Grade II Mervyn Leroy Handicap

The Mervyn Leroy Handicap will feature just six horses this year.  It’s hard to get excited about a field that short, because the exotic pay outs will probably be low. Despite that, the race feature an undefeated son of Jump Start named Rail Trip. Let’s take a look at the field.

Dakota Phone- Bejarano/Hollendorfer is an excellent jockey trainer combination. He was second to probable favorite Rail Trip last out, and missed by just a nose. The extra half a furlong will work great for the closer. He boasts a record of 3 wins and 3 second place finishes from 6 starts at the distance. I like him to win at a square price around 3-1.

Fire Wood- The son of Woodman will be shortening up from 12 furlongs, and is win less from four starts at the distance. I don’t think he has much of a shot. Tyler Baze will be in the irons.

Ball Four- Biancone and Talamo will hook up to bring this old gelding to the track. He won the Grade 3 Fayette at big odds three back, but has been off for more than three months. The son of Gran Slam will be on or no near the pace.

Rail Trip- This gelding has a record of 5 wins from 5 starts after beating Dakota Phone by a nose last in a minor stakes race. Trainer Ron Ellis finally made the decision to test the graded stakes waters. Valdivia might try to rate him.  He could catch heat from Ball Four or Aggie Engineer if he chooses to gun for the lead. He will no longer be undefeated after today.

Unusual Suspect- This son of Unusual Heat will be racing for the first time since finishing third in the SunShine Millions Turf. I don’t know if this surface suits him, and he will be contending with the layoff.

Aggie Engineer- Registered a career best 100 BRIS figure last out in allowance company. He couldn’t handle Rail Trip earlier in his career, but he is more seasoned now. Alex Solis will be up.

Win: DAKOTA PHONE