Road To The Blugrass- The $1.5 Million Arkansas Juvenile
Road To The Blugrass- The $1.5 Million Arkansas Juvenile
Arkansas(AR) | Saturday, April 11, 2015 | 3:00 PM EST
Grade I | $1,500,000 | 3 Year Olds | 9 Furlongs | Fast Dirt
UNO FORTUNE(1) didn’t deliver in the Felipe Alou G2, seeming to be a non-contender. On the other hand, it would appear that he was making an effort to close after the 3rd call. If you were an optimist (or lenny) you would say that the son of MACHO UNO did appear to win the Danzig With Sal Dirt Route Stakes with some noticeable ease. But as I am supposed to be indifferent, I’ll say that he has a fair shake at 10-1.
BULBDINI(2) tried for the front last time in the All Saints Derby Prep but was shot down, forcing him back the entire race making him a non-factor. In the Good Cow G3 on Febuary 7, he got his way and stayed well only slipping slightly at the end back to 2nd. This is the third race of the BERNARDINI colt’s 3 year old season, and hopefully lordpye’s stern words will smarten up jockey J Biagi this time at 8-1.
FATAL’S EMPIRE(3) came out swinging in his second stake start last time, beating ‘em in record fashion- the record being his own 110 speed figure. I must say that I was impressed with the EMPIRE MAKER colt’s last race, he really showed some promise. If he wins this one I see no reason that he can’t be a real contender in the Bluegrass for fb Stables. He’s 7-1.
UNDERSTEER TED(4) was led by jockey R Rickford to what one might call a perfect trip last time, leading to his acquisition of his ‘Stake Winner’ badge. He also finally cracked 100 in the SP# column, with a 103. However, some doubt comes up when one sees that he was swamped in the Sam’s Town Delta Jackpot G3. On the other hand, his last race was fairly convincing, so I’m undecided on the son of UNDERSTATEMENT in this one, at 17-1 for tysyndicate.
EXCELLIR(5) is um… Interesting? Owner leestroyer was so confident in this horse’s breeding, that he started him in a stake race. Clearly he has a bond with his owner, as he would not allow them to look overconfident, as he won his race. Then he won again, and again. Is he unstoppable? Not so much as he finally put the BERNARDINI colt in a G3 an he lost by only a neck.His most recent triumph was the Entrails Flying Stake which he won by 2. He’s a horse unlike any other I’ve seen. I feel like he’s got a good shot on Saturday despite him being 11-1.
AWESOMISM(6) has a great name. In his last start, he was second by only a length and a quarter in The Buccaneer Derby G3. However, he’s actually only won a maiden race. Despite this he looks great, never finishing worse than 3rd, and never more that 4 lengths behind. This is another who was started in a stake, though it was more of a residency competition. The horse hasn’t hit his peak yet, and he’ll be superb when he does, but for now he is 12-1 for raceck.
PUBLIK APPEARANCE(7) tried out turf in his past two races, winning an allowance, but finishing 4th by 3/4 in the Forty Wool Turf Route Stakes. Wait… 13-1? That’s an insulting price for the son of DISTORTED HUMOR. Back on the dirt, he was 5th by three and a half in the Movieland Futurity G1 which was loaded with talent. In the Sparkling Wine Stakes G1 he missed by just 2 lengths. This horse is just waiting to explode, and Saturday may very well be the night. Trainer xledwith06 should be emptying his bank account on odds of 12-1.
CITY BIRD CADET(8) was in the running in the All Saints Derby Prep G1 but was still back 3 lengths at the wire, in sixth. In his penultimate race, the Sleepy Fan G2, he was only a length back at the wire. With a small distance extension and perhaps a slight change in riding style could get the job done for the son of CITY ZIP. If nuthouse ordered jock V Gardner to be a little more agressive, he could get the job done at 7-1.
BLUE GATORADE(9) has had some trouble. Since his 3/4 length 2nd place finish in the Legoland, dochman5 has put him in to G2s. In neither of which he came close, finishing 10th by 13 and 11th by 15 in each. Jockey A Scheper hasn’t been doing him any favours either. Considering the son of STAY THIRSTY can’t win a stake, I simply don’t think he’s cut out for this. 13-1 is an underlay.
MR. AD(10) took The Buccaneer Derby last time on the good dirt. While the son of AD INFINITUM looks sharp, he’s 12-1. I mean, before the Buccaneer Derby he took the Amad Deal Dirt Memorial, I don’t see many faults to this horse besides the lack of G1 experience. T Loesch will get the ride for the first time for shortplay.
READY TO TRAVEL(11) came pretty close in the Felipe Alou G2, after the switch to top jockey T Ace. Although, the some of MORE THAN READY was unable to get a stakes win before that- and therefore still doesn’t. He did grab a 107 speed rating last time though, which probably aided stockswami4’s decision to out him in this race. He’s got an okay chance here, and jockey T Ace certainly doesn’t make his odds higher (which are 12-1).
ALL RANKED UP(12) started his derby campaign 2 weeks ago in the All Saints, in which he wasn’t the best. In his penultimate start, however, he did take the Risen Star G3. The son of MIDSHIPMAN already has two G3 victories under his belt. Though the two G1s in his career do bother me, they were both very tough races, while this one is a little lighter. He shows some value at 8-1.
THE HORSE GATE(13) took the Journeyman Dirt Route Stakes last time, in record 108 SP# fashion. Trainer sansa gave him the green light for the Arkansas after seeing that number. I’m not sure on this one though. He hasn’t had a taste of graded stakes action before, and the SCAT DADDY colt may be overwhelmed. We’ll see if he can keep up to his speed rating here at 9-1.
ALY HARBOR(14) was actually claimed for 25k back in November gowanspa in November. I have no idea why catalina would put him in any claimer, as the son of ROCKPORT HARBOR was tearing it up on the dirt at the time, and continues to now, as he just notched his first G3 victory in the Rebel Yell. The horse looks great and was a superb claim from gowanspa. He’s 10-1.
MY SELECTIONS
1- PUBLIK APPEARANCE #7
2- MR. AD #10
3- EXCELLIR #5
Longshot Play- READY TO TRAVEL 12-1