SCOOBS CONNECTION and JOURNEYMAN to fight out the Barkley Handicap

Hello and welcome to Northern calafornia for today’s running of the grade 3 Barkley Handicap (2811.2915) to be run over a mile on fast dirt for all horses 3yo and up for $150,000 with horses such as POLITICAL PATRIOT, SCOOBS CONNECTION, BUBBLE TOES and ROBERT THE BRUCE all trying to move up the rankings it will cracker of a race so let’s take a look at the form guide and try to pick the winner!
PP1
HIGH RAISER Current Owner: wiz4 APTITUDE x DEPUTY MINISTER x DIXIELAND BAND 10/1
This horse has never won at graded or stake level but did place in the Gravestone Cap-G3 only 4 starts back. This year HIGH RAISER has not quite been up to that level but did win an allowence last start over 9 furlongs with an sp of 103 but I can’t see him winning this.
PP2
GENERAL K. MAMBO
Game Dam : GENERAL’S DAUGHTER Current Owner: general KINGMAMBO x SADLER’S WELLS x SMARTEN 10/1
Exciting prospect looking to make the next step he has only been placed at stake graded level but has ran speed ratings of 100+ in his past 5 races and will be in the finish again this time. Jockey K Dodds is on fire this season and could prove to be the difference in getting that graded win he has a good chance at nice odds.
PP3
JOURNEYMAN
Based On : A. P. DEPUTY Current Owner: kiri SEEKING THE GOLD x A.P. INDY x DEPUTY MINISTER 5/1
very lightly race 6yo who was a winner of THE Hoserhead Juvenile-G1 as a 2yo. So far this season he has won an allowence and then ran 2 2nd placings at stake and graded level with very high speed ratings of 110 and 111. The only doenside is that jockey R Fisher has only 2 wins this season. Still a good chance.
PP4
THE PEDRO FACTOR(IRE) Current Owner: pedro1975 SCENIC(IRE) x ELA-MANA-MOU(IRE) x UNFUWAIN 9/1
This horse has been in fantastic form of late winning The DECEMBER PROSPECT Cap-Stk and The SON DOC Cap-Stk in his last 2 starts. one of only 2 horses in this stable THE PEDRO FACTOR(IRE) is racing for the 6th time already this year. if he can keep racing the way he is I would consider him a good chance.
PP5
POLITICAL PATRIOT Current Owner: focusforce MACHIAVELLIAN x DEPUTY MINISTER x STORM BIRD 10/1
Very successfull stable that has a a strike rate on winning about 1 in 7 looking for another victory with POLITICAL PATRIOT who is droping back in distace after a disapointing run last start in The MINSTREL TRADING Stakes-Stk. I think the best distance for this horse would be over 10 furlongs but with in for jockey C Winter riding you would have to consider him a chance.
PP6
SCOOBS CONNECTION Current Owner: lilscoobi DANZIG CONNECTION x RUBIANO x NEARCTIC 6/1
Winner of the Earle Sande-G1 2 starts ago with a speed rating of 112 this son of DANZIG CONNECTION would be favorite if not for the poor showing in the Pablo Cruz Handicap-G3 last start. He has still been racing in consistant form with his last five races all reaching over 100 on the speed figures. He has the top jockey at the moment J White riding and will be hard to beat.
PP7
JUPITER BULL Current Owner: 3mstable BID HIGHER x BUSTED(GB) x WHAT A PLEASURE 18/1
8yo horse making his way up the rankings winning his last 3 races with career best figures around the 100 mark. This is his first race at graded level and his only run in a stake was a couple of years ago where he ran 11th. Has the in form jockey B Roberts in the sadle but I would wait to see if she can handle the class. Put him you trifectas.
PP8
STUDIO REMIXED T Current Owner: crow GONE WEST x BLUSHING GROOM(FR) x CREME DELA CREME 16/1
Former 3 time stake winner who is looking to recapture old form, he has not hit the 100 speed figure for a long time but the step up in distance might be a good move. I think the trainer is biting off more than he (or she) can chew and should try to get the form back in easier races. Not for me.
PP9
BUBBLE TOES
Based On : EVIL GOLD Current Owner: inhalers APTITUDE x JAVA GOLD x MACHIAVELLIAN 8/1
Another top stable that wins 1 in 6 looking to improve their record even more by running this 4yo APTITUDE colt. This 4 time stake winner is racing in very good form and 2 3rd placings in his last 2 starts with ratings of 111 and 105 will also put him in the finish in this race. L McNeil in the saddle is a huge coup of the stable will run a good race.
PP10
ALZAO MISSED Current Owner: slewsback2 ALZAO x MISWAKI x FABULOUS DANCER 21/1
Small stable of just 3 looking to take home the bacon. but I can’t see them winning this race or even running a place. ALZAO MISSED is comming off a poor 9th in The DECEMBER PROSPECT Cap-Stk and before that he was 13th in a 6 furlong allowence, he is just out matched.
PP11
SENOR SAM(IRE) Current Owner: roberto BLACK SAM BELLAMY (IRE) x EL GRAN SENOR x SHAREEF DANCER 13/1
Won the Maxxed Platinum Plate Cap-G3 it his first race this season but since then has been running poorly not making the top 5 in his past 3 races This son of BLACK SAM BELLAMY (IRE) is going to have to be in or close to the lead if he is going to figure in the finish of this race I can’t see him winning.
PP12
ROBERT THE BRUCE Current Owner: dioscuri MT. LIVERMORE x ROBERTO x IN REALITY 11/1
winner of the Copenhagen Cup-G2 last year has been racing o.k this season without winning. Last start he ran 3rd in the The ENDLESS PENGUIN Challenge-Stk and before that he ran a sixth in the Earle Sande G1 and in both races rated over 103 so I think he is a place chance.
PP13
GIANT’S WAKI(IRE)
Based On : GUAPO WOOD Current Owner: julian GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE)x MISWAKI x NASKRA 10/1
This is the oldest hores in julian’s stable and he has been running very well of late winning 3 in a row including The ENDLESS PENGUIN Challenge-Stk and the Winchester Cap-G3 with speed figures around the 106 mark this horse might well prove very hard to beat and is at good odds I rate him a chance but I expect he will need to run a 110 sp to win this
PP14
CROWN ME KING
Game Dam : SEEKING D’MUSIC Current Owner: thebear20 HOLD THAT TIGER x SEEKING THE GOLD x DYNAFORMER 12/1
Another horse who has been racing well but just has not got the job done in stakes race but he did run his career best speed figure 106 last start in an allowence over 7 furlongs I will be interested to see if he will be suited by the extra distance but I think he may top out at 7 furlongs so I’ll just put him in trifectas.

Well after all that I think 11 horses have a chance to run in the top 3 but I only think 2 can win and the bookies have almost got it right. I’m going to go with SCOOBS CONNECTION to beat JOURNEYMAN and the reason for that is the difference between the jockeys. If you wish to take a trifecta try this 3,6-2,3,4,5,6,9,12,13-2,3,4,5,6,7,9,12,13,14 but I think you should stick with the top 2.