Breeders Crown-eligibles are gung ho again this week at Lexington, some of them going in lesser events just to race one more time around the red clay, sharpening for the big event, now only a few weeks from the elims. Check out our exclusive blog, Breeders Crown Countdown this week for a rundown of why some of the top horses can lose their elims. Some great betting is on the way Oct. 21 and Oct. 22. It’s all here at TwinSpires live with reports, tweets and more in exclusive cooperation with the event’s handlers, the Hambletonian Society. Check that website area for the Crown stories.
Lexington Highlights
The International Stallion Stakes (ISS) events are for freshmen and on Friday, Oct. 7 at the Red Mile, the program is adorned with them.
The first ISSes are for colt trotters brings back some of last week’s Bluegrass babies. Another Greg Peck handled colt here draws our interest. Epic Tale is lightly raced and looks much like last week’s Peck winner (we had ‘em, From Above at 8-1).
Next, Gym Tan Laundry has an outside shot and at a price. Noel Daley is getting very systematic with trotters and from post 1 on his best behavior this one could be ready.
ISS frosh-filly pacers take another stab at beating American Jewel, from post 1 here. Pass it; she may sweep through the entire season.
Back to the colt-trotters next and From Above returns against similar from last week only now the crowd will be with him, big time. If the crowd goes to Jimmy Takter’s Uncle Peter, stay with From Above if the price is reasonable or else pass this one.
Another filly pace is next and our big winner from last week, Destiny’s Chance, will not be 30-1 here. Joe Holloway’s Marty Party may suck up the bulk of the win-pool cash, though, so watch the odds here. Do not accept a repeat from “Chance” unless you like the odds.
More colts go in the next ISS and we like Scott Andrews’ Pilgrims Power. This guy may be coming into his best stride, loving the two-turn mile, and Scott keeps ‘em fit for power moves.
Finally on the evening, Rockaround Sue may have to negotiate a bad post but the filly is getting better with every race and this stretch in the last quarter may be all she needs to get the job done.
Saturday, Oct. 8, more ISS events line the card. Mixed into the lineup are races for frosh-colt pacers and soph-filly pacers.
In the first colt stakes, Mybrothergeorge may be the choice and for good reason. Last week he was closing rapidly and this week he may be close enough to make a mark. But we are going to go again with Hillbilly Hanover, tossing last week’s event out.
The next split may be a good pass, as Simply Business towers over these and seems headed for a “Crown” crowning.
Ezpass Hanover could be the outside contender in the next episode for colts, making for a decent key play. Sweet Lou should be the choice.
We’re going to go with Verdad again. Last week he made one middle move that was not impressive enough to win but got him acclimated to the red zone. He is poised to put in a powerful mile.
Soph-filly pacers unite for two splits with big purses. In the opener, Foxy Lady could be overlooked and upset Drop The Ball, which will be the choice after her huge win last week.
Ace Of Pace was fourth last week at giant odds and we took her even though she may have needed that race, which turned out to the case. Take her again. Her odds will be juicy and she is bound to do better, maybe best of them all.
Cal Exotic
Oct. 8’s no-takeout late Pick 4 at Cal Expo is rife for our analysis. Let’s try to nail it. You can add to our ticket if you wish or play it as a small, highly charged attack at the biggest slice of the pool. Be ready to use the best-valued members of this ticket (3-1 and up, for instance) as win bets.
Leg 1
Winsom Kelly (7) was well backed last week and finished third after an abysmal start, far back. She could be the start of a big ticket, even if she is a co-choice again (though this field is miserable).
Winsom Kelly (7) was well backed last week and finished third after an abysmal start, far back. She could be the start of a big ticket, even if she is a co-choice again (though this field is miserable).
Leg 2
Hiho Legacy (3) dueled to get the lead last week and maintained that early foot for a bit. Still not completely tanked, he finished fourth at 54-1. Stand Up And Shout (6) was also fourth, though in a dead heat and the beaten choice in that race. Let’s hope the crowd goes to the 9 horse and the outside licks ‘em for our choices.
Hiho Legacy (3) dueled to get the lead last week and maintained that early foot for a bit. Still not completely tanked, he finished fourth at 54-1. Stand Up And Shout (6) was also fourth, though in a dead heat and the beaten choice in that race. Let’s hope the crowd goes to the 9 horse and the outside licks ‘em for our choices.
Leg 3
(2) Gee Up made a broad brush last out at an important part of the race and kept going to finish second to the favorite at 27-1. Also from a hot trip and probably poised to be a longshot is (6) Misty Waters. He was hung for two calls fighting to get the lead. Better use of that energy is expected here.
(2) Gee Up made a broad brush last out at an important part of the race and kept going to finish second to the favorite at 27-1. Also from a hot trip and probably poised to be a longshot is (6) Misty Waters. He was hung for two calls fighting to get the lead. Better use of that energy is expected here.
Leg 4
Mac’s Derrick T (7) was impressive from the 8 hole last week. He left quickly, got the lead though remained on the outside, settled and came on to be third at 13-1. The public will hound the 1, 6 and 8, so go with the outsider as a single for the big dough.
Mac’s Derrick T (7) was impressive from the 8 hole last week. He left quickly, got the lead though remained on the outside, settled and came on to be third at 13-1. The public will hound the 1, 6 and 8, so go with the outsider as a single for the big dough.
The ticket: 7/3,6/2,6/7
(Ray Cotolo assisted in this edition.)
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