Bayern (Offlee Wild-Alittlebitearly) showed he wasn't just a sprinter with his wire to wire Haskell win but he showed he can't take a classic distance as he showed in the Travers. Offlee Wild won the Holy Bull Stakes (1 1/16 mile). But didn't have much luck in grade one races, not winning for another year. His first grade one victory came in 2004 when he beat Funny Cide in the Massachusettes Handicap. He was challenged by four other horses in the Breeders' Cup Handicap. During his final win Offlee Wild, once again, beat Funny Cide in the Suburban Handicap. Offlee Wild is by the Icecapade stallion, Wild Again. He won the Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4th mile). Alittlebitearly was unraced. Yes, Bayern has proved himself. Yes, he is an amazing racer. But will Chrome catch him in his final strides?
Since finishing 15th in the Kentucky Derby, Tapiture (Tapit-Free Spin) has been the clear winner of his past two races, the Matt Winn Stakes (1 1/16 mile) and the West Virginia Derby (1 1/8 mile). He has yet to win any of his grade one starts but he has proven to be consistent at the grade two level. Tapit won the Laurel Futurity (1 1/16 mile) and the Wood Memorial (1 1/8 mile). He came ninth in the Kentucky Derby and the Pennsylvania Derby (1 1/8 mile). The grandson of Seattle Slew, Pulpit is the grandsire of Tonalist. He, like Tapit, won the Fountain of Youth, came second in the Florida Derby, won the Toyota Blue Grass (1 1/8 mile) and 4th came in the Kentucky Derby. Free Spin has only won at 6 and 6 1/2 furlongs. Tapiture did well in the WV Derby but last time out against Chrome he came fifteenth.
Candy Boy (Candy Ride-She's an Eleven) came second in both of his last races, losing the West Virginia Derby to Tapiture. Other than his maiden, his only win was the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (1 1/16 mile). Candy Ride raced in Argentina for half of his races and then won the American Handicap (1 1/8 mile) and the Pacific Classic (1 1/4 mile). Candy Ride raced in Argentina for half of his races and then won the American Handicap (1 1/8 mile) and the Pacific Classic (1 1/4 mile). He went six-for-six and concluded his racing career in 2003. She's An Eleven broke her maiden before wining the Melair Stakes (1 1/16 mile). She came fifth in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (1 1/8 mile), fourht in the Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks (1 1/16 mile) and sixth in the Lady's Secret Stakes (1 1/16). Candy Boy may not win and it'd be something special if he did but he can be a threat in the the top four.
Protonico (Giant's Causeway-Alpha Sprint) won the Smarty Jones Stakes (1 mile 70 yds) and came third in the Curlin Stakes (1 1/8 mile). Giant's Causeway won eleven Weight for Age Stakes and came second in the Breeder's Cup Classic. Alpha Sprint never won. I'll put Protonico to the side for now. So I feel bad turning down a Michigan-bred because they never win anything but Nobel Moon (Comet Moon-Mambo Bell) has never placed better than fourth and he has yet to start in a black-type or graded stakes. Classic Giacnroll (Giacomo-Classic Women) may be begging for a break soon. He raced less that eighteen days ago. While he is graded stakes placed I'm going to close the door on him. C J's Awesome (Awesome Again- C J's Leelee) will be tossed as well.
Now that we've gotten those horses out of the way, let's look at the even-money favorite and the reason Parx Racing will be so packed. California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit-Love the Chase). He needs little to no introduction but the son of Lucky Pulpit won the Graduation Stakes, King Clorious Stakes, California Cup Derby, San Felipe Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes before dead heating for 4th in the Belmont Stakes. Lucky Pulpit never won a graded stakes but placed two of them. Love the Chase won a maiden claiming on her fourth attempt. So if Chrome can get a perfect start, not get in too much traffic and not get injured it's pretty clear who the winner is.
Contenders
-Candy Boy
-California Chrome
-Tapiture
-Bayern
Pretenders
-Protonico
-Protonico
-Nobel Moon
-Classic Giacnroll
-C J's Awesome
Good luck this weekend to all of those
who are betting,
Madison
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