It’s been a while since Hanalei’s Houdini (6-1) has raced on turf and we wonder what took the connections so long to get him back on the grass.
Last summer he won here under similar conditions, taking advantage of a course with some cut in the ground to get the job done on the Laurel lawn.
In his next start on grass, the gelded four year old was up against it, trying listed stakes company at the marathon distance of 1-1/12 miles, a trip for which is was ill-bred for the task. Today’s mile is right in his wheel house.
In fact his two most recent wins came at today’s trip, albeit on dirt, and should the weatherman not cooperate, trainer Hamilton Smith’s feelings won’t be hurt as he’s profitable for his long career switching surfaces from dirt to turf.
We’re taking Hanalei’s Houdini to win at 4-1 or greater and exacta key boxes with distance specialist Atreyu (6-1) and horse for course Hard Fought (6-1).
