Yesterday I said Fast and Firm, was Fast and Good
Today, Fast and Firm I think, prepare for anything. Good luck!
Studying the two Graded stakes races at the SPA, the G2 Race 8 (C/H/G) & the G1 Race 11 (F/M).
Selections: big 7/5/2/136, 7/5/1/236,
lighter 5/7/2/136, 5/7/1/236
tiny 7/12/5/1236, 12/7/5/1236
Race 8
(9, 10, 11 MTO and assuming they'll be scratched)
8 - Hard to believe the connections lost faith in this one quick 6 mos ago, and in $35k claimers. Won, actually won twice with Irad and Davis but JC is their stakes go to. Was climbing up the speed figure ranks and then hit a gd track, ehhh. Valiant 4th in that G1 turf. Will be ignored because of competition, and sufficient speed inside of the gelding means, speed duel and die, outside trip or, 0/2 at SPA is a no.
7 - G3, G2, G1 winner, SPA record 4-1-0-3 $694k. Wins on firm, gd turf, comes ready for these, best in the world - no, best on his best day, good on his best day beats these. One weakness is will he stalk a fast pace, if yes, is his somewhat kryptonite. With these a strong fast pace, hell no. This one is a 2/5 winner or an unlikely 2nd place upset.
6 - Very lightly raced 7yo Gelding makes him interesting with a monster speed figure last race, now an 1/8th shorter, 2lbs less and Irad who actually jumps off 4 for this one. You have to feel he can breath the same air as Far Bridge with all that, was a $16k Tampa claimer 15 mos ago. A 4th finish is big for this one.
5 - Won a G2 in 23' at 1 1/16 turf, multiple Grades stakes placed. Has had 1.5 month since an AW race in Canada, trainer's home turf, and that was first race back from an 8 mo layoff and when asked the horse who was way off the pace and glided at high speed. Now back here on the turf, wow SPA 0/2 but both of those seconds. Far Bridge's running mate here.
4 - Won 3 in a row, $1.3 mil purchase, Pletcher pupil, then stopped after getting spooked by horses making move coming off the turn with Irad last race a G1 and took money, Irad jumped to the 6 here. They'll send this horse to the lead, they have no choice. The horse will try to rate and might then out run expectations and may finish behind Irad's other horse, around 5th, 6th. They've been patient with this one, with first race in Dec 24' as a 3yo, likely time to find this one only AW stakes races where he is 2/2, and that would likely be abroad. Maybe will scratch too.
3 - 6 yo Horse hasn't won a race since his second to last Spa attempt 2 years ago called the John's Call Stakes (Listed) big speed figure and long race like 1 5/8 miles. 0/9 since. Throw out last race here at the SPA on the slop. Another if really ready on his best day finishes 4th.
2 - Davis won both times on this horse and at the SPA making that record also 2/2. Don't be confused this is Davis' horse, not Irad, Davis jumped off this horse in Oct 24' and won a G3 with another horse. This horse's heritage is all turf, will be his 9th lifetime race, Shadwell Stable, Pletcher. I like this one, could be a surprise.
1 - 8yo Gelding with the name Staring Over lol, 124 lbs might be a problem, then again won a G2 last year at this distance in Hallandale, FL with 122 lbs. Franco looks like the go to for trainer Miss B.R. here. Forgive the 0/1 SPA was at 1 1/16 gd track, the race was just starting for this one there. Horse's 6th race in 2 years. Maybe getting better or at least capable with age.
