Sorting Out the Juveniles (Video)
11 Oct 2011 8:55 AM
TCI TOP FIVES
| 1 |
Flat Out |
Now a G1 winner at 1 ¼ miles, he's been as consistently good as any and is entering the Classic the right way. |
| 2 |
Havre de Grace |
Impressive Beldame win sealed her place in the Classic starting gate, and she's without question a legit contender. |
| 3 |
Uncle Mo |
He reminded us in the Kelso what he's capable of when on his game; A huge & intriguing addition to the Classic. |
| 4 |
Tizway |
Setback leaves the question of how he'll handle 1 ¼ miles; Will also need to show he can be as effective outside of NY. |
| 5 |
So You Think (NZ) |
Showed well in the Arc and O'Brien said they're anxious to try dirt; Still one of the best 10-furlong horses in the world. |
| 1 |
Royal Delta |
No match for 'Grace' in Beldame, but she won't have to face that filly or Blind Luck in here; Still has a big upside. |
| 2 |
Plum Pretty |
Her monster Cotillion win could make this filly the favorite in her return to the place where she captured the KY Oaks. |
| 3 |
Aruna |
Quality Spinster win, but who would have thought she would turn out to be the best 4yo representing in this race? |
| 4 |
Zazu |
Late closer is in great form as shown in the Lady's Secret, but does she have the same punch beyond 1 1/16 miles? |
| 5 |
It's Tricky |
No answer for 'Pretty' in Cotillion, but she's been consistently good enough to be a contender in this now-wide-open race. |
| OFF: |
Switch |
| 1 |
Smiling Tiger |
Skipped final prep to train up to this; It took others disappointing for him to snag No. 1, but his talent makes him worthy. |
| 2 |
Big Drama |
Setback comes at a critical time, and it'll take a masterful training job now to get him sharp enough to defend his title. |
| 3 |
The Factor |
So, what went wrong in his hugely disappointing Ancient Title? Whatever it was, he had better bounce back big. |
| 4 |
Force Freeze |
Talk about bizarre, this one was totally lost for 3 yrs after leaving the States, but he's returned in a big way and is a player here. |
| 5 |
Hamazing Destiny |
Don't sleep on his 3rd in the Phoenix, as that's about as good as he can run on synthetics; However, he loves Churchill. |
| OFF: |
Trappe Shot |
| 1 |
Goldikova (Ire) |
How could this division not start with the 3-time defending champ? The concern is whether she's still sharp enough at 6. |
| 2 |
Strong Suit |
Hannon committing him after impressive Group 2 win recently at Newmarket; Won 3 of last 4 and loves firmer ground. |
| 3 |
Turallure |
Has emerged as North America's top turf miler after displaying a powerful closing kick in his Woodbine Mile score. |
| 4 |
Courageous Cat |
Runner-up as the fave at Woodbine and should move forward off that run; Classy 5yo was 2nd to top one in this race in '09. |
| 5 |
Gio Ponti |
Venerable 6yo enters the Mile again off another impressive Shadwell Mile score; 2010 runner-up has big shot. |
| OFF: |
Excelebration (Ire),
Dick Turpin (Ire) |
| 1 |
Jackson Bend |
Showed in defeat that he's a great, in-form miler capable of firing big at multiple racetracks. |
| 2 |
Twirling Candy |
Back on the work tab after foot injury; Dirt Mile seeming likelier after missing time and a final prep race. |
| 3 |
Crown of Thorns |
Hard-luck 6yo is battling minor foot problems again, leaving his Breeders' Cup status up in the air. |
| 4 |
Caleb's Posse |
A bit flat in the Indiana Derby, but we know what kind of horse he is closing around one turn. |
| 5 |
Jersey Town |
May have gotten his heart broken chasing Uncle Mo, but the good news is he won't have to face that one now. |
| 1 |
Switch |
Polytrack isn't her surface, so not overly discouraged by her TCA loss; But one wonders if she's lost a little sharpness. |
| 2 |
Turbulent Descent |
Top 3yo filly sprinter and a 7-furlong specialist; Lightly-raced sort is fresh and training lights out at Hollywood. |
| 3 |
Pomeroys Pistol |
Improved 3yo filly is fast enough to win this off her impressive Gallant Bloom romp against older fillies & mares. |
| 4 |
Sassy Image |
Back breezing after tearing a quarter in Ballerina, and reportedly on track for this; She's nearly unbeatable at CD. |
| 5 |
Ultra Blend |
5yo Cal-bred mare is in career form and should love closing down that long Churchill Downs stretch. |
| OFF: |
It's Tricky |
| 1 |
Stacelita (Fr) |
Easily America's top turf mare; Must prove her form against shippers from Europe – where she's had success before. |
| 2 |
Midday (GB) |
2009 champ hasn't been seen since Aug. 17, but remains a top contender if she returns as expected. |
| 3 |
Snow Fairy (Ire) |
Group 1 filly is in great form and would be very formidable if connections chose to bring her over. |
| 4 |
Misty For Me (Ire) |
Breeders' Cup Challenge winner defeated Midday by half a dozen over softer ground earlier this summer. |
| 5 |
Dubawi Heights (GB) |
America's second-best hope showed she remains in top form with Yellow Ribbon win; Possesses good tactical speed. |
| 1 |
Union Rags |
Earned favorite's role with dominant Spa Special/Champagne double; Plenty of stamina in pedigree to stretch out. |
| 2 |
Creative Cause |
Proved best around two turns in Norfolk, and is unbeaten and unchallenged on real dirt. |
| 3 |
Drill |
Another G1 winner and contender in here; Will need to improve from Norfolk where he was soundly defeated. |
| 4 |
Hansen |
He's the wild card after dominating in both of his starts on Polytrack by more than a dozen lengths in each. |
| 5 |
Take Charge Indy |
Big pedigree and has flashed talent to go along with it; Needs to improve next month on dirt, and he just may. |
| 1 |
Grace Hall |
The Spinaway winner has shown class and the ability to excel around two turns with good tactical speed. |
| 2 |
Stopshoppingmaria |
Talented filly encountered trouble in Frizette but still came running late; Big chance here with cleaner trip. |
| 3 |
Charm the Maker |
Connections aren't keen on shipping her to Louisville, but if she comes she's a big-time player in here. |
| 4 |
My Miss Aurelia |
Female version of Union Rags in NY, and has even run faster; But concerned about two turns and harnessing that early speed. |
| 5 |
Weemissfrankie |
Another undefeated G1 winner on this list; Showed she's good on any surface, but deep-closing style could get her in trouble. |