Gierkink's preview: Eclipse contenders come off strong works

Eclipse Stakes contenders

Frac Daddy, Alpha Bettor, and Stealcase are the main protagonists in the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile route for older runners.

Frac Daddy should be favored off his victorious penultimate race in the Grade 3 Ben Ali on the Polytrack at Keeneland. He’s coming off a prominent fourth on turf in the Grade 1 Man o’ War at Belmont, where he breezed five-eighths in a bullet 58.20 seconds on the dirt Monday for trainer Ken McPeek.

Speaking of fast five-furlong breezes, Alpha Bettor covered that distance in a sizzling 57.80 on the Poly here last Monday. Last year’s Eclipse winner and champion older runner in Canada, Alpha Bettor helped to set a slow pace over a track that was kind to speed while taking his season opener in the allowance prep for the Eclipse.

Stealcase had more of a maintenance drill here Monday, when he covered five-eighths in 1:03.20. After saving ground in a stalking position in the prep, he surged late to finish second. He was previously second in the Ben Ali, from which the third-place finisher exited to capture a Grade 3 stakes at Arlington.

Seventh race longshot play

Sky Over Flats will make his turf debut in the pivotal seventh race, which caps the early pick four and begins the late pick four. The son of Sky Mesa has a respectable 300 Tomlinson turf number, and his dam has thrown five grass winners from six starters on that surface.

After commencing the meet in snail-like fashion, Sky Over Flats’ trainer, Reade Baker, has been heating up. He scored twice Friday and nearly won a turf race Saturday with Holy Empress. Sky Over Flats is 10-1 on the morning line.