Golden Slope fave in Jamaica turf clash
Jamaica– Masterab’s veteran turf specialist Golden Slope (5/2) slightly edges out Itch2’s graded stakes winner Maol Dhomnaigh(IRE) (3/1) for racetime favorite status here in the $40,000 Father Reason Memorial. The duo brings plenty of black type experience to this speed-laden nine furlong turf contest………..
By Seeking the Gold, Golden Slope has won or hit the board in near all of his recent eight outings. The 6yo horse makes his 36th career start Saturday, set to rebound after finishing 5th in the Jennifer Connelly Handicap(G3) earlier this month. Golden Slope closed well in that 9f graded contest, but he couldn’t sustain his final drive down the lane, flattening out in 5th place versus the classy company. The old boy specializes in 9f-9.5f grass contests and it seemed like a perfect spot. Savvy jockey M ‘Cricker’ Chreky (15%) hopes to turn around Golden Slope’s luck. The pair should get just what they ordered too — a fine but not superior speed duel up front. Golden Slope has an honest 1-for-3 off track record.
Maol Dhomhnaigh(IRE) sure is a finger-typing twister of a name, but, boy can the 4yo son of Giant’s Causeway run. The colt won the Irish Immigration Stakes(G3) on Breeders Bowl day last year with a 110 SP# over the yielding surface and, indeed is a perfect 2-for-2 over the mush. ‘Maol D (gosh, what a reporter’s typing nightmare, Itch! LOL!) rode a two-race win streak into that 8.5f contest — the colt went on to finish 6th in the classy DPCD Penn Turf Mile(G1). Fabulous jockey J ‘Jocko’ Selden (28%) has one weeks rest to work with after Maol D-typing-cramp spit out the bit LTO in the Boogity Bear(G3). A bunch of 100 SP#s make for pure class in this group. ‘Maol D-finger-dinger must prove he can stretch out successfully to 9f Saturday. Whew!
Dundey2 asks E Dema (6/1) to step up to the black type level. The 5yo son of Aptitude has won 3 of his last 5 allowances from 8.5f to 10f. E Dema makes his 25th benchmark start Saturday. The horse should join the pacesetters fray, but actually prefers to settle down a bit behind a soft early lead. He yins and yangs back forth from 100 SP#s to lower 90s, but merits respect on paper here. Lousy jockey aboard has to help E Dema pass class taest. Numbers comparable somewhat to the faves put him in the hunt for a minor share.
Mineshaft son Careless (6/1) could be in for a minor share. The speedy 5yo was Grade 3 placed last season over 12f after setting the pace. He earns mucho BP for trainer crazyjoe in the ALW ranks. The veteran horse is effective from grass sprints all the way to marathons. Must improve on upper 90 speed figures to win, but, on paper, he’s just a cut below the heavy favorites. Maybe in for a minor share if he can outlast the other speedsters.
The lightly raced speed horse Pointing Cat (7/1) from mandastabl breaks from the far outside. The 6yo son of Point Given only makes his 13th career call to the post. He had some good numbers the last time he was in the stakes ranks — but that was way back in Week 2447! Pointing Cat returned to the races in late January of this year. He won 1 0f 3 ALW starts. His speed figures improved 10 points over those three outings, but, still, they’re not stakes quality. Could vie early but probably won’t be around near the end. Welcome back mandastabl!
Bdhp’s longshot S. Gold (30/1) makes his 5th career start. The Seeking The Gold son won 2 of his first 4 starts, both over 10f turf. The speedster scored a 95 SP# LTO and could be a wildcard in this group. Lots of speed though here. Not a textbook entry when stil eligible for a NW3L, but could payoff since this field is not a great quality.
The rest of the field:
- Hawk River(IRE) (12/1) from riverland stable cuts back from marathons. He’s won a couple ALWS over those distances. At 41 starts, doubtful the Hawk Wing 5yo has the stuff to be effective at the level’s 9f. Stalker.
- Nine years young TM Opera O(GB) (9/1) is another who has recently returned to the races. The Opera House(GB) son was a flashy graded horse as late as Week 2594. He ran second to last three weeks ago in his return to the races. Doubtful he has anything left. Races for jasonpatt stable.
- Housebuster colt Nose Bleed (17/1) recently bagged his NW2L but just isn’t ready for these ranks. The 4yo posts promising numbers through 14 starts. Joins pacehunting group. Not ready for this level. A minor share if lucky. Races for seanjay.
- Weapon X (20/1) from tesio stable tries stakes company in 9th career start. Sadler’s Wells 4yo should apprecaite speed up front. Recently won NW2L over this distance. Low 90s SP#s so far. Threw a clunker in his last. Dark horse.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Win: Golden Slope
Place: S. Gold or Maol Dhomnaigh(IRE)
Show: Weapon X or Maol Dhomnaigh(IRE)
Good luck to all.