Young Guns Ready to Shoot in Maryland!
Early Morning Special Stakes
Grade III
Five furlongs on the Fast Dirt Course
$125,000
All horses, 2 years old
Stakes record – 2005 – Half A World Away, 58, SPF 88.965
We have a really interesting field here with some up an comers in the two year old ranks. Some of these youngsters could possibly be back here again next year competing in the main event. I know that many of these trainers are dreaming the same thing so let’s take a look:
1 – MAGIC WARRIOR(NY) ODDS STABLE WIN% JOCKEY WIN% TOP SPEED EARNINGS RANK M & J Stables 30/1 Clooch1220 13.3% R.Foster 144 – 13 – 18 – 18 – 9% 72.97 $ 19,080 N/A
( MAYBRY’S BOY x PERFORMING MAGIC x MUTAKDDIM) This nice looking chestnut colt wired the field in his only race for trainer Clooch1220 at this same distance. No one in the eleven horse field really got near him. He is working on only four weeks rest and has Foster in the saddle who is not up to his usual statistics so far this year. The inside post sure won’t hurt this front runner but he will need to bump his SPF a bit.
 | 2 – RUNNING SAMURAI(KY) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meguire Stables | 8/1 | Meguire7th | 10.7% | P.Haynes | 328 – 77 – 55 – 48 – 23% | 73.54 | $ 30,970 | N/A |
( FIRST SAMURAI x UNBRIDLED’S SONG x RUNAWAY GROOM out of BRIDE WILL RUN) He won his maiden easily but bounced a little last time out against a short field but still finished second for trainer Meguire7th. That second race was only 4.5f and he may need the extra real estate. Haynes is up on this pretty grey colt and he is one of the best so should be able to get a good run in this race.
 | 3 – SUNSET CAJUN(KY) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TwoOfUs Stables | 7/1 | TwoOfUs2 | 15.5% | F.Gossett | 332 – 87 – 66 – 41 – 26% | 75.21 | $ 12,180 | N/A |
(DEHERE x FUSAICHI PEGASUS x SEATTLE SLEW out of BAYOU CAJUN) Two races and two wins for this nicely bred chestnut colt. Trainer TwoOfUs2 has to be happy with the improvement in the second outing and hopes for more of the same here. His just off of the lead style will benefit from this post as will having super jockey Gossett in the leather. This could be a tough customer in the stretch run.
 | 4 – SOUND SHOVEL(JPN) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONEWORLD Stables | 20/1 | RLogans | 6.9% | N.Lawton | 319 – 79 – 53 – 48 – 25% | 65.73 | $ 13,980 | N/A |
( MINING x CURE THE BLUES x ESKIMO) This Japanese bred colt won his only race but with a rather pedestrian SPF of 65. Whether the field was too easy and he backed off at the end or that is all that he had may determine how well he does here. Jockey Lawton is one of the best and knows how to get the most out of a young colt. He is a deep closer that won’t mind the post.
| 5 – JUSTA WHISPER(SAF) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dand Stables | 13/1 | Dand | 12.3% | P.Davis | 257 – 25 – 23 – 35 – 10% | 75.81 | $ 19,080 | N/A |
( GOLD PRESS x QUIET AMERICAN x DYNAFORMER out of BESS TRUMAN) Sometimes a whisper gets more attention than a shout and this nice looking brown colt may make a big noise here if he can just improve a bit on that 75 SPF in his first race which he won. He likes to hand near the front but may have lots of company here. Davis is in the leather and is quietly capable so should work well on this colt. Needs a good trip to win.
| 6 – BREADANDWATER(KY) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VeggieSix Stables | 13/1 | VeggieSix | 7.2% | T.Bates | 186 – 13 – 15 – 23 – 7% | 70.73 | $ 19,080 | N/A |
( IT’S NO JOKE x FORESTRY x LAMMTARRA out of FOREST TREE G) Cool name for this chestnut colt who came from about a mile back to win his only race with a solid 70 SPF. Trainer and owner VeggieSix will make jockey Bates aware that there is lots of early speed in this race and to not get too far behind but Bates has been struggling this year and hopefully he can bring this guy home.
 | 7 – GOT NO SOCKS(KY) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJMeola Stables | 6/1 | PopsNTips | 12.8% | A.Rolling | 336 – 101 – 65 – 43 – 30% | 82.09 | $ 46,140 | 29 |
( DIXIELAND BAND x CONQUISTADOR CIELO x KEY TO THE MINT) This Dixieland Band colt may not have “No Socks” but he got some mad talent. This is a guy that we might see at the end of the year looking at the Breeders Bowl Juvy. Two for two already and a sizzling 82 SPF. He’s another that likes to hand just off of the lead but he has one of the best in the business on his back in Rolling and he will know when to get the colt to fire. Look out for this team.
 | 8 – HIDDEN AGENDAS(KY) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Stables | 6/1 | Super29 | 11.7% | J.White | 325 – 90 – 61 – 48 – 28% | 71.68 | $ 41,055 | N/A |
( GHOSTZAPPER x SEEKING THE GOLD x PLEASANT COLONY out of TIGHTROPE WALK) Two very solid if unspectacular races for this nicely bred colt with one win last time out. I’m sure that Trainer Super29 would have liked to have seen a bit more improvement that second race and will look for it here. They have White in the leather and he should help as he is great with these youngsters. This colts come from behind style may help in this race.
| 9 – ITS RAINING AGAIN(ENG) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilgrim Stables | 5/1 | Pilgrim6 | 8.9% | D.Givens | 337 – 89 – 60 – 37 – 26% | 79.07 | $ 23,980 | N/A |
( SHAMARDAL x AWESOME AGAIN x STORM BIRD out of NORTHERN AGAIN) You have to wonder if trainer and owner Pilgrim was looking out the window on a dreary day when this colt was named. It sure looks like he is raining talent as well as this guy just missed going two for two with a nice improvement bump in SPF that second time out. Jockey Givens is holding the reins in his magic hands and this duo could be tough to beat. The race sets up nice with lots of early speed and could fall just right for a win.
| 10 – GOLD GOLEM(KY) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novajoe Stables | 34/1 | NovaJoe | 16.3% | V.Elliot | 329 – 65 – 59 – 38 – 20% | 67.67 | $ 42,055 | 42 |
( TOUCH GOLD x IRON x NORTHERN FASHION out of IRON GOLEM) Trainer NovaJoe had to be doing a rain dance this week as this brown colt seems to love the sticky stuff on the track. He took a big step back on the dry track last time out and you have to wonder if this guy wouldn’t prefer the grass where things don’t move quite as fast. Jockey Elliot is up and will get all this colt has to give but it may not be enough in this company. Another front runner that may push too much early.
 | 11 – DELITE OF MY LIFE(LA) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devineequi Stables | 14/1 | BarnBurn2 | 9.8% | B.F.Abman | 330 – 78 – 58 – 39 – 24% | 72.36 | $ 30,000 | N/A |
( AFTERNOON DEELITES x GRAND SLAM x UNBRIDLED out of BENZA LIABILITY) This big chestnut colt is a bit hard to figure as he has won both of his previous outings but the speeds weren’t anything eye popping. That second race was on an off track and he seemed to like that but might be one of those that just takes whatever you throw at him and makes it into something. Jockey Abman is in the irons and he can make these youngsters do some amazing things. This is a big race for this colt and will show just where he stands in the mix of things. His out front style may suffer a bit with the big crowd there and from this post.
 | 12 – PIRATE TREASURE(KY) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topicount Stables | 7/1 | LosTheCode | 15.5% | V.Gardner | 320 – 79 – 65 – 44 – 25% | 72.18 | $ 6,240 | N/A |
( DEHERE x MR. GREELEY x VAGUELY NOBLE out of TROPICAL SMURF) One of the games to Stables has to like the prospects of this colt based on his first race. He ran a solid 72 SPF to win easily from the front end. He will be in a big crowd on the front in this one though and will have to get there from the outside. Gardner is in the saddle and may help in that regard as he is one of the best. Trainer LosTheCode will have this colt ready for battle but there may be a lot of battle to fight on the front end.
 | 13 – NINJA SILENCE(KY) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobra Kai Stables | 6/1 | Peeps7 | 13.5% | R.Clink | 160 – 8 – 9 – 14 – 5% | 72.48 | $ 16,500 | 16.5 |
( DEHERE x FORTY NINER x NIJINSKY II out of FORTY NINJAS) Stuck way on the outside might just be the best thing for this deep closing colt. He looked great coming from way back in his first race and this one sets up well. One big surprise is the choice of jockey Clink who has really struggled this year with all of the jockey talent in Maryland this weekend for the Middle Jewel. Hopefully he can hand on for triainer Peeps7 and let this colts talent carry him around.
Morning Line = 9-7-8-13-3-12
Paz Picks = 7-9-3-13
Let’s be honest, at this age these races are a real crapshoot when it comes to handicapping. You just never know when one of these young colts will stand up and take off for the first time. There is lots of talent here and it sure looks like there is speed to burn on the front end which could determine a lot when it comes to the winner. I like NINJA SILENCE to finish fourth although he may finish much better. I would like to see him with another jockey up in this race. SUNSET CAJUN showed nice improvement and if he can do that again I think he has enough to finish in the top three. ITS RAINING AGAIN is getting some play from the bettors and his come from behind style may set up just right here. That leaves the win for a talented GOT NO SOCKS who will hang behind all of the early speed and let them duke it out before passing them all in the stretch. He really impressed me last time out and I think he can do it again.
Good luck to all runners!
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