Tons of speed in the Grade III South Bronx

It is a full field what we have for the Grade III South Bronx, one of the undercards this weekend in chilly New York. The race is for three year olds running a distance of seven furlongs over the fast main course:

1. DELIGENCE (10-4-1-0) – Fast colt who has shown great affinity for the seven furlongs distance. He is steadily improving with every race and should be part of the early fray in this race, and if he gets a clear lead, he is very dangerous.
2. LUNAR CLEANSING (6-3-1-0) – Since switching to the dirt has shown new life. Needs a hot, contested pace to be able to attack in the final stages of the race. Gets a nice four week freshener and should be in top form for Saturday,
3. DEPUTY GOLDSEEKER (12-3-6-0) – Winner of a minor stakes in his last race. His best showings have come at longer distances, but if he is able to be rated along, he is a force to be reckoned with here.
4. REINE EL GOLPE (GB) (9–2-2-2) – This is another one who should be part of the first flight, and his last race was a lifetime best for him. The seven furlongs can be a little too long for him, but can not be totally discarded.
5. G CODE (10-2-2-0) – Another speedster, and of those we have a ton in this event. His best races have come when he has the lead for the start, something that can be very hard to do here.
6. SOLDIER’S KISS (IRE) (8-3-1-1) – He has a near miss in the Grade II Hutchingson Stakes before his last race, one that we can throw out because it was over an off-track. Should be flying in the stretch and the race set up should be helpful for him. Mayor Player.
7. MONEYGROWSONTREES (9-3-2-0) – Winner of the Grade II Hutchingson Stakes. In his last race he faltered badly in the Louisiana Derby, but that was at eight and a half furlongs. Comes back to the seven furlong distance in which he has excelled, should be in a stalking position from the gitgo and is one of the top choices here.
8. FAPPABURST (10-2-3-0) – Another one who should be coming off the pace. He maybe the most seasoned colt of this field, with appearances in very important races like the Grade I’s Killer Monkey and Florida Derby. The seven furlongs fits him like a glove. My pick here.
9. ASTRONOMICAL UNIT (11-4-3-2) – Multiple stakes winner that has not been able to win beyond six and a half furlongs. However, being still a fresh horse we can not overlook him as a possible winner, but at the ML odds I’ll pass.
10. THANE (6-2-2-1) – Fresh horse and another one who has benefit from a switch in surface. Should be in the top group, but needs to improve in order to have a chance here.
11. WHIRLED CERES (11-3-2-2) – Royally bred colt, minor stakes winner, but so far his SFs fall short against the rest of this field. It is hard to make a case for him against this elite group.
12. FUSAICHI FLYER (11-3-4-0) – Grade III winner early in his career and a hard lucked second in the Grade I Ron Turcotte. However, his best races have come at shorter distances, and there is a lot of speed in this race.
13. PEACE ALLY (5-3-0-0) – Lightly raced talented colt, and he is already a two time stakes winner. He steps up now against graded company, has shown the ability to come from near the pace and the 16-1 ML odds are very juicy for him. The upset pick.
14. GRAN HOPE (10-5-1-1) – Speedster which gets the coveted outside post at the seven furlong marker. This colt is already a three time stakes winner, and has shown great versatility, winning both sprinting and routing. However, although seems redundant, there are other fast horses in here that will make his life pretty miserable.

The picks here: FAPPABURST, PEACE ALLY, SOLDIER’S KISS.

Good luck to all!!