G3 Buckeye Juvenile

The Buckeye Juvenile is a Grade 3 race for all horses 2 years old going a mile and one sixteenth on dirt. This year’s race attracted a field of 8 horses attempting to jump into routes and compete for the prize of $200,000.

1. BREEZE ALONG (ARG) 2 year old colt (Easing Along X A.P. Indy X Summer Squall) This horse is trained by Topicount4, and also has the option of running in local breed races. But as any smart trainer would, Topicount4 figured out that this guy has more than his breeding would suggest. Broke his maiden on 2nd asking and a 4th in an allowance race is not much to write home about these days. But his last race was very pretty, though he only finished 2nd he went a mile and posted an 85 speed and was closing. He will like this extra distance and is a nice colt.

2. OPEN PIT TED (KY) 2 year old colt (Tapit x Medaglia D’oro X Deputy Minister) Trained by Refinement, this beautifully bred colt has no shame. He broke his maiden and then proceeded to run in the G2 Vermont BB Juvenile he finished 2nd but his trainer had other ideas. His first try at a mile in an allowance race resulted in an eye popping 88 speed and won by 3 lengths. I see him running his race and being in the money. No wondering this is a nice colt.

3. INDY APPEAL (KY) 2 year old colt (A.P. Indy X Successful Appeal X Gone West) This colt is trained by Upperhand2, and has 4 starts to his name. This will be his first try in graded completion and with his last race he earned it. Last time out this colt won an allowance race going a mile with an 88 speed. He won this race fairly easily and on the lead. This is a trend for these young colts so he will have company out there in front today. If he can avid a speed dual he should do well.

4. TADPOLES DOING IT (AR) 2 year old colt (Fan The Flame X A.P. Indy X Mr. Prospector) Trained by Add, this colt has a giggle worthy name. Having made his first 4 starts in unimpressive fashion this colt finally got his just deserts when tried at a mile for the first time. He did not win but was closing well and looking for the ground he will get in this race. His speed an 83 is good and shows he has the talent to dance with the big boys.

5. BLUEGRASS DRIFTER (KY) 2 year old colt (Bluegrass Cat X Machiavellian X Secretariat) This horse is trained by Goldcity, and is so far the only colt to have actually gone the distance of this race. He broke his maiden last time out going 8.5 on fast dirt he posted an 82 speed. It was his second race going a rout and shows an obvious preference. One you can see even from his breeding. Has improved his speed every start and will need to do so again here today to get in the money.

6. ATLAS PEAK (IRE) 2 year old colt (Raven’s Pass X Dixieland Band X Forestry) Trained by Super11, this colt made a tentative start on turf before finding his real surface on the dirt. He has only two races on this surface but both show obvious improvement and talent. The most important of theses was his last start. He ran in an allowance race and won posting a 77 speed. Admittedly this is not super impressive. He did however, win the race by over three lengths, which is impressive and shows that there is a lot more to this colt than originally thought.

7. CONFIDENTLY WRONG (AUS) 2 year old colt (Encosta De Lago X Forty Niner X Nureyev) This 2 year old colt is trained by Torrential, and has a fantastic name. But has no business in this race, come on Desp you know better. Just kidding, this colt has a nice three starts to his career including breaking his maiden and monster allowance win going a mile. He won by almost three lengths and posted an 82. There are faster speeds in this race but they are babies anything can happen. I think he will like the added distance and I love the breeding.

8. ROMEO’S TOUCH (GB) 2 year old colt (With Approval X Kris X Damascus) Trained by Zturf, this long shot is the only horse in the field to be trying a mile for the first time. He has run short sprints going 5.5 and 6 furlongs. He is going to have to show some real love at this distance to get in the money. His breeding suggests that he will like it and his speeds going short are not horrible. His best speed to date is a 77 going 5.5. He will need to step up not only to the competition but the distance. Tough spot for this little guy.

I do not pick babies as they are so rapid in their improvements the slowest horse in the field could easily win. But good luck to all.