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Returning to Earth It’s amazing what picking the longest shot on the board to win the Belmont Stakes will do for one’s morale. Yet, not long after I tabbed Da’ Tara to spoil Big Brown’s Triple Crown bid and appeared on the “Down the Stretch” radio show with Dave Johnson and Bill Finley to explain how I’d done it, I was busy packing boxes and preparing for my impending move back to Denver.
Sadly, my experiment with country living has failed and I am now ready to concede that I feel helpless without a Starbucks on every corner, shopping malls and, yes, even traffic jams.
This week’s free plays
All selections (unless otherwise noted) are made in light of the conditions existing at the time of entry. Races taken off the turf, or modified in any way, should be passed.
CHARLES TOWN * Race 8 (48%) * $200,000 Purse * 4.5 Furlongs * Dirt
1/1A-Sir Silver Fox & Pete’s Wonder (5/2)
Fair Odds: 3-1
8-S K R’s Spartan (10/1)
Fair Odds: 8-1
6-Joey P (9/5)
Fair Odds: 3-1
COMMENTS: SIR SILVER FOX heads a strong Anthony Dutrow entry, having been claimed by Dutrow following a 8 ¼-length win over optional claiming company at Delaware Park on May 31. A son of multiple graded stakes-winning sprinter Kelly Kip, Sir Silver Fox appears to have reached another level as a five-year-old, as he is undefeated in three starts. In addition, his early speed rations (ESRs) have improved in every start since his 2008 debut on April 3, culminating with a wicked -16 in his latest outing — important given today’s abbreviated distance of 4 ½ furlongs and the gelding’s rail draw. PETE’S WONDER wasn’t leading after the first call in his most recent try for the first time in nine races, yet he still held on well to finish second in the $100,000 Karl Boyes Memorial at Presque Isle Downs on June 1. S K R’S SPARTAN broke horrendously in his most recent affair — the Turf Sprint on Preakness day at Pimlico — but came right back to record a :46 3/5 four-furlong workout on June 14 over the Bowie training track. He’s 3-of-7 lifetime on dirt and should give a good account of himself at a fair price in this spot. JOEY P has won 14 of 29 lifetime starts and has a definite class edge against these, but not sure he’s quick enough to contend early, leaving him with too much to do late.
BET(S): WIN on 8 (at odds of 8-1 or greater). SHOW on 1/1A entry (at odds of 5-2 or greater). EXACTA 1,8 with 1,4,6,7,8.
COLONIAL DOWNS * Race 9 (44%) * $600,000 Purse * 9.5 Furlongs * Turf
4-Sporting Art (5/1)
Fair Odds: 7-2
7-Kentucky Bear (8/1)
Fair Odds: 9-2
1-El Sultry Sun (12/1)
Fair Odds: 6-1
COMMENTS: SPORTING ART won two Grade III stakes races in a row after arriving from Great Britain before faltering the Arlington Classic at 3-5; choice to make amends today. Trainer Reade Baker was almost as effusive in his praise for KENTUCKY BEAR before the Preakness as Rick Dutrow was of Big Brown. Yet, despite making a mild bid at the head of the stretch, Kentucky Bear ran poorly, finishing a well-beaten sixth in Maryland. Still, the son of Mr. Greeley has talent and although Baker wins just 7% of the time with horse’s making their turf debut, Kentucky Bear’s running style and pace figures suggest he might take to the green despite so-so breeding. EL SULTRY SON was just 1 ¾ lengths in arrears of the top choice in his penultimate start and has been steadily improving; upset chance.
BET(S): DUTCH WIN on any/all of the top three contenders going to post at their fair odds or greater. EXACTA BOX 1,4,7.
