Cad Speak Handicap features solid sophomore turfers
Arkansas– Multiple stakes winners Shuhei, Uno Ojai, and Michael Strahlman challenge Rantofan(G3) runnerup Torino and eight other sophomore colts in the $70,000 Cad Speak Handicap. The course is as thick as pea soup but luckily not enough where we can’t run over the green stuff. The 3yos test 9 furlongs over this yicky yielding lawn.
Adrian5’s Shuhei(IRE) (5/1) stepped up nicely to routes. The son of Bach(IRE) took two straight 8.5f overniters from midpack in handy style. Improvement to 90 SP#s signals some eye-catching talent — the colt was OK last year around one-turn, winning a stakes at Ostend. His measurable improvment in routes though makes him one to watch. Shouldn’t have any problem with the extra sixteenth and finished runnerup in lone off track try.
Wistful’s Torino(KY) (5/1) should race pretty darn close to Shuhei since they both have similar midpack running styles. Torino rallied valiantly to just miss the victory in the Rantofan(G3) over 8.5f in February. The son of Eurosilver then repeated the same 95 SP# in another bridesmaid effort, getting cuaght late on the lead in an Oklahoma overniter. That event though was over 9f. The speed figure indicates that he can probably get the distance no problem — rather the 2-month layoff might’ve made him a bit short. On 4 weeks rest Saturday, should be dead fit. Lone off track performance came over the dirt last season — we’ll see how he handles the yicky going.
Uno Ojai(FL) (5/1) completes the racetime faovrite trio. Ojai4keith’s son of Macho Uno won 4 of his last 8 outings and placed in the rest. The colt is very solid from off pace over the green stuff. His trainer should be commended for patient handling — Uno Oaji wasn’t throwing huge SP#s for a while, but enough to be effective in these listed ranks. The colt faced a larger field LTO and rallied to finish runnerup over 8.5f. From the 9-hole, we’ll see if he’s just a short field caper or indeed has the goods to be something special.
Fusaichi Pegasus son Michael Strahlmann(KY) (6/1) enjoys stalker-style tactics. The colt bagged a couple of these overniters last year and proved his mettle over 8.5f too. He unfortunately flopped when stepped up to the Phenom(G3), ending his freshman year on a sour note. The colt has won either as a sophomore — trying to stretch out again to 9f and it just seems like he doesn’t want any part of it and would prefer shorter routes. Trainer windycity should definitely consider return to flat mile or one-turn if he tires again from on or near the pace Saturday.
Commbank sends out Urban Speed Zone(IRE) (8/1), a Giant’s Causeway(IRE) royal bred riding a 3-race win streak. All of those victories came in the ALWs though — still, the colts perfect through three turf outings. He’s quite a snazzy looker from about midpack and even won over a ‘good’ rated course. Steps up to stakes level in perfect spot. Whether he can handle the yielding grass though is another question. One to watch. Proven over the distance too. Blossoming.
By Footstepsinthesand(IRE), Shuffle Your Feet(IRE) (8/1) has won or placed in 4 of 5 lifetime stakes starts. The cobrakai trainee couldn’t get any pace to run at LTO in a short field 9f event. the colt does present a very speedy female family though with Dayjur x Blushing Groom. One must wonder about his stamina then. Still, Shuffle Your Feet continues to improve through 8 lifetime starts. Must crack the 90 SP# barrier soon. Outsider and not without a chance.
The rest of the field:
- BIBIDEBOBIDEBOO(KY), by Cozzene re-enters the black type level after following up his initial attempt (a 4th place finish after having tiring on the lead) with two straight short field ALWs. Upper 80 SP#s so far for the 1stclass trainee. Vies for the pace. We should see a better attempt Saturday from this colt. Dark horse.
- Knightmare sends out Turko’s Ghost(KY) (10/1), a Ghostzapper youngster. The colt was competitve but not a winner over the main track, but eventually found his way to the winner’s circle when switched to the green stuff. He added an 87 SP# romp over a short field 9f ALW LTO. A bit rushed and not much to go on on apper here. Probably makes his run from about midpack.
- Sunnybank Robert(IRE) (11/1) races in his famous stablemate’s (Sunnybank Memorial) shadow. This colt’s bred for stamina with King Of Kings on top and Dubai Millenium on bottom. The colt graduated to the black type level two back, winning a short field 9f event with a 90 SP#. He then proceeded to spit out the bit when asked to go 9.5f. Maybe that was just a bad day for him. Races from far off pace for sunnybank stable. Possible despite odds.
- After winning 2 of his first 3 starts, Torothegrasscutter(IRE) (11/1) steps up to stakes company for willyam51 stable. The Monjeu(IRE) son presents an 88 SP# lifetime best so far. Improving sort but maybe a bit rushed. Just how good is he? Proven over tis distance but will he handle off track? Well, everyone has to prove that! One to keep an eye on.
- War Chant colt Friction(KY) (12/1) finally broke his maiden late last season when asked to go 8f. The pacesetting colt floundering a taf afterwards in ALW company, but did win a 9f laugher LTO in his second start at age 3. Improving sort bred to go 10f+. Must overcome inside speed from 10-hole. Races for peeps2.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Difficult to select a winner from this bunch since some good ones might run like donkeys over the yielding course. But I’ll give it a shot:
Win: Urban Speed Zone
Place: Torino
Show: Shuhei
Longshots: Sunnybank Robert, Torothegrasscutter, Bibidebobodeboo
Good luck!