Friday’s fifth race turf marathon is a great betting race, so good in fact that virtually everyone has a chance. Did I mention it’s a field of 10? At the moment I have eight horses open but have narrowed down to four.
Shady Flower (5-2) improved in second start since the move into Mike Maker’s shedrow. Classy enough to be a good second in a Grade 3 going 1-1/2 miles and is cozily drawn inside.
Sorrel (5-1) is also coming off a dull effort in last but was a good third two back for Clement, whose meet record was 3-for-4 going into Thursday’s races; like the idea of Paco for this runner.
Harajuku (10-1) was well regarded when he shipped over from Europe but has been disappointing. Comes from connections who are not in the habit of making mistakes. Makes her third start for Graham Motion who’s winning in both red and blue Florida counties. Hot riding Junior Alvarado takes the call.
And, finally, there the Todd and Tyler show with Always Shopping (9-2) from the extreme outside. A huge Gulfstream Horse for Course, we like the repeat of a winning pattern used going into last winter.
The blinker experiment failed if her recent New York swan song is a measure–check out Belmont Park, NOV 7, Race 4 and you’ll see what we mean. Wasting no time, the blinkers come off immediately.
Given that her record, a her Thoro-Graph figures, excel on this surface, what choice is there? Taking Always Shopping to win at 7-2 or greater and key-boxing exactas with her three live rivals above.
