Garrity's Sunday Stakes: The Franklin at Keeneland, Glorious Song at Woodbine, California Flag at Santa Anita
We have three plays on Sunday, just enough action to provide a bit of interest between fumbles and concussions on the tackle football fields. We expect good conditions in all three races, except as noted below, so let’s go.
Keeneland, Race 7, 4:12 pm ET
Grade 2 Franklin Stakes, 5 ½ furlongs, Turf, Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
The Franklin Stakes is a 5 ½ furlong turf sprint that drew a field of nine. We’re all in on 4-Star Guest, a European shipper who really does not figure on form, as her last few starts were in mid-level races in England, a record that would seem to fall short of what is needed to win a Grade 2 stakes race.
But Star Guest is a Godolphin runner, and in the past few months – and especially in the last few days – Godolphin has made a mockery of American turf racing, winning significant stakes with horses from the deeper recesses of their enormous stable. We see that trend continuing here, with Star Guest, who should thrive on the good turf we expect at Keeneland this afternoon, prevailing over her eight U.S.-based rivals. Star Guest will be a shorter price than her 4-1 morning line number, but we will bet her to win anyway. The bet: Keeneland, Race 7, $50 to win on 4-Star Guest.
Woodbine, Race 8, 5:08 pm ET
$125,000 Glorious Song Stakes, 7 furlongs, Synthetic, 2-Year-Old Fillies
Eight juvenile fillies are entered in the Glorious Song at Woodbine, but we have eyes for only one: 1-Rosa, whom trainer Kevin Attard sent to Erie for her last start, where she won the Presque Isle Downs Debutante. That race might not exactly be the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies, but she did beat 10 rivals that day, and she showed the kind of ability that is very potent on the lint: enough early speed to stay reasonably close, combined with a strong closing kick. We see a similar setup, and a similar result, for Rosa today. We will bet her to win at 5/2 odds. The bet: Woodbine, Race 8, $50 to win on 1-Rosa.
Santa Anita Park, Race 7, 6:30 pm ET
$100,000 California Flag Handicap, 6 ½ furlongs, Turf, California-breds 3 & Up
The California Flag, a state-bred sprint down the Santa Anita hillside turf course, drew a field of eight. The race’s one certainty – 1-Brickyard Ride, one of the fastest horses around, is going to get the early lead - begs the key handicapping question: Will any of his six rivals catch him?
We think the answer is no: Look for Brickyard Ride to run this field off their feet in front-running fashion. We will bet him to win at 9/5. The bet: Santa Anita, Race 7, $50 to win on 1-Brickyard Ride.
That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.