt.
Johnomally’s Gilded Touch (10/1) boasts two ALW scores from 4 lifetime grass starts. The Touch Gold youngster soured a bit when leapt to the black type level though. Kind of inconsistent and that really doesn’t factor in well at graded level (even for this soft spot). Would need a huge effort to bag this one. I don’t think he’s ready for this level SP#-wise. Closer in the hunt maybe for a minor money position.
By Unbridled’s Song, mardigras’ Unamazingness (4/1) checks in as the field’s very interesting second choice. The colt only made 4 starts last year, but he was Grade 3 placed over the lawn and displayed marked talent over the main track. Green closer attempts first try around two-turns over the lawn. Again, very talented colt so far. Grassy female family with loads of stamina too. Merits serious respect and especially with anticipated pace duel up front (could pick up the pieces). Should enjoy the added sixteenth — inexperience might compromise chances. Definitely for the board at least with this group.
Deelynette sends out two entries in posts 5 and 6 respectively. Midpacker Davey Bear (11/1) broke maiden over grassy 7 panels on second try. Promising, but big leap for the Bernstein-sired youngster. Sam’s Aroma (9/1) also recently broke his maiden, though it took him 4 tries. Good news is that the Burning Roma colt enjoyed that maiden 8.5f distance (87 SP#). The speedster faded late though when stepped up to black type company over same ground. Fair to say that both of deelynette’s colts are honest outsiders. Hard to really gauge their potential effectiveness at this level. Maybe a money postion though for Sam’s Aroma since his last start came after a long layoff. He’s on 5 weeks rest this time around, so maybe a sharper effort will be in the cards.
The best credentialed colt Phyl The Cat (8/1) breaks from lucky post 7. Tom’s Cat Thief son has been in stakes races since breaking his maiden over the grass in his second lifetime start. He was pretty successful to last season, winning the Grade 3 Grand Critter Stakes over a grassy mile as well as a pair of turf sprints. Unfortunately, the stalker had a tough time on DelPenn Champions Day, finishing out of the money to eventual champion Pub Crawl(IRE). I think he’s an overlay. The colt’s proven capable already over a mile — if he can avoid a troubled trip, then definitely count him in the winner’s circle hunt.
Bred for major turf stamina, The Magic Flute(IRE) (6/1) appears promising. The Singspiel(IRE) son is 1 -for-3 around two-turns, winning his first mile stakes effort before a troubled outing at the Grade 1 level. ‘Flute recovered to eventually take a turf sprint ALW and finish 4th after setting the pace in a stakes over 8.5f. This guy’s got a future for trainer diomed, but I really think he’ll need the classic distance and more. Look for an honest effort duking it out in pace battle. Maybe a minor money position before onwards to longer stretches of ground.
Grandera(IRE)-sired Wee Phyl(IRE) (19/1) breaks from the 9-hole. The colt precociously broke his maiden FTO last year over the grass, before going winless over the main track. trainer wee switched him back to the lawn late last year fared well in ALW company. Looks like he suffered an injury in lone stakes start. Has to prove that he belongs with those SP#s. Odds suggest he needs more seasoning before facing this level.
Finally, our racetime favorite Reeshko (7/2) rides a two steakes race win streak into Saturday. Congaree colt flashed his mettle intially over main track last season. Trainer zoshka then tried grass sprints and the colt responded well. His last two victories came over 7.5f, and there’s no reason to believe that he won’t enjoy the extra furlong. Should vie around midpack or thereabouts. The one to beat on paper, and should be there at the wire — he’s got some talent, but must overcome graded hurdle (but so does everyone else in the field too!).
Snowchief’s Picks:
In addition to fave Reeshko, I like three other horses:
Unamazingness has the most promise and closing running style should factor in well with this speed-laden field. Look for him to close with Reeshko.
Phyl The Cat is probably the strongest of the pacesetters/pace pressers. I can see him hanging on for the board.
Ojai Toot could post a mild “upset” — he has the earmarks of a good one. But I like him better trying the dirt again.
Of the others, The Magic Flute(IRE) may grab a piece of purse, but I think he’ll be much better stretching his speed over more ground. Sam’s Aroma should throw sharper race, but has something to prove.
Win: Unamazingness (closer)
Place: Ojai Toot
Show: Reeshko or Phyl The Cat
Good luck to all.