By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
A stellar area has turned
out for Sunday’s $100,000 Bob Hope (G3) at Del Mar. The seven-furlong dash
for juveniles has drawn a promising group of up-and-comers plus one
tried-and-true Grade 1 campaigner.
Corridor of Fame coach Bob
Baffert has received the Bob Hope 13 occasions, together with seven of the final 9
editions and the final three in a row. He is entered two horses on this 12 months’s
Bob Hope and has a robust likelihood to win, however I consider this can be one of many
rare years wherein the Baffert runners are overwhelmed.
That is as a result of #1 McKinzie Avenue has knocked heads
with a few of the greatest juveniles within the nation and will discover the competitors
a bit simpler within the Bob Hope. That does not imply he is assured to win, however he is
actually run races adequate to shine at this stage.
Hailing from the recent barn of
Tim Yakteen (a 20% winner at Del Mar this meet), McKinzie Avenue debuted in a 5
1/2-furlong maiden particular weight at Del Mar, the place he led all the way in which to
defeat next-out winner Emerald Bay by 3 1/2 lengths.
This effort warranted a bounce
up in school for the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity (G1), wherein McKinzie
Avenue ran a large race in opposition to fierce competitors. After settling a pair
lengths off the tempo, McKinzie Avenue completed up gamely down the homestretch
to run second by 1 3/4 lengths in opposition to future Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)
runner-up Gaming. Coming residence 4 lengths behind McKinzie Avenue in third
place was subsequent American Pharoah (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner
Citizen Bull.
McKinzie Avenue did not fare
fairly as properly when stretching out over 1 1/16 miles for the American Pharoah,
fading to complete third by 7 3/4 lengths in opposition to Citizen Bull. However maybe the
two-turn distance tripped him up; his pedigree (by McKinzie out of a mare by
Story of the Cat) is arguably geared for fulfillment in sprints and miles greater than
routes.
McKinzie Avenue pre-entered
the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, however quickly withdrew from consideration with a watch on
competing in subsequent month’s Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) as a substitute. As a bridge to
the Los Alamitos Futurity, McKinzie Avenue is reducing again to seven furlongs
for the Bob Hope. Getting again to the space of his wonderful runner-up end
within the Del Mar Futurity ought to make McKinzie Avenue formidable, so I am
optimistic the stage is ready for this succesful colt to take residence prime honors.
That is to not say the
Baffert trainees aren’t promising. #3
Kalea Bay  was overwhelmed in his first
two begins at Del Mar, ending third in his debut in opposition to Citizen Bull earlier than
operating second to #5 Bullard. However
the third time was the allure. When Kalea Bay tackled a six-furlong maiden
particular weight on Sept. 28 at Santa Anita, he led all the way in which to dominate his
rivals by 8 1/2 lengths.
The query is, can Kalea
Bay replicate that effort whereas returning to Del Mar? Whether or not his runaway
maiden win ought to be attributed to basic enchancment or a choice for
Santa Anita over Del Mar is a query price contemplating.
The opposite Baffert trainee is
an unknown commodity and will or might not compete. #4 Madaket Street, a first-time starter, entered a Saturday maiden particular weight at Churchill Downs, however
wound up because the second also-eligible entrant in an overflow area. Now he is
turned up within the Bob Hope, which can have been his second selection.
Bought for $650,000 as a
yearling, Madaket Street has been cranking out bullet exercises one after one other.
He was particularly spectacular at Santa Anita final Saturday, clocking 5
furlongs from the beginning gate in a bullet :58 flat. There’s clearly expertise
right here, however debuting in a graded stakes in opposition to a Grade 1-caliber colt like
McKinzie Avenue is not a simple activity.
So with query marks
surrounding the Baffert trainees, I am siding with McKinzie Avenue as my prime
option to win the Bob Hope. I am going to give the sting to Madaket Street for runner-up
honors over Kalea Bay and throw Bullard into the combo for trifecta and superfecta
tickets.
Picks
1st: McKinzie Avenue
2nd: Madaket Street
third: Kalea Bay
4th: Bullard
Now it is your flip! Who do
you want within the Bob Hope?
*****
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J. Keeler Johnson (also called “Keelerman”) is a author, videographer, voice actor, handicapper, and all-around horse racing fanatic. An awesome fan of racing historical past, he considers Dr. Fager to be the best racehorse ever produced in America, however counts Zenyatta as his all-time favourite.
