Cary Grant Stakes
The Breeders’ Cup is in the books and the racing did not disappoint. We got to see Flightline do what most believed he would, and he did it in style. We see the European horses dominate with one strong performance after another. It was a great show, and we hope you enjoyed the behind the scenes interviews and coverage AmWager and Past The Wire brought to you.
We have no off season in racing, so we are back at the past performances looking for opportunities and of course those potential future stars. One of the many great things about this game is you never know where and when the next great one will pop up.
Cary Grant was a great actor in his day, and the race named for him at Del Mar is not so bad either. Three year olds and up will go seven furlongs where the turf meets the surf.
Finneus breaks from the rail and just does not look fast enough to me. He adds blinkers which may help but I would need to see more before backing him in this spot.
Coalinga Road comes from a good barn and Johnny V seems rejuvenated every time he gets a leg up out west. I don’t believe he has the horse he would need to win this, but he just might pick up some pieces in the exotics.
Big City Lights looks dangerous and is the horse to beat. Even on the cut back he should be on or near the top and get the jump on the closers. He was always good, but since Mandella got him, he has stepped up and I think he will be hard to reel in.
The Chosen Vron is a nice horse. He will likely be the favorite. I think the pace and race sets up for Big City Lights and that should make the difference here.
None Above the Law is the one I would be most concerned with. He will be coming off the pace under Prat and if Big City Lights gets softened up or gets a little tired late this one can get up.
I’ll take Big City Lights to win and one exacta over None Above the Law. It is tough to leave The Chosen Vron out of the number but you gotta play it like you see it.
Over at Aqueduct in The Gio Ponti Churchtown ships in from Woodbine and has a cozy rail draw for Junior Alvarado to work with. If this stays on the grass, I think he is worth a long look.
Enjoy the races! Make it count!
