Arlington-Washington Futurity
 

Does anyone else think this is going to be a good race. Gold Coyote was pretty impressive his last start at LS. Isn't this Blackberry Road's first race since CD?

Arlington Park - September 1st, 2007 - Race 9
Arlington-Washington Futurity - Grade: 3
Estimated Local Post Time: 4:54 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Two Year Old
Purse: $200,000
Distance: One Mile
Surface: All Weather Track

1 Celina Slew (KY) James Graham / Steven M. Asmussen 20/1
2 Texas Wildcatter (KY) Jesse M. Campbell / Todd A. Pletcher 6/1
3 T. J.'s Posse (VA) Christopher A. Emigh / Steven M. Asmussen 6/1
4 Wicked Style (FL) Robby Albarado / George R. Arnold, II 15/1
5 Sebastian County (KY) Larry J. Sterling, Jr. / Don Von Hemel 10/1
6 Blackberry Road (KY) Jesus Lopez Castanon / David M. Carroll 5/1
7 Riley Tucker (KY) Rene R. Douglas William I. Mott 5/2
8 Gold Coyote (TX) Ramsey Zimmerman / W. Bret Calhoun 2/1

Moke, i think it is blackberry rd. first race after CD his last race didnt look all that good but for some reason i think this horse has some potential and i hope he runs good on Sat as im sure i'll have something on him. Liked him since 1st start bc he jumped so slow from the gate and still kept trying. If the track is playing to speed he may have problems as he is not a quick horse from the gate.

First halfway decent test for Gold Coyote

Agreed about him being not to sharp from the gate. I like him as well, but I have seen Gold Coyote run in person (not that it means much). He was pretty damn impressive last out..

Agreed again....:)

Gold Coyote will almost certainly be the favorite, but I would be very hesitant about playing him in this spot. Betting a favorite that is stretching out to 8f for the first time AND is trying poly for the first time doesn't seem like a smart play to me.
If Texas Wildcatter and/or TJ's Posse really go off at around 6/1, I think either of them could be a good play.

Sebastian County has been sloooooow in his first two, but he's bred well and his older brother won this racea few years ago.

He looked good, even if he was slow, overcoming some light trouble last time to get his second win.

Something tells me there's more to him than we know so far. That 10/1 looks mighty nice on a runner I think is waiting to show more.

I personally will take TJ's Posse anywhere above 4-1.

You won't find a 2yo trained by Asmussen or ridden by Emigh go off as the 4th or 5th choice in a race very often. You especially don't see it very often when that colt is 2 for 2 lifetime with a stakes win already under his belt. When you do find it, it certainly might be a smart play.
As for brian's pick, I don't particularly like Sebastian County's chances here, but I suppose it is always a bit dangerous to throw out horses that have proven they can win on poly in favor of horses that have not. The colt is 2 for 2 at Arlington.....but I think he is in a bit over his head in this one.

Don't get me wrong -- he's certainly biting off a big piece here considering how slowly he ran in his last two.

I'm just going solely on the 2 for 2 AP poly angle, the fact that he still DID manage to win both races (with some trouble in the last), and that I simply think he's going to turn out to be a much faster horse than we've seen so far. Whether tomorrow is the day he becomes that faster horse -- well that's why it's gambling :D

But at 10-1, I definitely like his chances in comparison to how the race looks like it's going to be bet.

I'm leaning slightly towards Blackberry Road followed by TJ's Posse.
I liked the looks of the debuts of Texas Wildcatter and Wicked Style but winning right back against horses with more experience is a lot to ask.
I don't like Gold Coyote for the reasons miraja gave.