Free's preview: Small fields full of short prices
Small fields and short prices are underlying themes Sunday. Only 62 horses are entered in nine races. Average field size is 6.8 per race.
Brad FreeMay 11, 2014
Small fields and short prices are underlying themes Sunday. Only 62 horses are entered in nine races. Average field size is 6.8 per race.
Kobe’s Back was expected to win the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera at odds of 7-10. He did not.
The License Fee kicks off an all-stakes pick three with the Ruffian Stakes (race 8) and Man o’ War Stakes (race 9), as well as the late pick four.
Tonalist (race 9, $4.40) broke a step slow and was at the back of the pack early but recovered to seize command with a burst of speed through the first quarter-mile, relaxed nicely once in control, and turned back all comers in a very impressive Peter Pan Stakes romp.
This may be the most difficult card of the meet so far from a handicapping perspective, mainly because of the abundance of shippers.
Wild Catomine ($13) gamely held off the favorites Hot and Spicy and Lexie Lou to land her stakes debut in the $150,400 Fury Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies. All three figure to be headed for what should be a quality edition of the June 15 Woodbine Oaks.
Despite all the rain that pounded the Louisville area Saturday afternoon, the Churchill Downs main track is expected to be fast for this afternoon’s races, provided there isn’t more rain.
Heavy overnight rains resulted in the three scheduled turf races Saturday at Churchill Downs being moved to a wet main track. Then, as the afternoon went on, more downpours hit the track.
DRF Plus handicapping analysis for Santa Anita on Sunday, May 11.
DRF Plus handicapping analysis for Churchill Downs on Sunday, May 11.