Broken Connection steps up

Broken Connection, a hard-charging winner over allowance company at Horsemen's Park two weeks ago, will venture into stakes company when he faces eight other 3-year-olds in the $10,000 Hall of Fame Stakes at six furlongs at Columbus.

Trained by Larry Donlin Jr., Broken Connection rallied from well off the pace in his last win and should have a strong pace to run at again in this spot. Jesus Ponce will be aboard.

Conclusive, trained by Kim Veerhusen, is the likely favorite but is coming off an uncharacteristic poor showing in the race won by Broken Connection. Conclusive had a pair of strong wins at Lincoln, including a four-length score in the State Fair Derby. In the Horsemen's Park race, he bore out into the first turn and dropped back off the pace, then found trouble going to the far turn and finished sixth, beaten five lengths. The abundance of speed in this spot could compromise his chances.

Among the speed horses that should challenge Conclusive are the David Anderson-trained duo of Comedy Kid and Wholelotta Richter, who will be uncoupled in the wagering.

T Annies Cat is a front-runner trained by Carolyn Fackler who invades from the Anthony Fair in Kansas and is coming off a third in the Thoroughbred Stakes July 17. Sugardazzle, trained by Dan Coughlin, was second in the State Fair Breeders' Special prior to winning a mid-level allowance at Lincoln in his last start.