Saturday
broke dull and gray in New Jersey. There is no respite from rain. The
storyline is the weather. Saturday will be marginally warmer but it is
going to offer little consolation. Who is the mudlark and who is not
will preoccupy the minds of racegoers today.
Here are my thoughts on Saturday’s BC races. In the Juvenile over 1700
metres, I will take Pyro over War Pass. The former ran into a spot of
trouble last time.
I will reach and take Passage Of Time in the Filly-Mare Turf. The
yielding turf will favour the Henry Cecil trainee. She beat Soldier of
Fortune at Saint Cloud in Paris last year. She won the Musidora under
testing conditions at York. A throat abscess compromised her chances in
the Epsom Oaks. She was a strong third to Mrs Lindsay in the Vermeille
in France and that form has been franked. Mrs Lindsay won the Grade I E
P Taylor Stakes at Woodbine last Sunday. Ramon Dominguez rides.
Nashoba’s Key is unbeaten. The young Joe Talamo is the jockey. This will
be Nashoba Key’s toughest test to date.
In the Sprint, I like the chances of Greg’s Gold. Staying away from the
rail is the key on Saturday. Post-10 will be ideal for Greg’s Gold who
will be ridden by Victor Espinoza.
In the Juvenile fillies, I will take Proud Spell over Indian Blessing.
Cry And Catch Me has an outside chance.
Excellent Art has drawn 13 in 14 horses in the Mile Turf. Jeremy should
come up with a solid effort and will have Frankie Dettori. My selection
is Nobiz Like Shobiz who comes into this race in cracking form. John
Velasquez has the call.
Unbridled Belle may out-close her rivals in the Distaff over 1,800
metres. Todd Pletcher, trying to win his first BC race, trains Unbridled
Belle. Ginger Punch and Lear’s Princess have solid shots.
I am changing my mind about Red Rocks. Until 24 hours ago, I felt he was
not up to it. However, the rain that has been falling will favour Red
Rocks. He is versatile. Dylan Thomas will find Monmouth’s stretch a
little too short. So, it will be an encore for Red Rocks in the BC Turf
over 2,400 metres.
Now we come to the race the entire racing world is talking about. There
are fans who give George Washington a big chance. He will be at long
odds. I do not think he can defy all the conventional wisdom in the
world. It is a dream race to watch. I am going with Street Sense, the
Derby hero. I believe the pace will be brisk. Street Sense has given
every satisfaction in his preparation. Derby winners have poor records
in the Classic. Street Sense will rewrite that script this afternoon.
I like City Leader and Kevin Darley to win the Racing Post Trophy at
Doncaster in England. City Leader beat Achill Island at Ascot last
month. The latter was narrowly beaten in the Juvenile Turf on Friday.
Brian Meehan trains City Leader.
