no replay of the Smarty available atm, so ... it was Gold Street on the hustle right from jump, wiring 'em in the muck - should be up on the YouToobz shortly.
in the interim, let's get the last 3 preps i've yet to review in so's we be all caught up.
i mistakenly labeled the Los Al Futurity the final prep of 2019 ... it wasn't - that distinction belongs to the
Springboard Mile/Shoplifted run on 12/15.
nice stretch battle here, as the winner held off a late rally from prohib fave Answer In, who was zooming up the rail ... Shoplifted made a nice move turning for home, found the 3 path, and dug in ... the galloping gray, Embolden, looked the part - but was outta real estate as the other 2 commenced their battle in the final yards.
good looking effort, decent quarter/half splits, enough for Shoplifted to make his late run.
came back and rallied to bottom out the tri yesterday in the Smarty ... has been knocking around with the top class, but up the track finishes in both the Juvey and American Pharoah - outta Into Mischief, with a Shopit bottom ... currently sitting at 48-1 futures, don't think yesterday's outing moves his needle much in either direction.
on to 2020, and a look at 2 of the top 3 choices at the future books as of right now ...
New Year's Day was rung in at the lovely Big A with
The Jerome/Independence Hall
the Trombetta trained titan went off as low as possible, prohib fave at 1/9 ... his 3 year old debut, coming in undefeated and much heralded as a top 3 contender for the Roses.
came out a bit rank, spotted 'em a few lengths, giving bridge jumpers a severe case of the hershey squirts ... holy ####, amirite?
he takes charge at the half (47.2), but veers out a bit, luggin' towards those dilapidated bleachers ... not the most graceful stride ... still looked a bit goofy romping down the stretch - but he's a big, beautiful boy, no? took care of his biz, but he seems to have a touch of wackadoo in him - needs some schooling - but the power and promise are there, no doubt - he clocked 1:37 here for ####s n' giggles, with a wildly facacta jaunt of folly.
outta Constitution (Tapit bro), and can currently be had at a steep 15-1 at the book - next up is either Sam Davis (Tampa 2/9), or the Risen Star (Fairgrounds 2/15) - i would expect the latter, as it is of the 50/20/10/5 points dole ... a second place finish down there would secure the Derby gate, coupled with the 10 he bagged here.
... and last one to be all caught up was run 1/4 at Santa Anita -
Sham Stakes/Authentic
wires 'em with ease - coulda gone around 10 more times and no one was gonna sniff his ### ... and, much like Independence Hall, looked a bit green - lugging out making the initial stretch run ... similar time to IH, as well.
both were only at one mile, really looking forward to seeing them chase the extra distance coming up.
outta Into Mischief, with a Flawless (mare's name, not a desription
) bottom - next up seems to be the San Felipe on 3/7 - working well.
currently 14-1 at the book, great looking animal - and, well ... Baffert.
all caught up.
ETA: i'm laying off the Pegasus card today after yesterday's score ... we good on that count, gonna let it marinate - any others who are playing, plz drop in with any picks, etc ... i might get tempted.
sucks having Omaha Beach and Spun to Run scratch out, but it certainly opens up bomber potential.