Bluegrass Ghost favored in Unbridled Pockets Handicap
Bluegrass Ghost is the heavy favorite for this weekends running of the Unbridled Pockets Handicap. Bluegrass is pegged as the 1-2 heavy favorite by the oddsmakers and is looking to extend his win streak to 4. The race is set to go a mile and a quarter on the dirt surface with a purse of $40,000.
1. Bluegrass Ghost 1-2
Trainer Illbred has this hot colt hooked up with hot jockey Selden in what appears to be a winning combination. Bluegrass has won his last 3 races, all at 10f, setting a career speed mark of 117 in February. He has also won his last 5 races at 10f. Generally, Bluegrass likes to sit in the middle of the field and has been timing his closing maneuver perfectly. Bluegrass has shown improved speed ratings in just every race since September 2006 with the exception of his last race, which dropped to 114 off the 117 race. Hard to find any faults with this one.
2. Binge Breeding 7-2
Binge Breeding has been very consistant for trainer Roscoe1. He has been on the board every race but one since December 2006. He put in a great race back in January, winning a 10f stakes in a speed rated at 108. He was a good 10 lengths back early on and was able to reel the field in winning by less than a length. Binge may not win many (5 wins, 26 starts), but he should be a factor to consider.
3. Indispensible 8-1
Indispensible has been struggling lately for trainer Stretch. He has finished 9th in both of his last two outings losing ground throughout those races. He hasn’t seen the winners circle in a stakes race since 2005. Since that victory, he has won only one race. He is capable of putting in an occasional race with a speed over 100, but will be hard pressed to take this affair. I’m also concerned about Indispensible being entered in with only 2 weeks rest.
4. Skips Away 10-1
Skips Away has been a hard horse to figure out for trainer Gatornavy. Since August, Skips Away will put in a good race and hit the board, and follow-up with one that you’d like to throw away. The good news is that if this pattern continues, he’s scheduled to put in a good effort this weekend. The bad news is that he has never finished on the board in any of his 6 stake outings. Also, he has only exceeded the 100-speed plateau twice in over 20 starts, which this race will demand to be victorious.
5. Harlem Airshaft 5-1
Harlem is lightly raced with a record of 8-3-2-1. He has been very steady for trainer Mariana3 and performing extremely well lately. His last 5 races have all recorded speeds of over 100 and I expect that he will be the pace setter in this race. He has won 2 of 3 races at 10f and he will put in a nice effort.
It’s very hard to look past Bluegrass Ghost in this race. His speeeds have been far superior than any other entry in this field and should handle this event with no problem. Harlem Airshaft is my second selection. He has been showing good form and is the only one in the field that displays consistant early speed. Binge Breeding is very consistant and should have no problem picking up the show paycheck, but I would include him with my top pick in any exacta wagers.