Hammersly's preview: Speed key at 5 1/2 furlongs

Saturday, June 21, preview

PACE PLAYS, BOTH ON AND OFF

The 5 1/2-furlong races at this meet have been thoroughly dominated by speed, with 18 of the first 21 winners at this trip having been within a length of the lead after the first quarter. So, as you look at Saturday’s opener, the lone race on the card at 5 1/2 furlongs, the focus had best be on tactical speed.

First-timer Spectacular Proof may well qualify. She’s a daughter of Idiot Proof, who could sizzle himself and was a Grade 1 winner sprinting. Best of all, she’s shown speed – you don’t post a bullet three-furlong work in 33.20 Hg as she did June 8 unless you have speed.

And with her rail draw, it likely means rider Kent Desormeaux has to bust her out of there and go right to it. One of her two siblings is Spectacularjourney (two seconds and two thirds in 12 starts).

Awesome Indy represents a play looking from the other direction, from off the pace, in race 3.

This $16,000, N3L six-furlong sprint might be a good situation for Awesome Indy. Of his five rivals, four have speed. In fact, those four were on the lead at the first margin call. In other words, there’s ample speed signed up here, and that bodes well for Awesome Indy. The 6-year-old, gelded son of Golden Missile was only third for $8,000 routing here May 11 (was claimed).

He was doubled in price when moved to this level for a sprint May 25 but was no factor, finishing fourth, beaten a long ways (15 1/2 lengths). However, he didn’t get the pace scenario there that he could get here, meaning a few of his rivals could go toe-to-toe early and then start looking for a place to lay down come furlongs 5 and 6. That would mean a race shape that plays well for this guy, as his best work has come as a stalking/late-running sprinter.

MAKING HIS RETURN

When Unbridled Command easily won the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in November 2012 for his fifth straight win, he seemed destined to be a big shot in the turf division. The same thought held when he was then third in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap in February 2013 (to Point of Entry, at that time the best turf distance horse in the land, and Animal Kingdom, the 2012 Kentucky Derby winner who subsequently won the Group 1 Dubai World Cup).

Trouble is, he hasn’t been seen since, which is a bit unnerving. The good news, though, is that not only has he worked well, but new trainer Peter Miller feels good enough about him to bring him back in what appears to be a very tough turf-mile optional claimer (and he is not eligible to be claimed away, either).

His rivals are tough, to be sure, but if he comes back anything like what he was when last seen, then he’ll be very tough.

READY TO POUNCE IN NIGHTCAP

Pouncearounddaclock pressed the issue in her debut on this hillside course May 26 before finishing third. That was a most encouraging first run for this daughter of Smart Strike, who not only is a Grade 1 winner but who sired two-time Horse of the Year Curlin (second in his only turf start, the Grade 1 Man o’ War) and champion grass horse English Channel.

That debut run shows she has talent, handles the hill, and has the speed to be in the mix from the start. Oh, she cost $200,000 at auction, so there are expectations, leading rider Joe Talamo takes the call, and there are two big works here since (four furlongs in 47.60 on June 8, five furlongs in 59.40 on June 16, the third-fastest of 50 at that distance that day).

You might not get rich on her, as she may well go favored, but she could surely be your linchpin in your end-of-the-day multirace wagers.

SPOT PLAY

Race 6
MAVERICKS GUN (#6, 3-1) found starter-allowance foes and a mile a bit too much to handle here May 3. However, he came back against $25,000 N2L foes going seven furlongs here May 26, bided his time, and finished smartly to just miss, finishing second, beaten just a nose. Not only did trainer Doug O’Neill see fit to claim him that day, but he brings him back in a spot where he can’t lose him via another claim, which is most encouraging. Oh, and a bullet 46.40-second move June 11 (fastest of 39 going four furlongs that day) is a big thumbs-up.

HORSE TO WATCH

SUPERBOOT
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last Race: June 19, 5th
Finish: 5th by 3
He was favored off a smart second on turf here May 30. However, he ended up dueling from the start through hot splits, was still on the lead at the eighth pole, but paid the price for dueling as he weakened late. That isn’t the way he wants to run. More patient handling next time can get him back on track.