Plenty in Vinny V.'s favor in Inaugural

It is simple to build a case for Vinny V. in Sunday's $20,000 Inaugural at Arapahoe Park in Aurora, Colo. He is the lone horse in the field with stakes credentials. He appears to be the race's controlling speed, and his connections, trainer Jon Arnett and jockey Travis Wales, won the title in their respective divisions last meet.

The Inaugural, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds, is the first of 20 stakes for Thoroughbreds to be run during a mixed meet at Arapahoe. It drew a field of five.

Vinny V. took on stakes competition in the $50,000 Daylight Sprint at Sunland Park in his last start April 6. He dueled through fractions of 21.40 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.20 for the half-mile before finishing second by 1 1/4 lengths to Stonestreet Song. The turn of foot Vinny V. showed points him out as the dominant speed in the Inaugural. He will break from post 3 on Sunday. Vinny V., a son of Matty G, races for Harry Veruchi.

A stretch threat could be Singin Vicar. He cuts back to one turn following a front-running win in a 1 1/16-mile conditioned claiming race at Oaklawn March 7. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 86, which is the highest last-race figure in the Inaugural. Vinny V. earned a 76 for his effort in the Daylight.

Singin Vicar drew the rail, and Russell Vicchrilli has the mount for trainer James Jones.