Lots of Hope for a Blessed Road?
As we check in at the beautiful New York Saratoga track this week we find The OFF TILL STAR Bonanza Stakes. The race is named for Off Till Star, a 13 time winner with a couple of Stakes wins. This mile and one sixteenth turf Stakes for 2 year olds looks like it will be a fast track as the forecast is beautiful. They will be racing for $90,000 and there looks to be some good youngsters here… let’s take a look.
#1 EL CORZADOR trained by thebaker2 – In three races, this Green Desert colt has a win and a place with the win in a stakes. He has consistently run an 81 or 82 but came up against a bit stiffer competition last time out and finished 8th although he was closing at the finish. Was last time out an aberration or is this as good as he gets. I’m looking for improvement here but I worry that this colt is running too soon.
#2 PEACE SELLS trained by gg – This Peace Rules colt out of Quick Kitty has been in four races with two seconds and a win, but has only been in Maidens and only pulled one speed figure above 70. His last race out at 8 furlongs with BF Abman aboard was by far the best with a run from 7th to first and a speed figure of 76. He seemed to like the extra distance last out and may be improving before our eyes.
#3 INEPT DISTORTIONS trained by nocalbred – Stakes veteran Inept Distortions is a Distorted Humor colt out of Passing Storm. He is stepping up to the longer distance for the first time but is a big-time come from behind closer that seems to have a huge heart. With R Foster aboard he should be able to carry the extra distance. This Chestnut colt has improved every time out and I have no reason to doubt he will do it again.
#4 HOPELESS HOPE trained by bodgit – It may not be Hopeless but you have to wonder after his last time out well behind Inept Distortions. The Elusive Quality has two wins but has never run faster than a 77 spf although that was a stakes win. He might be stretching it a bit with this crowd, but every horse has a chance with N Lawton up and guiding around Saratoga.
#5 HOLLOW CANDY trained by ibear – Argentinian Import Common Cause is by Candy Ride out of Hollow War. Last time out he stretched it out to 8 furlongs and seemed to like the extra distance. He broke his maiden with his best speed to date. He is 3 of 4 in the money on the grass but this will be his first Stakes. It may take a couple to get used to the rarified air.
#6 BLESSED ROAD trained by lasthope – Blessed Road is running in his second race and won the first one going away. You always have to worry a bit about that second race but this Kingmambo colt looks like the real deal. He ran 8 furlongs, closed from the back and put away the field. He has rested nicely and workouts this week were rumored to have gone extremely well.
I’m afraid that EL CORZADOR will fade from the early return and the longer distance. I like INEPT DISTORTIONS to nip PEACE SELLS for second but they will all be looking up at BLESSED ROAD.
Good luck to all runners!
Paz