Three horses from the 2013 Travers Stakes are back for the 2014 Whitney joined by past dead-heat winner of the Travers Golden Ticket.
My Morning Line: minimum odds to place win wager
- Palace Malice – Even
- Moreno – 10/1
- Itsmyuckyday 8/1
The Skinny:
Palace Malice comes in with a 4 race win steak and deserving favoritism. Despite the 4 victories. Three of them are at a flat mile so he comes in relatively fresh and is clearly the best 9-10 furlong distance horse. Consistent and has run well over the surface. Basically his race to lose.
Will Take Charge is a horse that I can’t recommend at any price at this time. His last 3 races have raised my attention. He was lugging out in the Oaklawn Park stretch. Ran flat on Derby weekend at Churchill. His last race he was being whipped down the backstretch. Until he shows a sign of a spark tough to wager on in Pick 3’s and Pick 4’s with post parade inspection.
Departing may have moved to soon in last race. On his best day is capable of a good race at this distance. Class Level is a whole new story – until a horse wins a Grade 1 – they are not at that level in my opinion.
Itsmyluckyday was short in January and comes in with some bullet races at Monmouth Park – but may face pace pressure from Moreno. This horse does not need the lead and if a sloppy track develops could be interesting.
Moreno: Woke up in his last race and ran well, getting tested multiple times in the last race before losing late to a sharp horse on a win streak. Speed is always dangerous and has fired big races in the past. Worth using in exactas and trifectas.
The Selection: Palace Malice finally gets 9 furlongs with his main rivals slightly distanced challenged.
Possible Wagers:
Palace Malice Key on top of Departing and Moreno in exactas.
Moreno over Palace Malice straight exacta