Saturday in Oldsmar marks the unofficial road to the Tampa and Kentucky Derbies with its traditional sprint offering, the Inaugural for juveniles dashing six furlongs, and a highly competitive renewal it is.
Gulfstream based trained Ralph Nicks doesn’t make Oldsmar invasions as a matter of course but when he does it pays to take a second look. Tampa Bay Today Video has and Cattin (6-1) has things to like. Check out that most recent run: Gulfstream Park, SEP 25, Race 11.
In three career starts, the son of Neolithic has never taken a backward step as he marches forward in conditioning and experience. In his third start, a Florida-bred stakes at Gulfstream rounding two turns, he chased the pace following a troubled start and stayed on gamely for third despite is sprint pedigree.
Nicks has given the colt plenty of recovery time and has chose a spot where his conditioning and spirit would suit him best, is nicely drawn in mid-gate and attracts Samy Camacho who can read the race and push the button at the right time, suiting this runner’s best style.
In an event in which we left six contenders open, the one they all must beat is the speedy Concrete Glory (5-2) who breaks from the extreme outside beneath perennial leader Antonio Gallardo.
Should the strip favor speed, the Bodemeister colt will be a tough out. But Gallardo may need to look over this shoulder in drive as Cattin makes his late run.
Taking Cattin to win at 4-1 or greater, and exacta box with Concrete Glory, and adding Lightening Larry to the super-exotics mix.
