One Small Step
Eight two-year-olds take their first baby steps in Sunday afternoon's most valuable contest, while the veteran former Stakes performer Calgary Caper is slated to return after more than a year off
Runners and Riders for Sunday June 26th
Anothersunnyday battled hard before eventually succumbing to some smart horses last time and this represents a return to the level that saw her win on opening weekend. Kandy Katie won with a little in hand on her only start this season and had Wandalita and Ostracize behind her that day. The lightly-raced SILK STILETTOS might represent value after scampering clear on her second lifetime start last month and looks to be a progressive sort.
MUSTACHIO suffered behind a moderate pace last time, but was rallying at the end and should be closer again today over his preferred distance. We’re in Command just bested Airaffair last time over a shorter distance but has some solid form at a mile-and-sixteenth, including a second-place finish to Guns n Ammo last July that would put him near the winner’s circle. Calgary Caper is the class of the race but he’s been off since finishing fifth in the S W Randall Plate in October 2020, added to which he is now an 11-year-old. Paddy d’Oro split Sanawar and Von Dom last time and a repeat of that puts him in the mix.
All five renew hostilities with each other in this baffling claiming contest. Sloop John B is nominally a morning line favourite after a second-place finish to Valuable Cowboy earlier this month. He had Dr. Benny and Showman behind him that day but there looked to be little between them and all three should again be thereabouts. Y VEE R, meanwhile, was fourth, just behind Dr. Benny and Sloop John B in May, but beat the latter in an earlier maiden encounter.
The betting market may be the best guide here as these eight two-year-olds make their first appearances on a racecourse. Several have been showing up well in the morning, including Dancing Lil, Buck in Command and Chi Chi’s Song. HIGHER IMAGE was a $30k yearling at the CTHS Sale last September and has a pedigree that could give her an edge if she gets away quickly enough.
Hard to look beyond A TREE OF LIFE who drops to the bottom level after two solid runs in way deeper waters than anything he faces here. That said, it’s his first attempt over the ‘long’ course and his stamina will need to be taken on trust. Silver Arrow has plugged on in both his starts this season and might appreciate this first try at 1 1/6th miles. Solander appeals most of the others.
Another very competitive claimer with any of these perfectly capable of landing the spoils. Just Make Believe ran the useful Black Metal close last time, while morning line favourite and former Stakes winner Coulterberry drops down a rung following three typically solid runs in better company earlier this season. Knopfler returns to shallower waters after a failed bid at this distance last time and should be closer here, while there was enough to like about the way MR.QUALITY won last time out to suggest he can follow up here.
Several of these maidens have run encouragingly enough to suggest a win won’t be far away. Sharpzan’s second to Sungold Beauty on his racecourse debut was promising, while Monte led them for a long way before weakening behind convincing winner Valuable Cowboy and is a leading candidate to take this. VALUE MAX makes his first appearance of the year but ran solidly enough on each of his outings last term to suggest he will soon be winning.
Mike and Drew’s Derby Bar & Grill Picks - Sunday
A Huge Thank You From New Stride!
The New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society is extremely grateful to everyone who donated so generously through the Glen Todd Legacy Fund that was established for memorial donations. Glen played such a significant role in British Columbia’s Thoroughbred racing industry, and he was an avid supporter of New Stride, whether through sponsorship, donations, grants, or promotion. The New Stride cause was close to Glen’s heart and it has been gratifying to see people respond to his legacy wishes so enthusiastically.
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