Trendsetter favored to take Hickory Tree rivals to the woodshed
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It was only natural that a few Virginia-certified juveniles would grow familiar with one another ahead of the $100,000 Hickory Tree Stakes at Colonial Downs on Saturday.
On July 10, Trendsetter, a gelding trained by Ben Colebrook, overcame an awkward start in a maiden special weight for Virginia-certified runners at Colonial, closing from eighth to win on debut by 1 1/4 lengths. In the Hickory Tree, he will face the four horses who finished in order behind him that day.
“Looks like it’s the same kind of bunch he ran against last time,” Colebrook said. “Hopefully, he can figure things out a little better at the break.”
Trendsetter has already proven better than all but two runners in the Hickory Tree field and is the only entrant with a prior victory, making him a deserving 8-5 morning-line favorite.
Cool Customer, a colt trained by Michael Stidham, finished third to Trendsetter last month, when he was pushed close to the early pace and struggled to make a late bid. His trainer has been hard at work to better prepare him for the Hickory Tree.
After his debut in Virginia, Stidham brought him back to Delaware Park, where he completed a four-furlong workout in 48.60 seconds on July 26. He will race with blinkers on Saturday.
“He worked really well with the blinkers, so we are going to try that,” Stidham said. “Hopefully get him to break and sit in more of a stalking spot instead of rushing him.”
Trainer John Robb has two colts returning for another shot at Trendsetter on Saturday. G Q Worthy is the most experienced runner in the field and has now finished second in three straight starts. Power Grid finished fifth in his debut last time out, bringing up the rear of the five horses from the maiden race.
Keswick
Just Philtored, a 2-year-old filly coming off a commanding maiden victory, will make her first start for trainer Mike Trombetta in the $100,000 Keswick Stakes at Colonial on Saturday. She is one of three prior winners in the Virginia-certified field of seven.
The filly was acquired through a private sale shortly after her victory at Laurel Park in May, when she overcame a difficult break to win by eight lengths in a maiden special weight for trainer Gary Capuano.
“We backed off her a little bit and freshened her some because we had a lot of time, then started the process of getting ready for this one,” Trombetta said.
Slewperstitus, a filly trained by Robert Bailes, took down three rivals in the Keswick field when she won a state-certified maiden special weight by 8 3/4 lengths at Colonial on July 9. Wickedwithbourbon, Thisishowwedoit, and Snow Bella will all have to significantly improve in order to turn the tables.
Just Philtored and Slewperstitus are sure to earn respect from bettors, but Smooch Up also offers upside coming off a convincing debut victory. The filly kicked away to win by six lengths in gate-to-wire fashion at Presque Isle Downs on July 21, earning earned a 70 Beyer Speed Figure on synthetic.
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