After day 1 at Oaklawn it looks like every Cox runner is going to fire. Shocking. We’ll worry about Oaklawn again on Sunday. We have big pools and nice fields for the Pegasus World Cup down in Florida. Let’s bring Gulfstream to its knees. Skip.
Race 7: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.G3 Marshua’s River Stakes
#1 Bella Laura (12/1) – This mare is in good form and continues to improve in the Avila barn. She looks to get a nice trip up close to a moderate pace, and the layoff is not a concern for the Conductor. Avila is 20% with a $4.10 ROI with his last 40 runners off the bench.
Other Contenders: #3 Zoelle (5/1), #6 Evil Lyn (9/2), #8 Tuned (8/1)
Race 8: 1½ Mile. (Turf) F.G3 La Prevoyante Stakes
*Gullet Shot of the Day #2 Sister Hanan (12/1) – This mare is ultra-consistent despite having trouble staying on the racetrack. 2nd off the layoff after an easy win, she looks to get a nice ground saving trip and the distance should be no problem.
Other Contenders: #1 Always Shopping (3/1), #5 Lovely Lucky (10/1), #9 Cap de Creus (12/1)
Race 9: 7 Furlongs. F.G2 2 Inside Information Stakes
#5 Piedi Bianchi (12/1) – This race looks to be the most difficult of the sequence, so if you can narrow it down you’ll have a big advantage. This mare is the biggest price on the morning line and has a major chance. Cutting back to 7 furlongs after dueling on a hot pace routing on turf, she’ll be very fit.
Other Contenders: All
Race 10: 1½ Mile. (Turf) G3 W. L. McKnight Stakes
*#1 Doswell (7/2) – The Conductor is going to lean heavily on this gelding, who ran huge last time after being stuck behind horses at the top of the stretch. That was a tougher field than this one and the added distance should be no problem as he galloped out past the winner last time. He’s been very impressive this year.
Other Contenders: #3 Mirinaque (30/1), #5 Sadler’s Joy (3/1), #7 Tide of the Sea (10/1)
Race 11: 1 3/16 Mile. (Turf) G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf
#5 Colonel Liam (7/2) – This is not a very strong Grade 1 field and this colt has the most upside. Steadily progressing for Pletcher he’s run some monster late pace figures in his last few starts and looks ready for the challenge.
Other Contenders: #8 Anothertwistafate (5/1), #11 Say the Word (6/1), #12 Social Paranoia (8/1)
Race 12: 1 1/8 Mile. G1 Pegasus World Cup
#4 Knicks Go (5/2) – The Conductor hates chalk, but this horse has turned into a full-blown freak in the Cox barn (shocking) and nobody in here is quick enough to put pressure on him early. With enough time off and solid works since the Breeders’ Cup the Conductor sees him running the off their feet.
Prices to Include Underneath: #2 Coastal Defense (15/1), #3 Independence Hall (20/1)
