Star Sprinters Clash in the Grade One Double F Memorial
I didn’t use AI for any part of the article (inserted from PM)
A field of Twelve will enter the Garden State starting gate for the $750,000 Grade 1 The Double F Memorial. The race will be run at Six Furlongs over the Dirt Course.
CANNONEER – the 3yo son of Jackie’s Warrior, racing out of the veeman stables, is out of a stakes winning City Zip mare, and is taking on older rivals for the first time in his career…There’s no doubt the KY bred has found a sweet spot at 6-furlongs, and two wins in three starts against Grade 3 company lends notice to the rest of this field, but his struggles at the G2 level, and taking on more experienced older rivals might leave him with a tough task while stepping up 2 levels here on Saturday…in top form
PEC – the ric480 trained 7yo son of Malibu Moon, out of a Danzig mare, has certainly seen his share of campaigns with multiple Grade 1 victories on his resume`…after being on the short end of the win photo in Equinics, the fields elder statesman may have bounced in career start 30 in the G1 Old Name, where he finished 8th, a view from behind he hasn’t witnessed in almost a year, while posting his second lowest speed figure he’s turned in since 2022…getting a step slower as he reaches his 8th birthday, or a bounce, he certainly has the credentials to notch another grade 1 to is profile…your call
SABI NATION – this 4yo son of Sioux Nation, trained by corza, is out of a stakes winning Elusive Quality mare… achieved most of his success on the Turf, and displays only one win in eight starts on the dirt…ambitiously placed, the IRE bred would be hard pressed to compete here…look elsewhere.
GRAYDARS WELLS – trained by baggio, the 6yo son of Graydar, out of a Sadler’s Wells mare, has done his best racing in his home state of California at the local level…able to keep pace early in his last two starts, the G1 The Iceberg, and the G1 Binger Handicap, the class level got the best of him in the stretch, perhaps a fate he is destined to here again on Saturday…must show more
ESCAPE WILTSHIRE – the lone mare in this field, hailing from the corza barns, is a 5yo daughter of Wootton Bassett…the FR bred will be taking on the boys for the first time in her career…toss out that Turf start in the G1 Quinn Stakes and you have back to back Grade 1 wins on the Dirt including the Equinics Sprint…The 2025 EOY winner is a dominant sprinter and more than qualified to beat the boys at this level…dangerous
BASEBALL KASH – the 4yo son of Gun Runner out of a G3 winning War Front mare is making his first well-deserved start at the Gade 1 level for the kashbarn…exiting a gate-to-wire victory in the G3 Another President Stakes, will be easy to find after they break from the gate…the KY bred has failed to finish first or second only three times in eighteen starts when he makes the lead in his career…one to catch
HENSAN – the 4yo Gelding, trained by wrathbeard, by Hansen, out of a grade 2 winning Speightstown mare is fresh off a convincing victory in the G2 Consignment Stakes…the SKOR bred has rounded into peak form but is in for much tougher today…learn more today.
SUPER SHY – the 4yo Gelding by Curlin out of a G2 winning No Nay Never mare is a multi-Grade 1 winner for the beerkeg stables…the late running KY bred caught up to a 21.4, 45 pace to run down the G1 Binger Handicap field two back, but his furious stretch drive fell a length and three quarters short after maneuvering from last place in the G1 Old name LTO…should have plenty of pace to run at in here and should find a better trip under regular rider Ronnie (creative license) Hansen…one to beat
LOCOMOTIVE BARBARA – the jakematt trained 5yo gelding by Maximum Security out of a stakes winning Ghostzapper mare warrants consideration here off his convincing win four back the G2 Over the Top Sprint, but his last two defeats are cause for concern at the G1 level and is also off the board in three starts at the graded level for six panels…in tough.
ROOSTER D’ORO – the baggio trained 3yo Gelding by Dream Ahead, out of a stakes placed Medaglia D’oro mare takes on older horses for the first time and enters the field with only two career starts…showed promise in March when he finished third in the G1 The Kewl Whipp Stakes, but has failed to hit the board in his next four outings…looks in need of some class relief…not with these.
FAIRLIGHT CMI – the corza trained son of Constitution, out of an Uncle Mo mare exits the Mr. Blum Dirt Sprint off a hard-fought victory …the speedy KY bred will have to break fast from the outside to gain early position but faces several challenges on his inside…off the board in 4 career starts at the graded level, the 5yo may be extended at 6 furlongs and could waver early…must not falter.
Handicapping the Field
Plenty of speed in this one, but none fast enough to clear BASEBALL KASH, but there might just be enough to soften him up and set things up for SUPER SHY if he can get a clean trip.
I’m not a huge fan of betting fillies against the boy’s bit with ESCAPE WILTSHIRE I can make the exception…she’s a good one and merits consideration.
Amongst the two three-year-olds the advantage goes to CANNONEER. A winner of 6 of 9 is hard to ignore, and he’s got the inside post to save ground and running style to stay close in case the pace falls apart.
PEC is the sleeper in this field and must not be overlooked. If I may use the expression, he’s a pros’ pro…If he can get out first ahead of SUPER SHY it will make for an exciting stretch run.
The Picks
SUPER SHY – best here
BASEBALL KASH – must be caught.
PEC – for old times’ sake