Masala was clearly 2nd best behind stablemate Take the Points at the Gulf last time, and that one came back to finish a fine 2nd behind The Pamplemousse in the Sham Stakes (G3) last weekend. Todd Pletcher is 23% 2nd off a layoff, and his strong late pace fig last time bodes well for his route chances.

Imperial Council is a $130k Keeneland sales grad with the best pedigree (Empire Maker-Thunder Gulch) in the field. The promising Shug McGaughey runner has won two straight since losing his debut by a neck at the Spa last summer. He is bred to improve with distance/experience, and he needs graded earnings and a route foundation if he hopes to make it to the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. His most recent allowance victory at Gulfstream Park is featured below…

Mr. Fantasy earned triple digit speed ratings in both romping local tallies, and he’s the one to catch for the always dangerous Alan Garcia/Kiaran McLaughlin team. He’s one of two quality New York breds in the lineup.

I Want Revenge flees the West Coast synthetic surfaces, which is a good idea considering the Kentucky Derby is run on conventional dirt. I’ll give him one on the main, and if nothing else we may get a gauge on top SoCal prospect Pioneerof The Nile (pictured).

Naos graduated at the Big A late last year under today’s pilot Mike Luzzi, and he found trouble in his stakes bow in January. He got back on the beam in a triple digit speed rating entry level win at Philly last time, and the Pletcher trainee will try to make his presence felt in the lane at big odds.

Haynesfield is 3-3 over the local inner dirt for Steve Asmussen. He got away with soft splits in most recent wire job, but he showed on Jan 3rd that he is not a need to lead type. Still, the waters get deeper today for the NY bred.

Russell Road finished 2nd in his career bow at Charles Town, then reeled off six straight, including sharp win versus open company at Laurel Park on Jan 31st. Talented West Virginia bred gelding gets a class and distance test today.

Axel Foley is in the same synthetic boat as I Want Revenge, and he owns a sprint oriented pedigree. A win in this spot would be a surprise. Kiaran McLaughlin takes over the training duties.

Giant Ryan rounds out the field, and the overmatched NY bred looms a pace factor at the most.

Top 3 selections: (1) Masala , (2) Imperial Council , (3) Mr. Fantasy

Longshot to Watch: Naos (20-1)

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The promising Lieutenant Ron landed the outside post and has been installed as the 6-5 morning line favorite for Saturday’s nine furlong $100k Grade 3 Discovery Handicap at Aqueduct Race Track in New York.

The Kiaran McLaughlin three-year-old has won three of his four sprint starts by a combined 20+ lengths, with his lone loss a show finish at six furlongs following a troubled start off a layoff. The West Point Thoroughbreds ridgling son of Graeme Hall makes his graded stakes bow while trying a route of ground for the first time. He is 2-2 at the Big A and will make his presence felt throughout at low odds. He earned triple digit speed ratings in his three wins, and anything approaching that plateau will make him one tough customer. Alan Garcia has a return call.

That’srightofficer is a New York bred with an improving speed rating pattern. He has landed the place in three straight at this distance and could surprise today’s open company under regular pilot Edgar Prado.

Premium Gold is an enigmatic sort. It took him six tries to graduate, and he did it in style at Monmouth. He was dusted in his first start versus winners at the Spa, then came back to roll at that same venue in his next outing. A layoff followed, and he finished 5th in his Pegasus (G3) return. Well bred $400k purchase is versatile and earned a triple digit speed rating in an optional claiming win at this distance.

Big Truck has lost five straight since his upset win in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3). Barclay Tagg is 22% with horses moving from turf to dirt, and Eibar Coa has options with the versatile sort.

Ready Set has been productive in a few similar graded events, including a win in the West Virginia Derby (G3) and a nose defeat in the Pegasus (G3) last time. $800k Keeneland sales grad will be finishing.

Web Gem is 0-10 this year and will almost certainly be overbet for Nick Zito at 9-2 on the line. Well bred $170k Keeneland sales grad is best used underneath if at all. Note that his lone win in 15 outings did occur here.

Wishful Tomcat has won two straight on the grass and four of his last five. Dominguez rides the speedster well, be he could be compromised early and often by the fleet Lieutenant Ron.

Coach Shaw rounds out the field at 20-1, and the consistent late runner is riding a six-race trifecta streak. He reunites with Eddie Castro, who booted him home in August, and the Mark Hennig trainee appears capable of rallying for a minor share.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Below is a YouTube replay of Lieutenant Ron breezing.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

A field of eight has been assembled for the 58th running of the Grade 3 Stuyvesant Handicap (race 8), to be run at nine furlongs on November 15th at Aqueduct Race Course in New York.

New York bred colt Stud Muffin, an enticing 6-1 on the morning line, looms the value play in this spot. He exits a sharp win in Belmont’s Empire Classic. He is a 3-time winner at this distance and is 2-3 at the Big A as well.

Solar Flare is the one to beat for Larry Jones at 5-2 on the line. He earned triple digit speed ratings in his first two US starts, then tailed off in his next two outings. He got back on the beam off a layoff at the Meadowlands last time, and he could sit the right stalking trip today.

Temporary Saint owns dangerous early foot and has been part of the trifecta in all five starts at this distance. He won the Grade 3 Excelsor Handicap here in April and might get brave if able to sneak away early.

Brilliant Son will be part of the pace at the very least for Kiaran McLaughlin. All three of his wins have come around one turn, and he might find nine furlongs a bit out of his reach.

Dry Martini is a late runner with an 0-4 record this year. Billy Turner is 24% with the turf/dirt move, and he puts the hood back on in hopes of returning to form.

Ravel showed promise as a three-year-old, but he has not been the same since returning from a layoff in August. Pletcher adds blinkers in hopes of ending a four-race skid.

Phil the Power exits a poor performance in a graded turf event. He does his best work in marathon races and is hard to recommend at this distance in his current form.

Helsinki is now under the care of John Terranova, and he has not been seen since Nov. ‘07. He placed in a couple graded events last year, but I’ll give the late runner a race or two before entertaining thoughts of backing him.

Larry Jones photo credit: Newscom

Below is a YouTube replay of the 1978 Stuyvesant Handicap, featuring the legendary Seattle Slew.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever