Gr III Early Morning Special
– Early Morning Special –
Grade III Five furlongs on Fast Dirt
of $125,000 for all horses 2yo
With only 4 races to go until today’s main event all heads turn to the parade ring. Entering centre stage are the 13 precocious youngsters due to contest the Grade III Early Morning Special. With 10 of the 13 runners being last start winners and all having won at least 1 race, this will be an extremely close affair. Handicapping this event is proving to be a difficult task for punters and bookies alike. With only 9 points separating 12 of the 13 runners the 2 equal 5/1 favourites to the 2 equal 14/1 “outsiders”.
PP No. 1
BERMUDA
(SPEIGHTSTOWN x SAINT BALLADO x ENVOY)
Owner/Trainer: Super7 Breeder: Topicount
Jockey: D. Givins Odds: 10/1
From the very strong Super Stable, so can be sure he will be fit and raring to go. Bred by one of racing’s pedigree Gurus Topicount. Debuting in Florida over 5.5 furlongs Bermuda stalked the pace until the top of the stretch, before ridden hands and heels he took the lead going to the line under a hard hold to win by an easy 1 1/2 lengths.
Cannot be left out and will be a good chance to add to Super Stables impressive list of Graded winners.
PP No. 2
EARLY SPEED
(MR. GREELEY x CAPOTE x ROMEO)
Owner/Trainer/Breeder: Gipper
Jockey: F. Gossett Odds: 11/1
Comes here with a 100% win record of 2 for 2. After stalking the pace in both his runs he was taken to wire with well timed runs to win by under a length each time. Will have to make history to win here today as no Mr. Greeley offspring has ever won a Graded Stakes.
Winning form is good form, and after improving speedwise in his last race will probably need to improve even further to win here.
PP No. 3
BUSLOAD OF FAITH
(THUNDER GULCH x EVENT OF THE YEAR x PINE BLUFF)
Owner/Trainer: Godbwithu Breeder: Seeyalater
Jockey: C. Gerhke Odds:14/1
Broke through for his Maiden win in Kentucky at his 2nd attempt. However his time wasn’t overly impressive. It should also be noted that top Kentucky jock D. Givins although travelling here to ride today refused the ride in favour of the #1 horse.
Will need to find something extra from his 1st 2 races to trouble these.
PP No. 4
WILD STREETS
(AVENUE OF FLAGS x UNBRIDLED’S SONG x MACHIAVELLIAN)
Owner/Trainer: Metfield Breeder: Mecke
Jockey: B. Vanhorse Odds: 10/1
This guy loves to drop back early and then close hard late. He showed a marked improvement in his 2nd race to breakvhis Maiden after mistiming his finishing burst in his debut. Comes into this race without the services of one of the premier hoops, and B. Vanhorse will not have the luxury of any timing mistakes against this field.
If he can keep improving and his rider can time this powerhouses finishing burst, can be right there at the finish.
PP No. 5
BORICUA WOODMAN
(WOODMAN x SHANTARIAT x BOLD SPHERE)
Owner/Trainer/Breeder: Eljosco
Jockey: C. Culpepper Odds:22/1
Disregard this guy’s debut run on the grass, because he truly showed what he can do at his 2nd race start, where he battled for the lead early before drawing away to win by over a length eased down. Definitely overs in the betting and could prove great value in your exotic bets.
If his last start wasn’t a turf to dirt bounce will frighten some of the more fancied runners especially if given any leeway out in front.
PP No. 6
KINDERGARTEN TED
(KINSHASA x ALYSHEBA x MR. PROSPECTOR)
Owner/Trainer/Breeder: Shanx
Jockey: R. Clink Odds: 14/1
After going wire to wire in his debut race hevcouldn’t get to lead in his follow up race and very quickly threw in the towel over 6 furlongs. Will be looking to lead again here but may not have the early speed to get there.
May be a spoiler to some of the other pace setters, but I doubt he will find mouch down the stretch.
PP No. 7
ERMINGTON WILD
(GRAND SLAM x A.P. INDY x WILD AGAIN)
Owner/Trainer/Breeder: Pigeon
Jockey: H. McCoy Odds: 5/1 (Equal Fav.)
Trainer Pigeon has come here today with bigger fish to catch having Ermington Pegasus one of the favorites in the Feature Race. With Ermington Wild he has a great chance of winning 2 Graded races on the one card. This guy showed a marked improvement last start going on to win in a very respectable 1:11.6 over 6 furlongs in California after his debut 3rd at the same track.
Definite threat here and deserved equal favourite.
PP No. 8
STAPLE IT TOGETHER
(HENNESSY x SILVER CHARM x FORTY NINER)
Owner/Trainer/Breeder: Fairfax
Jockey: F. Chute Odds: 8/1
Impressed his connections and everyone else that saw his impressive debut win over 5 furlongs in Kentucky. Equally he disappointed everyone in his next race when never giving a yelp to finish an easily beaten 7th in his follow up race at the same track.
Will need to dig deep and find the form of his Maiden win, if he does will certainly be right in this race.
PP No. 9
TRUST THE RAIDER
(MALIBU MOON x MR. PROSPECTOR x FULL OUT)
Owner/Trainer: Glennwins Breeder: Oklasooner
Jockey: V. Elliott Odds: 5/1 (Equal Fav.)
Another that has the perfect 2 from 2 record, however this is the 1st time he faces unrestricted opposition. His 1st 2 races being in a residency restricted series. Gets his chance here to step up and prove he can play with the big boys.
Proving he can play with the big boys is about all he has to prove, as he cant do more than win and win he has done, and in fine style at that. A definite chance here!
PP No. 10
SMOOTH TALKING
(APTITUDE x PHONE TRICK x RAHY)
Owner/Trainer/Breeder: Bradyboy
Jockey: P. Haynes Odds: 12/1
Went to the lead and was never headed in his one only race. Although challenged early under vigourous riding he drew away before being eased down late. Has the slowest winning speed of any of the runners here, but who knows what improvement he has still to show?
If he spends his time running and not trying to smooth talk the other horses may surprise.
PP No. 11
THANKYOU COMEAGAIN
(QUINTON’S GOLD x STORM CAT x WHAT’S DAT)
Owner/Trainer/Breeder: Randwick1
Jockey: A. Rolling Odds: 9/1
Won his debut Maiden in fine style, he was in a speed duel early but after 2 cracks of the whip quickly drew away to go and win under a tight hold. Although he only ran 2nd in his next race a 6 furlong allowance in Kentucky he posted the fastest time recorded (80 sp) of any of the 13 runners here.
Definitely has the speed and strength to win today and is my value bet at 9/1.
PP No. 12
SARADAAR
(SAARLAND x BROAD BRUSH x MR. PROSPECTOR)
Owner/Trainer: Paceman2 Breeder: Funster
Jockey: W. McClendon Odds: 7/1
Another that went wire to wire in his debut Maiden win, he was pushed hard all the way never getting further than a 1/2 length lead before eventually winning by a head in a moderate time. I doubt he will get it easy here either if tries to lead.
He will be thereabouts early the question is does he have enough improvement to be still there when it counts?
PP No. 13
DEAL OR NO DEAL
(LANGFUHR x JOHANNESBURG x HALO)
Owner/Trainer/Breeder: Larksfarms
Jockey: J. White Odds: 9/1
Was a nice winner at his only start winning a 6 furlong Maiden without being outstanding. After sitting 3rd at the leader’s girth in the 1st half of the race he challenged hard as they turned for home and gradually drew away down the stretch under strong riding to win by 3/4 of a length.
Another that can certainly make his mark here if can find an improvement from his 1st up effort
What have we learned after reviewing this field of 2 yo colts, only 1 thing – that absolutely any of the 13 runners can join the ranks of Graded Winners. With the amount of improvement that any 2 yo can find at this time of year and also the way they can bounce, selecting the winner with any degree of confidence is virtually impossible. However, I guess I have to have some kind of stab in the dark at it so my selections are:
1st No 11 Thankyou Comeagain
2nd No 7 Ermington Wild
3rd No 4 Wild Streets
with chances to numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13.
“Good Luck and Good Punting” and I will leave you all with today’s words of wisdom
Beware of cyclonic winds that may make pigeons superfluous