Preview of the Bashford Manor Stakes
DiscreetCat
Moderator
from Brisnet:
BACKTALK (Smarty Jones) will seek his first stakes win when he faces eight rivals in Friday's $100,000 Bashford Manor S. (G3), and the Tom Amoss-trained juvenile colt showed an affinity for Churchill Downs when recording a superb 2 3/4-length debut victory over maiden special weight rivals on June 11. Rating in midpack during the early stages, the chestnut circled rivals on the far turn and quickly drew clear in the stretch, registering a field-best 103 BRIS Speed as well as a 101 Late Pace figure for his stout finish. We'll tab him for the win in this six-furlong test.
GRAND SLAM ANDRE (Grand Slam) turned in a smashing front-running appearance last out for Steve Asmussen, drawing off to a 7 3/4-length decision in his second career start, and registered a commendable 94 BRIS Speed rating for his effort. The chestnut colt looks like the lone inside speed from his rail post, and go-to rider Shaun Bridgmohan will pick up the mount. He's a threat to pull another wire job.
MISSION IMPAZIBLE (Unbridled's Song) will be running late for Todd Pletcher. Regular pilot John Velazquez will be in for the ride on the promising colt, and we were impressed by the way the gray picked off opponents in the stretch when winning his career debut at Keeneland. A poor start compromised his chances in the Kentucky Juvenile (G3) last out, but he still ran well for third, 1 1/2 lengths behind runner-up Jealous Again (Trippi), who captured the Queen Mary S. (Eng-G2) by five lengths in her next start at Royal Ascot. Mission Impazible is dangerous.
FLATTER THAN ME (Flatter) stumbled at the start of a highly regarded allowance on June 11 and could no better than fourth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths. He's trained forwardly since then for Merrill Scherer, and the promising colt figures to show more speed here from his far outside post. The dark bay posted a 98 BRIS Speed rating in his debut two starts back, and he could last a long way under new jockey Robby Albarado.
BRASSY BOY (Storm and a Half) finished up like a freight train in the aforementioned allowance, winning by a neck at 28-1, and trainer Hal Wiggins is glad that he didn't lose the youngster for a $30,000 claiming tag in his career debut. The unbeaten bay will step up to face tougher rivals in this spot, but he's eligible to challenge for a top three finish from off the pace.
SOUNDMAN (Songandaprayer) faltered as the 4-5 favorite against Brassy Boy last time, checking in third, but we won't dismiss his chances for a minor award at a better price here. The D. Wayne Lukas pupil owns solid tactical speed and could land a perfect trip close to the pace. We can't rule him out of exotics consideration. WESTROCK GOLD (Touch Gold), an uncoupled Lukas trainee, was visually impressive last time, winning by 2 1/4 lengths, and will pick up the services of Julien Leparoux. However, his 82 BRIS Speed rating was disappointing, and we'll let him beat us in this spot.
VITO FILITTO (Mutakddim) registered a game score in his career debut in a maiden claimer for Bernie Flint, but we'll give the gelding a race against stakes company. EVEN WILDER (Even the Score) exits a maiden claiming score over the Polytrack at Arlington and probably needs an easier spot to be competitive.
BACKTALK (Smarty Jones) will seek his first stakes win when he faces eight rivals in Friday's $100,000 Bashford Manor S. (G3), and the Tom Amoss-trained juvenile colt showed an affinity for Churchill Downs when recording a superb 2 3/4-length debut victory over maiden special weight rivals on June 11. Rating in midpack during the early stages, the chestnut circled rivals on the far turn and quickly drew clear in the stretch, registering a field-best 103 BRIS Speed as well as a 101 Late Pace figure for his stout finish. We'll tab him for the win in this six-furlong test.
GRAND SLAM ANDRE (Grand Slam) turned in a smashing front-running appearance last out for Steve Asmussen, drawing off to a 7 3/4-length decision in his second career start, and registered a commendable 94 BRIS Speed rating for his effort. The chestnut colt looks like the lone inside speed from his rail post, and go-to rider Shaun Bridgmohan will pick up the mount. He's a threat to pull another wire job.
MISSION IMPAZIBLE (Unbridled's Song) will be running late for Todd Pletcher. Regular pilot John Velazquez will be in for the ride on the promising colt, and we were impressed by the way the gray picked off opponents in the stretch when winning his career debut at Keeneland. A poor start compromised his chances in the Kentucky Juvenile (G3) last out, but he still ran well for third, 1 1/2 lengths behind runner-up Jealous Again (Trippi), who captured the Queen Mary S. (Eng-G2) by five lengths in her next start at Royal Ascot. Mission Impazible is dangerous.
FLATTER THAN ME (Flatter) stumbled at the start of a highly regarded allowance on June 11 and could no better than fourth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths. He's trained forwardly since then for Merrill Scherer, and the promising colt figures to show more speed here from his far outside post. The dark bay posted a 98 BRIS Speed rating in his debut two starts back, and he could last a long way under new jockey Robby Albarado.
BRASSY BOY (Storm and a Half) finished up like a freight train in the aforementioned allowance, winning by a neck at 28-1, and trainer Hal Wiggins is glad that he didn't lose the youngster for a $30,000 claiming tag in his career debut. The unbeaten bay will step up to face tougher rivals in this spot, but he's eligible to challenge for a top three finish from off the pace.
SOUNDMAN (Songandaprayer) faltered as the 4-5 favorite against Brassy Boy last time, checking in third, but we won't dismiss his chances for a minor award at a better price here. The D. Wayne Lukas pupil owns solid tactical speed and could land a perfect trip close to the pace. We can't rule him out of exotics consideration. WESTROCK GOLD (Touch Gold), an uncoupled Lukas trainee, was visually impressive last time, winning by 2 1/4 lengths, and will pick up the services of Julien Leparoux. However, his 82 BRIS Speed rating was disappointing, and we'll let him beat us in this spot.
VITO FILITTO (Mutakddim) registered a game score in his career debut in a maiden claimer for Bernie Flint, but we'll give the gelding a race against stakes company. EVEN WILDER (Even the Score) exits a maiden claiming score over the Polytrack at Arlington and probably needs an easier spot to be competitive.