Absolutely Cool, 9, at top of game for Hank Mills Sr.
PHOENIX – Absolutely Cool has always been a nice horse. As hard as it may be to believe, however, he might be better than ever now at age 9. Absolutely Cool looms as the horse to beat in the $35,000 Hank Mills Sr. Handicap on Saturday. The 5 1/2-furlong event is the final prep for the meet’s marquee event, the Phoenix Gold Cup on Feb. 13, and drew eight of the best sprinters on the grounds.
Owned by Karl Krieg and trained by Valorie Lund, Absolutely Cool spent most of his time at a level just below the best sprinters on the grounds. But last winter, he won the Phoenix Gold Cup at 13-1 over some of these rivals.
After facing the best horses at Emerald Downs last spring and summer, he returned here and got back on track, winning the Bienvenidos and Luke Kruytbosch in the fall.
His main opposition Saturday figures to come from familiar faces such as Jamaican Memories, second to him in the Kruytbosch; Omar, third to him in last year’s Phoenix Gold Cup; and Storm Power, a strong recent winner here.
HANK MILLS SR. (race 7)
KEY CONTENDERS
Absolutely Cool (Last 3 Beyers: 95-85-84)
◗ Has done his best work over this track, with 8 of his 10 wins coming here.
◗ Does his best running late and would benefit from a hot pace, which easily could occur with a number of speedsters signed up.
◗ Posted a career-best 95 Beyer Speed Figure while winning the Kruytbosch last time out Nov. 14.
Omar (Last 3 Beyers: 86-73-71)
◗ Dueled and faded to be sixth to Absolutely Cool in the Bienvenidos in October but has won two straight since.
◗ Worked four furlongs in 46.40 here Jan. 13.
Storm Power (Last 3 Beyers: 90-79-65)
◗ Won this race in December 2014, when it was run at a mile on the main track, part of a three-race winning streak.
◗ Rallied to win at this 5 1/2-furlong distance despite early traffic issues in an optional claimer here Jan. 3.