Saturday, November 29, 2014

STARS OF TOMORROW – Pedigree Notes

The juvenile colts and fillies will be out in full force on Saturday at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs and Calder…uh, Gulfstream West, as it’s known now. Churchill and Gulfstream will offer maiden, allowance and stakes races for the youngsters. Perhaps we’ll see a preview of next year’s Kentucky Derby, Preakness or Belmont Stakes winner or future older superstar.

Below are pedigree notes on the maiden and allowance race contenders, plus the Golden Rod and Demoiselle Stakes. Many of these babies were mentioned this summer on The Kiddie List. You’ll find the Remsen and Kentucky Jockey Club analysis and selections at the Pedigree Power blog on Horse Racing Nation.

CHURCHILL

RACE 1 | Optional Claiming | 1 mile | 2YO Fillies

ZEVEN (Lookin At Lucky - Boot Scoot N Run, by Storm Boot) half to stakes placed Kowboy Boots (Kodiak Kowboy). Their dam is a half to stakes placed Bushwacked. That’s it for blacktype in this family.

TRIGGER FINGER (U S Ranger - Vibration, by Catienus) Her dam is a full sister to stakes winning turf miler SELF MADE MAN and also to the stakes placed turf miler Rules of Honor. Third dam is the blue hen Kitten’s First, dam of Champion Turf Male and top sire KITTEN’S JOY, multiple Grade 1 winner PRECIOUS KITTEN and granddam of Champion 2YO Filly DREAMING OF ANNA, stakes winners and sires LEWIS MICHAEL and JUSTENUFFHUMOR. Trigger Finger has a terrific turf pedigree and won her debut on the turf. She’ll try to transfer her winning ways to the dirt.

TIGER RIDE (Candy Ride (ARG) - Royal Tigress, by Storm Cat) is a half to the stakes winning sprinter/miler OL DONYO (Curlin) and stakes placed Legend (Tiznow). Their dam is a Group 3 winning sprinter in Ireland. Third dam SUMMER MOOD was a Canadian Champion Sprinter. Tiger Ride has a good pedigree for turf and won her debut over the surface. Like Trigger Finger, she’ll try to do the same over the dirt.

BIG RED SEVEN (Hold Me Back - All Sevens, by A.P. Indy) His Freshman Sire, a son of Giant’s Causeway was best suited for turf although his offspring have no problems winning over the dirt. Big Red Seven’s second dam SIX SEXY SISTERS won 2 of 3 starts, including the Colleen Stakes. This is the distaff family of MGSW sire BEAU GENIUS.

LAVENDER CHRISSIE (Scat Daddy - Lavender Baby, by Rubiano) is a half sister to Grade 3 winning sprinter BABY J (J Be K), stakes winner and turf Grade 1 placed LAUREATE CONDUCTOR (Bernstein) and multiple stakes placed Que Posse (Posse). The class skipped a generation in this family as we have to go back to the third dam, multiple stakes winner HOT MILK to find blacktype.

HARLAN'S DESTINY (Harlan's Holiday - Mantekilla, by Lemon Drop Kid) takes on open company after out-classing state-bred stakes fillies by over seven lengths in the Rachel's Turn and the West Virginia Breeders' Classic Stakes. Her dam is a half to a stakes winner. Two-time Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint heroine MIZDIRECTION and Grade 1 winner HOOH WHY are part of this female family.

RACE 2 | Optional Claiming | 6F | 2YO Fillies

MOVIE MYSTERY (Flatter - Tiz a Fantasy, by Tiznow) her dam is a half to a stakes winning sprinter and second dam FANTASY ANGEL won the Comely Stakes (G-3). This filly is bred to go long, however she won her debut sprinting.

TAYLOR S (Medaglia d'Oro - Miss Macy Sue, by Trippi) cuts back to a sprint after speed/fade in the Rags to Riches Stakes. Her dam is a multiple stakes winning sprinter. Taylor S has plenty of speed in her distaff line as she’s inbred to the two-time Champion Sprinter TA WEE.

CLASSY CORINTHIAN (Corinthian - Can't Buy Class, by Elusive Quality) No blacktype in her immediate family, although all four of her siblings, which are fillies, are winners. Their dam is a half to two stakes placed runners and this is the female family of popular Grade 1 stakes veteran BOBOMAN.

ZENITTOWINIT (Zensational - Silver Star, by Silver Deputy) her dam is a half to multiple stakes winner and sire GREELEY’S CONQUEST, G-3 heroine ITTY BITTY PRETTY, and three stakes placed runners. The second dam TIPSY GIRL is also a multiple stakes placed sprinter.

EMPRESSIVE HUMOR (Distorted Humor - Empressive Lady, by Empire Maker) was no factor in the Adirondack or Matron Stakes, so she drops into allowance company. With Empire Maker and A.P. Indy as her first two damsires, she has the pedigree to run all day and might need at least a mile to stretch her legs. Her dam and second dam were both stakes placed sprinters.

SILVER ALLURE Unbridled's Song - Only Seventeen, by Exploit) is a half to Milady Handicap (G-2) heroine MADE FOR MAGIC (Cape Canaveral).

I'M A LOOKER (Henny Hughes - Our Mariella, by Victory Gallop) her dam is a half to a stakes winning sprinter. The third dam, LAKEWAY MISS, was 1977 Champion 2YO Filly.

RACE 3 | MSW | 1 1/16 miles | 2YO Fillies

TALE OF CLASS (Tale of Ekati - Classic Slew, by Seattle Slew) is a half to turf stakes winner SURGING RIVER (Gone West), plus turf stakes placed runners Comet Kris (Kris S.) and Ford Every Stream (Seeking the Gold). You read that right, her dam is 20+ years old and by SEATTLE SLEW. Tale of Class’ second dam and third dams are the blue hens. Second dam No Class bore Champions GRAY CLASSIC, REGAL CLASSIC, SKY CLASSIC and DANCE SMARTLY, plus No Class is the grand dam of Champion DANCETHRUTHEDAWN, top sire SMART STRIKE, Queens Plate hero SCATTER THE GOLD, also third dam of G-1 winner MORENO, etc. Third dam is blue hen Classy Quillo.

SAVE OUR OCEANS (Super Saver - Atlantic Ocean, by Stormy Atlantic) is a half to turf stakes placed runner Golden Galleon (Medaglia d'Oro). Their dam is a G-3 winner over dirt and turf, and her wins include the Miesque (G-3) Santa Ysabel, and Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies.

MARKET APPEAL (After Market - Setareh, by Sky Classic) her dam is a stakes winning miler who placed third in the Vanity (G-1) at 1 1/8 miles. Her half sisters have bore several listed stakes winners/placers.

PURR (Bluegrass Cat - French Kiss, by Hussonet) this well-named filly’s dam was stakes placed at two, and as an older stakes winner, won at 1 1/6 miles. The dam is a half to multiple G-1 winner ON FIRE BABY, who is also a graded stakes winning 2YO. Another half sister, HIGH HEELS, is a stakes placed juvie and won the G-2 Fantasy at three.

SUPER SAKS (Sky Mesa - Broadway Debut, by Unbridled's Song) is a half to juvie SP Mr Bluegrass Music (by Bluegrass Cat). Another half sib was unplaced in 4 starts at two. Their dam Broadway Debut is a half to MGSP Voodoo (by Petionville) and the second and third dams own blacktype.

LASSOFTHEMOHICANS (Indian Charlie - Dream Street, by Tale of the Cat) her unraced dam is a half to Champion Sprinter HOUSEBUSTER. The multiple stakes winning turf sprinter SOMETHING EXTRA (by Indian Charlie), G-2 winner NICOLE H, multiple stakes veteran TAX REFUND and stakes winning sprinter MEAL PENALTY are all part of the immediate (2nd gen.) female family.

STROKE PLAY (Warrior's Reward - Candy Ma'am, by Lemon Drop Kid) One of two half sibs to race placed as a 2YO and the dam placed in her second start. The second and third dams own minor blacktype. Freshman Sire WARRIOR'S REWARD, a son of MEDAGLIA D'ORO, is off to a huge start at stud.

SUPER STYLISH (Super Saver - Stylish Manner, by Touch Gold) is a half to G-3 winner NONIOS (Pleasantly Perfect) who was second in the Haskell Inv. (G-1), also a half to juvie stakes winner CITY COOL (City Zip), and stakes placed Super Robusto (Smoke Glacken). Her dam is a half to G-3 stakes winning turfer KISS THE DEVIL, who is the dam of multiple turf stakes winners KISS MINE and KISS MOON.

INCLUDE BETTY (Include - Betty's Solutions, by Eltish) is a half to Hollywood Starlet (G-1) runner-up Blonde Fog (Divine Park) and an English stakes placed runner. Second dam is multiple graded stakes winner BETTY LOBELIA. Grade 1 winning sprinter MY TRUSTY CAT and multiple stakes veteran SOMETHINGABOUTBETTY are part of this immediate family.

RACE 4 | MSW | 1 1/8 MILES (Turf) | 2YO Colts/geldings

OO DE LALLY (Midshipman - Home Run Kiss, by Bertrando) his dam is a full sister to G-1 turf winning miler KARELIAN and a half to G-2 SP turf miler COLGAN'S CHIP. This colt’s pedigree leans more towards sprint speed rather than middle distances.

RANSOM THE MOON (Malibu Moon - Count to Three, by Red Ransom) his dam is a SW sprinter and a full sister to Canadian G-3 winner THNIK RED. The second dam COUNTUS IN is a three-time winner of the Maryland Ladies Handicap.

PAT'S SHOES (Eskendereya - Isabell's Shoes, by King of Kings (IRE)) is a half to SP runners Bell's Shoes (Mineshaft) and Amazing Shoes (Empire Maker). Their dam won the one mile Martha Washington stakes. She’s a half to multiple SW miler PROM SHOES and to the stakes winning sprinter WILDCAT SHOES. Second dam PINK SHOES and third dam FUN FLIGHT also won the Martha Washington. This is the female family of G-1 winning sprinter and sire ZENSATIONAL and MGSW DEPARTING.

TASK FORCE GLORY ( Badge of Silver - Glory Dancer, by Honour and Glory) is a half to SW GUNG HO and SP Kitten’s Dancer (both by Kittens Joy). The second dam is a G-2 winner and third dam is the important blue hen BLITEY, dam of DANCING SPREE, FANTASTIC FIND, (dam of MG1W FINDER’S FEE). Multiple stakes winning veteran T.D. VANCE and Champion 3YO Filly HEAVENLY PRIZE are also part of this illustrious distaff family.

STREET TOUGH (Street Sense - Dreamy Maiden, by Meadowlake) is a half to U.A.E. Derby (G-2) & Royal Lodge (Eng-G-2) winner DADDY LONG LEGS (Scat Daddy) and multiple stakes winning dirt sprinter TRES DREAM (Chester House). Their dam is a SW over dirt and the second dam is a stakes winner over dirt & turf.

HEY HEY IT'S D K (Exchange Rate - Latitude Forty, by Chester House) his dam is a MSW at 1 1/8 miles over the turf. The second dam Planchette was third in the Iroquois Stakes against 2YO colts.

TIZ TOWN (Tiznow - Bird Town, by Cape Town) Only four of seven half siblings of racing age made to the track. None own blacktype, and only two won. One of the two hit the board as a 2YO. The dam was Champion 3YO filly and half sister to Belmont Stakes winner and sire BIRDSTONE. The second dam Dear Birdie is a blue hen.

UNION RIVER (Tiznow - Our Khrysty, by Newfoundland) his dam is a MSW sprinter and a half sister to MG1W and sire BULLSBAY (Tiznow) and juvenile SW VEGAS NO SHOW (Hard Spun). The second and third dams were stakes placed as juveniles and fourth dam is the blue hen GRECIAN COMEDY, who was a juvie SW.

JEWISH HOLIDAY (Purim - Red Dot, by Diesis (GB)) his dam is a half to Kentucky Oaks heroine FLUTE.

RACE 5 | MSW | 6 1/2F | 2YO Fillies

PRETTY PERFECTION (Majesticperfection - Suchaprettygirl, by Mazel Trick) her dam is a half to MG1 winning turf router SWEET TALKER and multiple G-3 turfer SILVER MEDALLION. This is the distaff family of MGSW INCLUDE ME OUT and CHECK THE LABEL.

FASHIONABLY COOL (Tiznow - Kanani, by E Dubai) his dam is a half to many stakes winners, including LITTLEEXPECTATIONS, LITTLE SISTER, and VALID EXPECTATIONS. This is also the distaff family of MG1SW PURGE, JERSEY GIRL (dam of JERSEY TOWN), and stakes winner and leading CA sire VALID WAGER.

QUEEN BUXLEY (Super Saver - Finmore Queen, by Grand Slam) her dam is a half to Ruffian Stakes (G-1) POOL LAND and MSP My Chickadee.

ANYTHINGYOUCANDO (Curlin - Glorified, by Honour and Glory) her dam is a G-1 stakes placed sprinter and a half to MSP Gangbuster. The second, third and fourth dams are all stakes winners and Hollywood Starlet heroine DIPLOMAT LADY is part of this family.

MOON MEDAL (Medaglia d'Oro - Moonbow, by Distorted Humor) her dam is a half to G-3 winner BUFFUM, MSW STORMY WEST and SP Value Stream. Second dam STORM BEAUTY won the Miss Preakness Stakes and she’s a half to Champion Sprinter GOLD BEAUTY (dam of Champion and sire DAYJUR), G1 winner and blue hen MAPLEJINSKY (dam of Champion Older Mare SKY BEAUTY, plus granddam to TALE OF EKATI, PLEASANT HOME, PINE ISLAND, etc.). Third dam is blue hen STICK TO BEAUTY.

ROSE TO GLORY (Majestic Warrior - Rose Tiara, by St. Jovite) pretty gray filly is a half to SP sprinter Clayton's Trick (Phone Trick). Their dam’s half sister bore G-3 winner KID GRINDSTONE. Second dam is Champion Sprinter PRINCESS ROONEY.

RACE 6 | OPT. CLAIMER | 6F | 2YO colts/geldings

INSTANT REPLAY (Lemon Drop Kid - Run Kate Run, by Cherokee Run) is a full brother to MSW veteran KID KATE and a half to SW AMIE'S DINI (Bandini). The second and third dams both won stakes as 2YO.

HOLY BOSS (Street Boss - Holy Grace, by Holy Bull) his dam is a half sister to graded stakes winners MARK ONE and ROOKIE SENSATION. Another half sister foaled Ohio Derby hero PLEASANT PRINCE.

GREAT REZULTS (Zensational - Quarterly Report, by General Meeting) has a fairly precocious female family. His dam is a multiple SP full sister to SW YEARLY REPORT, the dam of recent Spinaway (G-1) winner CONDO COMMANDO and multiple SP CHECKLIST. Second dam FISCAL YEAR is a SW Juvenile.

TOASTING MASTER (Congrats - Broadway Gold, by Seeking the Gold) he’s a half brother to multiple stakes winner R GYPSY GOLD (Bernardini), Razorback Handicap hero GOLDEN LAD (Medaglia d'Oro) Grade 2 winner and Kentucky Oaks runner-up BROADWAY’S ALIBI (Vindication). Their dam won the Astoria Stakes as a 2YO and she’s a half sister to Florida Derby hero and new sire DIALED IN. Second dam Miss Doolittle placed in the Schuylerville Stakes (G-2) as a two year old and the second dam ELIZA earned Champion 2YO Filly honors.

RACE 7 | MSW | 6 ½ F | 2YO colt/geldings

FRACULA (Rockport Harbor - Light and Liberty, by Arch) both half siblings are winners. His dam is a half to SW sprinters RISEN WARRIOR and AWESOME LADY, who is the dam of MSW turf sprinter SENSIBLE LADY.

MARKET GUESSING (Blame - Run Sarah Run, by Smart Strike) is a half to multiple stakes veteran FIRST DUDE (Stephen Got Even) and SW VIA VENETO (Orientate). Second dam BREECH is a SW.

NO SMALL REWARDS (Warrior's Reward - No Small Wonder, by Capote) is a half to Cinderella Stakes winner WONDERFUL LUCK (Trust n Luck). That’s it for blacktype in the immediate distaff line.

HIDDEN DANGER (Tiznow - North Cork, by Doneraile Court) his dam is a half sister to Louisiana Derby (G-1) hero HIGH LIMIT. Recent BC Juvenile Turf winner HOOTENNANNY, plus G1 winners DANCE TEACHER and CAT MOVES are part of this family.

FLASHY JEWEL (Flashy Bull - Indian Jewel, by Distorted Humor) is a half to SP Juvie KENTUCKY GEM (Friends Lake). Their dam is a full sister to Busanda Stakes winner AGE OF HUMOR, plus a half to MSP Coach Ryan and juvie SP Meeker Avenue.

DECORATION (Congrats - Preemptive Attack, by Smart Strike) is a half to MGSP Sky Treasure (Sky Mesa) and juvie SP Panther Strike (Black Minnaloushe). Second dam is Canadian Champion Older Mare and Champion Turf Mare BOLD RURITANA.

AMERICAN ROAD (Quality Road - I Love America, by Quiet American) is a half to 2YO SW AMERICAN SUGAR (Harlan's Holiday) and SP Love to Run (Pulpit). Their dam is a half to the dam of MG1 winning sprinter SASSY IMAGE, who was also a SW 2YO. I Love America is a half to the dams of 2YO SW LA WILDCAT and her turf SW half brother EXTENSIVE. The second dam is stakes placed and the third dam HEADER CARD won the Oak Leaf (G-1) as a two year old. Do you see a trend here?

KID ZIP (Unbridled's Song - Baby Zip, by Relaunch) the pretty gray colt is a half brother to multiple graded stakes winners and top sires CITY ZIP (Carson City) and GHOSTZAPPER (Awesome Again) plus multiple G3 winner CITY WOLF (Giant’s Causeway). Their dam is a blue hen.

TWISTED FANTASY (Touch Gold - Miss Attractive, by Running Stag) is a half to MGSW AWESOME BABY (Awesome Again) heroine of the Santa Ynez, Santa Ysabel and Sunland Park Oaks. Their dam is a half to SW AMIABLE GRACE and MISS TIZZY.

VICI (War Front - Viva, by Pulpit) hails from a family of Claiborne Farm bluebloods. He’s a half to G-3 SP Luster (Touch Gold). His dam is a half sister to stakes winning sires EASTERN ECHO and ROAR, plus Multiple graded stakes winner YELL. Second dam stakes winner WILD APPLAUSE is the grand-dam of GSW CONGRATS and SP Flatter, both are sires. The fourth dam is dam is blue hen GLOWING TRIBUTE, dam of Kentucky Derby winner SEA HERO, plus she is grand-dam of Champion European sprinter MOZART and many other notable stakes winners.

HAWKSHAW (Discreetly Mine - Count to Six, by Saratoga Six) is a half to the multiple stakes winning veterans MERIBEL (Peaks and Valleys) and KNOX (Menifee). Six of nine half siblings that raced are winners. Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine INFORMED DECISION is part of this distaff family.

RACE 8 | MSW | 1 MILE (TURF) | 2yo Fillies

LIVE FOREVER (Pioneerof the Nile - Smokin Again, by Smoke Glacken) her dam is a SW 2YO on dirt and went 0-2 over the lawn. PON is an excellent (33%) turf sire. We have to skip back to the third dam to find blacktype. Third dam DIANES HALO is a G-2 winner and was second in the Santa Anita Oaks (G-1). This is the female family of multiple graded stakes winner and sire DOMESTIC DISPUTE.

SWEETER THAN EVER (Exchange Rate - Sweet Eloise, by Sky Classic) pretty gray filly is a half to SW SWEET RELISH (Smoke Glacken) and DON DULCE (Maria’s Mon). Both earned their SW over dirt. She’s also a half to G-3 turf placed Wherethewestbegins (Gone West). Their dam is stakes placed and a half to several stakes placed runners. Second dam MS ELOISE won the Shuvee (G-1), Top Flight (G-1) Bed O’Roses (G-3) etc. This is the female family of MG1 winner OCTAVE.

STRIKE BACK FAST (English Channel - Elegant Prospect, by Mr. Prospector) is a full sister to Changethechannel who placed in the Santa Barbara Handicap (G-3). Third dam GORGEOUS won the Ashland (G-1), Hollywood Oaks, Vanity Invitational (G-1) etc. Fourth dam KAMAR was Champion 3YO Filly in Canada. Her descendants bore Santa Anita Oaks (G-1) winner TURBULENT DECENT, Ruffian Stakes (G-1) heroine SWIFT TEMPER, and many other stakes winners.

BELPIANA (Rock Hard Ten - Sweet Rider, by Seeking the Gold) her sire is a strong turf sire. Her dam is a half to SANTA CATERINA, who won the Hollywood Oaks (G-2) and placed in the KY Oaks, Frizette, Del Mar Debutante and BC Juvenile Fillies. She’s also a half to Sanford Stakes runner up Power World. English Champion 2yo filly CULTURE VULTURE is part of this distaff family.

DYNAMY ROAD (Bellamy Road - Dynacielo, by Dynaformer) is related to American Road, who is entered in Race 6. Their dams are half sisters.

PANTANAL (Congrats - Selva, by Forest Wildcat) her dam won the Monmouth Sorority and Glorious Song Stakes at Woodbine as a 2YO, plus the Mardi Gras Stakes sprinting on the lawn at Fairgrounds. She owns the only blacktype in two generations.

BETTER BE BETTER (Smart Strike - Lake Huron, by Salt Lake) is a full sister to Dogwood Stakes (G-3) heroine SALTY STRIKE and half stakes winner SALTY RESPONSE, plus SP Northern Vacation.

HEART LOVE KISS (Zensational - Indigene, by Deputy Minister) is a half to MSP sprinter Pretty Katherine (Vindication). Her dam is a is a full sister to MGSW ATELIER (who bore GSP Alaazo). She’s also a half to the graded stakes veteran ALDIZA who won the Go For Wand Handicap (G-1) and placed in the Test, Frizette, Spinster, etc.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Delta Downs Jackpot – Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

KENTUCKY DERBY TRAIL The top four finishers in the Delta Downs Jackpot will earn points towards the Kentucky Derby. But so far, the race is just a blip on the Derby trail. Only one horse that has finished in the top three in the Jackpot has made an impact on the Triple Crown races, 2005 Kentucky Derby runner-up Closing Argument.

In the eleven years that the Delta Downs Jackpot (G-3) has been contested, only two winners, Big Drama and Goldencents, have continued on to win Grade 1 stakes. It seems the only thing going for the race is the million dollar purse and a chance for the horses’ connections to indulge in some Cajun cuisine.

This year, a full field of ten, with two also-eligibles are scheduled to run 1 1/6 miles. There’s a 90% chance of a wet track, so let’s scout for the mud pedigrees.

Colts exiting the Breeders' Cup haven't fared well in the Delta Jackpot. Only Z Humor, fifth in the BC Juvenile, has won the Jackpot. This year, MR. Z enters the Jackpot after a fifth place finish in the Juvenile. The well-traveled colt has started at five different tracks in six races since June and has finished worse than second only twice. An exhausting schedule that many horses couldn’t handle, but Mr. Z seems to thrive on it. Have to consider him as a contender as he’s facing a much softer field here, plus, he has one of the best mud pedigrees in the field.

Another colt that figures to see a lot of action on the tote is GOLDEN ACTOR. The son of Curlin made an eye-catching move in his debut in a Gulfstream maiden race, breaking from the far outside and circling the field only to miss by ¾ length over the speed favoring track going seven furlongs. Golden Actor captured the Jean Lafitte Stakes, the Jackpot prep by over 4 lengths. Golden Actor is a half brother to multiple stakes winner BIG APPLE DADDY and stakes placed River Dancer, so there’s some quality here. Golden Actor’s speed figures have improved in every start and he’s firing off bullet works at Delta Downs. On the downside, his resume is light, he’s taking a major step up in class and his mud pedigree is average.

CONQUEST TSUNAMI has been defeated only once in his six race career. After going virtually unchallenged over the Woodbine Poly and turf, the son of Stormy Atlantic faded to sixth after pressing the pace in the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland. It was the colt’s first race over dirt and around two turns. The Mark Casse trainee won the Street Sense Stakes at a mile over the Churchill dirt in his last start and could be one of the colts vying for the lead in this year’s Jackpot. He has an above average mud pedigree.

The word must’ve gone out that Delta Downs favors speed. A contingent of California shippers will bring their brand of crazy to bear in the Jackpot. Leading the herd is WAKE UP NICK. Undefeated in his first five starts, which include a slew of state-bred stakes, the son of Cindigo suffered his first defeat in the Golden State Juvenile in his last start, finishing second by 1 ¼ lengths after a wide trip chasing blistering fractions. His sire Cindago gets a superior 26% winners over off tracks.

Speaking of speed, OCHO OCHO OCHO couldn’t have been more impressive running away in the rained off Juvenile Turf Sprint. The son of Street Sense dueled through insane fractions of :21.46, and :43.96 before widening to a 5 ¾ length lead, flashing under the wire in 1:14.57 for 6 ½ furlongs. On paper, he’s easily the fastest one in the field, but will have to stretch that speed an extra two furlongs. He does have an above average mud pedigree.

PRIME ENGINE breaks from the #1 position, and he will likely be right up on the lead with Ocho Ocho Ocho. The son of Northern Afleet has won both stars by a combined 15 ½ lengths at Emerald Downs. After those huge victories, Prime Engine switched to the barn of Jerry Hollendorfer and has been flashing sensational works. Prime Engine has to prove himself against tougher, more experienced horses and his pedigree is average for mud, but Hollendorfer doesn’t ship for the fun of it.

Looking for a live longshot? How about SARATOGA HEATER? Conditioned by Al Stall Jr., the son of Temple City has improved his speed figures in every start, including a 4 length victory against NY state-breds in the Bertram F. Bongard. The colt has made all three starts over a sloppy track and there’s 90% rain/snow in the forecast for Saturday. Plus, this colt has shown the ability to race on or off of the lead. At morning line odds of 15-1, he’s a tempting play.

FAR RIGHT, RED BUTTON and DEKABRIST appear up against it.

Far Right has been wide in his last two starts and will be in the same position in the Jackpot. He was gaining ground in the Street Sense after going wide, but I expect much of the same here. Perhaps he can round out a Super.

Red Button has raced over dirt, poly and turf. His speed figures have improved in each start and he likes to run from off of the pace. The drawback is his trainer’s 0-24 record in stakes and this colt has been beaten by weaker opponents. If the Jackpot pace is strong, perhaps Red Button can hit the board, but I don’t see him winning here.

Dekabrist gets his fourth jockey in six starts. That’s not going to help. Take this guy back to Calder…uh, Gulfstream West, and let him play with the allowance types.

The two also-eligibles don’t appear to have a chance either. UNBLUNTED is a last out maiden winner at Saratoga. TWO SIX WINS comes from the Pender barn, which is 0-23 with shippers.

 

SELECTIONS

TRACK BIAS: 33% of winners go wire-to-wire on the rail. In the last five editions of the Jackpot, three colts won on the lead, one each won from mid-pack and from the back of the pack.

PRIME ENGINE has speed on the rail, but he may not be as fast as OCHO OCHO OCHO. If Ocho gets an uncontested lead, it could be game over, but I’ll bet that he’ll be pushed along by the other speed.

#5 SARATOGA HEATER

#4 CONQUEST TSUNAMI

#8 WAKE UP NICK

#3 MR. Z