G2 The Spurs Handicap (Coach Pop with No Duncan)

California (CA) Saturday, February 3, 2018 — 7:10 PM EST | Race ID : 1943993
The Spurs Handicap
Grade 2 Stakes – Purse $375,000
Restricted to 4 Year Olds and Older
One Mile and One Eighth on Dirt

 

#1
boom boom room              mtkg1offspring barn                        m kelly                        5/1      

This horse has finished out of the money in seven of his last ten starts and has not been in the winner’s circle since May month when he won by a length at the Grade 3 “Billy Donald”. I like his pedigree though and he may be a long shot pick to finish in the money.

#2
warm water                           lawyeron barn                                  g owans                     4/1                  

This five year old son of Animal Kingdom has had a decent start to his career and worked hard to finish second in his last start on New Year’s Day. He may be overmatched here as he jumps up a Grade and the short rest between starts concerns me a little.

 

#3
giantoftheempire                ddstables16barn                               f gossett                     11/1               

Racing for the first time as a four year old. He has not fared well in his previous two Grade 2 starts having finished tenth both times. He appears to be over raced and could benefit from a few more weeks rest. He doesn’t seem to quite be on the same level as this group. He may win at this level sometime in the future but I am not betting on him today.

#4
freedom tour                        itch barn                                               j white                         3/1     

Ten wins in eighteen starts is impressive but this son of Giant’s Causeway struggled for most of 2017 before finishing strong with two wins to end the year. The speed ratings in both those starts were strong and I look for that trend to continue today as he competes out of the four hole.

#5
deadly de lago                    golddog barn                                         a weldon                    3/1

This horse should be renamed “Mr Consistent” as he has been in the money in eighty-three percent of his starts including eight victories. A come from behind winner in his last start at the “I Believe in Christmas Stakes” at the same distance gives me confidence that he could fair well again today.

 

#6
union secret                        deeprock barn                                      v gardner                   26/1

Entering his first race of the year and first Graded Stakes race of his young career. Demonstrated decent speed in his last two starts, both being stakes races where unfortunately he was not a factor. Has been most successful at longer distances. Interested to see how he fares here against some more experienced competition.

 

#7
blame mischief                bigzac barn                                              la ferguson                  12/1                                                                                                                                                                                       
This four year old got off to a great start in his young career with six wins in his first ten races including back to back Grade 1 victories. He has cooled off his last two starts with two tenth place finishes and will look to rebound here. He is well rested and should have a good showing out of the seven hole.

 

#8
king of monsters                asrstar9 barn                                       r bokie                           35/1   

This son of Giant’s Causeway was a late entrant into the field. Won a thrilling race last time out in early January for his fifth win in fourteen starts; he came from behind on the outside to win by half a length. Will be interested to see how he fares when making the switch to dirt against this competitive field of ten.

#9
ghost dares                         babygirlz barn                                         j sands                           7/1                  

Raced just 20 days ago and may not have caught his breath. Showed well after being gelded by finishing in the money in five straight races but has not been able to threaten lately in three straight Graded Stakes. He has the speed to compete here but I won’t be surprised if he fails to hit the board again in this one. 

#10
infinite barb                        wiseguy barn                                             b f abman                  14/1                                                                                                                      

Looks like a long shot at this distance and against this competition. Finished second in a stakes race at a longer distance just before Christmas and needed the extra distance to get there. I see success in this Colts future but at a longer distance in a lower level stakes race. Keep an eye on him for future races but I don’t think he will be in the mix here.

 

dunnpicks

deadly de lago
freedom tour

longshot

blame mischief