Two horses loom as logical choices here, Barocci (3-1), who made a favorable impression in his U. S. debut when a very game second after suffering through a wide trip, and Change Of Command (7-2) who has earned a series of Equiform performance figures that would prove superior to the group.
Barocci rates to improve making his second start in this country for Christophe Clement and will appreciate the added ground, given his competitive efforts in Group company at this trip in Europe. Change Of Command has proven ability, versatile speed, a cozy inside draw and Javier Castellano on the re-ride.
But it’s Soul Of Borrego (8-1) that proves the most intriguing, especially given early line odds and the potential for more. Despite meeting older here, the Tagg trainee showed an affinity for distance racing with a strong late finish from far back off a moderate pace to break maiden at Keeneland this spring.
Training purposefully for his summer return, he showed marked improvement after adding blinkers in his second start beneath Prado, a race that produced three next out winners. His pedigree is well suited to today’s mini-stretchout.
Taking Soul Of Borrego to win at early line odds or greater, keying him in exacta boxes with the two favorites, and adding Reserve Currency (6-1), who earned big figure two back for Mott, and Crafty Unicorn (12-1), who has shown promise in his lightly raced career, to the super-exotic mix.
Running Totals: (1099) 339-214-165 Total Dollar Return: $2,328.30 [win selections only]
20 Jun 2012 at 05:50 am | #
One of the most bizarre things I ever read in the Daily Racing Form was back in the 80s, when my sister and I were taking a trip to the Meadowlands. She was in the passenger seat on the Henry Hudson reading the Form, when she burst into uncontrollable laughter. The turf writer/handicapper’s comments, who picked a horse with a French name, stated, “These horses with French names often have a way of running well on the turf.” With that kind of logic, you’d have to be scared of 9-Barocci, not because of the name, but coming from France, with a French rider and trainer. Birds of a feather you know. Oui, Oui! If only he wasn’t bred in Japan. Tora, Tora, Tora! Bonzai! Glad I got that out of the way; how’s that for some good drivel!
Now, for the winner. Come on JP, 5-Soul of Borrego seems to come from out of the clouds, and this is New York, and the riders are the most devious in the country; tough to get a good trip, especially on the inner turf. I suppose he could win, but if he does, I’ll be licking my wounds. He’ll be a day late and a furlong short.
My top dog is 12-Crafty Unicorn, owned and trained by the same man; won’t be far from the lead, and should be relatively ignored by the crowd. Never been out of the money in 3 tries, and against decent horses. What’s not to like? Not familiar with his rider, Lopez Pascacio, but I’m sure I’ll learn to hate him, like so many others. Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time and server space, so have a nice day.
12-Crafty Unicorn (6.18)
9-Barocci (8.57)
7-Reserve Currency (9.18)
TTT
20 Jun 2012 at 07:21 am | #
Just realized, this race is especially difficult, as they’ve allowed a fox, a kangaroo and a unicorn to participate, and I need to brush up on my kangaroo handicapping skills; talk about your bounce theory.
TTT
The Sniveling Driveler
20 Jun 2012 at 09:26 am | #
Allow me to get something off my chest that has bothered me for quite a while. When you post a comment on your site, it is posted with a time. Is this Zulu Time? Presumed it should be Eastern Time, as word is out you are based in Saratoga. If so, would it be too presumptious to ask that you fix this so it reflects the accurate time that a post was made? Remember, Time, Tide and Ted, wait for no man.
TTT
20 Jun 2012 at 09:41 am | #
Happy first day of summer!
Gonna be 105 on the heat index in the big city. Might be too hot to race. Probably too hot to handicap. But apparently never too hot to drivel.
And you thought France was only good for french fries? Remember Jean Cruguet, TC winner aboard the Slew. Remember Samyn on the green? Now it’s the Leparoux/Clement combo on turf at big sandy.
Barocci- a son of the great Deep Impact(winner of 12 mil) out of a Giants Causeway mare. Should win for fun. Made it out of Japan alive, which is more than you can say for Tabasco Cat. Btw did you see the Silky Sullivan move by the winner on Saturday of the GRI Vanity at Betfair, granddaughter of TC.
Hot town summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirt and gritty
Been down, isn’t it a pity
Doesn’t seem to be a shadow in the city
All around people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk hotter than a match head
But at night it’s a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come on, come on and dance all night
Despite the heat it will be alright
And babe, don’t you know it’s a pity
The days can’t be like the night
In the summer in the city
In the summer in the city
Cool town, evening in the city
Dressed so fine and looking so pritty
Cool CAT lookin for a kitty
Gonna look in every corner of the city
Till I’m weezin like a bus stop
Running up the stairs gonna meet ya on the roof top…
20 Jun 2012 at 10:12 am | #
That reminds me of the old joke, “A Fox, a Kangaroo, and a Unicorn were in a bar with Kent Desormeaux,” sorry can’t remember the rest.
TTT
20 Jun 2012 at 10:44 am | #
Horse walks into a bar.
Bartender says, “So. Why the long face?”
20 Jun 2012 at 10:57 am | #
HI I like
#7 RESERVE CURRENCY 22.2
#9 BAROCCI 22.4
#4 FOX RULES 22.4 HE ONLY GOT 1 WORK OUT SINCE LAST WIN THE OTHER 2 WINS TWO WORK OUT
20 Jun 2012 at 01:47 pm | #
That reminds me of the joke, Kent Desormeaux goes into a bar and says, give me something long and tall, and the bartender says to him, how about trying something big and brown, something you may not be able to handle.....
TTT
20 Jun 2012 at 07:09 pm | #
20 Jun 2012 at 8:34 pm Saratoga time correction
A guy walks into a bar and sees a horse tending bar, apron and all, wiping out a glass. He stares at the horse for a minute without saying a word. The horse returns the stare and breaks the silence by asking, “Hey buddy, what’s the matter? You can’t believe that a horse can tend bar?” “No”, the guys says, “I can’t believe that the ferret sold the place.”