Shining Copper can show off speed in River City Handicap
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Speed horses are known for being more effective on dirt than turf. But one just wouldn’t get that impression in looking at the form of Shining Copper, the morning-line favorite for Thursday’s Grade 3, $100,000 River City Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Shining Copper has utilized his speed with a high level of effectiveness on turf. He’s gone 2 for 5 in 2016-2017, all in turf races, and came within a neck of leading throughout in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap in one of his 2016 defeats.
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Unlike many front-running grass horses, who typically go at a slow to moderate pace, Shining Copper at times runs off to commanding margins by setting quick splits. That can change the dynamics of a turf race from a test of late acceleration to who can best make a prolonged run.
Shining Copper and jockey Corey Lanerie won an allowance at Keeneland last month with this style, and Lanerie figures to employ similar tactics aboard him Thursday.
He makes the third start of his form cycle, and may need a peak performance to repel the challenges of a deep cast of rivals, led by Revved Up, Kasaqui, and War Correspondent.
Mike Maker trains Shining Copper, a 7-year-old gelded son of Aragorn who was claimed by Ken and Sarah Ramsey for $62,500 in May 2015, originally with the purpose of serving as a rabbit for Big Blue Kitten, the Ramseys’ late-running grass horse from a couple years ago.
Revved Up earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure in winning an allowance on the Churchill turf course Nov. 11. He would be a threat if he can replicate that performance on less than two weeks’ rest.
The Churchill course has been soaked with rain but may dry out sufficiently to be good or firm by Thursday. Firm ground would suit War Correspondent, who is a multiple graded winner.
KEY CONTENDERS
Shining Copper, by Aragorn
Last 3 Beyers: 99-92-103
◗ Broke open his last race on Oct. 15 at Keeneland by running a second quarter down the backstretch in roughly 23.40 seconds, extending a two-length lead to a 6 1/2-length margin and forcing his rivals to have to be urged to stay within touch of his rapid pace. And though his lead diminished, he still had plenty left to win by 3 1/4 lengths.
Revved Up, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 98-85-84
◗ Quickened nicely from sixth to first in a quarter of a mile to win his latest going away while completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.98 over yielding turf .
War Correspondent, by War Front
Last 3 Beyers: 87-101-102
◗ Seeks to prove he can be effective outside of Gulfstream Park, where his two stakes victories since being imported to the U.S. have come. A layoff-prone horse returning after over two months’ inactivity, he sometimes performs well when fresh.
