Odds-on Flyphard’s Event must wear down pacesetters
Maine– Short field of five here for the $50,000 Exclusive Coon Special. The story of this feature is if classy Flyphard’s Event can wear down the frontrunners.
At 6/5, the bookies sure give the nod to lafly’s Flyphard’s Event, earner of over $800k with 13 career victories. The Event Of The Year 4YO often flashes turf sprint brilliance every now and then. Currently, he’s been sequestered in the listed stakes level — ‘Event has either won or hit the board in 6 of his last 8. The cutback in distance from his usual 7f running may see him explode from behind the pace.
The fave will have to wear down a couple of sassy pacesetters though:
- There’s a real good one here in irishpony’s Ton Gleam (8/5). The 5YO Vice Regent grandson throws some superb numbers in the turf sprint ranks. the horse is rarely a winner though — he finally bagged a 6.5f stake at Wisconsin two back as a big fave. Weak jockey though might blow it down the lane.
- Zwylde’s lightly raced Black Labeled (6/1) should join ‘Gleam on the lead. the Lear Fan 4YO boasts an honest turf sprint ALW record. He’s the weaker pacesetter at this point because he has yet to break 100 SP# barrier recently. A so-so jockey in the irons doesn’t help either. Needs his career best in this clas leap. Doubtful.
Two stalkers round out the field:
- The Lawnmower Man (7/2) from devilscasa stable could surpirse everyone by jumping out to lead this group. He’s normally a stalker and hasn’t had much luck of late, hitting the board in only 2 of his last 8. The Soviet Star 5YO gets top jock M McClendon and cuts back in distance from 7f running. Thaat all might add up to a long-awaited return trip to the winner’s circle. Mild sleeper if he can outrun the faves to the wire.
- Sophomore Barb’s Smile (14/1) has really found his forte on the grass, taking 2 of 4 outings. The Dixieland Band son won two back as a longshot versus his elders, recording a 101 SP# for the 6.5f. with top jockey G. Giant as pilot, Barb’s Smile has a great chance to spoil the show again if he can bounce back from subpar follow-up. Last to first if at his best…. otherwise a runner-up cheque for kaleigh.
The field tests 6.5 furlongs on firm turf.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Flyphard’s Event can throw clinkers every now and then, but he’s much the best with this group. The Lawnmower Man should hit the board and look for Barb’s Smile on the board too if he can recover from his last.
Win: Flyphard’s Event
Place: The Lawnmower Man
Show: Barb’s Smile
Good luck to all.