After nearly getting an 11-1 top pick home to topple a 1-2 fave in the feature, Chris Cupples is back with his look at a fascinating allowance for three year olds at GP today — Race 9. Take it away, Chris!
Nice group of 3 yos all getting Lasix for the first time of course……And 3 coming off the winter Aqueduct track where I struggle getting a handle on evaluating performances.
1 Deer District Talented Son of Oscar Performance that has ran extremely well on the grass, this barn has always focused on Derby hopefuls, If he handled the dirt he would already been been dirt routing. That being said has been working great on the dirt recently. I will pass….. To make it even more confusing see the 3 horse…
2 Litigate Debut, got the job done but worked hard from the start, used hard in lane to get by and bit slow to change leads late in stretch. This one would not shock me if got his picture made today, but will be leaving off my horizontal tickets. (note – Jan 1st did work with Tapit Trice who went on my Derby short list after his debut and then won his next out, also early Dec Litigate was working well with Major Dude)
3 Cyclone Mischief 450K son of Into Mischief whos best race in my opinion was his debut at Churchill. Of the two Romans horses in this race, This is the one I want to see on the grass down the road….. Maybe Saez can get loose and no one comes after him but not for me.
4 Welaka I’ll pass on this one, Has some early speed and gets Lasix today has nothing else positive.
5 (A) Mr Ripple Impressive Debut, looked good in hand at the 16th.
6 (A) Rudder’s Men Dominate in debut jock never did more than keep this one to task early in the lane. The 2nd and 3rd Place finishers won next out.
7 Live is Life Nice son of West Coast who in 7 starts has not ran a bad race, but I have a step below the top contenders here.
8 (B) Talk of the Nation Won debut only beating 2 horses, Broke slow pinched a bit then easily going up to take over going away. Barn does not win first out often and when they do it is usually a sign of things to come. But beating 2 other horses, I do not think this is a Kathleen O or Code of Honor.
VERDICT: A token wager for action at best is all I will be interested in here.
ICE COLD Exacta – 6 over 5 but only for beer money….
