Prices appeal in West Virginia Governor's Stakes
Iron Fist and Matt King Coal figure to sit solidly at the head of the betting market for the $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes, the prelude to the West Virginia Derby on Saturday at Mountaineer Resort and Casino, but it would be fair, and potentially profitable, to wonder if their form is rock-solid.
Matt King Coal ran four straight top races from February through June. Though the 1 1/4 miles of the Suburban Stakes on July 8 might have been farther than he really wants to run, Matt King Coal also surrendered surprisingly tamely at the top of the stretch after setting a slow pace.
As for Iron Fist, there was nothing wrong with his most recent race. In fact, the question is whether it was too good. Iron Fist earned a career-best 103 Beyer Speed Figure while scoring the biggest win of his career in the Grade 3, $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap on July 8. Maybe he can repeat the performance, but there’s a decent chance he won’t, and shopping for a price might be worth handicappers’ time in the Governor’s.
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KEY CONTENDERS
Iron Fist, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 103-93-96
◗ Flashed healthy potential in early autumn of his 3-year-old season but didn’t race between November 2015 and October 2016 and really only came to hand this spring.
◗ The Cornhusker was Iron Fist’s sixth start this year, and trainer Steve Asmussen hopes a series of strong races lessens the chance of regression Saturday.
“I think the horse has run really solid since the New Orleans Handicap,” he said. “He’s been running fast.”
Matt King Coal, by Cool Coal Man
Last 3 Beyers: 92-102-96
◗ Missed by a neck in the rich Charles Town Classic on April 22 and came back with a powerful win in the Mountainview Stakes on June 3 at Penn National. He would be formidable if he runs to those two races rather than to his Suburban.
◗ Prefers front-end trips but seems unlikely to shake loose on the lead from post 4 under Jose Lezcano, who rides Matt King Coal for the first time.
The Player, by Street Hero
Last 3 Beyers: 88-91-86
◗ Was just hitting his peak last summer, finishing second to Grade 1 winner Cupid in the Indiana Derby, when he went to the sidelines.
◗ Solid comeback race last out at Churchill Downs should have him set for improvement, and it seems entirely plausible that he runs the fastest race of his life Saturday.
Page McKenney, by Eavesdropper
Last 3 Beyers: 96-83-83
◗ Was second in this race last year, and in 10 starts at this 1 1/16-mile distance, the ace Pennsylvania-bred is 8-1-0.