Two-year-olds are back in focus at Churchill Downs on Saturday night, and on That Handicapping Show I selected Romans Avenue in the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3). This Street Sense colt is one to watch this weekend and down the road. I loved how he moved in the debut victory regardless of the speed figure (it came back a little slow on Beyer and BRIS). He is listed at 5-1 on the morning line, and I think he's value at that price.
In the Dwyer Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park I am going with Zetterholm. He toyed with New York-bred company before running a solid 4th in the Preakness. He wasn't in the same zip code as the top three, but he won the secondary race within the race. I was curious where trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. would bring this Silver Train colt back, and it looks like he's found a good spot. I love the spacing with six weeks and five workouts (including two 6f moves) since his last.
Before he was ambitiously placed in the Belmont Stakes, I wrote that Unstoppable U was a horse to watch off of two better-than-they-look-on-paper wins to begin his career. He ran pretty well in the Belmont all things considered, and I was tempted to go with him in the Dwyer, but at 3-1 on the morning line, I am going to watch and see where he is from a developmental aspect.
Hansen returns this weekend in the Iowa Derby (G3). The Tapit colt is listed at 2-5 on the morning line in a very weak field of five. If I managed Hansen, this is exactly the kind of spot I'd be looking for the rest of the year (big purse vs. second-tier three-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles or less).
Alysheba Stakes winner Successful Dan is listed at 6-5 in the Cornhusker Handicap (G3), and he might get bet even lower. I think Successful Dan is one of the best older horses in the country and a major contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
At Hollywood Park, the Shoemaker Mile (G1) drew a nice field of eight. I am officially off of Mr. Commons, whom I loved in the Breeders' Cup Mile last year (at 19-1). This Artie Schiller colt keeps underperforming and losing close ones despite an overall good-looking record.
Who does everyone like this weekend?
