Smart School Cap – Grade III

PP

ID

Horse

Owner

Jockey

Odds

Preview

1

89242

FAPPABURST

sarava02

B Roberts

11/1

4yo scratch bred by Coronado’s Quest.  Not much to work with as far as distance.  Colt has one condition left and has been a sprinter miler most of career.  However, the two 9 panel races he has been involved in have produced a win and placing.  One of the races happened to be A G3 in which he ran against some solid company and placed 3^rd.  As far as current form goes, we can throw out his last as an experiment on grass.  This also works well as a turf to dirt ploy that is very successful with some horses.  Knowing this trainer’s ability to get his horses ready, this colt stands a good chance to run well here.  Jock is a decent sort and should give a good ride.

2

96600

RAINBOW POINT

cincinman

J Jacobson

37/1

4yo with only 5 races under his girth.  Scratch bred with very nice blood and looking for a three peat.  Has done nothing but improve in his short career so far.  Longest shot in the field because of his inexperience and still eligible for NW3L.  Trainer is very excited about his future and has a right to be.  However, this is a tough spot to try and make a big impression.  Let’s wish the colt well, but a “bounce” looms.

3

92642

SENSATIONALIZE

dixiedotco

BA Ryan

6/1

A.P. Indy scratch bred 5yo that is a proven G1 winner at the distance.  Won the Oaktree Handicap as a 4yo and has been competitive in graded events since then.  However, running at this level for such an extended period of time has dulled his will to win.  He is now eligible for NW1n.  No telling what the horse will do here, but if not well, he should go back to stomping an allowance field to gain some confidence back.  Actually, after getting whipped by Otto Causes and Fly for Buda in his last, this may look like an allowance fieldJ

4

36386

SEEKING THE BRAVE

burnin

T Bay

10/1

8yo warhorse who still gets his jollies whipping up on lesser.  Loves the distance and in his “heyday” would have no problem with these.  With this being his 65^th start, a win here looks unlikely, but one has to root for the old boy.  Just as a side note, trainer has some very nice broodmares which should produce many “brave” ones.

5

96515

CRISTAL TIME T(IRE)

yearoft

V Naugle

17/1

Long winded 4yo that can run forever.  Out of an “E” rated mare that loved the grass.  She has produced one graded winner, but her other progeny have yet to be of that caliber.  This colt is an honest type that yearns for longer.  It appears that by the time he wants to run this will be over.

6

20922

NEW YORK THUNDER

seppy

J White

3/1

6yo out of a “G” rated he/she mare going into his 52^nd race.  He has been knocking on the door in his last four races and is favored here.  He’s lost a step or two in the W and T department, but still has much energy.  He has come sooo close to winning a graded event but never has.  When looking at his record, it’s amazing that he hasn’t!  His SP’s indicate he is much better then most of these, but that thing called “class” keeps getting in the way.  Will he forever be a bridesmaid at this level?

7

88265

TREAD PATTERN

gerbil

T McGriggs

10/1

Out of a “B” rated mare this 5yo usually tries hard in every event.  Shoots a big number now and then in restricted stakes, but does much better in allowance company.  This off and on tendency is hard to figure, but class will show here.  With more the experienced horses in this field, it looks like “off” may be in the picture.

8

92008

SITH

lurve

C Winter

5/1

5yo Forty Niner scratch bred that appears to be sitting on a big race.  Won a G3 at 10 panels three back.  Last two races have been good preps leading to what looks like an all out effort here.  The horse is lightly raced and is maturing at the right time.  This appears to be his breakout year.

9

104073

POWERSLAVE

zwylde

C Kubiak

8/1

Deputy Minister scratch bred wants to break the bonds of slavery!  5yo has done well at the distance on the front end; and probably will shoot out of the gate with that in mind.  Hasn’t been OTM in last six and now has designs on proving he belongs here.  Stakes tries to this point haven’t shown much, but trainer has a plan.  With two entries in this event, and two different running styles, one horse sets up the other. Right?

10

89736

MYLEDES(IRE)

ets9

L McNeil

9/2

Everyone’s dream…former claimer that is competitive at stakes level.   Although competitive and winning are two different matters.  Highly touted here by CPU because of strong SP figures.  This Grand Lodge 5yo has a chance to fulfill the “dream”, but must show he can walk the walk.  If he can get loose on the front end, he has a chance here.  Must not get into a speed dual or he’ll be a target in the stretch. 

11

10897

WOETTE’S RIDGE(IRE)

titje

B Dickerson

13/1

First visit to the U.S. after lengthy tour across both ponds.  Started career playing the lawnmower and since switched to dirt he has awakened to new career as bulldozer.  Perhaps that is an overstatement, but the colt has found a life style that suits him better.  It certainly would be better if this were a bit longer.  With his deep closing ability and a sharp win in his last, he has a good shot here.  The move to the States is a good one in any event, because of more dirt opportunities.

Very tough call here.  Going for an exacta box…6-8-11