When you’re sharp you’re sharp and nobody has been sharper than Kingston Pike in today feature fifth race allowance sprint from Laurel Park.
Although I shouldn’t be by now, I’m continually surprised by how easily claiming horses transition to the preliminary allowance ranks. Indeed, six of the seven entrants were claimed at various stages within the last five races.
Getting to sharp Kingston Pike (3-1) and the fact that today’s trip is a hybrid 6-1/2 furlongs, he’s won twice and beaten by a neck once in his last race at 5-1/2 furlongs since the gelded 5-year-old was claimed by Carlos Mancilla on OCT 12 for $8,000, Talk about sharp!
But it’s his first start for the barn on NOV 16 you should be checking since it was run at today’s trip. He enjoyed a perfect trip behind embattled leaders but, as race caller Dave Rodman noted, was tugging at Weston Hamilton throughout. After tipping out at headstretch, he finished very strongly.
Since his best efforts have come from outside slips, it will be up to Hamilton to keep him in the clear after breaking from post 4 in the 7-horse lineup. See what you think after checking HRI’s Laurel Live Video on the homepage; NOV 16, RACE 3.
We’ll take Kingston Pike to win, with no price restrictions, and note that Major Flirt (5-1) and Crush It (6-2) have the style and position to complete any verticals you choose given the present race shape.
