Sar 8/25 Steeplechase

[Flatterer]

The first 2 3/8 mile 9 jump 5 turn race of the meet is featured in the NY Turf Writers handicap race 1 on Thursday. Racing Secretary Bill Gallo cobbled this race with big support from trainers Jack Fisher and Elizabeth Voss.

There are 2 scenarios for this race.

Scenario 1: #5 Portrade will open up a 15 length lead when they come out of the first turn and #1 Andi’amu will lead the pack trying to stay as close as he can to Portrade with both running out of gas after the last jump, setting up for a closer.

Scenario #2: they will crawl (canter) around for 2 laps and starting running on the 4th turn and run as fast as they can over the last 2 jumps, turning the race into a 6 furlong extended sprint. In either case, #3 Bob Le Beau will try to close, hitting the board but not win the race, because of the 12-24 weight concession.

For comparison, the best American handicap horse in training Rawnaq would carry 176 in this race. #4 Scorpiancer ran against Rawnaq twice this year, losing by 15 and 16 lengths. #4 Scorpiancer gets 12 pounds from #3 Bob Le Beau, a favorable improvement when he only lost by a length with a 10 pound weight concession.

These runners have average flat turf speed.

Here is the field with handicap weights.

#1 Andi’amu (Fr) (144) Ran a tiring 4th in a Saratoga handicap 8/3 and won a Monmouth Park Ratings Handicap 6/17 beating a respectable field. 2nd at Nashville 5/14 in a 3 mile race, losing by a ½ length. Light weight helps but still finishes 4th or 5th with best effort.

#2 Charminster (Ire) (148) Good 2nd at Malvern 5/21 and Won grade 2 Virginia Gold Cup 5/7, trading places with #6 Scoodic. Doyle takes off because of his contract with Voss.

#3 Bob Le Beau (Ire). (162) Won the prep for this race at Saratoga 8/4 with Doyle as top jockey and contract rider for Voss. Doyle gets first call with the high weight. Weight finally catches up, use underneath for exotics.

#4 Scorpiancer (Ire). (150) Finished good second to # 3 Bob Le Beau in prep at Saratoga 8/4. Strong chance to win with 12 pound weight concession from #3 Bob Le Beau.

#5 Portrade (Ire). (142) Set pace in prep at Saratoga 8/4. Only entered to round out the field to 6. Will set the pace, then crash and burn.

#6 Schoodic. (146) 6th in the prep at Saratoga 8/4 in a nightmare wide run on every turn after winning Grade 3 National Hunt Cup at Radnor. Light 146 weight and positive jockey change give him a good chance to hit the board.

Projected order of finish:

4-3-6-2-1-5

For betting purposes:

A) 4

B) 3-6

Best of luck to everyone!!!