Stakes Saturday at Turfway Park

 Derby points are on the line again as we turn attention to the Tapeta at Turfway Park. The 2021 Kentucky Derby is only 35 days away.

Turfway Park Race 11 {Jeff Ruby Steaks~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~graded Stakes}

A full and fantastic field of twelve will go to the gate in this annual prep race.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

All, but three in this field like to be close to the pace as their are speedsters and pressers that will lead the way. The entire field will be stretching out to this distance for the first time. Speed numbers are very close making it quite a competitive event. Interestingly, only half the field have synthetic or turf experience prepping for this one. It should be a high quality race on a day with terrific racing across the country.

#10 Gretzky the Great (C. Landeros / M. Casse) might have the edge with the third highest last out speed number and two superb peaking workouts. He has hit the board in both of his starts over the synthetic surface. Expect this guy to be battling with the forwardly placed herd. A son of Nyquist, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#5 Sainthood (Corrales / Pletcher) should challenge coming off the dirt in his third career start. This lad has hit the board in both of those starts. Pedigree suggests he should get over the synthetic smoothly. His four strong peaking workouts indicate he is ready for a good run. A son of Mshawish, this guy is 100% in the money from two career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#1 Like the King (Van Dyke / W. Ward) will contend with the second highest last out speed number over this surface and one fierce bullet workout. He is another that should be running with the lead pack. A son of Palace Malice, he is 100% in the money from five career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#12 Hockey Dad (Bejarano / O'Neill) comes in from California where he has stitched three wins in a row and has put in two hearty workouts. Look for him to be guided just off the pace ready to spring into the stretch. Another son of Nyquist, he is 75% in the money from four career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#10 Gretzky the Great  //  #5 Sainthood,  #1 Like the King,  #12 Hockey Dad.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#10 Gretzky the Great  +  #5 Sainthood  +  #1 Like the King  +  #12 Hockey Dad.

Our Previous Stakes Saturday Play (3/13/2021)

Oaklawn Park R11.  Rebel Stakes--G2.  Our first pick, Get Her Number, finished 7th.  Our second pick, Keepmeinmind, finished 6th.  Our third pick, Caddo River, finished 5th.

We were complete shut out in our Exacta and Superfecta play.  Superfecta went 7-3-2-8.

Bankroll gets crushed and drops to $51.63.