The 20th Running of the G2 Vosburgh
Saturday, October 8, 2022
AQU Race #6 $250.000
3+ 121/124 Lbs 7-Furlongs
AUTO-QUALIFIER FOR G1 BC SPRINT
Course Record-1:20.34 (A Right Charlie-2012)
Stakes Record-N/A (1st time run at 7-furlongs)
#1 Crypto (Maxmillion Farm/G. Saez 121): Back-to-back G3 winning gelding draws the rail for his first sprint race since November. Always seems to be close to the front and he’s been in excellent form for a while now. Don’t think he’s forgotten how to sprint and he figures to be a handful in here.
#2 Don Dada (Night Rider Stables/E.J. Zayas 124): Sharply tagged for $20.000 in a winning effort back in February. Two starts for the new barn have brought even more success with two stakes wins. The May win came on the front end and the G3 win came from off of the pace. Versatility gives plenty of options from this draw.
#3 Plan To Wheel (Fractious/T. Conner 124): Only win this season is a LS N2X, but that last effort where he was runner-up at DMR is plenty good enough to make him a player here. Seems to be gathering momentum for something big and have to like the fact that he always puts himself in the race.
#4 Penalty Shot (Maxmillion Farm/A. Jimenez 124): Barn’s second entrant hasn’t been winning like his stablemate, but he’s put together a nice little run of quality performances. Latest effort seems like a toss as he never left the gate; that’s never good for a horse that likes to be forwardly placed.
#5 In Captivity (Mb Stables/G.G. Richards 124): Speaking of getting left in the gate, this guy suffered the same fate as the rival drawn inside of him here in that same G1. Has shown versatility in the past to be close early or come from a bit further back. Could be one to watch as he figures to get an inside trip given the speed drawn inside of him.
#6 Come To Poppa (South Shore Stables/Jo. Ruiz 121): Sophomore has faced G1 company in five of his last six efforts and will be sprinting for only the 2nd time this season. He does like to be forwardly-placed and may relish the slight class relief as well as this seven panel trip. Took two stakes (one a G3) here this past winter.
#7 Count Hound (Wood Duck Stables/R.J. Albarado 121): Trainer offered him up for a tag twice before losing him for $75.000 late last season. He’s another that has shown versatility in his winning efforts, so this draw shouldn’t be too bad for his chances. Been close to breaking through at the graded level with two show finishes, but he’s coming back fairly quick since the non-effort at PRX.
#8 Duke King (Mental Bloch Racing/C. Ramos 124): A two-time stakes winner this season, he’s a bit of a hit-or-miss proposition as those wins are two of his three ITM finishes in six races. Have to admire an 8yo that keeps giving his best and a win here could help secure his future as a stallion.
#9 Tko (John Henry/M.J. Sanchez 124): 0-7 this season, but the last three efforts have been steps in the right direction. Don’t let the record fool you as he’s been facing some quality opposition at the graded level. Could be maturing to the point where he can handle the weight distribution a bit better than he did earlier in the season as a young 4yo.
#10 Valvano (Royalty Stables/R.E. Eramia 121): Colt hasn’t won as much as the trainer would like, but he is usually pretty reliable to run his race. All three of his wins have been at this same trip, so maybe he remembers the goal is to reach the finish first.
#11 Aladdins Genie (Mb Stables/G. Boulanger 121): A bit more accomplished than his stablemate, this guy took a G3 here back in April. Been fairly consistent with his efforts, but the last one is a bit of a head-scratcher. He’s had a nice break since and would not be shocked to see him turn in a monster run in this spot.
#12 Sunshine Scooter (Broken Spoke Stables/T.L. Pompell 121): Took a G2 down at GP to get himself in the KYD but had to wait four months to visit the WC again. That last win came at this trip, but he couldn’t duplicate it in SAR G1. Been coming from well back all season, but displayed some good early foot as a juvenile. Believe he’ll run better in here than when we saw him last.
Final Analysis: Full disclosure, I think my horse is sitting on a big race, but I’m not including him in the picks. We’ll box the 1-11-2-7 and let the chips fall where they may in the G2 Vosburgh. Good luck to all of the connections.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
