“Where’s the Pace?” in PA
In response to the horseracing adage “Pace make the race” one might question here “Where’s the pace?” With mostly closers, and a couple of pace-pressers, among the field of 8, the SPEECH BRUISING Memorial shapes up to be a test of tactics and jockey ability.
PP 1 RED SKY AT NIGHT has been a real workhorse winning 14 of his 54 races for breeder/trainer sjc. Broke his maiden in his debut way back in week 1397. 6 of the 14 wins have been stakes wins, including a strectch of 4 straight early last year. 7 year-old Red Ransom horse has been off form of late, though he might be rounding back into it after a nice 2nd in a full field time-conditioned allowance last time out.2nd longest shot at 9-1 might be an intriguing play in the exotics.
PP 2 QAMBY PUB is a 4yo Cozzene colt who has won 3 of his 14 races for breeder/trainer aussie. Posted his career best SP of 103 last time out finishing 2nd in a NW4L allowance. 2 of his 3 wins have come on the turf. Has tried stakes company 3 times with a 2nd as his best finish. One of several closers in here, though probably not the best one. If he can repeat his last, use in the exotics.
PP 3 VOTE FOR ME has posted a couple of mid-90s SPs in conditioned allowances since coming under the tutelage of new trainer briel and appears to be rounding back into form after 3 lackluster performances on softer footing. Has tried stakes company 3 times with a couple of nice 2nd place finishes. 4yo Cyptoclearance colt is the longshot in here at 19/1 and just might find himself on a lonely lead if he continues his form from his last couple. Might be a threat if he keep the pace slow if he does get the lead.
PP 4 VICTORY ONCE AGAIN took a 2-and-half year sabbatical from racing before resurfacing in the barn of bloodeter. 6-year-old by Victory Speech has won 3 of his 7 races since his return, failing to hit the board only in his last race. One of those wins came 2 back in a turf stakes in Wyoming when posting a career-best SP of 107. Found himself with the early lead for the first time in his career last time out and apparently didn’t like it as he faded to fifth. Look for the same if he winds up having to take the lead, but could be dangerous from just off the pace if someone else decides to be the front-runner.
PP 5 E STREET BAND has been extremely inconsistent lately for breeder/trainer kyhomebred. Another closer, the 5 year-old E Dubai colt has a couple of nice finishes, including a stakes win, in his last 5, but also 6th, 10th, and 14th place finishes. Has hit the board in 12 of his 19 starts on the lawn. Goes off at 5/1 and is capable of winning this if he fires. Iffy proposition with the lack of pace, but decent odds on him if he does get the win.
PP 6 SLURPEE AGAIN goes off as the 5/2 2nd choice for breeder/trainer babybarns. Half of this 5 year-old Miswaki horse’s 8 wins have come in stakes on the green stuff. Has 2 seconds in his first 2 starts this year, posting an impressive SP of 106 last time out. Most of his wins have come with him closing from the clouds, but he does have a couple where he ran closed to the front. Give him a good shot here if he can adapt. Draws 25% jock which can’t hurt.
PP 7 CLASSICUS has 3 stakes wins from his total of 5 for breeder/trainer clmstable. 4 year-old Sky Classic colt hasn’t had much luck since winning a stakes in week 2657, with a show finish 2 back his best in the 6 since then. Yet another deep closer in here. Goes off at 6/1, but with not much pace and his recent form don’t see much of a chance for him here except maybe to fill out the trifecta.
PP 8 MACHIAVELLIAN WAR goes off as the deserving 2/1 favorite, having won 7 of his 12 races since coming to the barn of poppop2. Most impressively, he is on a winning streak of 4 straight stakes. Interestingly, his last non-winning performance came at this track, with this jockey, 5 races back when he failed to get up by a head in the DelPenn Champion’s Day Turf Sprint. Definitely on a roll and the one to beat here.
Analysis Unless one of the longer shots can get the lead and slow the pace, I’ll stick with the horse in best form and the best jock. Not really worth a win bet or even an exacta box, so I’ll wheel a $48 tri with 6/8-6/8-ALL.