Jamaican Juvies Will be Jumpin’ and Jammin’
The SECRET SHOT Stakes
Six and one half furlongs on the Firm Turf Track
$55,000
All Horses, 2 years old
Stakes record – 2006 – KITTEN’S SIN, 1:17 4/5, SPF 81.700
Where better to be for a weekend than lovely Jamaica! The only problem is that there are so many great things to do here that you have to make sure that you don’t miss the race. You sure don’t want to miss this one as it appears we have a really evenly matched field. These young colts are just starting to show their true colors and need a place to jump to the next level. It should be interesting so let’s take a look:
#1 BAROCK ON(JPN) trainer – Pick6King, ( 5/2), Jockey – J.Selden (28%), Earnings – $101,900
This nicely bred chestnut colt’s race speeds look like one of those “bell curves” I remember from High School. Nice improvement for three races then the following two went down hill. This has to be driving trainer and owner Pick6King absolutely nuts! He is Stakes tested with four races and has picked up over a cool $100k but the past two have been an enigma. He seemed to be more of a stalker the first few and has changed to more of a speed horse that is getting run down at the wire. They have Selden in the leather and that may be just what the doctor ordered as he is one of the best in the business. Which way will the graph curve for this race?
#2 BOBCAT VALLEY(KY) trainer – FocusForce, ( 5/2), Jockey – M.Chreky (17%), Earnings – $55,672
Trainer FocusForce of the Nextbonus Stables moved this FOREST WILDCAT colt from dirt to grass two back and he responded with two consecutive wins in rather easy style. That has to put a few smiles on the trainers face. He may be even better a bit longer but he is a front runner that seems to have the stamina to stay our front. The last race was the PRINCE S SPECIAL Stakes and though his 77 SPF was a couple of points lower than the previous race, he still looked strong. He has Chreky in the irons and he is strong as well. This could be a team to watch in this race.
#3 TIME TO KILL(NY) trainer – Driver4000, ( 6/5), Jockey – T.Kavanaugh (16%), Earnings – $97,075
An interesting choice here by trainer Driver4000 of the Driver1000 Stables. Only one of this chestnut colts previous seven races has been on the grass but he was a Stakes winner in that one. He had slightly higher SPFs on the dirt but the turf may be the way to go. Kavanaugh is in the saddle and has a nice handle on these young colts. This is another early speed horse so the break may look more like a jail break than a horse race. The impressive looking colt is looking to go over $100k in earnings this race and has an excellent chance to do it. His 79 SPF in his one turf outing is as fast as anyone else in this race has run.
#4 THE WAY I SEE IT(KY) trainer – ChuckRocke, ( 5/2), Jockey – C.Rivera (7%), Earnings – $26,137
There are a whole bunch of letters in this big colts pedigree (LEROIDESANIMAUX (BRZ) x INDIAN RIDGE(IRE) x KINGMAMBO) and there seems to be a lot of heart in the horse as well. Trainer ChuckRocke of the ChuckRock Conglomerate Stables watched his colt take a step back in the WAYMAYYING STAKES two back then recover nicely at a bit more distance in his last outing with a nice 78 SPF. He may be able to go even more distance than this race covers but time will tell that, the way I see it! One worry is that jockey Rivera is having one of his worst years and his best aren’t the cream of the crop. Hopefully he can hang on and let this big colt do the rest. He is the only horse in the race that should keep away from the front end and that may help him in the stretch.
Morning Line = 3-1-2-4
Paz Picks = 3-2-1-4
This is a really tough race to handicap. I would love to choose THE WAY I SEE IT as the only closer in the race but I really feel that he may need more distance to be successful. I am placing him fourth. This “Bell Curve” thing really worries me as I don’t have any recollection at all what it is supposed to mean but I do believe that BAROCK ON is on the wrong side of it and I’ve got him in third on my car. . I have a really hard time choosing between the final two horses but I have BOBCAT VALLEY just faltering enough at the end to allow TIME TO KILL to nose him out for the win. It should be a great race with lots of drama and I can’t wait!
Good luck to all runners!
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