Gallant Socks Handicap – G3

PP

ID

Horse

Owner

Jockey

Odds

Preview

1

4656

PINE SPIRIT(KY)

topicount4

B Gulch

7/1

Lightly raced 4yo out of an “E” rated he/she mare.  The colt was on a hot streak during the summer months; winning 4 in a row, three of them G1’s.  Last two outings proved to be a bit too long and finishes have been lack luster.  10-12f appears to be this colts game.  Colt was soundly beaten in last by a few in this race and seeing it is at 13 panels we would be surprised to see that reversed here.

2

88006

AGNELO(IRE)

voltereta

A Randle

12/1

Another lightly raced 4yo out of an “E” rated he/she mare.  The colt took a while to break his maiden but has settled in and gone through conditions quickly.  Has been on a tear lately winning his last three.  He trounced a few of the entrants here in his last victory.  He is comfortable with the distance and should be in the hunt here if he avoids the terrible “bounce”.  Still maturing and trying to find his place in the upper echelon, we take license to reserve judgment at present.

3

128953

SAMALAMAN ISLAND(JPN)

profly

U Wasko

8/1

4yo scratch bred sired by Fantastic Light.  Started career on turf as suggested by breeding but converted to dirt to break his maiden.  The “fly” stables usually don’t take long to figure out what their horses like.  Colt has completed most of his conditions while running listed stakes events, but now takes on higher caliber steeds.  He is a dead solid closer and may benefit from the fast pace that will be set here.  Will he duplicate his last effort at the distance while stepping up in class?  Jock Wasko has some bad habits…one of which is falling a bit short with his mounts.

4

117151

PURRFECT PROSPECT

stevemunoz

A Thelander

6/1

Scratch bred 5yo sired by Pleasantly Perfect.  Trainer has placed this horse well as attested by his 22 ITM vs 26 starts.  Horse finished second to the #2 horse in last.  He passed tiring horses but was no real threat to the winner.  He is a one move horse that lays back and waits for the speed to fold.  He has won at the distance albeit not against some of these classier types.  Now’s his chance to prove he belongs.  Jock will have to make the move at the proper time.

5

120549

KEPLER CRO COR C(KY)

marianus

M Lund

9/2

Out of a “C” rated mare, this 4yo colt is expected to be the pace in this.  Coming off a gate to wire victory in last graded event.  Colt knows only one way; “catch me if you can”.  Proven graded winner and contender, he will have others in this that will contest his speed.  The problem for them will be; can they look him in the eye and continue?  Jock Lund has enough savvy to hold this guy together for the haul.

6

132239

SAOSIN(IRE)

adrian

J Kirby

7/1

Yet another lightly raced colt that is scratch bred and sired by North Light.  He caught on fire late summer and racked off 4 wins in a row to just blow through conditions.  Three of those victories were at today’s distance.  In his last out he went against a couple of these and finished 3^rd, hanging on to pass tiring horses.  Today he will be at his best distance to date and should improve.  Having versatile running styles will be a benefit here as the race plays out.  Jock J. Kirby (younger brother to Ken), is maturing well as he gets more mounts.  He will have to make good judgments in this.

7

86673

CREDIT GIVEN(IRE)

brentuk

K Kirby

10/1

6yo horse that is lightly raced for his age, is scratch bred to Generous, a fine sire for distance.  Horse has made a fantastic living using his marathon genes.  A threat in every 14-16f event he’s in.  He’s ranked #1 in the division at present, but is not running at his best distance.  Horse has placed a few times at 13f, but likes it longer.  Still, he should be plenty warmed up coming into the stretch and will be a threat if others make any mistakes.  Jock and trainer have been going over race scenario for a week now.

8

114868

OTTO POWER(GB)

stupor3

A Dondero

21/1

Otto empire brings this very lightly raced colt in as an entry to get his feet wet.  Trainer is still figuring out this youngster and seeing as how he qualified, he will get a good idea as to what he likes.  Colt certainly has some stamina as attested in his last 16f event.  However, he is still wet behind the ears.  His co-entry draws more attention.

9

129529

TREMPTIM(FR)

bigblueone

Z Hinkle

13/1

4yo scratch bred by Trempolino running in only his 15^th start.  Original owner  put together a very nice horse from older sires.  With the down grading of Trempolino as a sire last year by Mike, this colt has done very well.  His best SP’s have come at 12f, so the extra furlong shouldn’t be a problem.  Greg saw the potential and claimed this guy and claimed him for $50,000 as a maiden.  Getting the most he can from the breeding and placing in proper situations, the colt has done well.  Colt is coming off a very nice 2^nd place in last, but this event will test his talent. 

10

93866

OTTO CAUSES(IRE)

verona

B Naskra

3/1

Part of the Otto empire entry that has favorite status.  Colt is scratch bred to Giant’s Causeway and tried this distance for the 1^st time last out…finishing second.  He has one G1 victory at 9 panels and finished ITM in some big time events.  Pretty much a “do or die” style that likes the front end.  Before last out, one would wonder if he could get the distance.  Now it’s a definite possibility.  He will have to contend with the #5 for the lead and that may be to the downfall of both.  Still, he has raced against much better and class may tell in this.  Jock Naskra better not screw up.

11

74486

IN GOD’S COUNTRY(JPN)

cuba

M Proudfoot

15/1

Out of a “G” rated mare, this 4yo may be overwhelmed by this field.  He is however, sharp as a tack at the moment, and sire can get the distance.  We’ll have to see if he topped out last race, or is just starting to fire on all cylinders.

Nice event with lots of speed and a few that come out of nowhere.  Not a solid pick, but we like the #7 to be there.