Superfecta Sunday in Space City

 We rocket off to Space City to look in on a marathon Turf race that happens to be the fifth mandatory for the final table at the National Handicapping Championship.

Sam Houston Race Park Race 8 {John B. Connally Turf Cup~G3~1 1/2 mile~TURF~4 year-old up~Graded Stakes}

A fantastic field of twelve will hit the Houston green in this annual Turf battle. 

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is sufficient speed to keep the pace honest. Speed numbers are very close with nine in the field having hit triple digit Equibase figs. Trainer, Michael Maker, has three entrants while trainer, Joe Sharp has two. Only two in this field have not raced at this distance. This highly competitive field will produce a fantastic race.

#3 Tide of the Sea (Gaffalione / Maker) is coming out of a grade two race holding the third highest (tie) speed number at the distance. He has produced four endurance producing workouts in the last thirty days. Look for him to be forwardly placed. A son of English Channel, he is 57% in the money from nineteen career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#9 Another Mystery (Loveberry / Block) will challenge with a couple of very good last out speed numbers and three strong peaking workouts. He will be tracking the leaders ready to strike. His resume includes the highest speed number at the distance among this field. A son of Temple City, he is 47% in the money from twenty-three career starts.

#11 A journeytofreedom (Rosario / Maker) is the deserved morning line favorite with the third highest last out speed number at a longer Turf route and three superb workouts. This guy will track the pace and enter the stretch with flourish. A son of Hard Spun, he is 45% in the money from twenty-two career starts.

#8 Logical Myth (Beschizza / Sharp) should contend with the highest last out speed number and three sound workouts. This lad should track the pace closely. An eight time winner, he shares the highest speed number over the surface. A son of Data Link, he is 53% in the money from twenty-six career starts.

Other Wagering Interests

#4 Strong Tide (G. Franco / Lauer) Holds the second highest last out speed number and two hearty workouts. Another son of English Channel, he should track the pace closely.

#6 Fantasioso [ARG] (Graham / Correas) comes in off a longer Turf route, finishing third and on the cusp of a triple digit speed number. A son of Strategic Prince [GB], he will be in the tracking pack ready to move on in the stretch.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Tide of the Sea  +  #9 Another Mystery  +  #11 A journeytofreedom  +  #8 Logical Myth.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($3.60)

#3 Tide of the Sea  /  #9 Another Mystery  /  #11 A journeytofreedom,  #8 Logical Myth,  #4 Strong Tide,  #6 Fantasioso {ARG]  /  ALL.

Best of luck to all...... 

A NHC Mandatory Stakes Saturday

 Best of luck to all the National Handicapping Championship qualifiers competing today at Bally's in Las Vegas.

On this Stakes Saturday we take a look at the last mandatory race for Day two of the championship.

Fair Grounds Racecourse Race 8 {Frederick P. Aime Memorial Stakes~5 1/2 Furlongs~TURF~4 year-old Up~Fillies/ Mares~Stakes}

A reduced field of eight will strut onto the Turf in this quality stakes race.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is plenty of speed in this race which could produce a frothy pace. Speed figs are fairly close making it competitive. Getting away from the gate will be key for the speedsters in the field. All but one of these gals have competed at this distance. It should be a fantastic race though it may not offer a price.

#8 Change of Control (C. Hernandez / Lovell) will take advantage of any speedy pace that develops by tracking the pack on the front end. She holds the second highest last out speed number and one diligent workout. This gal loves the distance, surface, and course. A daughter of Fed Biz, she is 67% in the money from thirty-one career races.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#9 Drapes (Sanjur / Baker)  should challenge with the highest last out speed number and two solid workouts. She should be forwardly placed and should get first jump on the leaders. Coming up from Gulfstream Park, this will be her first race at the distance and over the Fair Grounds course. A daughter of American Pharoah, she is 72% in the money from seven career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#1 Brooke Marie (Bechizza / Kenneally) will contend with the fourth highest last out speed number and four strong workouts. This gal is a distance specialist with three wins from four starts at this distance. She is shooting for her fourth straight win. Her advantage in this race is her tactical speed. A daughter of Lemon Drop Kid, she is 69% in the money from thirteen career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#6 Elle Z (Murrill / C. Hartman) will battle on the lead with the other speedsters in the race. She holds the third highest last out speed number and one thorough workout. Another that loves the distance, surface and course, she looks for her second win in a row. A daughter of City Zip, she is 62% in the money from sixteen career starts.

#4 Euphoric (B. Hernandez / Flint) is another of the speed horses in the field. She is coming off a normal layoff after three successive in the money finishes. Three stellar workouts show she is properly prepped for a good finish. A daughter of Frosted, she is 66% in the money from twelve career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($4.00)

#8 Change of Control  //  #9 Drapes,  #1 Brooke Marie,  #6 Elle Z,  #4 Euphoric.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#8 Change of Control  +  #9 Drapes  +  #1 Brooke Marie  +  #6 Elle Z.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($1.50)

#8 Change of Control  /  #9 Drapes  /  #1 Brooke Marie,  #6 Elle Z,  #4 Euphoric  /  ALL.

Again, great luck to all the National Handicapping Championship qualifiers.

May the odds be with you all.