$200,000 W.L. McKnight (G3) – Gulfstream Park

Race 8 (Saturday, January 27, 2018: 3:04 p.m./ET; 12:04 p.m./PT)

Mile and a half on the turf (four-year-olds and upward)

The male version of the La Prevoyante (G3) goes as race 8 on the Pegasus World Cup card at Gulfstream Park. Let’s dig deep and see if we can pick the horses that have the most ‘staying power’ in this competitive endurance test:

#1 MARKITOFF took nine tries to break his maiden but finally got the job done two starts ago on October 22. Coming off a two month freshening, this guy won an allowance race in his most recent start over this turf course, which was his first try against proven winners. Now he faces a new challenge of facing stakes company for the first time.

#2 FINAL COPY finished fourth and sixth, respectively, in the Commonwealth Derby (G3) and Sycamore (G2) in the fall. Coming off a two month freshening last time out, this Roger Attfield trainee finished fifth, beaten just two lengths, in an allowance race as the favorite. Back in against stakes competition, he’ll need to run his very best race to have a shot at the top prize.

#3 GOLD SHIELD was a dominant winner of an allowance race at Aqueduct two starts ago, blitzing his rivals in the mile-and-three-eighths contest by over a half dozen lengths. He came back to run third in the two-mile H. Allen Jerkens Stakes over this turf course. He should be dead fit cutting back in distance this afternoon. Contender.

#4 NESSY put up a solid second place finish in the Sycamore (G3) on October 19 and hasn’t been seen since. Trainer Ian Wilkes wins at a 13% clip when his trainees make their first start off a layoff between 61-180 days. In four starts at this distance, he has one win and one second, albeit against lesser company.

#5 BULLARDS ALLEY, co-high weight at 123 lbs, ran a gallant second when defeated by a head in the H. Allen Jerkins Stakes on December 31. However, his best race to date came in the Canadian International (G1) on October 15 at Woodbine, when this son of FLOWER ALLEY won by ten-and-three-quarters lengths at 42/1 odds. In with a solid chance on the cutback in distance.

#6 DUROCHER makes his first start for trainer Alan Benson after out finishing #8 MR. CUB for the win in the Tropical Park Derby for three-year-olds last month. This is his first start going farther than a mile-and-a-sixteenth, which is a whole new ballgame for this horse who likes to win races (five-for-11 lifetime).

#7 OSCAR NOMINATED, also weighted at 123 lbs, freshens for this race after a very poor effort in the Red Smith Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct on November 11. It’s worth noting jockey Jose Ortiz could have ridden #2 FINAL COPY or #9 INFINITE WISDOM but opts to ride this guy, which is only a positive sign. Son of KITTEN’S JOY can be competitive if he puts forth his best effort.

#8 MR CUB ran a solid second to #6 DUROCHER in the Tropical Park Derby last time out at odds of 21/1. But keep in mind this time around, he faces older horses and a lot better competition. He’ll need to take another step forward to be a factor.

#9 INFINITE WISDOM was fourth in the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes, finishing behind #5 BULLARDS ALLEY and #3 GOLD SHIELD. World renowned rider Frankie Dettori, who rides TOAST OF NEW YORK in the Pegasus World Cup (G1), is slated to hop aboard this turf marathoner (who has early zip) for trainer Brian Lynch.

SELECTIONS

1. #3 GOLD SHIELD – Cutting back in distance for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey.
2. #5 BULLARDS ALLEY – The one to beat.
3. #7 OSCAR NOMINATED – His best makes him a major player.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #4 NESSY – Jock upgrade to better turf rider.

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll make a straight win bet on my top choice and box my top three selections in exactas.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$20 Win: #3 GOLD SHIELD

$5 Exacta Box: #3 GOLD SHIELD and #5 BULLARDS ALLEY and #7 OSCAR NOMINATED ($30).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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