Big Everest the peak speed in Cliff Hanger
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The 1 1/16-mile distance of the $100,000 Cliff Hanger Stakes would stretch the stamina of Big Everest were the race run at a true tempo. But on paper, Big Everest will be loose on the lead racing on a grass course that often favors front-runners, especially during periods of warm, dry weather, the expected prevailing conditions this weekend.
That’s big trouble for whomever faces Big Everest.
Six others were entered but Danny Gargan, trainer of James Aloysius, said Thursday he’s likely to scratch his charge, a rail-drawn potential pace rival for Big Everest.
Another entrant, Manor House, never has raced on turf and appears to be a poor fit for the spot. Were he to scratch, the field of five would include one horse, Sir Saffer, who, on paper, just isn’t good enough. Sky’s Not Falling has considerably more established class than Sir Saffer but turned in a peak performance just three weeks ago and is a cut below the Cliff Hanger’s top three, even at his best.
Besides Big Everest, the other two with a legitimate shot are Public Sector and Smokin’ T.
Public Sector hails from the barn of trainer Chad Brown, which has started off the Monmouth meet by winning all five of the races it has entered. The three defeats the Brown barn has taken came in races won by other Brown-trained horses. The problems with Public Sector are his lack of pace and the absence of any real development over the last year.
At age 3, Public Sector won three graded stakes in New York and was a close fourth in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby, but, in retrospect, those races were modest for the class level. During 2022, Public Sector went 0 for 6 and could do no better than third, with no major excuses, in four Grade 3s and a restricted stakes between June and October.
Smokin’ T holds more appeal as an improving 4-year-old. Trained by Shug McGaughey, whose turf-route horses have been rolling since the second week of April, Smokin’ T lost ground from post 12 and had to move a touch early when third March 4 in a Gulfstream Park allowance won by On the Mark, who captured the Grade 1 Turf Classic on May 6.
Smokin’ T returned to action May 5 with a smart allowance win of his own, though he did get an absolutely perfect trip in that second-level allowance.
Big Everest won going 1 1/16 miles around one turn at Belmont Park last July but Christophe Clement has since kept him at a mile. He’s a horse who has learned to settle and finish once he establishes a lead, and Anaconda, the horse he barely held off winning his 2023 debut April 15 in the Danger’s Hour, returned to win the $150,000 Elusive Quality.
Bettors willing to take the short price on Big Everest would feel more comfortable were Joel Rosario aboard the 5-year-old. Rosario has beautifully rationed Big Everest’s speed, hand-riding the horse home to five of his six wins. Manny Franco went to the crop in the Danger’s Hour and got less than Rosario had without the stick, and Saturday, it’s Jorge Vargas Jr. tasked with making the most of an apparent tactical advantage.
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