Plate Trial

For all things Canadian please check out Jen's Thorough Blog - there's no doubt she's the best. Cool Gator was a noticeable missing entry in yesterday's plate trial gate draw and while Harlem Rocker (15) will be the favorite I'm noticeably nervous. We passed up the Met Mile and the Gr II 250k Woody Stephens for this ungraded 150k Plate Trial. He better win like a 1-5 shot no matter his odds. And this capping will be full of thoughts from the back of my head where every horse is the next Secretariat, so caveat emptor with this analysis. East End Tap is just a maiden winner whose attempts around 2 turns at Woodbine leave something to be desired. However, his speed and fade followed by a solid work make me think he'll hang around a little while longer this time. Not Borboun owned by Fipke is the same owner as Tale of Ekati (165) and adds some more speed to the race. He's a little classier though, sporting in the money finishes 6 out of 8 at WO with 3 wins. His last out, a winning effort was at 150k. He'll be trying two turns for the first time, but sprint-sprint-route is a good racing into shape training technique. Mama's Knight is the first horse I'm not scared of. Chasin the Tornado hasn't broken his maiden, if he wins I'm quitting this blog. Solitaire will be getting on the poly for the first time, and making just his second start. He has been training well in Saratoga and sports three 5f works which I like to see. Bond knows how to take a horse to a race off the layoff and this guy worries me. Harlem Rocker (15) is the Withers winners and skipped the Met Mile where he could have cashed a ticket, and the Gr II 250k Woody Stephens. If he likes two turns and the poly I think he has this race well in hand. Sebastian's Song showed speed and then faded in his first try around two turns and shows two strong works since. Much like East End Tap he should be able to hang around a little longer, and might be able to sit behind the first flight if he's capable of that sort of thing. Pewter just crushed his maiden in his first start as a 3yo and must have matured nicely since 2 real bad efforts as a 2yo. He is also training nicely at Saratoga and sports three 5f works all in the top 5 of the day. Harlem Rocker - Not Bourbon cold exacta.