12/9 (AQU): Lloydobler Thursday

[Kasept]

CLOSER LOOK
By Brian Mulligan

Vamel
Sorry, just can't get behind runners like this that have had umpteen chances to get there; totally humbled the last time on the inner as he has to try to contend with rail again; passing.

Royal Straight
Tons best of rest when he ran his eyeballs out in defeat; rider seems to be getting into some solid barns these days and he deserves it; show horse in the GP finale graduated in next, was a distant third in a N1X spot; show horse in the May finale graduated with a 79 Beyer, was 2nd a length in a $35K optional; there are several multiple race winners in the family including G2 winner and near $750K earner Megans Bluff; slight improvement and he will be a handful.

Que Posse
Four clear, but this is potentially a tougher spot; 8 for 20 dam banked about $140K; lone half bro to race, Laureate Conductor, took a stakes, was G1 placed, banked over $200K; dangerous.

D'jonnie Angel
Backers that took 45-1 got to scream for about a half mile before reality set in; dam was unraced; lone half bro to race, Harrys Westgatepub, was a triple winner in the minor leagues; could need easier crew.

The Brush
Has some semblance of speed, but not sure he can make the lead; dam's lone win came on the grass; immature to kick it off, was never really comfortable last time as underrated Valdivia takes the reins; winner of the 2009 finale took a N1X at Penn National, was third beaten over 2 in a $75K optional, then out of the money in the mud; upset special.

Lloydobler
Seemed in a decent spot on the drop last time but was never involved; blowout on Saturday says he is feeling pretty good about himself; look for rider to be aggressive and try to steal this race.

Wild Hero
Maybe he didn't care for the good course to kick off career as he only beat a pair home; been given time to mature and the best of 12 bullet on the 29th was tied with stablemate Alma d'Oro, who is a 4-race winner and SW; next best drill that day to the 1:00.50 spin was 1:01.01; dam was unraced; top kin Colony Club took 4 of 11, banked nearly $100K; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this one.