Week 2 of the Triple Crown Challenge takes us to Belmont for 5 stakes races, and then out to Santa Anita for the last race of the day, the Santa Barbara Stakes. There are much smaller fields than last week’s races, and may be les money to be won unless we see another longshot like Rich Strike. Bomb’s Away!

Race 1: Vagrancy Handicap (G3)

• Bella Sofia – Looks to have the best speed this race, winner of last 3 before 4th in Breeders Cup, hasn’t raced in months, working out well, high percentage jockey/trainer.
• Miss Brazil – Winner last race, moves up in class, high speed figs, finished behind Bella Sofia in the Jersey Girl, working out well.
• Frank’s Rockette – Hasn’t won in almost a year, pretty good speed figs, high percentage jockey, 2-1-0 in 3 starts at distance and 2-1-0 in 3 starts at Belmont. Not sure if she can beat Bella Sofia.

Race 2: Runhappy Stakes (G3)

• Officiating – Switching back to Manny Franco, who beat Chateau by 5 lengths in the Tom Fool, high percentage jockey / trainer, winner of 2 of last 4, doubt he will remain 4/1.
• Chateau – Lots of experience at distance, high percentage trainer, high speed figs, puzzling loss last race.
• Drafted – Working out well, high recent speed figs, poor record at track though, but Repo Rocks raced 2 weeks ago, I’ll take a chance on the better rested horse.

Race 3: Man o’War Stakes (G1)

• Gufo – Going back with Gufo, hoping the Breeders Cup was an anomaly, high speed figs, winner last race, high percentage trainer, 2-1-2 at Belmont.
• Yibir – Bested Gufo and others in the Breeders Cup Turf, but second in each race afterwards, shipping back to the US, will be a toss up between these two.
• Abaan – Second to Gufo in the Pan American, seems to be the only other horse with a chance, Pletcher trained, high percentage jockey, working well, first or second in 9/12 career starts.

Race 4: Peter Pan Stakes (G3)

• Set Sail – Has been working bullets, winner last race by 7 lengths, inexperienced and moving up in class.
• Electability – Looking much better off turf, winner last 2, high speed figs, high percentage trainer / jockey, working well.
• Golden Glider – Lots of stakes experience, good speed figs, high percentage trainer, maybe fairs better against this field than Zandon and Classic Causeway.

Race 5: Beaugay Stakes (G3)

• Rougir – High percentage trainer, jockey, high speed figs, working bullets, I don’t underestimate shippers on turf.
• Lemista – Hasn’t raced in months, like Rougir, good speed, high percentage jockey / trainer, working out well.
• Plum Ali – Winner last 2 races, moving up in class, 3/3 at distance, winner at Belmont, high percentage jockey / trainer.

Race 6: Santa Barbara Stakes (G3)

• Neige Blanche – Beaten by Queen Goddess in last start, also a graded stakes winner, high percentage jockey / trainer, 2/2 at distance, I like her chances.
• Queen Goddess – Winner last race, high speed figs, graded stakes winner, working pout well, coming off a layoff, lacking experience at longer distances.
• Carpe Vinum – Only other horse with experience at longer distances and stakes experience, close in speed, high percentage trainer, hasn’t faired well against Neige and Queen in the past though.

There you have it, smaller fields, smaller payouts perhaps, still difficult to pick those winners.

Can you pick better than me?

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