Table of Content:
I. Workout Analysis | |
Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Race 9) | Read More |
Pegasus World Cup Turf (Race 11) | Read More |
Pegasus World Cup (Race 12) | Read More |
II. Gulfstream Park – 5 Facts | Read More |
I. Workout Analysis
Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Race 9)
by Michelle Yu
SWEET MELANIA
1/18/22
Palm Beach Downs
4 furlongs
:48.98 (9/31)
A shade faster than her usual :50 half, she was throttled down from the go and was aching to do more. She found a happy medium down the lane with good energy and galloped out without taking a deep breath. Watching her works this month is a study in a trainer getting a horse to peak at the right time, she looks primed and ready to go.
SHIFTY SHE
1/22/22
Palm Meadows
4 furlongs
:49.50 (42/92)
Filly had a stiff, in-company work the week before (where she was bested) and finished her prep work with a relaxed, solo half-mile. Asked to quicken down the lane, she found more and stretched out with her usual low and long action.
Pegasus World Cup Turf (Race 11)
By Millie Ball
COLONEL LIAM
1/22/22
Palm Beach Downs
5 furlongs
1:01.34 (8/15)
Defending Pegasus World Cup Turf Champ Colonel Liam had an extremely pleasing drill on 1/22 over the Palm Beach Downs surface where he’s been training since early December. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. could not have willed this colt to go any slower over the 5 furlongs without disrupting his rhythm. Every time his stablemate, the graded stakes-placed Liam, crept up within breathing distance, the grey powerhouse would lean a little harder into the bridle. For this reason, I believe the shorter 1-1/8 miles distance of this year’s PWC Turf will be more ideal, as he can take a tug in the afternoon. Bringing him in fresh was the barn’s plan, and judging from this work, he certainly puts enough into his training to get himself ready.
HIT THE ROAD
1/16/22
Santa Anita
5 furlongs (T)
:58.40 (1/1)
Hit the Road is due some luck. He came down with a fever the day before the Breeders’ Cup Mile and scratched. Then, due to heavy rain the San Gabriel came off the turf and again the colt was scratched. Unlike Colonel Liam, Hit the Road’s 119-day freshening was not part of Dan Blacker’s plan. Despite that, his colt is working better than ever. A superior work horse on the turf, on Jan. 16 Hit the Road was sharp under jockey Umberto Rispoli. What impressed me most was his ability to sustain his action and energy well beyond the wire, while working alone and having completed his final quarter in a swift :22-1/5. It’s possible the deviation from his original campaign is working in his favor.
Pegasus World Cup (Race 12)
by Zoe Cadman
LIFE IS GOOD
1/22/22
Palm Beach Downs
5 furlongs
1:00.90 (3/15)
After watching this work I’m not sure I have enough superlatives to describe it. Jaw-droppingly terrific could be one. With regular rider Amelia Green in the irons, Life Is Good set off from the pole like he meant business, and he did. At first a tad high-headed with Amelia tugging at the reins; once he hit the half-mile pole, he settled into a nice rhythm and cruised through the lane with plenty left in the tank. Actually, the best part for me was the gallop-out, all the way to the five-eighths pole. He should, if need- be, get a comfortable stalking trip outside of Knicks Go depending on the breaks for both horses.
SIR WINSTON
1/20/22
Palm Meadows
4 furlongs
:47.80 (1/46)
Given a sharpener here working in company and getting a good time. He started on the outside of his barn mate and stayed there while moving fluidly through the lane. He’s a good horse and is coming into this as well as ever – while never the flashiest workhorse. Proven on dirt and will love the distance. Will be a price play “when” the speed duel ensues.
II. Gulfstream Park – 5 Facts
By Jeremy Plonk
Carryovers:
$335,038 ($500,000 guaranteed pool) Rainbow 6 Jackpot (Wednesday) // mandatory payout Sunday
$5180 Super High Five (Wednesday)
Feature Race(s):
$3 million Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup // older dirt routers // Saturday
$1 million Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf // older turf routers // Saturday
$500,000 Grade 3 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf // distaff turf routers // Saturday
$200,000 Grade 2 Inside Information // distaff dirt sprinters // Saturday
$200,000 Grade 3 WL McKnight // older turf marathoners // Saturday
$150,000 Grade 3 La Prevoyante // distaff turf marathoners // Saturday
$150,000 Grade 3 Charlatan // elder dirt milers // Saturday
Key 1/ST BET Factors (top pick win %, top pick profit/loss):
Avg Turn Time (28%, +$41.20)
Best Speed Last (28%, -$20.20)
Best Lifetime Speed (26%, -$15.00)
Jockey/Trainer Trends from Betmix:
T: Saffie Joseph Jr. // last week 12: 4-3-0 (33% $1.28 ROI) // 3-4 with favorites + $17 stakes winner
T: Mark Casse // last week 10: 3-1-1 (30% $1.90 ROI) // $5, $15, $18 wins
T: Brendan Walsh // last week 6: 2-1-0 (33% $1.88 ROI) // $9, $13 wins both in maiden ranks
J: Junior Alvarado // last week 29: 7-6-3 (24% $1.25 ROI) // 4 winners between $11-$17 // 2-2 with Saffie Joseph Jr.
J: Emisael Jaramillo // last week 15: 4-1-0 (27% $2.99 ROI) // winners paid $3, $8, $15, $63 // 4 wins for 4 different trainers.
** ROI reflects return on $1 win bet**