Golden Gate Fields is the host of this weeks Road to Kentucky points race. The 9 furlong distance and synthetic surface has brought together an eclectic field for this year’s test in Northern California. Jerry Hollendorfer sends out 3 runners. Russell the “Muscle” rides Stand and Salute.
The Skinny:
Donji is a maiden who has 7 lifetime starts, all of them in Maiden Claimers. He was claimed in his last race for 30K. Looks outclassed and doesn’t look fit enough to go 9 furlongs. Most likely he will scratch.
Indianaughty ships from Gulfstream Park. Shippers have done well the past few years in this race. Closed into slow fraction in a full field in the last race. Exchange Rate on the female family points to some synthetic success and seems to be fit off the classy win in Florida. Figures to hit hard going into the turn and is usable on all tickets. Will be tough in this spot.
Metaboss comes in with a big victory on the turf. Chased Bolo and Ocho Ocho Ocho in previous races and may have a slight class edge. Should be adaptable to a slow pace and imagine a good trip sitting about 4th going into the stretch. Sitting on a big run. If he can save ground on the turn may have biggest turn of foot.
Ernest Shackleton should like the distance with lots of stamina in the pedigree. Picked up an easy win in moderate time last race in January at Santa Anita. Should get the distance not sure if he has the turn of foot of some of the others in this race. Overall seems a cut below.
Cross the Line won the prep race, tracking slow fractions, but now stretches out and faces tougher horses. Looks overmatched on paper and not sure he can withstand the late charge of many of the classier runners in this race. Nine furlongs are really a reach with this guy, especially if he is close to the pace.
Harmonic is one for five lifetime and picked up the win with real slow fractions in the last race. Pedigree leans more miler. Has raced against One Lucky Dane and Texas Red. Good longshot to hit the board and people may underestimate.
Soul Driver may have waited too long in the California Derby, sitting the perfect trip and could not run down Cross the Line late in that race. Street Boss progeny likes the synthetic and may try to lay further back and make one run. Not sure if he has the foot speed as some of the other contenders in this race.
Stand And Salute is the local boy meeting the shippers. Won the Gold Rush stakes with a late run. Closed in the Cal Derby but that race did not have a lot of pace to run into. Russell The Muscle stays on board and has ridden 3 other times. More of a grinder, needs a few horses to not show up, but fits class wise and price may be right to take a swing.
Conquest Typhoon is the likely favorite with Mike Smith jumping on board and proven class with 4th place finish in the Juvenile Turf. Dominated a race in late November at Delmar. Recent works have been long and sharp. Comes in with 4 straight 5 furlong works that should have him fit. Big Contender.
Mischief Clem defeated California Breds with a gutsy rail riding trip down the lane at Santa Anita. Thinking that effort may have “squeezed” the lemon as he is coming back on 3 weeks. Distance is a concern as well and not sure he wants 9 furlongs on a synthetic surface with some other proven distance horses. Nice horse, but may be out of his element in this spot.
Fair Odds:
Conquest Typhoon 3/1
Metaboss 5/1
Indianaughty 9/2
The Selection: The pace will be slow and this will become a 3 furlong sprint to the wire. MetaBoss has faced quality horses and may float up to 5/1 on the board. Hoping Alex Solis can save some ground and catch an inside trip run to the wire. Indianaughty is logical but shipping from Florida is always a concern.