Litfin's review: Wind the wildcard

Wednesday, April 23 review

Speed horses, stalkers and deep closers divided up six races on the main track, as the final week of the 23-day spring meet got under way.

The biggest issue, particularly for pace handicappers going forward, was a stiff headwind on the second half of the backstretch and into the far turn that slowed early fractions considerably. The fastest – fastest! – first-quarter and half-mile splits were 23.54 and 47.18 seconds in the opener, and that pace was sufficiently demanding to pave the way for Reserved Quality ($9.50) to rally from last to overtake 1-2 favorite Denzel, thus expanding David Jacobson’s meet lead to 15-11 over Denzel’s trainer, Rudy Rodriguez. There was a steward’s inquiry into the stretch run, and had Denzel won the tight photo, he likely would have been disqualified for coming out late and bumping the winner.

The 50-cent pick five, with its 15 percent takeout, is probably the best bargain on the circuit, as was illustrated by this sequence. In addition to Reserved Quality, who was second choice, the next four winners were second choices (virtually co-second choice in the case of Rap d’Oro), and the payoff was $339.75 for 50 cents, or about 679-1.

Johnny Star (6th, $58), beaten a combined 94 lengths in four prior starts, all for Leslie Hinds, woke up suddenly with blinkers off, and ran down 4-5 Political Farce, single-handedly producing a $20,794 carryover in the pick six.

The rails were at 18 feet on the turf course, and positional speed was a common thread among the three winners, as Sinatra (5th, $5.80), Roses for Romney (7th, $9.30) and Thatza Wrap (9th, $8) all pressed the pace from second position at the first call.

The John Kimmel-trained Thatza Wrap, beaten 48 lengths in two starts last year, was the only winning favorite on the program, as she switched to turf for her seasonal bow. Although her dirt form had been awful, the Hard Spun filly boasted the top Tomlinson rating (333) for grass.

HORSES TO WATCH

VINNY GOODTIMES
Trainer: Patrick Quick
Last race: April 23, 5th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 90

Put away for the rest of the winter after one decent try on the inner dirt, he returned on his preferred surface (turf) to finish close up while bumped late, earning a new Beyer top. Won twice at Belmont last fall at 10-1 and 7-1.

STRIKE ACCORD
Trainer: John Kimmel
Last race: April 23 7th
Finish: 2nd by 4
Beyer: 72

Bumped with a rival, clipped heels and stumbled, nearly unseating the rider turning for home. Regrouped and split rivals late to get second in first start since last fall. Five-year-old mare’s lone victory came on Belmont turf.