Season 33 The Citation Stakes Preview (leg 2 Of The Triple Crown)

By Author: Ronei Daselva
Total Articles: 10
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If he can win tonight, a 200Kc win bonus will be on the line in the 3rd and final leg. Who will step forward to deny the speedy Orb Farms trainee? Or will TEMPLE OF SAKKARA continue on to immortality? Tonight we’ll find out. This space attempts to sort out another salty field of sophomore colts. Let’s meet the field.

#1 TARYNSNOTANONLYCHILD

Bronze medalist in last week’s Secretariat Derby he returns in hopes of adding to his trainer’s almost full trophy case. Part of the 3 headed monster entered by his connections, he seems to be on edge for a big effort tonight. While he remained one-paced in the late stages at the much shorter 1 mile distance, he does have an edge over others in this field at this 10 furlong distance. A perfect 3 for 3 at 10 panels he’ll look to atone for his “also-ran” finish in last season’s Champ Route final in which he was a troubled ...
... 8th. He’ll get the rail tonight and will enjoy another ground-saving off the pace journey. Major player for top honors.

#2 TSAIDITWOULDHAPPEN

Traded punches with the above entry to edge clear for 2nd in last week’s Secretariat Derby. It was a game run by this colt, when you consider this runner broke from the extreme outside (12 post) and was only beaten 2 lengths. He’s razor sharp right now finishing a strong 2nd in yesterday’s 6F Union Jack stakes. You have to wonder if this race may be too soon coming off the sprint try, but his connections are in the zone right now and seem to be pushing all the right buttons of late. He’ll need to prove he can get the distance, as he’s never traveled this far in his career. While the distance may seem like a bridge too far, this space noticed this runner owns 2 of his lifetime 5 wins at 9F. For his best chance he has to rate off the pace to be a factor late.

#3 PERSONAL INJURY

Was this space’s “choice” to be victorious last week, but flopped to finish a dull 8th. Despite his ability to go forward and be part of the first flight, this runner broke slowly and never menaced. As disappointing as that effort was, this space still sees a horse with immense talent and a pedigree well suited for these route distances. Last season he finished 3rd in the Juvenile Champ Route after breaking from the #11 post. He draws inside now, and has a nice shot to get “off the canvas” with the right trip.

#4 TEMPLE OF SAKKARA

Secretariat Derby victor returns after his impressive coast to coast score which earned him a superb 100 speed figure and an impressive 5 wins in a row. Prior to last week’s race his connections contacted me about both his mounts and how they’ve been preparing for that race. His connections were quick to point out while this runner was campaigned as a sprinter early on, and with good reason due to his career record. The then 1 mile distance was well within this gelding’s reach given his workouts at the classic distances. While he’ll have his work cut out for him tonight at the longer 10F, he looked awfully tough the other week cruising along on an uncontested lead and remaining well clear at the wire. This runner doesn’t need to get the lead again for top honors, but will need a top class ride from leading jock Castellano to stay the distance.

#5 WANDERING BID

You have to admire his connections resolve here, running again in a tough spot after last week’s also-ran performance. It may be easy to toss this runner from your tickets given his current form, but this space knew this horse was out of his element last week at the much shorter mile distance. With the amount of speed and runners on the stretch-out in here, he’s given a better with the potential of a pace meltdown. If that were to happen, being one of the stronger stretch-runners in the field he may be able to sneak onto the podium if he can navigate traffic late.

#6 SHAIREDIDITFORORB

Broke tardily last week from his outside gate to trail the compact field in the early going. He managed to pass a few tired horses to be 7th in there as his form continues to be in free fall since the first month of the season. He has a much better chance at tonight’s longer distance to turn things around, but must find a way to break faster and cleaner then he’s done of late. Waiting for his class to show again.

#7 TARYNSHOESGOFAST

New shooter and last of 3 for his runaway leading trainer this season, he also looks to find his best form on the stretch-out tonight. He’s been handled much differently this season than his Juvenile campaign, facing a steady diet of Allowance foes before taking on stakes foes again. While the allowance results have been less then fruitful, he does have some previous experience on the stretch-out and has won at 9F before. The 10F distance and this quality field likely has this one wanting again in the late stages, but like HOF throughbred trainer D. Wayne Lukas once said “people have the opinions – horses have the facts.” Perhaps this writer’s opinion may be proven wrong if others falter.