9   GP     CC Canterbury
$110.000     5f          Turf     3yo&Up               3yo 120lbs Older 123lbs              + penalties

The speedy boys are coming at to play in the 2019 CC Canterbury and this field is loaded up.  I’m taking Cold Weather Rider as my top choice today.  He is still looking for his first win this season, but he’s had acid test after acid test – running ninth in the BC Turf Spring (GI) only beaten a length is a good example of his year.  A nose here, a length there and he’d be one of the top sprinters.  I think he gets the golden ring today.  I’ll put Creepy Big Ears in the second spot, and he’s another that has been with some classy animals.  This should be one heck of a race so grab a cold snack and let’s meet down by the rail.

Here’s The Field –

Speed ball has been laid up since before the Sep Auction where he sold
for $25.000.  Looks ready to roll off of that work at CRC, and he’s
certainly shown a liking for these turf sprints.  Three wins from his
eight ’19 starts and was fourth in the KDPT Sprint before being
sold.  I’d probably like him a bit more if he had a race under his
belt.

His loan win came over this track at a mile and an eighth back in Jan, ad
that was on a soggy turf course.  His last two races have been
abbreviated sprints and he’s been a factor in both of those.  He’s
going to need some things to go his way to be in this one.

New barn, keeps on winning.  Take two back for $22.500 and won a
quick SAlw at PRX in very fast time.  If he can repeat that race, he
will be very tough here today – the problem always seems to be repeating
races like that.  Either way, I’d keep an eye on him.

His last three starts have been very nice, two wins and a third vs.
Cal-bred stakes horses at SA.  All of those races have been quick,
he’s been laying down the bullet works and seems set to fire another big
race today.  He may be the one to get past.

This one is still looking for his first win of the season but was third
in a stakes at SA two back. He’s been on the board in half of his seasonal
starts and I think the bar would take something like that here.  He
will need to improve off of that last out race in order for that to
happen.

He’s been pretty solid when not facing graded horses – those graded races
just seem a bit stiff for him.  With that being said, a nice stake
win vs. NJ-bred horses back in July and a solid race at SA when second in
the Lure.  I’m just not sure what to expect here.

His lone win came back in Jun and the two races after were
forgettable.  They switch him over to turf after running on the main
track all year, and he has shown some very good races on the lawn.
That work in Aug points that he may prefer the green stuff, so is he ready
to drop a bomb?

Broke maiden last out, and that was a fairly quick race.  Still,
they go big game hunting here and he will need to get after it to be any
part of this one.  I’ll be looking at some others.

Such a fantastic claim, taken for just $28.000 back in Aug of last
year.  Since then, it’s been stakes company and big pay days.
He was ninth in the BC Spring (GI) last out, but only beaten a length, so
you certainly can’t beat him up for that effort.  He is looking for
his first ’19 win, but this may just be the spot to get the job done.

Back to back wins sprinting, one on the grass and one on the main track,
so this one just says line ’em up and lets get after it.  He’s been
in the money in all of his seven seasonal starts and you know he will be a
factor today, especially off of that last out race.

Another very consistent type that has been on the board in nine of eleven
starts this year.  Three wins adds to his likeability, and he’s the
type that may be overlooked today.  He’s the kind of horse that can
get the job done and may pay well.

Three solid efforts since being acquired via private purchase.
Solid efforts at SA and then closed late to be third at TUP last
out.  He seems to have a late turn of foot in these abbreviated
sprints and that could spell success if it turns into a speed dual with
folders.

Both of his post-auction efforts have been up-the-track and he’s going to
need to turn it around if he wants to be pertinent in this one.  Both
of those races were two-turn and this seems to be a tough spot for him.

Back to back wins including the BEL Turf Sprint at six panels last
out.  He’s won half of his six seasonal starts and this is certainly
a place for him to get number four.  And then there’s the post
position… can he over come that?  That is the question.

Would need a scratch to draw in to this one, and I think he could add
something to the race.  Only one win from four starts, and that was
at a mile, but he seems to have some sprint-ability.

COZMAN Picks    9 / 6                  Willie’s Green Card    10 / 9            Scotty  9 / 14 / 6

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