So whatsya gonna do this weekend?
Watch empty stands at basketball games?
Or throngs of mighty steeds with dozens of people in the stands observing simulcasted horse races?
Ah yes, sentences I never would have conceived of in my youth, but there it is.
This weekend, the big race is the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.
Here are the PPs to wet your appetite:
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...param3=1595800
It will be good to wash off the effects of the Coronavirus and Horse Racing drug scandle, if only for a few minutes, to enjoy this derby prep.
And we have some interesting entries to look at:
The undefeated Nadal ventures out of California to make his 2-turn debut in a non-sprint. The Blinkers are off and he shows a bullet final workout. His speed figures are good, but then they are only from Santa Anita and sprints. Conditions are for 122 lbs, but 117 for non-winners at a mile or over, so Nadal gets a 5 lb break over his top rivals.
Silver Prospector is third time out after a nice win in the Southwest Stakes, with a 96 speed figure. With his last 6 races he has alternated winning and losing; the Steve Asmussen trainee is due for a loss this round.
Basin won the Hopeful at Saratoga (G1) last Fall and hasn't raced since. Is one nose short of being undefeated. Has a big speed figure, although only in sprints like Nadal; but he has a pedigree more suited toward distance being out of Liam's Map.
No Parole is undefeated in 3 starts and has good figures. Is improving and might hit the board.
Three Technique might be a bet if the race comes up sloppy.
We also have the lesser known Jeff Ruby Stakes at Turfway Park also for 3YOs who are unlikely to get to the Derby.
Here are the PPs, courtesy of Brisnet:
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...param3=1866480
The obvious choice looks to be Invader who has the high figures in the race. Originally, with his turf pedigree, started his career with 4 losing tries on the turf. Then lit up with two straight wins on the dirt including the Battaglia at this same Turfway Park (horses for courses). He has the same jockey, Albin Jimenez up who is winning at a 20% clip at this race meet.
Perhaps the only other horse that has decent form and competent handling is Victory Boulevard. He has won 3 in a row in claimers and Optional Claimers at Aqueduct. But he comes to TP, and gets a high percentage jockey. Every horse picks up weight here.
The Stiff ... is.
Finnick the Fierce ... isn't
Austrian ... just won its maiden in a big drop down. Didn't the President just close the borders with Austria?
Bonus PPs:
3YO Fillies race in the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...param3=1696800
Laura's Light should be odds on, but you know how it is with the young ones.
Larry
DevilHorse