Running in Gotham City
In Trouble- undefeated in two starts, this Tiz Wonderful colt will actually be taking a step down in class from the G2 Futurity, to this G3. Out of a Grand Slam mare, I think this colt has some hidden class, but can he get the distance? I totally believe he can, and if Samraat and Uncle Sigh go eyeball to eyeball again, this colt may have a chance. He likes to sit right off the leader and even press the pace. In the Futurity, he had a lot of speed, let’s see if he can rate a bit better here. Contender
Financial Mogul- This colt is kind of confusing to me. By Street Boss, I would expect him to like the shorter distances. He has one win at 7f and a place at 8f. Other than that, he is out of the money 3-for-5 lifetime starts. I see this colt wanting no part of 8.5f. I will be looking for him to be backing up in the Aqueduct stretch. Pass
Uncle Sigh- This Indian Charlie has become a sort of personal favorite of mine, but he is that lovely speed horse I hate to see back up in the Churchill Downs homestretch. This colt has never finished worse than 2nd in all three of his lifetime starts. Last out, he slugged it out with Samraat for 8.5f. Ultimately letting Samraat pull away, this colt seems to be able to carry his speed somewhat of a distance. I like his chances here again. Hopefully he won’t slug it out again with Samraat the ENTIRE way. Major Contender
Noble Cornerstone- I see this Noble Causeway colt wanting no part of 8.5f. His only win came last November at 6f against weak competition on a MSW. Pass
Monopolize- Repole and Pletcher team up again! This Bernardini colt was last seen in a MSW against Top Billing and Surfing USA. He was under a ride the entire race. He started backing up on the far turn and never fired, even after have a picture perfect trip. He is going to have to do better than a win in a MSW and a 6th in an allowance to win against this field. Pass
Deceived- In six lifetime starts, this colt has never finished off the board. Winning last time out in an allowance at Aqueduct, we know this colt likes the track. He has faced Samraat before, finishing third 1m 70y, this colt seems to be a miler by the look of his race record and his pedigree. Pass
Classic Giacnroll- With a nice looking pedigree, I would expect this one to like the distance of the Gotham. Looking for him to be closing here. I think he is improving a little bit by every start. His sire reached the 10f distance, so I believe this colt can at least reach the 8.5f distance. Contender
Samraat- undefeated Samraat will have a test here again, defending his record against Uncle Sigh and some exciting contenders. Increasing in distance in all of his four races, this colt seems to be able to carry his speed a distance, but how far can he stretch it? Noble Causeway’s never seem to like the further distance, much less than the classic distanced that these horses are hoping to make it to. Contender.
Extrasexyhippzster- other than the name of this colt, there is not much I don’t like about him. He has only finished off the board once, winning all the other times he has run. He has a speedy bottom pedigree but a classic sire line. Grandson of Pulpit and great grandson of A.P. Indy, this colt is looking to become a graded stakes winner. I think he has the ability, but can he break through here? Pass
Master Lightning- Not having placed in a stakes race yet in his career, he only has two wins to credit, both against lesser competition. This Pletcher trainee better step it up if he wants to make it to Kentucky. He has won at the 8.5f distance, but his class come into question when you throw him into graded stakes competition. Pass
Harpoon- With the same connections at Verrazano (before being sold and transferred to Ireland), this colt has earned some respect of his own. Never out of the money, he has a bit of seconditis. He is another Tapit making noise this year. Only a maiden winner, he is taking a jump in class here. After greenly racing in the Sam F. Davis though, I think he has a shot here. Contender
Casey's Picks: Harpoon, Uncle Sigh, Samraat, Classic Giacnroll
-Written by Casey Laughter