Several highly ranked contenders have entered the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Florida traditionally has a deep and talented group of 3 year olds that butt heads in key prep races.
Holy Bull is named after this Guy!
The Skinny:
Frosted ran a game 2nd in his last race, caught in the 13th post position on a track that favored inside horses all day, Frosted was able to run 3 wide most of the way and made a brief move for the lead before falling short at the wire. His maiden victory he dueled for Aldrin for 1/2 mile before putting him away and drawing off at the wire. Has a strong juvenile foundation with 4 races and has been working forwardly for a few weeks. Likely race favorite. Strong female family of runners for first mare and 2nd mare. Classy Horse.
Keen Ice was last seen in the Remsen running 3rd, but was another who came from off the pace while running on the slowest part of the track. Recent works have been fast. Maiden win was a come from the clouds win. Big upside and should be able to close into a fast pace if the track is playing fair.
High Noon Rider ran a creditable race at Remington Park last out on the dirt. Seems slower than others in the race and not sure how much “upside” he has, but if the others falter, has enough speed to lay close and be a menace going into the turn. Distorted Humor out of A. P. Indy is a solid “nick” and has run well on dirt.
Bluegrass Singer has put together 2 big performances and seems likely to regress. Road the rail trip in last race. Figures to be fast pace with multiple horses making move. They may be squeezing the lemon dry. Owns a 90 and 92 speed figure in last 2 races and fits speed wise, but those were soft trips with less pace. I expect to regress.
Juan and Bina seems to be regressing and distance issues are a concern for him in this spot. Class, form and speed all point to others.
Upstart danced all the dances as a 2 year old including a restricted stakes win just 9 days after breaking his maiden. He had the 13th post position in the Breeders Cup and made a mid race move into a hot pace while running wide the entire way. Lost 2nd place late in that race. Has only a few works off the short freshening, but the most recent work galloped out 7 furlongs in 1:30 after 1:12 and change for 6 furlongs. Pedigree, class and connections point for the way for a strong spring. Housebuster is and Drone add some speed deep in the pedigree.
Frammento ran into a buzzsaw the last race named Bluegrass Singer, he got the rail trip and really lowered his head down the lane to finish strongly. Began his career at Saratoga and chased a fast horse on a speed biased track. Graduated with a maiden win that looked visually impressive. Long winded grinder slowly developing, there’s a big race some where with him in the top 3.
First Down was an impressive maiden winner with a keen burst of speed going into the turn and opened up a big lead before coasting home against stable-mate. Came back in a disappointing Nashua effort, ran evenly and never really took the bridle may have bled in that race as he now gets 1st lasix. has been training forwardly down in Florida and think he has some long term potential, has the ability to show speed, but best race may come with one run from off the pace. If odds float up, worth using in trifectas and superfectas.
Don the Bomb invades from Illinois and this two time winner in Chicago hits hard dominating Hawthorne competition. Cross-entered in the Hutcheson Stakes. Likely to run in Hutcheson.
Decision Day brings some Woodbine form and speed to the party. Outside post hurts chances a little bit. People under-estimate how much an outside post can hurt over the long run. More horses run poorly than well. Should like the dirt, but think this race doesn’t fit from a run and gun post position with proven speed like Frosted, and Bluegrass Singer. One to watch down the road.
Fair Odds Line:
Frosted 8/5
Upstart 5/2
Keen Ice 4/1
Frammento 8/1
First Down 10/1
The Choice:
Frosted and Upstart are tough to separate and bring speed and class to the party! Frosted’s running style and a few extra workouts give him an edge. Frosted is the slight choice over Upstart with First Down with 1st Lasix if he runs back to maiden win could be in the mix.