Equinics – Roy Higgins Plate Preview

The Field

#1 Ordered (The Mecca) 9/1 : Has already proven he belongs in graded company, highlighted by victories in the G3 Dubai 2000 Guineas and the Mecca Juvenile. He rebounded from a disappointing try in the Sand Castle Derby with a strong runner-up finish in the G2 Aventura Stakes, posting a career-best 106 speed figure before a respectable effort in the Bet Your Potatoes Stakes. The move to 7 furlongs should suit his late-running style. Will this distance bring out his very best?

#2 Weenoodling (East-West Connection) 13/1 : Has been campaigned aggressively on the front end and appears to be improving with added distance, highlighted by a dominant 4¼-length allowance victory at 7½ furlongs that produced a career-best 100 speed figure. He has followed that with two competitive route efforts, including a narrow runner-up finish last time after opening a big lead. He now cuts back to 7 furlongs for the first time, where his natural early speed should put him right in the thick of the pace. Can he use the cutback to his advantage and carry his speed all the way to the wire?

#3 Niente Guerre (MIDAS) 8/1 : Comes in with excellent sprint form, winning back-to-back G2 events before just missing in the G1 Dude Stakes last out. He has posted three straight triple-digit speed figures and has already shown he can handle 7 furlongs, including a runner-up finish in the G2 Big Hill Stakes as a juvenile. His late-running style should suit this distance well. Can he turn another strong closing effort into a victory here?

#4 Kymarj Caique (Down Under Racing) 9/1 : Has really found his niche since cutting back to 7 furlongs, winning the DUR Clambake Sleepy Whale Stakes and G3 Lazaro in back-to-back starts. His late-running style was on full display in both victories, but he couldn’t produce the same finish when seventh in the G2 Stephen Woody last out. The speed figures still suggest he fits with this group on his best day. Can he rebound and unleash that closing kick again?

#5 Zambo Caribe (Latinos Del Mundo) 8/1 : Comes into this race in career-best form after exploding to a 111 speed figure with a dominant victory in the Clasificatorias a las Equinics – Latinos del Mundo Stakes. He has won two of his last three starts, including an allowance score over a mile, and now returns to his preferred 7-furlong distance where he delivered his most impressive performance to date. Can he back up that breakout effort against another quality field?

#6 Justified Indy (Universal Racing Club) 11/1 : Has shown steady improvement throughout his 3-year-old season, highlighted by a front-running victory in the URC Fountain of Youth before earning a career-best 107 speed figure when third in the G3 Affirmative. He now cuts back to 7 furlongs after competing almost exclusively around two turns, but his early speed could make him a dangerous presence from the outset. Can he turn that tactical speed into a winning advantage over the shorter trip?

#7 Ultimate Power (Orphan Racing) 10/1 : Has been remarkably consistent throughout his career and enters off three straight podium finishes against stakes company. He won the Smokey Project Dirt Sprint before stepping into deeper waters, finishing third in both the G1 Dude Stakes and G3 Hetfield Stakes while posting consecutive 101 speed figures. A two-time winner at 7 furlongs, this distance should suit him perfectly. Can his strong late kick finally carry him back to the winner’s circle?

#8 Hermod Anin (European Union Racing Organization) 9/1 : Has shown flashes of high-end ability this season, highlighted by a dominant 4¼-length allowance victory that produced a career-best 107 speed figure. He couldn’t build on that effort when finishing fifth in the Big Red Brush Dirt Special last time out, but his recent form suggests he has the talent to compete at this level. The slight cutback to 7 furlongs could prove beneficial. Can he rebound and deliver another career-best performance?

#9 Country Classics (Florida Racing Club) 7/1 : Has taken his game to another level this spring, putting together back-to-back victories while posting career-best speed figures of 103 and 107. After proving himself around two turns with a Grade 2 victory in The Liar, he now cuts back to 7 furlongs, a distance where he was Grade 3 placed as a juvenile. If he can carry that recent form into this shorter trip, he’ll be a serious threat. Can he prove his newfound class is just as effective back in sprint company?

#10 Sounds of Justice (Empire State Racing) 13/1 : Has not looked the same since closing his undefeated juvenile season, including a win in the Kristopher S. Dirt Juvenile. His three starts this year have all come in graded company, but a fourth in the G3 Risen Star has been the best result, followed by double-digit finishes in the All Saints Derby and G3 Druliner Stakes. The cutback to 7 furlongs brings him back to the distance of his maiden win. Can the shorter trip help him rediscover his juvenile form?

#11 Tywin and Tyrion (Northwest Racing Circuit) 6/1  : Has steadily climbed the ranks since being gelded last fall, winning three of his last five starts while posting increasingly impressive speed figures. He enters off a career-best 109 speed figure after powering home in the Slay The Cat Dirt Route and now cuts back to 7 furlongs after proving he can also win convincingly at this distance earlier this year. Can he carry that career-best form back to one turn and add another stakes victory to his resume?

#12 Tarantallegra (Elite Racing Club) 13/1 : Appears to have found his best form this spring, putting together back-to-back victories while posting career-best triple-digit speed figures. He broke through with a determined allowance win at 7 furlongs before following it up with a dominant 4¼-length score over 7½ furlongs. He now takes a significant step up in class, but his recent form suggests he’s headed in the right direction. Can he continue his rapid rise against graded stakes competition?

#13 Rise Up and Revolt (British and European Racing Club) 9/1 : Has shown his best form when able to control things up front, highlighted by a sharp three-length victory in the Jennahs King Dirt Sprint with a career-best 106 speed figure. The two starts since have been disappointing, fading badly in the Aventura Stakes before finishing seventh in the Bet Your Potatoes Stakes. He now cuts back to 7 furlongs, which may be a better fit for his front-running style. Can he get comfortable early and have enough left to finish the job this time?

The Numbers

Horse	Speed – L3	Speed – 7F	CPU Value	D/S Rank	Total Points
Tywin and Tyrion	103.5	99.1	1279	256	42
Zambo Caribe	102.8	111.4	1381	688	42
Country Classics	103.4	92.1	1147	141	39
Kymarj Caique	101.9	103.2	937	119	36
Niente Guerre	102.6	92	883	4	35
Ultimate Power	100.1	101.2	855	40	31
Ordered	100.3	–	1080	115	30
Rise Up and Revolt	102.1	–	1080	299	29
Hermod Anin	101.1	–	1169	1015	25
Tarantallegra	98.2	100.4	1060	870	22
Justified indy	100.4	–	846	645	20
Weenoodling	99.1	–	809	701	14
Sounds of Justice	96.2	84	694	2077	9