Suburban Handicap favorite To Honor and Serve
The nine furlongs Grade 2 Suburban Handicap features a well matched group of eight horses set to compete for a $350k purse. Last year’s edition of the race saw Flat Out score at a nice price before going on to be a force in the older horse division. Bet the race at Twin Spires!
To Honor And Serve (Bernardini x Pilfer by Deputy Minister) is likely to be sent off as the favorite. The Grade 1 winner owns a victory in the Grade 3 West Chester as well as a third place effort in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap thus far in 2012. His last few races have been at a mile, but he is bred to enjoy route racing. The Bill Mott pupill is 3-2-0-1 at Belmont Park and 5-3-0-2 at the distance. Jose Lezcano retains the mount.
Also likely to receive strong support is Stay Thirsty (Bernardini x Marozia by Storm Bird) from the barn of Todd Pletcher. He made his 2012 debut on May 17 when he finished second in an overnight stakes race behind the once beaten Trickmeister. Last year saw him win the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes and Grade 1 Travers Stakes before grabbing the show spot in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. He was off the board in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to end his 2011 season. JJ Castellano stays aboard for owner Mike Repole who has also entered Caixa Eletronica (Arromanches x Edyta by Skip Away). That one took the six furlong Grade 2 True North when last seen. Three back he was a winner in the $1 million Charles Town Classic at today’s distance. Eddie Castro picks up the ride.
Endorsement (Distorted Humor x Charmed Gift by AP Indy) is deserving of support. He ran a game race last out to be defeated just a length in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special, a race that was more like a Grade 1. Before that he waited patiently in fourth before taking the Grade 3 Texas Mile at Lone Star. His only try at today’s distance was an easy win in the Sunland Derby. Martin Garcia keeps the mount for trainer Eoin Harty.
Mike Smith is in to ride Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno x Ponche De Leona by Ponche) for trainer Kathy Ritvo.Touted by many as the best horse in the country, he failed to fire when finishing third in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs. He will look to rebound here and three bullet work outs tell us that he means business. Should he win, this will be the third graded stakes win of his career with all three victories company against Grade 2 company.
Trickmeister (Proud Citizen x Afternoon Trick by Afternoon Deelites) does nothing but win races as proved by his lifetime record of 7-6-0-0. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get out much. This will be his first race since easily dispatching Stay Thirsty last out in wire to wire fashion. Ramon Dominguez stays aboard for trainer Rick Dutrow.
Buffum (Bernardini x Storm Beauty by Storm Cat) completes a trifecta of entries for his sire. The $1.2 million auction purchase has raced sparingly, but has been devastatingly face when he has. This will be his second start since September. He won an optional claiming race by 8 lengths on May 28.
Endorsement is our top selection to win the Suburban Handicap. He has enough tactical speed for Martin Garcia to place him wherever he pleases and is custom made to love the nine furlongs distance. These two items are complimented by the fact that this five-year-old is getting better with every race. You can get all our of weekend selections by visiting our Buy Picks page!