The Fast And The Furious On The Red Mile

Week two of The Red Mile’s autumn presentation of The Roaring Grand begins, as does October 2014. The big Kentucky Futurity weekend looms boldly as glamour-boy-and-girl trotters make Sunday, Oct. 5 spectacular for standardbreds. The Kentucky Futurity is the historic landmark of stakes and the 2014 edition may be projected as the fastest in history.

Because the “Futurity” is on Sunday and at press time we do not have the draws, the event will be covered in the Breeders Crown Countdown. Check on Friday and/or Saturday for a complete analysis of both events. We link to the “Countdown” blog from this TwinSpires address for coverage of races through the rest of the season leading to the championship events in November, in cooperation with the Hambletonian Society and TwinSpires.

As well from Lexington, the two- and three-year-old pacers will be winging on Saturday, with the Tattersalls Pace uniting some of the biggest soph-colt stars of the season and the top fillies in the Glen Garnsey Memorial.

So far the speedy favorites have set their own records and so have the colts and fillies that have upset them. The miles have been scorching on the red clay and barring any rain, more marks are expected to be set.

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‘Red’ Friday

Five International Stallion Stakes (ISS) for frosh-colt trotters and a trio for frosh-filly pacers adorn the Oct. 3 Red Mile program. Here are brief notes on each event in the order on the program.

The first ISS frosh-filly pace should find a solid favorite in Shakai Hanover, though she has failed twice as the favorite, including last week in a Bluegrass. However, My Little Delight poses a problem. Her recent two races can be excused, along with some tough trips in New York.

The second frosh-filly pace finds top division gals attempting to beat Jk She’salady and it seems unlikely. She arrives at The Red Mile looking for her eighth-straight win. Be aware that Bedroomconfessions may be the other horse here, not Bettor Be Steppin, and if it isn’t an upset it will be the exacta with “Jk.”

The initial frosh-colt trot could be a big win for Sugarmakesmecrazy, since French Laundry will be hammered in the win pool and “Sugar” may offer a sweet price.

The last frosh-filly pace is next. Forgiving Deli Beach for her first Lexington start is easy. Let’s consider her in this off of her Reynolds win, her third straight, each a strong effort. Certainly the crowd will honor Ron Burke’s Sassa Hanover with many bets, leaving Brett Bittle’s filly with a hefty win offering.

The next four ISS are for the young colt trotters, many of them fighting for a shot at the Breeders Crown in November. In the second of the five the field is filled with potential gallopers and maidens, which is a good reason to look closely at Fashion Creditor. The Jim Campbell gelding appears to have a clean gait and no embarrassing performances in nine starts, considering some excuses. He will be a good second or third choice against the obvious Takter trotters that bettors lean toward.

Next, an ISS group tries to make Billy Flynn taste defeat for the first time in eight of his starts this season. Dan Rawlings’ Crazy Wow faces “Billy” for the first time and should stay flat. Even though Takter’s Pinkman, here in post 4, beat “Crazy” in Ohio, a strong trot over two turns could make the difference in a Crazy win.

The penultimate frosh-colt trot on the ISS agenda calls for attention to Boots N Chains. He had a brutal trip here last week after two impressive Kindergartens and he may be a price that can’t be passed up here.

Finally on the Friday program, comes the toughest of the colt affairs with Centurion Atm, The Bank and Southwind Stryker looking strong, as well as another Jim Campbell student, Honor And Serve, is bound to make noise. Probably going under the radar a bit, thanks again to team Takter, Honor And Serve should be the bet at a very good price.

‘Red’ Saturday

Oct. 4 at The Red Mile brings out the pacers. A quartet of ISS miles for frosh-colt pacers surrounds the soph divisions of the Glen Garnsey and Tattersalls. Here is the skive on the ISS splits, in order of their appearance.

The first $72,000 field features seven and although last week we gave Mcardles Lightning a second chance at the Meadows, we come back with Penji Hanover, who was third for us last week at the Red Mile. Watch the crowd devour the win pool with Rich Wisdom and go with “Penji.”

Next, another seven youngsters prance to the gate and another third for us last week, Freedomformysoul, should be a decent price while the crowd adores Lost For Words. However, improving by leaps is Gallic Beach for Jim Campbell and the best price may be with this Somebeachsomewhere colt.

What can you say about the next ISS split? Artspeak is all you can say. A key, for sure, or the reason to pass the race is this spectacular colt’s probable eighth win in eight starts. He is ravaging the division.

The final ISS for the future glamour-boy pacers is a bettor’s race and two here may offer some prices, in league or win, place and show. Last week’s choice of Joe Hill comes back at us and we like him again, though we also have eyes on Hall Of Terror, who may be overlooked in the wagering.

Tattersalls Terrors

The glamour-boy pacers set sail in two divisions of this traditional Red Mile stakes, each episode worth $218,300.

Round one will find Always B Miki on a mission from the inside, trying to break a speed mark for himself, trainer Joe Holloway and the event. This colt has been a monster since a sharp second-should-have-been-first in the Meadowlands Pace. That one was taken by a fortuitous He’s Watching, who is here to attempt a coup but may not even hit the board. The place could very well go to Captial Account, Takter’s improving colt that has been a sharp earner in 18 starts. An upset, though unlikely, cannot be ruled out if “Miki” gets itchy.

Seven go in the second Tattersalls tale. An outside contender here is Melmerby Beach, who challenged Miki last week and was best of the rest off of her Mohawk Simcoe win as a co-choice. With Jk Endofanera on the outside grinding and Let’s Drink On It coming from a dull effort and Doo Wop Hanover a continuing disappointment as the season ensues, Melmerby Beach could be in the perfect spot for a mile upset, at least.

Glen Garnsey Gals

Two divisions of this memorial are each worth $110,000 and some of the soph-filly pacers involved are old friends of ours by now. In the first division, Gettingreadytoroll will be the favorite, even from the outside post. But we feel the value will rest upon It Was Fascination. With little support at Lexington last week, she race far better than her 21-1 status and were she not dueling for the lead early after leaving from post 8, she may have been better than third to Gettingreadytoroll. The New York Sires Stakes champ can have this race her own way and pay well to boot.

In round two you have to once again look at Gallie Bythe Beach. She has awoken since her Jugette elim and once again the race could set up for her, as it did last week against this same crew. Perhaps she will be the favorite, so watch out for Act Now being ignored, because that one, which “Gallie” beat off the pace last week, may not be short this time in distance or price.

H2W Legend

Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track. These are possible contenders we have judged from reviewing races. The horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the track after the date they will be racing. The race in which they are entered (R and race number) follows. If a + is in front of a horse’s name it means it is appearing on the list for the second (and last time) because it failed to win the first time it appeared. An “ae” signals the horse is entered on the also-eligible list. If a horse is listed twice, refer to the entries on the night of the race since a horse may enter in more than one race. Types of wagering on any of the H2W listed horses are based on your judgment. If you have any questions, email us at TwinSpires.

H2W

Colonial
10/4/14, +Stylish Image R5; Art Genta R10; +Doc’s Bonanza R10

Dayton
10/4/14, +Tickle My Fancy R5

Freehold
10/2/14, Ny Ice R6

Maywood
10/3/14, +Brianna Official R5; Sportsmuffler R7
 
Meadows
10/3/14, +Diamondkeeper R4

Red Mile
10/2/14, Cococabana R6; +Southwind Cartier R 8
 
Rosecroft
10/4/14, Jenkins Creek R2; +Sun Chimes R5 

Saratoga
10/3/14, +Ten Yard Penalty R13

Yonkers
10/2/14, +Woodmere Trakeater R1; Explosive Action R2
10/3/14, Brookstone R7
10/6/14, Battle Call R12

Ray Cotolo contributes to each edition.