Blackjack Shellac’s Speed Record Looks Safe in Mansur Leroy’s Handicap

The Mansur Leroys Handicap, a G2 dirt race, has a long racing history dating back to 2000 in California.  The initial purse for this race was $150,000 but was increased to $225,000 in 2001.  It stayed at this amount until 2009 when it was reduced back to the $150,000 due to the tough economic times the track was having at the time and it has remained at that amout ever since.

The winner for this race has achieved a speed of 110 or over in each year this race has been held except in 2006 when it was contested on a good track.  The track record is held by Blackjack Shellac who charted an amazing 126 back in 2003.  I don’t think this record is in jeopardy this year as a relatively small, but competitive field of 3 year olds and up will run a distance of a mile and one-sixteenth on a fast dirt track.

1.  Big Money Ben  5-1

Set career speed mark of 111 last month going 8.5f against allowance company on an off-track.  Big Money Ben makes his first stakes appearance and has been on the board 15 of 16 dirt starts.  Offers nice premium and looks capable in making move up into the graded level.

2.  Where Do I Sign   5-2

Where Do I Sign has established himself as a grade runner, winning three of eight starts.  Two of these have been on off-track surfaces where he has excelled.  Still, he is a formidable foe on the dry track where his career mark of 117 was established last November running 9f.  Drops a small notch in distance which won’t hurt this front runner.

3.  Red Wood Man   3-1

This late closer has had three graded race starts, finishing second once and two forths.  Red Wood Man was on fire back in November when he won the non-grade Henianlauch stakes at 9f in a monster speed of 120.   A very capable horse who may be on his way of picking up the first of what will probably be many graded wins.

4.  Wolf Magic   5-1

Wolf Magic is a master at winning allowance races, winning 6 of 8 starts.  Stake level hasn’t been as fruitful with one victory in 7 tries and finishing off the board in the other races.  This is his first graded race and he will need to be at his very best to pick up the win this time out.

5.  K’s  Machuructo   5-2

K’s Machuructo set a career top speed of 116 in January winning the Khartoum Challenge at a mile distance.  He has topped the 110 level four times in his last seven starts with a record of 3-2-0 over that span.  Very formidable entrant out of a top notch barn with a terrific rider aboard.

6.  Painfully Shy    6-1

Painfully Shy will be making a bid to set the pace and has been successful in wiring the field 5 times in 17 starts.  He has 8 stake starts (2 are graded) with a pair of wins in non-graded stakes with the best being in the Silverwore Memorial charting a speed of 111 while running 10f.   I think it will be a tough task for him to wire this field as this group won’t let him run away from them.

K’s Machuructo gets the edge over Where Do I Sign with Big Money Ben having an opportunity to upset them both.  Those are my top three picks.  Good luck everyone!