November 14, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
A New Adventure
If Davy Crockett is anything like his lionhearted namesake, then the 2-year-old colt will embrace the uncharted territory that is the $150,000 Central Park Stakes.
The youngster’s foray into the stakes tier follows a strong three start opening act that was most recently punctuated by his maiden conquest (1-1-1 line) on Oct. 12.
Unlike the “King of the Wild Frontier,” the equine version of Davy Crockett has the advantage of already having traversed the site of his next challenge (two of three lifetime starts at Aqueduct).
At 5-1, oddsmakers foresee a path for the Joel Rosario mount on Saturday afternoon.
Don’t Leave Me Out
What do Paramount Prince (7-2), Dresden Row (8-1), and Artie’s Storm (10-1) all have in common?
If you guessed, ‘they’re all multiple graded stakes winners competing in Saturday afternoon’s $175,000 Autumn Stakes (G2) at Woodbine,’ you’d be correct.
If you also guessed, ‘none of them are the opening line favorite in the Autumn,’ you’d get points too.
As it turns out, Forever Souper, a multiple stakes winner who has never competed at the graded ranks, is the 1 1/8-mile affair’s leading choice at 3-1.
So, what does this all mean for horseplayers? This year’s edition of the Autumn is can’t-miss TV.
*Note: The Autumn Stakes was originally set for Nov. 9, but was rescheduled to this Saturday (Nov. 16) after the final two races on last weekend’s card were cancelled.
Who Doesn’t Like a Little Drama?
After showing a flair for the dramatics in his first career start – and win – on Sept. 21, Man in Finance can pen another compelling ending in this Saturday’s $100,000 Notebook Stakes.
Leaving from post seven tied with two others as the board’s second choice (5-1), Man in Finance trailed pack leader Kenny Be by as many as five lengths going into the stretch.
However, the 2-year-old gelding quickly turned the 6-furlong tilt on its head, running out to a decisive 7 ¾-length victory.
The stellar performance clearly warranted a promotion for Man in Finance, who will now try for a similar result at the same venue (Aqueduct) and distance, albeit against stiffer competition.
The Luis Rivera, Jr. mount enters as the 8-5 favorite.
Rule Number One
Five-time graded stakes winner Patches O’Houlihan has never been one to dodge a challenge.
Canada’s reigning champion male sprinter is to prove that last year’s falter in the $175,000 Kennedy Road (G2) was simply a fluke when he returns for the 2024 edition of the 6-furlong dash on Saturday afternoon.
After a difficult fifth in last year’s Kennedy Road – one of only two blemishes on his near perfect record (13: 11-0-0) – expectations still remain high for Patches O’Houlihan, who enters as the 4-5 opening line choice.
Among those ready to throw a wrench in the 4-year-old gelding’s plans is 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) champion Nobals (6-1).
No average joe himself, Nobals boasts an impressive 10-3-0 line from 21 starts with over $1.5 million banked.
Bring it Home
McKinzie Street has touched all the bases through three starts, compiling a 1-1-1 record to begin his first professional campaign.
The 2-year-old colt steps up to the plate again this Sunday at Del Mar in search of another round-tripper in the $100,000 Bob Hope (G3) at Del Mar.
Originally scheduled to run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), McKinzie Street’s connections scrapped that idea in favor of the 7-furlong Bob Hope.
The promising rookie must contend with a slew of Bob Baffert trainees, including Silent Law and Tenma (winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante).
McKinzie Street and rider Kazushi Kimura represent a legitimate challenge for Baffert, who has won seven of the last nine Bob Hope’s.