It’s finally here. The race we have all been dying to see; the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes. The prestigious race is contested over the distance of 7 furlongs for three-year-old colts and geldings. The Factor’s defection makes the race just a tiny bit weaker, but this should still be an event we talk about for days to come.
Let’s get down to business.
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#1 Flashpoint (Pomeroy x Two Punch Lil by Two Punch) Gray colt won his debut and then surprised most of us by romping in the Hutcheson Stakes. After that the connections got a bit too ambitious and tried the Florida Derby and Preakness Stakes. He was up the track in both. Trainer Wes Ward turned him back in distance last out when trying the Jersey Shore and he responded with an easy as pie 7 length triumph. His works since are brilliant with a five furlong move in :58 3/5 B on August 13. He must break well from the rail or he will likely lose all chance. Cornelio Velasquez stays aboard.
#2 Caleb’s Posse (Posse x Abbey’s Missy by Slewacide) In retrospect, he made some sense last out when winning the Amstersdam by 4 widening lengths. It was his first try at a race less than a mile since romping in a $100k race going today’s distance of 7 furlongs at Remington as a two-year-old. If things get too fast up front he might roll them over again. The Ohio Derby winner is trained by Don Von Hemel and will be ridden by Rajiv Maragh.
#3 Runflatout (Flatter x Slammin’ Lil by Grand Slam) Freaked in his debut while earning a 98 Beyer Speed Figure. After that he got crushed in the San Felipe. The connections then tried the Laz Barrera and Affirmed Handicap. He was second in both and only defeated a nose in the Laz Barrrera by Bench Points. His last race at 9 furlongs can be forgiven as he simply doesn’t want to go that far. Moving back to the dirt could help his cause. His works have been stellar. John Sadler trains and Robby Albarado gets the call to ride.
#4 Dominus (Street Cry x Cuando by Lord at War) Was sent off the favorite last out in the Jim Dandy where he finished a tiring third. Before that he won the Dwyer and was narrowly defeated in the Derby Trial three races back. He probably isn’t fast enough to make the lead so it will be interesting to see how he reacts. Julien Leparoux stays on for trainer Steve Asmussen.
#5 Poseidon’s Warrior (Speightstown x Poised to Pounce by Smarten) Seems like a different animal in his last two races. He romped by 10 as the favorite favorite two back against older horses at Parx. Comment line reads “speed to spare”. After that he won a $100k minor stakes race at Penn National with similar ease. The Robert Reid (26% winners from 148 starts this year) trained colt earned 100+ BSF’s in both of those tries. Today is the acid test.
#6 Justin Phillip (First Samurai x Ava Knowsthecode by Cryptoclearance) Air mailed them as my top pick in the Woody Stephens two back. He wasn’t quite himself in the next start where he was fourth beaten just over 5 lengths by Caleb’s Posse in the Amsterdam. Connections say he wasn’t quite himself that day. The colt is going to have to effectively rate today. Ramon Dominguez, King of the NY riders, will keep the mount.
#7 Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie x Playa Maya by Arch) Broke his maiden at first asking by just over 14 lengths under only a hand ride from John Velazquez while earning a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. The win rates among the greatest debuts ever. After that he won the Champagne like a good thing and then put on one of the best shows we have ever seen to win the Breeders Cup Juvenile. His three-year-old campaign has been compromised, until now, by illness. He hasn’t raced since losing in the Wood Memorial, but the works are rock solid and Todd Pletcher and Mike Repole say he is ready to fire. Do you believe them?
#8 Cool Blue Red Hot (Harlan’s Holiday x Paris Rose by Accelerator) Looks to be a notch or two below the best in this race, but he is working well. Manny Cruz gets the for trainer Angel Penna.
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