G1 Corkscrew Stakes Preview

#1 Outback Impious (MIDAS) 6/1 : Favourite in both the morning line odds and my “Field In Numbers”. Interesting as this will be his first graded stakes try of his career. He comes in off the big number when winning the Journeyman Dirt Route by 4 ¼ lengths. The number is the highest figure in the field and it was nice that he was able to do it at today’s distance of 9 furlongs. Obviously a big step up in class and hasn’t been overly consistent at times with his performances. Is he a worthy or vulnerable favourite?

#2 Bloody Mischief (GR Simsters) 11/1 : He comes in off the big 4 ½ length victory in the Franco Invasion Dirt Route in his last start. Another one who will be making his first graded stakes appearance. Nice to see the try at 9 furlongs, as he seemed to be wanting more distance in his previous two attempts. Will look to be flying late if the last race is any indication, so the worry is how the traffic will sit right in front of him. Not sure there is much to separate him from the favourite. Peaking at the right time?

#3 Gun Round (The Mecca) 10/1 : Undefeated at the allowance level in his career, but seems to underperform when making the jump into graded stakes territory. The best finish was the 3rd in the G2 Club Stakes, but couldn’t build the momentum as he faded to 8th in the G2 Sleepy Fan last time out. Has a tendency to lose lengths down the stretch, as his wins have all been from on the front end. He might just be a really good allowance horse at this point in his career. Can he wire the field?

#4 Spite The Data (Orphan Racing) 15/1 : Longest shot on the board. Won the first three starts of his career which included the G2 Hoserhead Juvenile. I would argue that the 3rd in the G1 Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile Sprint was his best performance of his career against a really competitive field. The issue with him is his two G1 routes have both been unspectacular. Likes to be on or near the lead and has faltered down the stretch in both. Can he be successful routing against this group?

#5 Sense of Candy (Orphan Racing) 8/1 : One of the most experienced in the field as this will be his 11th walk to the starting gate. His only other graded race was way back in the third start of his career, so doesn’t have much bearing for this week. He saw a little bounce with the third place in the Strike A Boundry Dirt Route last out, after that commanding allowance win with the big speed figure. Might be a cut below the best in here, but what if he runs back to that performance from two back?

#6 Just Go Crazy (Orphan Racing) 10/1 : Has shown different running styles in his last two victories, with the latest being the Geared Down Dirt Mile. He will have to go a furlong longer today, but seemed to handle the 8.5 furlong distance in the allowance win. The versatility should help against these and if he can sit the trip he had two back he might get first run at the leaders down the stretch. The last two he has shown lots of maturity. Was it the slop he liked last out or is he ready to take that step forward?

#7 Warrior of Life (Orphan Racing) 14/1 : Lightly raced, but have to like the effort he put in with the third place finish in the G3 Buccaneer Derby in his latest. That was a big step up from the NW2L to close out his juvenile season, and it seemed he might be wanting more distance. He takes another big step up in class, but if he can continue to show maturity, I like him to have a chance at these bigger odds. Is he just starting to hit his peak now?

#8 Elektra Rose (MIDAS) 12/1 : A filly taking on the boys, but I’m not sure there is a horse in the field coming off of more dominating performances than this one. 3 straight victories by a combined 15 ¾ lengths. They were capped off by the victory in the Sovereign Monarch Dirt Filly last time out. Nice to see her get two victories going today’s distance, but obviously a big change not only facing the boys, but graded company as well. How will she fare with those changes?

#9 Smart Planning (MIDAS) 9/1 : Experienced with his 10 starts, but only has two wins to show for it. Fortunately, one of those came at today’s distance last out in the Swampy Honor Dirt Route. A versatile runner as he has shown he can come from far back, while also showing he doesn’t mind to be close to the lead. Not sure the best strategy against this group, so it will be interesting to see what he decides to do. Always competitive, so the question is can he string two wins together?

#10 Unbearable Pharoah (Hoosier Racing) 8/1 : Winner of his first four races which included the G1 Dell Computer Futurity. Ended his successful juvenile season with the G1 Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile Dirt Sprint where he finished middle of the pack with a 7th place showing. He disappointed in his first attempt at a route, but rebounded nicely with the 2nd place finish in the G2 Sleepy Fan Stakes. Winner of 5 of 7 in his career, can he continue the momentum after that huge speed number last out?

#11 Revenooer Man (The Mecca) 11/1 : Rebounded nicely from that disappointing finale to his juvenile season with a win in the Kowboy Dirt Route to start his 3 year old campaign. Unfortunately, the jump up to graded company resulted in a 7th place finish in the G3 Buccaneer Derby last out. Hard to gain confidence when the speed figure drops. Also the #7 Warrior of Life had a nice hard charging third in the same race, so will have to turn the tables on him. Is he trending the wrong way?

#12 Welcome The Pain (The Mecca) 10/1 : Scratch that off-track performance off the list and he is looking dangerous heading into this one. Sure, maybe his speed figures aren’t as high as some others in here, but it should give him confidence coming off two victories, one being the G3 Rebel Yell. Likes to be close to the lead early, a style that might benefit him in a group like this. Will need to continue to build off those wins, but isn’t this the most logical step?

#13 Gold Plated Glock (Orphan Racing) 14/1 : Best name in the field, and one that has improved his speed figure in every race. Was much the best in the NW2L to finish his juvenile season, so it was nice to see him carry that over to the victory in the G3 Gary Asher Memorial Stakes to begin his 3 year old campaign. I know the 11th place finish sticks out, but have to think that was a learning experience he has improved off of. Another one with every opportunity to take the next step. Can he?

#14 Candy’s Empire (Empire State Racing) 10/1 : Different horse since that turf start and break to be gelded. Came back with consecutive triple digit speed figures, including the win in the G2 Land’s End. Likes to get out in front of the group and play catch me if you can, which is a bit harder with the versatile group lining up here. However, he fended off 14 others in that G2 win, not losing a length down the stretch. If he gets loose on the lead, can anyone catch him?

Field In Numbers

Horse	Speed – L3	Speed – 9F	CPU Value	D/R Rank	Total Points
Outback Impious	100.2	107.5	870	149	49
Candy’s Empire	97.8	106.6	801	37	45
Smart Planning	99.2	104.4	813	112	43
Unbearable Pharoah	97.3	N/A	829	20	42
Welcome The Pain	97.9	N/A	781	59	39
Sense of Candy	99.3	N/A	825	155	38
Elektra Rose	97.8	102.6	755	62	37
Gun Round	99.7	N/A	770	162	33
Revenooer Man	97.3	N/A	748	159	25
Bloody Mischief	96.8	104.3	752	168	24
Gold Plated Glock	93.7	N/A	692	79	23
Just Go Crazy	95.5	N/A	747	165	19
Spite The Data	93.6	97.3	648	120	19
Warrior of Life	94.1	N/A	674	207	14