While there’s not an overwhelming amount of Graded Stakes action this weekend, all eyes will be focused on Delta Downs in Vinton, LA for the 11th running of the $1 Million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3). It is the second-richest race for two-year-olds in North America and was won last year by Goldencents, who has gone on to win the Santa Anita Derby and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile this year in his impressive three-year-old campaign.
Here’s a look at the field of 10 two-year-olds:
| PP: | Horse: | Jockey: | Trainer: | M-L: |
| 1 | Whyruawesome | E. Martin, Jr. | A. Smith | 10-to-1 |
| 2 | Coastline | S. Bridgmohan | M. Casse | 5-to-2 |
| 3 | Roman Unbridled | K. Smith | C. Cook | 30-to-1 |
| 4 | Mighty Brown | M. Mena | T. Ice | 12-to-1 |
| 5 | Rum Point | M. Gutierrez | D. O’Neill | 5-to-1 |
| 6 | Flat Gone | D. Saenz | J. K. Desormeaux | 20-to-1 |
| 7 | Rankhasprivileges | R. Albarado | K. McPeek | 15-to-1 |
| 8 | Casiguapo | L. Saez | M. Morales | 4-to-1 |
| 9 | Big Bazinga | R. Napravnik | K. Vassilieva | 12-to-1 |
| 10 | Rise Up | G. Melancon | T. Amoss | 3-to-1 |
Equibase is also offering FREE PAST PERFORMANCES (click here).
Coastline coasts in the Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs (Louisville Courier-Journal photo)
The 5-2 favorite coming off an overnight-stake win in the Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs is Coastline for trainer Mark Casse. The son of the red-hot Speightstown has shown some early speed in his first three races, but the fact that he hasn’t beaten anyone really makes him a vulnerable favorite here.
Rise Up romps in Jean Lafitte S. at Delta Downs (Delta Downs photo)
The 3-1 second choice who is fresh off a 6 1/2 length-victory in the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs is Rise Up for trainer Tom Amoss. This is another one who has shown he likes to get out to the early lead – not saying he can’t do it again here, but I will probably throw out Mighty Brown and Flat Gone because he beat those two so handily last out. He also recorded a 1:00, five-furlong workout on November 15 at Fair Grounds, the fastest of 42 others at the distance.
Coming in as the 4-1 third choice is Casiguapo for trainer Mario Morales. This horse has not run since finishing fourth behind Havana, Honor Code and Ride On Curlin in the October 5. Prior to that start he ran second to Strong Mandate in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga, but was still nearly 10 lengths behind. Although Casiguapo has faced tougher competition than the first two favorites, it seems that he gets worse as the distance gets longer.
At 5-1 we have Rum Point who is trained by Doug O’Neill who is also conditioner of Goldencents who won this race last year. This son of Malibu Moon has run in three consecutive Grade 1’s but has not finished better than fourth. He bobbled at the start of his last race, the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and finished 12th. This is another horse that prefers to be on the lead and I expect him to be up there, but I think the distance might be an issue with Rum Point also.
Big Bazinga is interesting to me at 12-1. I don’t think there’s a chance in hell that she goes off at 12-1 because she gets Rosie Napravnik on board here. I think this is a horse that has shown he can come off the lead in her maiden debut, so if he can stay off the lead early here, he might have a chance to rally late.
Another presumable longshot to look out for is Rankhasprivileges for trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Robby Albarado. I also see this debut maiden winner getting bet-down some because of the connections, but should have a shot to come off the pace.
My top three in this one are 2-9-10. Hoping to get some value on the 9 – Big Bazinga – I would put him across the board. Probably will also do exacta and trifecta boxes using Big Bazinga with the two favorites.
This should be a fun race with points (10-4-2-1) awarded to the winner in the Kentucky Derby Points System. Happy firing!
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