Juvenile Dirt Hopefuls Hit Ohio

We’re having a big weekend in Ohio, as top-notch juveniles compete in graded events for colts and fillies.  It’s a diverse crew for the Juvenile, at 8.5 furlongs in the dirt; among the 12 entries are: a maiden, a filly, 8 horses who’ve never routed, and only one stakes winner.  Any one of these dozen entrants could improve enough to take the prize.

 Mount St. Helens      Isitingood        13/1                 Has improved in each of four outings, earning 2 wins in 4 starts.  Will need to kick it up another notch as he stretches out two furlongs longer than ever before, but if he’s eager for that extra distance it’s well within his reach. 

Piano Recital T          Tfarms             9/1                   Two-for-two since switching to the dirt, including a big 85 fig in his last outing.  Should be plenty happy to stretch out; I’m looking for a big race from this one. 

Bachelor Party           Super19           5/1                   Ran a huge 87 fig last time out, though it was only good for second.  Son of Point Given is stakes placed, but has only a maiden win to his name.  Gets better each time he stretches out, so I suspect he’s going to fire huge here.  Looks like a good ‘un.

Rude Laugher            Eomer             7/1                   Fillies can do just fine against the boys at 2, but this one’s also a maiden.  On the other hand, her speed figs improve by leaps and bounds with each outing, and with A.P. Indy x Sadler blood lines, she’s only going to get better as she routes.  Big speed fig last time out, but I’ll like her better once she breaks her maiden.  Lots of potential in this one.

Salt Bluff                    Wtas02            11/1                 Salt Lake colt is a product of the Winner Takes All series and has proved to be a good acquisition.  Well-beaten in midpack in graded company last time out, and I don’t see much reason to expect different here.  Sprinty sire may not help as he stretches out.  Nice colt, but I’ll pass on him this week.

Phone Bandit              Flowers           11/1                 Won his debut, but has been less than stellar in two subsequent races, both stakes.  Speed figs are respectable enough, so he could surprise, but I don’t think he’s the likeliest winner.

Nothing to No One     Kaif032           11/1                 Won his debut comfortably, but is taking on much tougher here.  Will need to speed up substantially, but that’s certainly a possibility.  Biggest cipher here with only one start; there’s just not much that can be said about him yet.  Nothing wrong with taking a shot at those graded stakes points though, because who knows?

Bethuyne                    Corza4                        8/1                   Two-for-two on the dirt.  Won a route allowance comfortably against a small field.  Earned a handsome speed figure there, so is one of just a few here who has shown a desire to route.  Has to be taken very seriously.

Town Emblem Sleworama      17/1                 Here’s your best bet of the field.  The only stakes winner in the field, and the only runner who’s won two routes.  It’s beyond me how this horse is 17/1.  Yes, he’ll need to speed up just a smidge, but he’s proved himself more at this point than anyone else in the field.  Watch him closely.

Gold in the South       Mp                   6/1                   Perked up a bit in his first route, breaking his maiden.  That race wasn’t fast enough to keep up with the quickest here, but it’s certainly within his grasp if he improves a bit.  Bit of a lousy jock dragging him down, but that’s not the end of the world.

Everything to Me       Maplefarms     9/2                   Morning-line favorite places consistently in graded races, though he has yet to win one.    He keeps coming up just a little short.  Maybe a little extra distance will help; a 23%-winning jockey certainly will.

Garcon Zig                  Egeorge6         10/1                 He’s won 3 of 4 and really took to routing last time out, earning an 86 fig.  Biggest downside to him is that he’s been carefully placed in small fields, and here he’s getting smacked with a much bigger and better crowd.  Looks like he has lots of class, though, and this race is well within his reach.

Any one of these horses could truly take the race.  It should be a heckuva lot of fun to watch.  If you’re betting, take Town Emblem, the longest shot in the field is its only stakes winner. 

May all your horses come back safe and sound.  Good luck!