Delta Jackpot preview

Friday, December 1, 2006
Delta Downs - Race 8
1 1/16 Miles
Boyd Gaming Delta Jackpot Stakes (Grade 3)
2-year-olds
Purse $1,000,000

OFFICER ROCKET defeated eventual Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Street Sense as well as three next-out winners when dead-heating for first in the Arlington-Washington Futurity two back, then chased a very exciting colt in Tiz Wonderful in the Iroquois. His stamina will be tested as he tries two turns for the first time, but he may receive an ideal trip behind a quick and contested pace. He's the most battle-tested horse in the race, and should be charging hard late. GO POPPA FOOZE hasn't been headed in his last three starts, and a repeat of that 98 Beyer Speed Figure from his local debut would make him tough to beat once again. He'll likely be on the engine one more time, but may face lots of pace pressure from runaway New York maiden graduate ICE MAN COMETH, and Maryland allowance winner MISTYCAL LIGHT. ICE MAN COMETH has yet to run a bad race, and he does have a bit of stamina on the bottom side of his pedigree. Whether he can dissuade Go Poppa Fooze early, and then still keep on going in his route debut is a bit debatable. XCHANGER chased the promising Day Pass in the Grade 3 Nashua at Aqueduct, and previously ran into Grade 1 types Scat Daddy and Nobiz Like Shobiz in the Champagne. He projects for a nice pace-tracking, ground-saving trip under Joe Bravo. BIRDBIRDISTHEWORD finished just behind the Breeders' Cup winner at Keeneland, but he may have been aided by a closer-friendly Polytrack that day. Both of his wins have been on the turf, and he may be a bit overbet in this spot.

Selections: 1. Officer Rocket 2. Go Poppa Fooze 3. Ice Man Cometh