Cool Cowboy big threat in Sophomore Sprint

Cool Cowboy has not run often this year but he has tried hard when he has had the chance. On Tuesday evening at Mountaineer Racetrack, Cool Cowboy will be favored in the $85,000 Sophomore Sprint Championship.

Eight 3-year-olds have been entered in the six-furlong stakes, including Cool Cowboy, who is 4-1-3-0 this year for trainer Dale Bennett.

Cool Cowboy started five times as a 2-year-old in 2013. His form cycle came to an end in his 3-year-old debut on Jan. 4 when he finished second in the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. His other three starts this year have come in May, July, and October.

Cool Cowboy is fast, and he has used his speed to win two stakes, the Inaugural at Tampa in December 2013 and the Golden Circle at Prairie Meadows in May. His speed was on full display in his last start, an Oct. 25 no-conditions allowance at Keeneland, where he set the pace, dug in when challenged, but came up three-quarters of a length short to I Got It All.

That win was the fifth from eight starts for I Got It All, who in his prior outing had taken the Straight Line Stakes at Arlington Park. The Keeneland race was also at seven furlongs, and Cool Cowboy should appreciate the shorter distance of Tuesday’s race.

The Sophomore Sprint is race 7 and has a scheduled post time of 9:12 p.m. Eastern.

KEY CONTENDERS

Cool Cowboy (Last 3 Beyers: 98-87-98)

Brings a 9-4-4-0 career record into the race. The only time he has finished worse than second came in a Keeneland allowance in October 2013.

Debt Ceiling (Last 3 Beyers: 83-22-75)

Started his career fast for trainer John Robb, winning four of his first five starts, including three stakes. He has not won in six starts since but his runner-up effort to Coup de Grace in the Oh Say Stakes at Delaware Park in July points him out as a top contender here. Besides Cool Cowboy, he is the only stakes winner in the field.

Zip 'n Sip (Last 3 Beyers: 84-76-79)

Has been steadily improving for trainer Aaron Shorter. Earned a Beyer of 84 when second to the 5-year-old W.B. Smudge - who is now 9 for 34 - in a first-level optional claimer. W.B. Smudge, who was entered for the $25,000 claiming price, was given a 101 Beyer for the win. Has made all six of his starts at Indiana Grand.

Stunt Double (Last 3 Beyers: 74-74-63)

Won a second-level allowance at Mountaineer last out. He is 3 for 10 over the track.

Rockin Donovan (Last 3 Beyers: 56-74-86)

Had won four races in a row before he raced against Cool Cowboy last out. He gave way in that race and was beaten 20 lengths by I Got It All.