Revenge of the Mystery Horse?

This weekend a bunch of horses in dire need of graded stakes earnings will take to the synthetic track at Keenland for the Lexington Stakes. Will the Derby winner appear from this mass of hroseflesh. Eh, probably not, but it's still worth a look

Lexington Stakes

The story, once again, is all about Tomcito (Street Cry-Inside Or Outside, by Eastern Echo). We still don't know what this horse can do, but we're pretty sure he can do something good. You don't win mile and a half stakes races anywhere in the world without having some modicum of talent, the question is: How much? There's also a question of how he'll take to the synthetic track. After last week's Pyro debacle, I'm not trusting anyone to take to Keenland's surface well. But he apparently posted a 46 and change 4f work this past week over the polytrack. Really, I can't fault him here. If he wins, I just might have to start referring to the Derby as "The Mystery Horse Rides Again".

Atoned (Repent-Amidst, by Icecapade) was completely flat in the Illinois Derby, but he certainly wasn't the only one. A bunch of good horses threw a bad race that day, and I'm willing to give a number of them the benefit of the doubt. Prior to that unhappy race he was just nipped by Big Truck's speedy closing drive in the Tampa Bay Derby. Prior to that he was just nipped by Court Vision late closing drive in the Remsen. Seeing a pattern? So are a lot of people. Clearly, Atoned has some ability. Aside from his last race and a maiden race last June, he has been first or second every time out. However, there's that synthetic question again, he's never run on it. Regardless, I'll be looking for a repeat of his prior performances tomorrow.

Big Glen (Cactus Ridge-Zamba Canuta, by Unaccounted For) looked good winning the Rushaway a few weeks back, but I think the competition might be a bit much for him this time. Racecar Rhapsody (Tale of the Cat-Reflect the Music, by A.P. Indy) didn't run all that well over this track in the Lane's End Stakes (he finished 4th).

Salute the Sarge (Forest Wildcat-Dixie Ghost, by Silver Ghost) won his sole race this year, the 6 furlong San Miguel Stakes. One has to question his ability to route, seeing as how he's had only 2 prior starts over distances. But one, the sloppy Breeder's Cup Juvenile, he could blame his poor 9th place performance on the off track. The other was a second place finish in a grade I mile and 1/16 race. I don't see why he couldn't go the distance tomorrow.

Samba Rooseter (Songandaprayer-Illumination, by Devil's Bag) appears to be slowing, but steadily, improving. However, his last race, a second place finish in a mile allowance race, doesn't translate weel to the Lexington. He's never raced beyond a mile, never raced on polytrack, and never raced in stakes company. That's one (or more) question too many.

1. Tomcito
2. Atoned
3. Salute the Sarge

Nope. Nothing exotic there. Well, except that Tomcito is, in himself, exotic.

In other news

-Yes, yes. I got my tickets to The First Saturday in May.

- Court Vision just worked four furlongs in 46.20 over Churchill's track. My, my, my....things are getting interesting.

- Proud Spell. Will she or won't she? Oh come on girls, just make up your minds. It's not buying shoes, you know.