With two stakes to choose from today in Hallandale, we opted for the one with the shorter field. Why? Because we have a rare opportunity to bet against a Todd Pletcher-trained 6-5 early line favorite.
It’s not that Shamrocket (6-5) can’t win, but taking a short price on a turf horse running on dirt against a sharper, faster rival is, as Spock would say, illogical.
But enough about what I think, see for yourself on the HRI homepage video screen. Check out Sir Ollie’s (4-1) last run on DEC 8, first time going long for a new barn.
And now the Quality Road 4-year-old returns at an even longer trip with tactical speed, the pole, and is reunited with Junior Alvarado coming in 38 days fresh? What’s not to like?
We’re betting Sir Ollie to win. For the play and a line on the other solid contenders, see the Tote Busters column on the homepage by 10 AM Saturday.