The Unnecessary Shin Challenge
Two year old
ANDROMEDA’S BAND
Andromeda’s Hero x Dixieland Band
This grandson of Fusaichi Pegasus will make its 3rd attempt to win a stakes race Saturday. It was overwhelmed at the Grade III Buckeye Juvenile. This colt has post some nice low 80s speed numbers at this distance. This closer has a good jock on board and this distance looks to fit this baby very nicely.
GRAND
Grand Slam x Aramus
O/T superbarn is sending this sprinter into this difficult route race. It collapsed badly in its last race after leading at the turn for home. As a matter of fact it has faded in all of its races to date. Also O/T seems to be trying to find out if it is a turf or dirt horse.
DANCE MANIA
Street Cry x Nijinsky II
This 2YO is well rested at six weeks and has a good jock on board. It had a breakout win in its last race at 1 mile. Low numbers concern me but it is one of the early morning favorites in the race. It starts off near the back and then makes charge for the front, that could work Saturday with so many sprinter types in the race.
MOOT REALITY
The first of the Malibu Moon sires. This well rested colt is begging for more distance. The style is to sit and watch and wait for it move to the front. If the race was off track this would be the first choice. Being the first attempt at a route makes this horse hard to judge but look for the 7-1 choice to be near the front at the finish.
SPIRITUAL KICK
Hennessy x Wild Again
The 10 ranked 2YO in the dirt classics will face some big challenges today. Its coming off a beautifully run stakes victory four weeks ago at The Saratoga Stud Stakes race posting a respectable 81 rating. This colt has flourished in the route races. Don’t expect this horse to challenge but in the homestretch look for a big kick from this stakes champion. It also has the top jock on board.
KING AND COUNTRY
King of Kings x Kingmambo
The only non-Kentucky bred horse in the field takes a big step up in class Saturday. This will be its first attempt at a route, yet its last race was at 7.5 furlongs. O/T Triscay is still uncertain is this beauty is a dirt or turf horse and this card is going to be a difficult card for those with uncertainty.
The second Malibu Moon sired colts today comes off only 3 weeks rest. This winner of its last two races both a mile creates concern for the others. This big time closer has lower numbers than the favorites in this race. It has a good jock for its first attempt at stakes race, but the number one jock in
MALIBU SPRING
The final Malibu Moon sired colt for the race looks to be of a different style of runner. This colts plan is to go wire to wire as it did in its last race which was also at a mile. If left alone this front runner could make it two in a row. It has a very good speed rating but it all depends if a speed duel tires it out allowing for the closers to catch it at the wire.
SARDINI
Bernardini x Sadler’s Wells
Another front runner which hopes to duel with Malibu Spring had a great speed rating in its last race. The five week layoff has probably fixed the fade it had in that last race. This will be its first attempt at route and it is the speed horse of the field so it could find itself all alone heading down the stretch.
Picking 2YO races is like throwing darts at the wall. I do want to say that I love the names you gave these little 2YO, very creative. For 2YO going a 1 1/16M, I expect to see many fall off as the closers race up quickly in the homestretch. With that being said, my picks are going to be: 7 – 5 – 4 – 1. If Yukon Nights pulls off the upset that will create interesting fodder for those in the tackhouse since the jockey Desitter chose not to ride this horse this time around.