Unloved Politicians Vie in Florida Turf Contest

The Palms

Grade III

A mile and one eighth

Firm Turf

$150,000

All horses, 3 years old

With only a short field of seven trying to establish themselves as 3-year-old turf derby types, the only controversy we are likely to have here is political: entrants include WHO NEEDS MC CANE(KY) (sic) and a representative of a stable named after a terrible dictator (Polpot).  But the sun is shining, the turf is firm, so let’s meet the septet of starters.  I’m not a fan of favorites, but rail draw CRUSADING ENFORCER(IRE) looks strong.  HINGE(KY) looks good too.

PP  Horse ID  Horse  Owner  Jockey  Odds 

1 170002 CRUSADING ENFORCER(IRE)  foxon5  V Gardner  5/2   

The rising Montjeu sophomore is ranked #44 in this category and arrives with a sparkling 99 speed earned last month in a Louisiana allowance.  Foxon moved this one to turf routes after his debut race, and he’s responded with two stakes wins already.  One of those, as well as his last-out allowance win, were a half furlong longer than today’s contest, so distance is not a question.  In fact, the only question is whether he will be the laggard who showed up for the Sunken Treasure on 1/31, or if his usual good form will prevail.  If so, a worthy favorite under a hot jock.

2 16519 GOING WEST(KY)  topicount3  M Wright  5/1   

Topicount’s entry has Unfuwain and Blushing Groom on the bottom, so he ought to relish the longer races, and he has.  He is only 2 for 10, but is much improved since switching to turf routes.  His 93 speed to kick off the year in the Sweet Robin in Texas is fast enough to contend in here.  He’s neither a standout nor a throwout.

3 164386 WHO NEEDS MC CANE(KY)  matrepok  L Buchta  9/2   

One of many such names in the politically charged Matrepok stables, and this Swain is turning out quite nicely.  He has three wins in his busy schedule since breaking his maiden last August, including two on dirt.  His last out was a facile frontrunning score in the Otto Elusive Special, in which he was far in front through most of the mile and sixteenth, and still galloped to the wire with a nearly two-length advantage.  The 98 speed he earned is one of the best here, and he has the look of one who could win that way again regardless of pace pressure.

4 87316 CARNIVAL OF LOVE(KY)  super15  W Case  5/1  

The first foal from Grade 3 winner VERA GEMINI(KY) just got started in November, and he made quite an impression as a first-out winner and second-out stakeswinner.  The competition is improving, though, and he hasn’t yet been keeping pace, as his first two 2009 performances were off the board in stakes.  He had some nifty off-the-pace moves in his career-opening victories, so he will have to get back to that to make his mark here.  From a wagering standpoint, I’m going to watch this one and bet later if improvement is shown.

5 156717 HINGE(KY)  polpot  W Marshall  5/1    

Mom won the 2005 Grade 1 Cedora D Stakes, and her best kid to date is trying to butt his way into graded contention.  As a son of Johar, the Breeder’s Cup Turf dead-heater, he has a right to like a long grass race, and he really showed it last month when winning a Georgia stakes at this distance.  This attractive roan is about as good as any in here right now, and the odds are favorable, so take a stab.

6 160414 KING THOMAS(IRE)  triplets  K Hickling  5/1   

This poet king (DYLAN THOMAS (IRE) x KINGMAMBO x SEATTLE SLEW) couldn’t match the best of his generation in the Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf, but a fifth place showing in such a race is commendable.  He was beaten again in his return to the races by the Juvenile Turf winner, TO ALL THE CYNICS(IRE), and while it is no discredit to be beaten by a top-5 horse, more concerning was the fact he failed to really get going late and came home sixth.  This is a tough enough bunch again today, so his backers should be hoping the fact that he’s running back in just two weeks means he was not fully cranked for his last race off a long break.

7 102643 AWESOME ALLEGIANCE(AUS)  reigart  A Darling  5/1   

Our only Aussie bred, and he popped a 90 when winning his N3L allowance three weeks ago.  That was his first turf route, so perhaps it is indicative, along with the wide winning margin, of further improvement to come.  The speed was not so impressive for one seeking his first graded win, so with others more promising at similar odds, he’s another to take a look at instead of hitting him hard at the mutuel windows.