This looks like a pretty non-descript NW1X allowance. In a race that looks to have a lot of speed, I'd be inclined to look for a closer, but most of those are the horses that just broke their maidens for a tag.
I generally like to avoid the horses that have disappointed in stakes when they drop down to allowance company at a shortish price, but The Darp looks like the most likely winner. Purchased for a solid (for a Proud Citizen) $130,000 as a yearling, he was obviously well regarded from the beginning of his career (broke slow from the rail in a well-bet debut against subsequent SW Eaton's Gift), and he quickly advanced through the maiden ranks. After two failed, two-turn stakes attempts at the Fair Grounds, he ran in a far stronger NW1X in his last, when defeated by the Keeneland-loving, stakes-placed St. Joe. He draws a favorable outside post and should be able to stalk the early leaders under Albarado and pounce when the real running begins.
Of the likely closers, I'd probably take a shot at price with the steadily improving War Ruler. Given the typical Wilkes/Nafzger education in his career debut, he had a wide trip from an outside post in a "live" maiden race at Keeneland in his second career start (runner-up, Cherokee Artist, broke his maiden next out on Derby Day). Throw out a failed try on turf. Wilkes dropped him to $50,000 maiden claimers and added blinkers, and War Ruler responded with a strong close to win going away over next-out winner (and rival Wednesday) Niobara. If the speed collapses, he should be running late at a nice price for a trainer that has had a real strong meet.
Of the others: Sinister has been running in weak starter allowances; Niobara pressed very soft fractions in a maiden claiming 7F last out and faces much tougher task from class and pace perspective; E Z Phone Home's lone win came in an off-the-turf event at Belmont last fall, and while he could hit the board, I wouldn't take a short price on a horse that figures to be part of a strong pace; Dr. Nick was outrun in return and Romans, who has not been setting the world on fire, uses Hebert, not a positive sign; Knock Out Cat has the pedigree and connections to improve but he would need to improve significantly - and at an extended sprint distance - so taking a short price is not warranted; and Siena Canyon and Fit for a Fight look like pace factors (although I could take a shot with the improving Siena Canyon off his line against recent blow-out winner I. M. Boomer).
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