The European’s have dominated in recent years and this year international starts Flintshire and Telescope look to continue the pas dominating tradition of High Chaparral and Conduit.
The Skinny:
Telescope: This race begins and ends with Telescope. A true Grade 1 talent who has been pointed for this race for over a month. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute who doesn’t take any prisoners on this day in the past. Has been favored 6 times in 10 races. Won an allowance race by 24 lengths. Defeated Hillstar by 7 lengths. This guy is all class and if she ships he should run well. Robust horse, doesn’t have a turn of foot, but natural speed, puts him in the race and only concern is if he gets trapped behind horses. Just think many of these horses will be backing up bad after 10 furlongs. Telescope and Flintshire as a combo are going to take a lot of beating.
Flintshire ran in the Arc and comes back on the quick turn-around. Proven distance horse and Grade 1 horse. Runs from mid pack and has a burst of speed on demand, brings his jockey and hits hard if Telescope falters. Good trainer has had this as a target all year, if he brings an A or B race he should be in top 3.
Brown Panther was a head case on Canadian International Day. This guy may need longer distances. But on the cutback and with a strong warm-up will be a factor in this race. Has the distance pedigree and gobbles up weight – carried 137 pounds and 134 pounds in the last 2 races.
Main Sequence will get a new jockey after 3 well-timed wins in last 3 starts. Goes up in class and has to ship West. Have a feeling he may be underlay to true chances of winning the race. Has been impressive in his victories, but margins of wins are tough to back at low price.
Imagining hits hard at this distance and will be a pace factor, needs soft fractions to finish strong. Proven form, needs to run the race of his life to win. Worked out Sunday at Belmont. Has speed and will make his presence felt for the first 10 furlongs.
Twilight Eclipse is all heart and I really like the way he can adapt to field sizes and work out different trips. May have been best in last race in the Turf Classic. The Europeans loom large but expect another gutsy race from this guy. Best chance of American horse winning and has a running style to get tactical position.
The Selection:
Telescope is the guy for me. Hits hard at this distance and has been pointed to this race. Flintshire is the second choice. Hard to imagine these 2 both not firing. Brown Panther and Twilight Eclipse may be the others with a chance.
Tosses:
Main Sequence is an underlay. Hangover Kid and Hardest Core are also horses that don’t fit this class level.