Sophomores in competitive New York sprint
New York– There’s no clear cut favorite to the ultra-competitive feature this week: the $85,000 Voluptuous Land Stakes for sophomore colts. A full field of 14 turn out for the odd 7.5 furlong distance over a main track labelled as ‘fast.’ We’ve got many listed stakes winners, a Grade 3 sprint champ, as well as several runners trying to find their best groove after partaking the route racing scene.
The Faves:
6/1 – Kingpin Jacob: Langfuhr son boasts serious respect since honestly tackling the listed sprint ranks after Derby trail fiascos. Closer steamed to 109 SP# 2nd LTO over this distance. Has the right tools. Can he acquire the winner’s circle firepower for ajdstable?
7/1 – War General: Texas Derby(G2 – 8.5f) winner shortens up. Comes off long layoff though (since Week 2510). Unplaced in Middle Jewel(G1) for trainer ddhal. Really talented General Meeting colt — but this is a difficult spot to return to the races. Flip a coin — he either runs big or canters home to fight another day, “needing a race.” I’d guess the latter.
8/1 – Storm Of Roses: Great name for a “getaway” $75k former claimer! Tabasco Cat colt was overlooked in CL ranks and 2totango dodged a bullet. Colt’s been great since consistently switched to main track sprints. Stakes-placed already over 7f, but kind of fuddled over 7.5f. Faces traffic again…. contender though if he can settle from behind pace.
8/1 – In A Meeting: General Meeting speedster returns hot of the presses from ALW ranks. Had earlier placed at sprint stakes level, but needed the ALW schooling. Paid off too with big SP#s, winning 2 of last 3. Faces pace battle and must scale class test for slewbacca. Ready though after nearly exhausting conditions.
8/1 – Pizol(IRE): Classy speedster rides two ALW win streak over 7.5f distance. Has the Grandera(IRE) son finally found his A-game? Litmus test for vineland trainee — but excellent shot. In for pace rumble though. Right up there with this group’s best.
8/1 – Robel Yell: Knowlton’s Robelllino colt has won his share of $$ in sprints…. but hasn’t faced one-turn in a long time. Excelelnt miler — no reason to suspect he won’t take to 7.5f. Legitimate threat…. and should try grass eventually with that pedigree. 🙂 Stalker gets decent jockey too, but must overcome post 12. I like this guy. 🙂
8/1 – Royal Sovereign: Excellent chance for this Touch Gold colt, winning his last two sprint stakes in fine time. He’s unbeaten 4-for-4 lifetime in sprints too. Last start came over older horses. He’s my pick from midpack. The one to beat from waremblem1 stable!!!
The Longshots:
10/1 – Street Sweeper(IRE): Jonsnow (Hey, Dan!!! :)) sends out Street Cry(IRE) speedster who wired an ALW LTO. A proven stakes winning sprinter who can bring home the bacon at this distnace. Can he withstand a pacesetting crunch? Has a history of folding when majorly pressed and this group is gonna be a scramble. Should be in the thick of things.
10/1 – Creep(IRE): Speedster by Generous(IRE) appreciates miler company — maybe he’s finally found his forte after trying to develop into a stayer. Should be up there near pace for epcoteln3. Don’t know if he’s a true sprinter though — we’ll see what happnes. Decent chance despite odds.
11/1 – My Sheba T: Grandson of Alysheba is best in sprints — needs some consistency though. Coughed it up in a G1 over 6f LTO and this time around won’t be any easier. tsyndicate trainnee is a useful colt — I don’t know if he can run with the faves here. Would like to see him exhaust conditions, building SP#s in ALw level first. Reaching.
14/1 – Possibilities: Won over this distnace in the springtime, but Storm Cat colt stumbled over summer. Best in sprints over main track and displays talent. Didn’t care for G1 company LTO and racing on two weeks rest might be too soon. Tough group to try and turn it around. Outsider, but not without a chance if he can put the pieces somehow together.
17/1 – Chatroom Advantage: Ads2’s Storm Cat grandson picks up honest cheques in route company. Shorten up for the first time in a long time here — wildcard then. Possible if he enjoys the distance — tough group to experiment. Outside chance.
19/1 – Barb’s Colt’s Neck: Macho Uno colt belongs in dirt sprints — but probably is in over his head with lesser SP#s. Would have to seriously wake up after G1 debacle. Did hang in there versus older horses recently though. Sprintbarn trainee factor for minor piece of purse at best from 14-hole.
28/1 – Strike Two: From the rail, Smart Strike colt overmatched. He couldn’t wake up versus his wn age group in the ALW ranks LTO, so no reason to suspect he’ll do it here. Nice little colt, but he’s just not at this level for chasitey72 stable.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Royal Sovereign is my pick from midpack if he can overcome awful post 13. Big pace scramble with In A Meeting, Pizol, Street Sweeper, et al. Kingpin Jacob needs to find his heart in drive to wire. Storm Of Roses might have a good day if he can relax behind pace. Creep(IRE) may like distance. But I like Robel Yell a lot for the board with Royal Sovereign in the winner’s circle.
Win: Royal Sovereign
Place: Robel Yell
Show: Kingpin Jacob or Storm Of Roses
Good luck to all.