Lonesome Cowboy Bert Special G1

The Lonesome Cowboy Bert Special G1

3 YO 11f  Dirt New York

It is great to finally be home after trips to the windy city and a long journey down under to Victoria last week. This week I am back in the Big Apple for a match-up of three year olds many of whom just missed the grade to be in the Blue Grass Derby last week.  This is the first running of the Lonesome Cowboy Bert Special.  Bert is certainly one lonely cowboy now that Ernie is no longer making the ride up Brokeback Mountain with him anymore.  It is nice to see that Bert is using his well earned Sesame Street loot to honor their partnership with a grade 1 race in the city that never sleeps.  No horse in this field has run longer than 9.5 panels and this 11f race may be a stepping stone for another race here in several weeks.  Thus the winner of this one may be a horse for the course selection in the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Live music, beautiful scenery and graded races on the card; should be a great afternoon in the world’s greatest city.  Since I ride here, and did not get a mount I am a tad bitter that no one requested my services. My handicapping may not be any better than my skills in the saddle so take it all with a grain of salt. Now on to the runners.

Rock Hard Korn- PP 11 ML 4-1  The Korn trainee just missed making a run in the Bluegrass Derby. He was second 1 length to that race’s favorite Wireless Eavesdropper in the Chicago lock race. Has been closing and closing and just not getting there, so the extra track in this one ought to suit his style. Rock Hard Ten X Seattle Slew X Nijinsky says the distance should not be any trouble. The one to beat in my mind.

Well Groomed PP 2 ML 7-2   Certainly looks like his name is fitting right now. One of January’s top ten choices to wear roses last week nearly ran his way in to the big race in his last, a close up third in the Corkscrew. He comes from way back and looks like the added distance will be to his liking. Super3 bred a beauty out of Seeking The Gold X Blushing Groom X Riverman and this one could be sitting on a career best. If they go fast on the front end don’t be surprised if he runs them down late. Morning line favorite.

Hippie Grass- PP 7 ML 10-1 Boy this apple fell pretty far from the tree. His Mama was O for her career her highest SP was 74 and she only hit the board once. Hippie Grass may have been pushed a little too hard in March running 3 times and crashing to a distant 12th in the third against derby horses. Bounced back in his last and Jockster2 is not concerned by wear and tear or the fact that this one has not popped a 100+ spf yet.  Generous X Rainbow Quest X Devil’s Bag is a very interesting pedigree for 11 clicks on the dirt. This hard knocker should be in the mix late but I can’t see more than minor spoils for him.

Telesio- PP 6 ML 9-1  Telesio’s previous graded tries have not been that good and he seems to be having a hard time getting to the next level. Bernadini X Mr. P X Nijinsky is a pretty sweet pedigree but nearly every horse in this race has excellent breeding. Socalman is hoping the extra distance wakes this one up after a couple of flat performances. Looks like he will need a career best and some help to get it done here.

Crane Mountain- PP 3 ML 6-1 When you look for breeding that says added distance is a plus AP Indy X Dep Minister X Damascus really pops off the page. This one wants to set the fractions and take the field wire to wire. Coming in off two nice races the afc trainee might find the pace scenario to his liking. If he is going to improve this seems as good a spot as any to do it. He still will need it to fall his way to come out on top.

Simple Passing- PP 8 ML 10-1  Has lived up to his name when he is not on or near the lead. Out of Montjeu X  Mr. P X His Majesty, this one has not been at his best at this level. He comes into this one fresher than most and trained by Lenny12.  Does not look to be on par with the best speed wise but betting against his connections knowing their horse is not a wise play.  A pace factor but not sure he is a lot more than that.

Dixieland Dooter- PP 9 ML 9-1   Enters this one off his career best last out. Dixieland Band X Alydar X Hoist The Flag says the distance should be to his liking. Dixieland is another horse that likes to be on or near the lead.  Gcutty has to be wondering if the 102 in his last out (more than 10 faster than prior best) is legit and we will all find out the answer on Saturday.  If he does not bounce too much he may be right there at the finish. Dismiss at your own risk.

Red Buda- PP 1 ML 14-1  Bred for top level competition Awesome Again X  Red Ransom X Messenger of Song, he has not run well enough yet to be in with the best here.  Coming in off sprints and miles so the distance is a question mark. Joanneb has to know something the rest of us don’t to think this one fits here. Has not hit the board in a stakes race since December as a two year old.  In need of a minor miracle.

Andromeda’s Band- PP 12 ML 7-1  The son of Andromeda’s Hero X Dixieland Band X  Carson City has shown some talent but not a proclivity for winning.  2 for 18 lifetime in the winners circle but does hit the board with regularity (11 of 18). 33across  has been running and running and running him but despite 7 starts as a three year old has yet to have a photo taken.  SPF’s say he could be in the mix but not my selection.

Atktzin- PP 5 ML 26-1  Easily the most intriguing horse in the race coming off only 3 prior starts. The son of Thunder Gulch X Danzig X Unbridled is bred for the task but will need to take a huge step forward off of the allowance score last out.  Mattress had this one in a MSW in late February and now a G1 in early May.  May be in over his head but I still like this one for some reason (probably because I am nuts).

Ektoskeleton.- PP 10 ML 33-1 Still eligible for the lowest allowance condition and only 3 races on his card hmmm… Ecton Park X Fairy King X Miswaki… With all due respect to his trainer DB2 I don’t see how he fits with the best in this race. Always exciting to have a horse in a G1 so who can blame him.

Sky Happy- PP 4 ML 10-1 Does not own a win on dirt in 4 career tries and I don’t see him breaking that streak here. Has displayed some talent and the son of King of Happiness X Sky Classic X  Carr De Naskra seems to like the lawn better. Lodog20 seems to not be sure what to make of this one’s promising dirt tries but may be in too deep here. I may use in exotics to add some value.

Final analysis- This race seems to be a story of two levels of horses, those that just missed the derby and those that are just here for the party.  Horses that are perhaps over seasoned meeting those with just a dash of salt. Rock Hard Korn comes in looking tough to beat and has to be the play. Well Groomed and Crane Mountain fill out my guesses at the tri.  If ever there was a race for a handicapper to get embarrassed by this one has the earmarks with so many horses in here that could rise above their prior efforts. On paper it looks easy but when horses are going a click and a half farther than they have ever gone who knows what could happen. Good luck to all.