The Grade II Sand Castle Goldolphin Mile – You Might Have SUSPECTED

3 – SHOCKTOPUS – 4 year old son of Distorted Humor looks for his first graded win in the Goldolphin Mile in just his 13^th career start.  The juggler trained colt found himself too far back last time out in the Catch Me If You Can stakes last out at one mile and a sixteenth, but should feel confident returning to a mile where he was fast closing 3^rd in the G3 Khartoum Challenge I two back.  Faces stiffer competition with these, but he’s never been better, and if the pace shakes out his way, could be earning a share of the purse…could surprise

4 – RIPPLE STONE – the speedy son of Rip Van Winkle is no stranger to graded completion despite only 14 career starts.  The bm3 trained colt is making his 15^th graded start despite making only two trips to the winner’s circle.  Goes from turf to dirt for the Goldolphin, but his 0-4 racing record at a mile is cause for concern despite the impressive résumé.  Hard to knock a horse that takes on this kind of workload, and while he will likely do what he does best, earn a share, I won’t back him at the Win windows…earns a paycheck           

5 – HAULING CASH – the 5 year old Awesome Again colt hailing from the chillmac stables has been racing in top form finishing 3^rd in the graded San Valenzuala Breeders Bowl Stakes and Fall Stakes respectively.  The speedy chestnut does his best running on or close to the lead, but will have to challenge in the early stages for control of the pace.  In the money in 15 of 17 starts, he certainly knows how to battle and finish, the question here is will he be able to hold off the late charge that is sure to come from several contenders…must not falter           

6 – INTENTIONS – the tisjuliet trained colt is going to be one of those late closers HAULING CASH will have to fend off in the final yards.  The Candy Ride colt is entering this field off a 3^rd place finish in the G1 Glenn last time closing 5 lengths in the stretch.  Prior start completed a 4 race win streak in the G2 San Valenzuala Breeders Bowl Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth and his running style should not be compromised racing in the shorter mile…chance off best           

7 – WILDCAT WALTZ – the sirivor trained Dansili colt has won four of his last five starts including in the G2 Emirates and G3 Harry Carey Memorial respectively.  Solid miler does his best running in the final stages of the race; however 88% of his career earnings have come over the Turf Course.   Winner of 4 of 6 on the dirt, he is surely capable of a big run here, but one should note none of those dirt wins come at this level of competition…your call

8 – COLORS OF DUBAWI – red flags went up when the 4 year old son of Dubawi bounced badly in the Equinics mile last time out after running a career best in the G3 Pal’s Hope in January.  The atthewire trained colt has rebounded in the past off a poor performance, but that was earlier in his career and his last start has all the earmarks of a colt on a downward cycle…not off last

9 – GETBACKUPAGAIN – the Empire Maker chestnut colt is making his sixth straight graded start, but has been unable to cash in on that celebrated distinction. The willyam trained likely to battle in the early stages of the race. While his best finish in graded and stakes level came in the G3 Hambone in May, he will have to turn in a career best to be a factor here on Saturday…chance off best

10 – OF WHITEHORSE – the 2013 Breeders Bowl Mile winner came up a bit short in the G1 Equinics last time out finishing 4^TH while registering an impressive 115 speed figure.  Prepped in a Hot race at 9 furlongs between those starts, perhaps the result of a training concern from the adrian stables or more likely a return to a training angle used to prep for the Breeders Bowl mile. Expect this Danehill Dancer colt to rebound to top form in the mile and make a good account of himself in this graded feature…gets the respect here

11- MCGIBBLETS –  the padrebi trained 5 year old just missed in the Equinics Mile last time out getting the tail end of the photo while finishing a fast closing third to earn the picture.  Previous was the fastest mile in the career for the Dynaformer colt winning the Grracers Series Mile.  Colt is racing in top form and has never been better.  Expect him to be in another picture on Saturday, only this time it might be in the winner’s circle…dangerous

12 – K’S GORGO – the pompeya trained Distorted Humor colt has certainly been catching the attention of the racing world winning five of his six career starts.  He will be tested for class this weekend making his first graded appearance. Toss out that 10 furlong start back in November, and he has done everything his trainer has asked of him up to this point, so there is no reason why his connections wouldn’t be confident about his chances here…might be this good                       

13 – SUSPECTED – winner of the G1 Equinics and the G2 Jamie Pasqual respectively, all focus will be on the regally bred son of Medaglia D’Oro.  The skunkbarn trained 6 year old is racing in top form and has never been worse than 2^nd in three graded starts at a mile, a stat that should be cause for concern with the rest of this field.  Sits the perfect trip here and should get the jump on the deep closers while strolling past the early leaders…one to beat

14 – BERNARDORO – frankster trained Bernardini colt is seeking his first graded win on Saturday while attempting to overcome the outside post.  Sharpened in a pair of allowance races, the 4 year old chestnut colt has reeled off eight consecutive triple digit speed figures.  The one time Derby hopeful appears to have regained his good form and should be in position to move forward off that last start.   Never worse than second in five starts at a mile, if you are looking for a price look no further…use in exotics