This field for this race has become steadily better each year for the past 4 or 5 years with today’s entrants a more than decent crowd. Ocean Knight and Carpe Diem, both in drf.com’s Top 20, lead the 9-horse field, which also includes a personal favorite, Souper Colossal (my pick for last weekend’s tossed-aside Swale).
Let’s get to it…..
#1 Divining Rod…..I put this son of Tapit On my “could-be” list as he looks to improve despite a 2nd place finish in the Sam Davis after being run down by Ocean Knight. However, that race started in a ho-hum .24.1 before picking up steam in the final 1/16 and the pace here might help him. He gets out quickly, and led 2 of his 3 races from the get. Pilot Luis Garcia will think about letting him hang a tad before applying the gear in a field loaded with speed. A palatable 6-1 ML….
#2 Ocean Knight….One of the better 3-year old colts I’ve ever seen from McGlaughlin, he blew doors in the final furlong to best Divining Rod on this track in the Davis. The second fave ML at 2-1, he’ll probably stay close before the closing effort and, despite 2 for 2 lifetime, I think he can improve today. His biggest competitor will have something to say, and that guy is……
#3 Carpe Diem…..His only loss was to Texas Red in the BC Juve in a race where I continue to eye-roll. He makes his 3-year old debut and Pletcher anoints Johnny V to don the leather throne. He is more than ready with a work pattern that seems to be super-calculated. Out of Giant’s Causeway and an Unbridled Song mare, the breeding is boffo with 1-1/16th a blip trip at 8-5 ML, and looking ready-for-run.
#4 Ami’s Flatter….Somewhat interesting to me because of his potential closing kick, the Ontario-bred is one to check out if this event, somehow, falls apart at the front end. After finishing 4th, back by 6+, he gets blinkers for the first time, and in analyzing his form, I’d say that is a good idea and should help the tour. He also gets Lasix for the first time, but a track note says that the trainer, Josie Carroll, is 7% in 27 starts with the juice. Take it for what it’s worth, but the colt is capable of earning a piece at 15-1 ML and drifting upward.
#5 My Johnny B Good…..He’s a nice one and comes off a 3rd place finish in the Davis. Trainer Eon Hardy tosses him to a few of the wolves today, yet he is capable despite a speed decline last out. He’s 15-1 ML and likely to rise. He should stay close to the pack and that section is likely to be a knife fight, so your going to be taking your chances.
#6 Souper Colossal…..Took sick on Thursday—SCRATCHED……..