Eddie Haskell G1

The Eddie Haskell Stakes has had a bit of an interesting history.  It was first run in New Jersey back in 1999 going a distance of 9 furlongs.  After the inaugural running, it was moved over to New York and expanded to 10 furlongs.  In 2003, a horse by the name of Silverwore ran the race of his career, completing the race in 2 minutes flat and a mind boggling speed of 124 which are the records for this race.

However, in 2007, the race was moved back to New Jersey and the distance dropped back to its original 9 furlongs.  Kitten No More holds the record at the 9f distance with a time of 1:47.1 and a charted speed of 113.

This G1 race has drawn a full field of 14 entrants.  I think the track record is safe for this race, but there are a couple of horses who have a fair shot at reaching it.  Taking a look at the field……

1.  Sensibility  17-1

Sensibility has two wins in his 11 lifetime starts, taking his first time maiden start and a subsequent allowance race.  All of his other career races have either been in low stake or graded stake races.  He hasn’t had much luck in competing in stake races, hitting the board twice in 9 tries.  He doesn’t make a lot of sense in this race and I’ll be taking a pass.

2.  Jersey Slough  15-1

The name is very fitting for this horse as 10 of his 13 career starts have been at this track, making him the home town, making him the home-town hero.  Five of his six victories have been on this track.  This is Jersey’s first graded start since 2009 and he wasn’t able to secure the services of favorite jockey Benisz, instead settling reluctantly for E. Walker (8% win).  He simple looks overmateched in this event.

3.  Steel Inferno  9-1

Steel Inferno had a streak of 8 consecutive races where he was on the board running from last October and ending this past June.  In his last race, Steel melted down as the 3-1 favorite in the G2 Swamps Stake.  He ran well early on right up on the front end where he likes to be but just staggered home after passing the midway cone, some 18 strides back and a speed of 89.  The four prior races all had speeds in excess of 100.  I think we can throw out his last outing and should see a much improved outing in this race.

4.  Si Tu Sabes   10-1

This Dynaformer colt is very versatile as he can handle both the turf and dirt surfaces.  He comes off a win on the dirt right here at this track going 9f in a non-grade stake race.  Si Tu Sabes settled into the middle of the field early on in that race and showed his power making up 8 strides at the half to win by two and looking for more.  He established his best speed of 105 in the race.  He has never finished worse than fifth in a race, collecting purse check after purse check.  Don’t be surprised to see him take home another check.

5.  Prussian  9-1

Prussian almost pulled off an upset in the Middle Jewel, a race where he finished second closing extremely strong on a good track going a career best speed of 109.   He was beat badly in his next two grade races.  On the offtrack, Prussian has finished second in each of his three races and on the dry dirt track he’s been on the board twice in seven tries.  The race will be on a dry track and he has race on the Jersey surface once before with poor results.   I don’t expect much from him, but he is capable of punching up some nice speed numbers.

6.  Throw Down  11-1

This past spring, Throw Down started racing at the graded level.  Although he has hit the board once in four tries, his speed numbers have been promising.  Over his last four starts, his speeds have ranged from 97 to 107.   He is a strong late closer and although I’m not convinced he will win this event, he should be considered in the triples.   Throw Down has potential and this race may prove to be a stepping stone.

7.  Flame of Apollo   6-1

A winner of two G1 races already, Flame of Apollo put in a terrific race in the G2 Swamp Stakes winning by a head in a speed of 110.  Trainer Super8 has been successful in picking spots to enter this horse as Flame of Apollo has only missed the board twice in 12 starts.  Except for his first two starts, Flame has raced only in graded races.  He has class and is co-favorite and will enjoy the benefit of top jock Benisz (30% win).  He’s a contender.

8.  Dalaran  12-1

Back in March, Dalaran ran in his only graded race to date.  This speed rabbit went out and led much of the way until he was run down just past the ¾ pole.  Tiring, he ended the race in 9^th.   In his last race (non-grade stakes), similar circumstances occurred where he was run down in the final quarter of the race, however, he finished a game second with a speed of 107.  Although Dalaran has limited stake race experience, his front running acceleration makes him an upset candidate.

9.  Wildcat Ant  13-1

Wildcat Ant started racing in graded events back in March.  After four races, he has a pair of seconds for his efforts.  During this period, his speeds have been dangling right around the 100-mark.  His speeds are at the top of his career so far but he’ll have to pop it up a few notches to be the victor here.  Nice breeding line but his racing history just doesn’t pop out at you.

10.  Inauguration  9-1

In the Arkansas Juvenile (derby prep race) this past April, Inauguration looked like a very imposing force as he finished a solid second with a speed of 110.  This race set him off as the favorite in the Bluegrass Derby, where he left his connections very disappointed, finishing a well back 14^th in the huge 20 horse field.   He came back in June with a 3^rd in the slop and a speed of 100.  Inauguration has talent yet he is testy and unpredictable.  If he behaves, he can be dangerous.

11.  Zapingo  10-1

Zapingo is a very interesting entrant.  He has race his entire career on the turf and has 8 graded races with a record of 1-2-1.  Now with that said, I have to confess that I’ve held my cards closely.  Zapingo actually has one dirt race.  His last race was on a sloppy track in the G2 Flat Land Derby (8.5f).  He put in a stellar outing ralling from last, 12 strides back to win by nearly 2 lengths in a speed of 104.  Longshot players may find this horse to be well worth the risk.

12.  Patcher   10-1

Jockey Lowich (11% win) will be riding Patcher for the third consecutive time.  Patcher is a front running horse who will make his 4^th start on this track.  He has failed to score in two races but found success last week when he won an allowance race by two lengths in a speed of 108.  He has a second in three grades starts.  Despite his most recent outing, I’m taking a pass.  He comes back to the track within one week of his last race and is jumping up from allowance.  Although a speed of 108 could take this race, I don’t see him putting in the same effort that quickly.

13.  Zurich   6-1

Co-favorite Zurich has been shop, winning four of his last five.  His only loss was in the Middle Jewel Stakes where he just did not like the wet track.  He has won three G3 races and averaged a speed of 106 in those races.  He will be looking to wire the field and may find some pressure from three or four other front runners in this field. Zurich  is probably the best suited one of all front runners to wire the field.

14.  Mambo Heat   12-1

Mambo Heat has been knocking at the door.  In 8 career starts, he has scored a record of 0-4-2.  He hasn’t won a race since being a 2-year old, but he keeps on trying.  He finished 3^rd in the 10f G3 Lyons Club Derby with a career best speed of 105.  He gets jockey Oliver (7% win) who is not having one of his better years.  He doesn’t show a lot to get excited about but does have a knack for getting on the board.  Should be considered for the triples.

I’m going against popular opinion and making Zapingo my top choice.  He put in a beautiful race on the slop, his first time dirt spot with a 104 speed.  He’s on a dry track and did well on the firm turf.  I’m looking for another impressive effort.

Zurich has been sharp and can wire the field.  His speed may last but I think Zapingo can catch him.  Still, he gets my second choice.

Flame of Apollo is very consistent and tough to ignore.  He gets my third choice, but there are several others who could factor into the triples.