It’s Time to Paint the Canoe at the Spa in 2014. This year’s edition brings together the top distance horses on the East coast with at least 3 horses peaking at the right time.
The Skinny:
Wicked Strong added blinkers and showed more speed while running “Straight as a Train” in the Jim Dandy according to Tom Durkin. The speed was latent of late, but Wicked had shown pace pressing ability as a juvenile in his maiden win. Recent works are strong – His 3 signature wins have all come in New York and should get the distance.
Tonalist was outrun to the finish line in the Jim Dandy by Wicked Strong who “Got the Jump” going into the turn, Tonalist loomed boldly at the turn going into the stretch, but was outrun halfway down the stretch and was not pressured late by Joel Rosario who obviously knew the bigger goal was the Travers Stakes. Still lightly raced and would appreciate a faster more contested pace to show his best form. Lacks true race speed to kick with these guys on the front end, but probably the most true talent to be a consistent 10 furlong horse. Capable of winning.
Bayern comes in sharp off impressive Haskell race. Underappreciated. People think this is a one-dimensional speedball. He was in second place in the Woody Stephens for 23 seconds down the backside. That was in a sprint race with more pace. Took a shot on the turn and drew away. In the Haskell. Wildcat Red – came in razor sharp and he just flat out-raced that foe to the lead. In the Derby Trial ran evenly for 33 seconds with Embelishing Bob who was gutted in that race and finished up the track in the Woody. Preakness Stakes they tried to rate him and it didn’t work. I believe he is a “Power Router” in the Lost Code, Ack Ack, Silver Charm, mold. Think he takes on a lot of beating. This guy has ran 7 times this year, won 4 of them and enters as the fastest horse. I think he’s the fastest horse, I think he’s got the most impressive resume and I think 10 furlongs is right up his wheelhouse. Start Painting the Canoe – Red, White and Blue.
Kid Cruz – if this horse wins the Travers – I support not painting the Canoe in 2014.
Charge Now – improved last race after a bad start in Altoona. Should get the distance and seems to be coming into the race in career form.
Mr. Speaker has a dirt pedigree and nothing to lose by running in the Travers. Can get the distance and has positional speed to stay with the field. His Holy Bull was a flop. But he wasn’t going to beat Cairo Prince that day and made a mid race move into a hot pace at the same time when Cairo was smoking out the outside of him. That race was solid and the rest of his form puts him in the mix.
Viva Majorca – his maiden win was impressive and his went through his NW2 condition faster than @chare889 goes through Ice Cream. Last race received a very strange ride – still some upside and not without a punchers chance. Needs to improve and not sure he is ultimately a 10 furlong horse. Still a bright future win or lose.
Betting Strategy:
I like Bayern in this race, he had a legitimate excuse in the Preakness, he was game in the Derby Trial and ran into a freak in Arkansas. His last 2 races have been off the charts. Bob Bafferts best runners have been power routers. All his “rateable” horses over the years have been chumps.
1)Bet Bayern to win –
2)Watch the Race –
3)Go Cash Ticket-
4) Paint the Canoe!