
The Grade I Cigar Mile, formerly known as the NYRA Mile, is named in honor of the great Cigar. The warhorse beat Suburban Handicap winner Devil His Due in this race on his way to a then record of 16 consecutive wins. He would be proud of the group of eight gathered to try and take the race in 2011. Any of them could win.
Calibrachoa: This guy was claimed by Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher for $40k and he’s been on a tear ever since. In his time with the new connections he has won four stakes races, including a last out victory in the Bold Ruler Handicap. The son of Southern Image loves the track and he’s got plenty of tactical foot to sit right behind the pacesetters here. This is a very, very deadly colt. Cornelio Velasquez picks up the mount.
Caixa Eletronica: Repole and Pletcher also claimed this one, but his tag was a bit higher at $62.5k. He has repaid them with a win in the Westchester Handicap, third place finish in the Metropolitan Mile and two starter handicap victories. Last out he finished third behind his stabelmate, Calibrachoa. The distance there was seven furlongs and he ought to appreciate going a little bit further this time. John Velazquez will ride.
Pretty Boy Freud: He pulled a huge upset at odds of 50-1 four races back against allowance horses at Saratoga. He won a NY-bred race by just over six lengths after that was a hard charging second under similar conditions last out. The winner of that last race, Inherit The Gold, is a lesser known, but very good runner. The son of Freud is not without a chance here, but he’s going to need a little luck. Irad Ortiz gets the call to ride.
Haynesfield: The Steve Asmussen trainee is back to make amends after being second by a head in this race a year ago. His 2011 campaign has been spotty due to foot problems, but he did impress with a last out victory in the Empire Classic in which he turned back the challenge of Green Monster. The son of Speightstown proved last year with a win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup that he can hang with anyone. If he’s still the same horse that won that race last year, he might smash this bunch.Ramon Dominguez will be in the irons.
Hymn Book: Shug McGaughey is one of the best trainers in America and his horses can sometimes fly under the radar. Hymn Book didn’t do that when he was bet the 35 cents on the dollar favorite in a last out win in the over night Firethorn Stakes, but he might get overlooked this time. He’s a winner going this distance on the grass, but hasn’t tried it on the dirt yet. He did break his maiden and win the aforementioned Firethorn going only a half furlong further though. This distance has got to be right in his wheelhouse. Look for Alan Garcia to take up a spot right behind the pace and hope his charge is good enough. He very well could be.
To Honor And Serve: Tried the Breeders’ Cup Classic last out where he faded to finishing seventh after making a bid at the top of the lane. Before that he won the Pennsylvania Derby. I’ve never been wild about the Bill Mott trainee and I really don’t care for him. He’s going to be a solid favorite and there are a lot good horses to try and beat him with as he makes his second try against older horses. It is worth noting that he won the Nashua and Remsen here as a juvenile. Jose Lezcano retains the mount.
Sangaree: Jockey Rajiv Maragh seems to think he is coming into his best race and that could be fact. He was a very good second to Calibrachoa last out in his first race in over two months. He’s fired a good five furlong move since then and he gets an extra furlong to work with in this spot. Maragh will have him in an excellent spot early on just behind the dueling leaders. Look for him to kick strongly in the lane.
This a race in which all of the entries have a legit chance to win. I’m going to make Haynesfield my top choice. I expect him to be much sharper in his second try after a long rest. Turning back to a mile will do wonders for him too. After him the entry of Calibrachoa and Caixa Eletronica along with Sangree are also worthy of the utmost respect.




mean he will be my top pick though. I’m going to wait for the PPs and watch the news closely before I make that decision. However, he is definitely on the short list!


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