Litfin's preview: Speed-packed Coronation Cup
Wednesday, July 30, preview
SPEED-PACKED CORONATION CUP
There’s no shortage of speed in Wednesday’s Coronation Cup, where most of the 3-year-old fillies entered can be classified as early-pace types. The skull-buster of a turf sprint brings together horses from far and wide, and handicappers must evaluate last-race running lines from Belmont Park, Parx Racing, Penn National, and Woodbine as well as a first-time Lasix import from England and the Saratoga-loving Hot Squeeze, who wheels right back after wiring a New York-bred allowance over the course a week ago.
The race dynamics could set the table for Scatcapade, who, despite wanting a bit more ground than 5 1/2 furlongs, is the only member of the field to have shown a penchant for rallying from off the pace. Her connections, breeder-owner Patricia Generazio and trainer Christophe Clement, won last week’s Quick Call with Pure Sensation, a 3-year-old who was switching to the grass for the first time.
WILLET A PROHIBITIVE FAVORITE
Coming off a big race for second to Grade 2 winner La Verdad in her first start of the season, Willet will be odds-on against five rival New York-bred fillies and mares in race 3, an $85,000 allowance at six furlongs.
Now 6, Willet has been a gem of consistency throughout her career. The multiple stakes winner has posted exacta finishes in 13 of 16 starts, including a close second in the 2012 renewal of the Grade 2 Go For Wand, and the 95 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for her July 3 return was the best fast-track figure of her career.
“She’s had one race in eight months, which was by design,” said trainer and part-owner Jimmy Iselin. “We give her the winters off … I thought Willet acquitted herself well against La Verdad. It’s her second race off the layoff, but in horse racing, you can never count your chickens before they hatch. That said, if she runs well, we’ll look at the Union Avenue [which she won last year at 7-5], and if she runs really well, we might shoot for the stars and run in the Ballerina.”
2012 JOHN’S CALL WINNER IN JUMP-UP OPENER
Harrods Creek, who won the 2012 John’s Call at 1 5/8 miles over the flat here for Bill Mott, comes off a maiden steeplechase win at Parx for new trainer Arch Kingsley and is among the main contenders in the 12:25 p.m. opener at 2 1/16 miles over the jumps.
Racing with blinkers on, the third time over fences proved the charm for Harrods Creek, who drove clear to win by better than six lengths at 3-2.
Jack Fisher, who won five races at Saratoga last year, sends out the entry of Easy Reach and Virsito.
Easy Reach is likely to set the pace, while Virsito drops out of the Grade 1 Iroquois, which was his first start in almost two years.
Charminster appears the stronger half of an Irvin Naylor-owned entry for trainer Cyril Murphy, who has won with 11 of 30 starters this year.
HORSE TO WATCH
BANANA THIEF
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Last race: July 28, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 5 1/2
Beyer: 36
First-time starter by Kitten’s Joy rallied along the inside in a sloppy off-the-turf sprint and finished willingly, although no match for odds-on Good Luck Gus.