Click here for information on how to get my picks for this race.
The Grade 2 Suburban Handicap contested over 9 furlongs on the dirt for three-year-olds and upward has quite a strong field for its 2010 edition. 2009 Wood Memorial winner I Want Revenge is back for his first start since scratching as the morning line favorite in the Kentucky Derby on the day of the race. Regal Ransom, winner of the Grade 2 Super Derby, is back for his first start since setting the pace and fading in the Breeders Cup Classic back in November. It could be another and perhaps sharper horse that wins the Suburban Handicap though.
Haynesfield scored his third consecutive win and seventh win from ten career starts last out in his 2010 debut. The son of Speightstown has excellent tactical speed. He went wire to wire in his last score against allowance optional claiming company, but when he won the Grade 3 Discovery Handicap before that he sat in second most of the way before taking over in the stretch.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Haynesfield is his ability to go a route of ground. He is two for two at the Suburban Handicap distance of 9 furlongs. Speightstown’s progeny are typically sprinters. Steve Asmussen and Ramon Dominguez are two of the best in racing at what they do. The top two in this race would be well advised not to ignore the New York bred Haynesfield. He holds a strong hand.
Racing for the first time since November won’t be a problem for Regal Ransom. He won first out going seven furlongs at Saratoga as a two-year-old. When he won the Super Derby he was racing for the first time in over four months. Not only has Regal Ransom shown the ability to run on rest in the past, but he is working up a storm. His last work was a :58 4/5 B five furlong move that was the second fastest from 23 works. Prior to that he worked six furlongs in 1:11 B and five furlongs in :58 2/5 B.
If the son of Distorted Humor is able to get loose on the lead he may gallop home. Don’t expect Ramon Dominguez and Haynesfield to let that happen though. Rick Dturow has entered the claimer Pictural to run on the lead with Regal Ransom as a rabbit. Regal Ransom may be classy enough to win even with a pressured pace. Alan Garcia rides for Bin Suror Saeed.
The fact that Joe Talamo saw fit to hop on a plane and pick up the mount on I Want Revenge is very encouraging. It may be that he is attached to the horse, but it may also be that I Want Revenge is ready to run a big race. Perhaps he is coming out of loyalty to IEAH. Regardless of why, I like that he will be here to pilot “his” colt. The son of Stephen Got Even is a perfect one for one at the distance of nine furlongs with his only race being a win with a troubled trip in the Wood Memorial.
I Want Revenge has more than enough speed to be forwardly placed, but he proved in the Wood that he also has the ability to close with a rush if that is needed. I expect Joe Talamo to take sit behind horses and make a move entering the stretch. If I Want Revenge is ready to go he will be tough to hold off in the lane. Regardless of his performance in this race, if I Want Revenge can return to his 2009 form he will be a player in the older horse division.
Other contenders include Eldafeer and Convocation. The latter was last seen finishing fourth behind Quality Road in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap. I’m not sure he wants to go this far. Eldafeer was third with a wide trip last out in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap. The gelded son of AP Indy could be an exotics factor, but I have a hard time believing he can win this race. Pictural and Unbridled Danger round out the field.
Who do you like? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!
Click here for information on how to get my picks for this race.
Gradedstakes.com Social Media