G3 Switchboard Special
The Switchboard Special
Grade III $125,000
Florida
1 1/8 miles
A talented group of 3 year old colts invade Sunny Florida for the $125,000 Switchboard Special. The track is lightning fast and it should be a beautiful day for Graded action. The horses are warmed up and ready, the trainers and grooms have done their best throughout the month and the owners are bubbling with anticipation. The last race on the card today could prove to be the most highly contested stakes race on a huge day at the Florida track. This stretch drive will be exciting and will have everybody on their feet! Let’s take a closer look at the hopeful combatants.
1. ENTENTE CORDIALE(KY)(6-3-3-0 $103,320) Tr-Goosetown Jk-S Popo (30-2-2-2-7%) 9/1
Goostown’s colt comes into this race after making the jump to Graded action in the Good Cow Grade 3 mile, here at the fast Florida track. With $150,000 on the line, Entente Cordiale just missed his biggest payday by a quarter of a length. With a huge speed number of 99 in his first start as a 3 year old, the sky is the limit. Despite having an inexperienced jockey, this closer will benefit with the extra furlong and could upset this talented field. 9/1 is a good price to have on the ticket.
2. CONFIDENTLY WRONG(AUS)(8-4-2-0 $368,740) Tr- Torrential Jk-A Darling (114-14-21-14-12%) 7/2
One of only two Graded winners in the race, the morning line favorite, Confidently Wrong ships in from California. Torrential has this 3 year old colt in great form after a stellar 2 year old campaign in which he amassed over $350,000 and an invite to the Grade I Breeders Bowl Juvenile. The only horse in the field that has been 9 Furlongs he posted his best speed rating (98) but was beat 5 lengths in the $100,000 Grade 3 “The Scam”. Should play a stalking role today with the early speed being outside of him, I look for him to battle for the lead in the stretch. 7/2 is a good price.
3. ROXY AND ELSEWHERE(KY)(7-3-1-1 $100,314) Tr- Borrow1 Jk-A McKellar (23-5-4-1-22%) 6/1
Since finding the extra distance to his liking this colt has won 3 out of 4 starts. Got outlasted against a stellar field in the $250,000 GRSimsters Championship, but came back to win his next two starts against high level allowance company. Borrow1 has his colt well placed to be an upset winner; he could shake loose on the lead and not look back.
4. SCAN THE MAP(KY)(9-3-3-1 $136,650) Tr- Jumpmoose Jk-F Lincoln (22-1-5-1-5%) 5/1
Part of the blanket finish the $150,000 Grade 3 Good Cow, Scan The Map closed to a 3rd place finish while posting a blazing 98 speed rating. Jumpmoose’s colt is making his tenth start making him the most experienced horse in the field. Making his third start in a row in graded company, drew woefully in the jockey department this colt has an outside chance, but that’s all.
5. CUPID’S PSYCHE(KY)(5-2-1-0 $71,770) Tr- Repaper Jk-R Maire (44-6-5-6-14%) 7/1
Making his first start in Graded company, Repaper sends his speedy Tiznow colt to tackle his toughest competition. Was an impressive winner in his 3 year old debut against open allowance company at Eastern Kentucky, posting a 92 speed rating. Cupid’s Psyche is going to have to the race of his young career to best this field.
6. FOREVER CHANGED(KY)(8-3-3-1 $402,350) Tr- Brookline Jk-W Case(69-6-7-10-9%) 5/1
Making his first start as a 3 year old, Forever Changed comes into the race sporting the highest speed rating(100) as a 2 year old. If the $1,000,000 Grade 2 Eruption Handicap is any indication of how much this horse loves routes this field is in trouble. Brookline’s colt gave up the lead late as he tried to pull off the upset. Amassed over $400,000 and is 29th in the dirt classic ranking. Has a good shot if the battle for the lead doesn’t get too ugly.
7. ME GUSTA(KY)(8-2-2-1 $204,096) Tr- Wendel Jk-L Buchta(141-32-28-22-23%) 8/1
No stranger to Graded races, Me Gusta comes into this race looking for his first win in Graded company. Wendel’s colt absolutely hates the surface at Kentucky, posting his worst outings from this talented colt; Florida’s heavenly surface will be a welcome change. Just missed in the $400,000 Grade 1 Sparkling Wine Stakes and the $150,000 Grade 2 Closest Friend Stakes. Wendel better have his colt in prime condition against this field. Has the speed and drew a fabulous jockey in Butcha.
8. SIN CITY SIN(KY)(6-3-1-1 $42,489) Tr- Texasace06 Jk-O Barrett(39-7-3-4-18%) 13/1
Texasace06 ships his colt in from North Carolina to jump into the Stakes ranks, Sin City Sin has only had one route in his brief career. Drew well from the jockey ranks, Barrett will do his best to keep this inexperienced colt well placed. Could possibly be in over his head in this race.
9. SYSTEM OVERLOAD(KY)(5-3-2-0 $117,685) Tr- Fairhaven1 Jk-V Gardner(156-45-30-29-29%) 9/2
Coming off an Impressive debut in graded competition, Fairhaven sends System Overload into his second Graded race in a row at the beautiful sunny Florida track. Stalking throughout, this big colt took the lead in the stretch and posted a 99 speed rating in the $150,000 Grade 3 Good Cow. Lightly raced as a 2 year old this colt may just be the freshest in the field. He will be close to the lead and will battle in the stretch.