Try And Justify vs. A Skunk Vice Round 2?
The Hardcourt
Grade II
A mile and one quarter
Firm Turf
$250,000
All horses, 4 years old and up
The Hardcourt features some old timers that are tailing off, and some 4yos that look to hit the turf category hard this year.
PP #1 Refuse To Cry-Refuse To Bend x Street Cry x Lyphard, 7-2 with J Ledwith up
Owner: Theatrical Stables (Minnesota Downs)
This millionaire has definitely tailed off in his last two. Two back, coming off a big effort in a big money listed stake, he tried two miles in the G3 Diamond Stakes. He was almost 20 down at the half, and kept on backing up. He was 2nd to last, and almost was distanced. Last out 3 weeks back in Japan, he raced in the G3 Chuck’s Truck at 10f on yielding ground. Again, he was far back at the half, almost 15. And yet again he never made up any ground, finishing 12th beaten 22. He will be last early, and he might not ever get out of that spot.
PP #2 Try And Justify-Medicean x Danehill Dancer x Lear Fan, 3-2 with J Ventura up
Owner: Billy2shoe Stables (Blazing Saddles)
This up and coming Medicean colt was the reason Otistaylor bred his 2yo Eclipse winning colt Preposterageous, cloning the sire and damsire, and putting the dds on the same line. Last out, he ran in a listed stake at 10.5, he sat in 2nd throughout the first ¾ of the race. But, in the lane, he passed the leader late to win by 1 ¼. He earned a 113 speed! Three back he ran the race of his life, winning by 3 ½ in a G3 in New Zealand. He sat a little more off the pace than last out, moved into 2nd going into the turn, and blew them away late, winning with a 112 speed figure. He should be 3rd early, and would be no surprise.
PP #3 A Skunk Vice-Alkaased x Vice Regent x Crème Dela Crème, 2-1 with R Howard up
Owner: Skunkbarn Stables (Blazing Saddles)
This colt makes it back to back Blazing Saddles entrants. Last out he got beat by the other Blazing Saddles entrant. He took a 4 length lead going down the backstretch. His lead shortened to 2 going around the turn, and got passed in the final stages. He still earned a blazing 112 speed figure. Before his last, he had won two straight graded races. Both at marathon distances, 11f and 12f. He won both by a combined 6 lengths. Also in both he stalked the lead in 3rd early, and pounced on the leaders going around the turn. He should be in top 2 early, and has a great chance.
PP #4 Devil’s Flag-Giant’s Causeway x Damascus x Hoist The Flag, 7-2 with B Wu up
Owner: Checkmate1 Stables (GR Simsters)
This colt tried 13f last time out. But it didn’t work out so well, he started falling back going around the turn, and finished 6th, beaten 19 ¼. Two back he raced in a DPCD event at 9.5f. He sat right off the pace, he fell back a little at the ¾, and kept falling back, but stayed in to finish 4th, beaten about 10. Three, four, and five back he won. Two G2’s and an allowance. He won the graded races by 5 ¾ combined. Will he make the lead is the question, if he gets the lead, he could stick around for a minor prize.
PP #5 Shelby Shoots-Lammtarra x In Excess x Gone West, 7-1 with C McMahon up
Owner: Caddywampu Stables (NA)
This oldy is in here to pick up some prize money. Last out he raced at 9f in a condition allowance. He stalked the lead early, was shuffled back to 8th going into the turn, and faltered in the lane to finish 10th beaten 10 ¼. Two back he finished 3rd in another condition allowance, but this time at 8.5f. He moved into and going around the turn, but got tired late to finish 3rd, beaten a little more than 6. Should be 3rd or 4th early, and needs a miracle.
Morning Line-2-3-1-4-5
Brisnet.com-3-2-4-1-5
Drf.com-2-3-1-5-4
Equibase.com-2-3-1-4-5
Gowans-3-2-4-1-5
Good luck to all connections!!