It's a bit chilly in Hallandale, but that should keep things fast and firm. Great day for the Pegasus. Here's what I like...
R1 - #5 Diligent (8-1) Zerpa is so deadly when running first off the claim. Of all the contenders I feel like this one has the best run in the final furlong.
R2 - #7 Consulate (15-1) Calumet colt gets blinkers, so I hope that translates to a bit more early interest. If so, he'll have a chance at nice odds.
R3 - #11 Gladys (6-1) Has improved with every run since returning to action in October. No reason to think the ceiling has been reached yet.
R4 - #3 No Nay Franklin (15-1) Three runs, three finishes in the money. The stakes try at this distance and surface was his best run yet. I think the oddsmaker missed this one, won't be 15-1.
R5 - #5 Niceno (12-1) Has the best closing kick of the group. Even with the unknown jockey (Desormeaux off), I'm willing to take a stab. Maybe Junior gets on?
R6 - #11 Tiesto (12-1) Love to see Marquetry in the pedigree. I know he's stepping up in class, but he's run well in graded stakes before so that doesn't worry me.
R7 - #12 Sole Volante (20-1) Taking a big swing here. Basically, I don't like anything so I'm picking the longest shot that I can make a case for.
R8 - #7 Jakarta (7-2) The win in the Mrs. Claus was damn impressive. And the place horse in that one has already come back to win. Will be tough to beat.
R9 - #5 Gift List (15-1) Castellano had a choice between this one and the #10. I think he chose wrong.
R10 - #4 Officiating (15-1) Going to be hard to beat Fearless today, but if he gets boxed in, and if Saffie has perfected this morning's cocktail, then this guy could storm home late and steal it.
R11 - #3 Flavius (15-1) He's never seen double-digit odds in his life. Has been working very well since Maker got him in December. Love that Paco is aboard.
R12 - #7 Title Ready (20-1) Is there any scenario where either Knicks Go or Life Is Good don't win? Not really, but if I need to take a shot (which I do), I could do worse than last year's Louisiana Derby winner.
Good luck today, all.
R1 - #5 Diligent (8-1) Zerpa is so deadly when running first off the claim. Of all the contenders I feel like this one has the best run in the final furlong.
R2 - #7 Consulate (15-1) Calumet colt gets blinkers, so I hope that translates to a bit more early interest. If so, he'll have a chance at nice odds.
R3 - #11 Gladys (6-1) Has improved with every run since returning to action in October. No reason to think the ceiling has been reached yet.
R4 - #3 No Nay Franklin (15-1) Three runs, three finishes in the money. The stakes try at this distance and surface was his best run yet. I think the oddsmaker missed this one, won't be 15-1.
R5 - #5 Niceno (12-1) Has the best closing kick of the group. Even with the unknown jockey (Desormeaux off), I'm willing to take a stab. Maybe Junior gets on?
R6 - #11 Tiesto (12-1) Love to see Marquetry in the pedigree. I know he's stepping up in class, but he's run well in graded stakes before so that doesn't worry me.
R7 - #12 Sole Volante (20-1) Taking a big swing here. Basically, I don't like anything so I'm picking the longest shot that I can make a case for.
R8 - #7 Jakarta (7-2) The win in the Mrs. Claus was damn impressive. And the place horse in that one has already come back to win. Will be tough to beat.
R9 - #5 Gift List (15-1) Castellano had a choice between this one and the #10. I think he chose wrong.
R10 - #4 Officiating (15-1) Going to be hard to beat Fearless today, but if he gets boxed in, and if Saffie has perfected this morning's cocktail, then this guy could storm home late and steal it.
R11 - #3 Flavius (15-1) He's never seen double-digit odds in his life. Has been working very well since Maker got him in December. Love that Paco is aboard.
R12 - #7 Title Ready (20-1) Is there any scenario where either Knicks Go or Life Is Good don't win? Not really, but if I need to take a shot (which I do), I could do worse than last year's Louisiana Derby winner.
Good luck today, all.
