6/27/2020
11 CD Foster Handicap (GII) [BC]
$500.000 4yo&Up 1 1/8m Dirt Hcp Weights
We get an interesting field of eleven headed to the gate for the Foster Hcp (GII) and I really can’t see any of these being heavily favored, but that’s me. I’m going to give the slight edge to Minutes Hand off of that local win in the Blame where he showed the way in most of that one and still hung on to win by a neck. I’ll look at Keep A Secret to run a big race today off of that nice win at BEL where he took down NY-bred stakes horses in fine fashion.
I’m sure you can make a case for a bunch of these but I’ll drop this exacta and hope for the best.
Here’s The Field –
They are calling for thunderstorms on Saturday and that probably sits well with this one. Got back on-track with a third beaten a half length after setting the early pace and he folded up on a huge lead in that one. Still, the mud may be his magic bean to be part of this tough field, especially with one win in two years/ten starts.
Stable-mate to the one horse and he’s another that hasn’t been at his best. His last win came in Aug of ’19 but he was second last out over this track, but on turf, and at today’s distance vs. Alw horses. He will need his very best to be any part of today’s activities.
Took the Blame last out, over this surface at at the distance, so you have to give him another look today. Won three back at GG vs. Alw horses and has seven wins from twenty-six lifetime starts, so he knows how to get to the winner’s circle and anything from this barn has to be looked at with a chance to win.
Took the PIM Special (GIII) last out and looked good doing it. Sat back off of the pace and flew by them down the lane to get the win and get back to the picture booth, and it had been a while for this one. Look for him to throw another big effort today and to be there when they turn for home.
Third in the fore-mentioned PIM Special (GIII) where he set the pace to the lane and just couldn’t go on from there. Won a stakes to kick off ’20, so he certainly has some talent and should be given a serious look in this one as well.
Nice win at BEL last out taking down a nice purse vs. NY-bred stakes horses. He has five wins from only fifteen lifetime starts, so he certainly knows how to get the job done. That last out victory was the first in three starts for the new connections, so they’ve probably learned a bit about him and have him ready for this one.
Five wins last season… but what have you done for me lately? 0-9 going back to Aug of last season, although he has been close in a few stakes, including some graded affairs. A nice placing in the Ali (GIII) at KEE, and a third in the Brookly (GII) at BEL last out… he fits here, that for sure, and his best would make him REAL tough.
Runner-up in the fore-mentioned Blame over this track in his most recent and that was a nice bounce-back after finishing seventh in the OP Hcp (GII). He was only beaten a length in that OP race, so he’s been around at the end, but needs to find
Has done most of his recent racing on the turf course but the majority of wins have come on the main track, so they head back to the dirt looking to wake this one up. He has five wins from only eighteen starts, so he has ability, but can he find that old magic.
He’s been sold more this year than he’s made trips to the starting gate… one start but he sold in the Mar Auction then sold a week later via private sale. He’s been on the board in seven of eight starts but he’s never seen horses like this. It’s an acid test but obviously they see something they like in this one, and it’s a sharp outfit.
Early Scratch
He won an Alw race at FG for his only ’20 seasonal victory, and had one win last year as well. He was tenth in a stakes at KEE and fourth last out, tiring late at BEL going the marathon distance in the Brooklyn (GII). He’s going to need his best to be in this one and the post does no favors.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
