Aug/110
Beyond the Crown: Coil Strikes Back in Haskell
The Grade 1 Haskell was the deepest 3yo graded route of the summer with the Preakness and Belmont winners, and my number one ranked (since 6-29) 3yo Coil proved that his Swaps defeat was nothing more than a slight detour. He is indeed the top sophomore in the land following a game late running victory over Shackleford and Ruler On Ice in the Monmouth Park showcase on 7-31. He garnered a 96 BSF after a slow start and rallying finish in his first conventional dirt start and should continue to improve as we head into the fall.
Travers is next for Stay Thirsty - photo by Eclipse Sportswire
At Saratoga on July 30, Belmont Stakes runner-up Stay Thirsty stomped a decent field in the Jim Dandy and earned a nice 106 BSF in his visually impressive triumph. It is on to Travers where he could square off against Coil.
In other 3yo stakes action, Turbo Compressor (101 BSF) went straight to the front and stole the 9f Curlin Stakes at the Spa on 7-29. Runner-up and top ten member Raison d’Etat is worth following for Bill Mott. He sat a wide stalking trip behind the slow fractions and was clearly second best in a strung out field of six.
Prime Cut was 3rd in the Curlin and Bold Warrior drops off the list following a last place finish. The latter will probably return to the sprint game after fading badly in the lane.
Speaking of sprinting, Caleb’s Posse (105 BSF) turned back in distance for Monday’s Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga and rolled past a decent field (Justin Phillip, To Honor And Serve, Travelin Man, etc). He might come back in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop on Aug 27, a race that might also include The Factor and Uncle Mo. The summer action is heating up!
Check out the top ranked Three-Year-Old Males on Horse Racing Nation.
Jarrod Horak’s Top Ten Three-Year-Olds
1. Coil (Point Given) – I expected him to excel on dirt and he did not disappoint in the Haskell. He is currently stabled at Saratoga with an eye on the Travers.
2. Stay Thirsty (Bernardini) – Belmont Stakes runner-up proved that effort was for real with a stellar performance in the Jim Dandy. Pletcher and Repole have a serious Travers contender and his name is not Uncle Mo.
3. Shackleford (Forestry) – Coil ran down the game Preakness winner in the Haskell. Dale Romans is looking at either the Travers and Woodward at Saratoga for his next engagement.
4. Ruler On Ice (Roman Ruler) – Belmont Stakes winner finished a solid 3rd in the Haskell and is expected to go next in the Travers.
The Aug 6 West VA Derby is next for Dreamy Kid - photo by Eclipse Sportswire
5. Dreamy Kid (Lemon Drop Kid) – G2 Swaps winner had that effort validated when Coil came back to capture the G1 Haskell. Neil Drysdale’s late developing colt is entered in the West Virginia Derby on 8-6.
6. Raison d’Etat (A.P. Indy) – Bill Mott’s promising colt finished a solid 2nd in Saratoga’s Curlin Stakes on July 29. The Travers is possible for the late bloomer.
7. Caleb’s Posse (Posse) – Won 2 of 7 stakes routes this year but relished a return to sprinting in Saratoga’s Amsterdam. Donnie Von Hemel has plenty of options for his versatile colt. The G1 King’s Bishop on 8-27 is a logical target.
8. Turbo Compressor (Halo’s Image) – Not sure how good he is after controlling tempo in Curlin Stakes but he has improved since Pletcher took over. Not sure where he goes next.
9. Pants On Fire (Jump Start) – LA Derby and Pegasus winner finished a disappointing 5th in the Haskell. His next start is undecided.
10. Smash (Smart Strike) – G2 Carry Back runner-up is back in SoCal and worked 4f in :47.80 at Del Mar on 7-21. I would like to see him try a route of ground at some point.
