Stakes Saturday in Illinois

We venture to that wonderful working men and women track, Hawthorne Race Course, for what should be one of the premiere races along the road to the Kentucky Derby.  But alas, it was left off the trail this year.  Perhaps the KD "points committee" will tweak their list of races that award points for next year.

Hawthorne Race Course Race 8 {Illinois Derby~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
A fabulous field of fourteen very talented horses will venture out on the dirt for this annual graded stakes race.  We have a good deal of rain since the beginning of April, but today it will be mostly sunny and 47 degrees Farenheit.  A beautiful, crisp day for horse racing.  All but four in this field are Triple Crown nominated.  There are enough forwardly placed types in here to keep the pace flowing.  Those that like to track or close are well represented in this large field as well.  Parity best describes this fantastic field of late developing equine athletes.  Any one of them are capable of taking another step forward in their career and pull off the victory.  It should be one of the best races this Spring.

#13 Departing (Hernandez / Stall) has a slight edge with the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and two bullet workouts.  He should be tracking this pace comfortably and closely allowing him to drive swiftly into the stretch.  Could be the one to beat with the highest speed number, a triple digit, at this distance.
$1 WIN / $2 PLACE / $3 SHOW.

#12 Siete de Oros (Arroyo / Preciado) will challenge with the third highest last out speed number, a seven race progression, improving with every race run in his career, and two endurance producing, peaking workouts.  This handsome son of A.P. Warrior has the tactical speed as well as versatile style of running to see how the race develops, then launch into a strong stretch run.
$1 PLACE / $2 SHOW.

#5 Ground Transport (Guidry / Stidham) should also contend with the second highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and two peaking bullet workouts.  This athletic son of Big Brown should be ready to transverse across the Hawthorne dirt in tracking fashion.  He is one of eight in this field that has already gone this distance.
$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#10 Fordubai (D. Sanchez / Geier) could surprise with a couple of good last out speed numbers, a four race progression, and four robust workouts.  He fancies this Hawthorne track with two laudable runs over it.  This dark brown colt, a son of E Dubai, should be ready to take another step forward.

#8 Abraham (Castellano / Pletcher) should be in the mix with a couple of good last out speed numbers and two stout workouts.  His connections know how to win races and will have him primed for this race.  He is the only one in this field that has gone this distance twice and has acquitted himself well.  This son of Distorted Humor should show speed and figure prominently in the overall pace.

#3 Street Spice (J. Sanchez / Geier) should make another forward progression with a couple of decent last out speed numbers, a two race progression, and two hearty workouts.  As a son of the great Street Sense watch him launch a powerful kick going into the stretch.

10 CENT Superfecta

#13 Departing / #12 Siete de Oros / #5 Ground Transport / #10 Fordubai, #8 Abraham, #3 Street Spice.



Friday's Results
Keeneland R9.  Doubledogdare--G3.  Our first pick, Mystical Star, finished 4th.  Our second pick, Inglorious, finished 6th (last).  Our third pick, Lotta Lovin, finished 5th.
One of our 10 CENT Superfecta picks scratched.  Consequently, we set aside our 10 CENT Superfecta effort.  Superfecta went 2-6-1-5.
Bankroll gets washed to settle at $26.75.