A couple of big efforts today from Tonalist and Top Fortitude has now made them stakes winners and potential adds some new blood to the summer “Derbys” across the country.
Out East Tonalist validated many handicappers and analysts opinion that he was ready for a big race. The trainer was confident and he was bet down hard to 6/5 favortism.
Tonalist did not disappoint, the track came up sloppy and Tapits seems to be taking to the mud positively this year. Joel Rosario took matters into his own hand and made an aggressive move down the backstretch to the lead. The most powerful and profitable handicapping angle in horse racing is the “class” horse on the lead. Tonalist opened up quickly and seemed fresh and fit off the layoff – putting the race away on the turn.
Big wins on sloppy sealed tracks are a dime a dozen – so as much as I liked Tonalist coming into the race. The enthusiasm is toned down a little with the big win in the slop. His next race most likely will be the Belmont Stakes. Last year Freedom Child won the Peter Pan by 9 lengths in the slop and was flat as a pancake in the Belmont Stakes. He went off form badly after that.
With that Tonalist is still very promising. The photos all spring have been positive. He has the looks of a router, big chest, his maiden win he galloped out strong with a strong move in midstretch. Class wise he made a move into a hot pace in the Allowance run won by Constitution and that has turned into a very key race. Wicked Strong and Constitution both won Grade 1’s in the next race and now Tonalist is a Grade 2 stakes winner.
Next up hopefully the Belmont Stakes. The Pleasant Colony pedigree suggests he should be able to run all day. He is fit and now has a nice bottom racing wise.
Top Fortitude out West came back in style upsetting the Laz Barrera Stakes at 29/1. This big tank, has the build of a sprinter but has put together two big wins now in 3 races. His last race looks more like a deliberate loss off the layoff and prep for the 7 furlong race. The Pride of Arizona took this field to school and looks like a promising 7 furlong miler type.
Both wins have been with wide moves, but has enough speed to get into position and like the way he attacks and take the lead when asked. Two big victories and now most likely will stretch out.
Kobe’s Back has now been lapped by several horses in this crop. He developed early and now the pedigree is starting to catch up with him. He just can’t compete with the new shooters and has proven he can’t really route effectively. Not sure where he goes. A class drop may be in order, not many options left with him.
This crop needed some new prospects this week and three of them may have hit the scene. Bay of Plenty on Wednesday opened some eyes, Tonalist and now Top Fortitude.