9/5 (SAR): My Pal of Pals (Race off the turf)

[Kasept]

Race 6 Closer Look
By Brian Pochman

Corofin: Sire wins with approximately 15% of his first time starters and he's 0-for-2 with his turf starters, and dam won 2 of 11 starts for 34k, and she didn't make a start over turf; since 2007 this post position is just 8-202 (3.96%), including 1-for-38 (2.63%) in 2011.

Charlie's Punch: Sire is 0-for-3 with his first time starters and he's 0-for-1 with his turf starters, and dam won 6 of 30 starts for 79k, including 0-for-1 over turf; this colt is a 1/2 to minor stakes placed Willy's Wicked (11-49, 192k, no turf starts).

Western Tryst: He ran well in his first attempt over turf at second asking and it is interesting to see his connections waste little time in turning him back in distance; however, his early speed might not be as effective in a turf dash.

My Pal of Pals: Sire wins with approximately 16% of his first time starters and with approximately 16% of his turf starters, and dam was winless from one start, and she didn't make a start over turf; this colt is a 1/2 to Loyal Shadow (5-16, 139k over turf).

T. J's Bodylan: Sire wins with approximately 12% of his first time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and dam was unraced; this is an outfit that can be live with the first time starter and a go-to rider is present.

Mia Poppy: Sire wins with approximately 13% of his first time starters and with approximately 12% of his turf starters, and dam was winless from three starts, and she didn't make a start over turf; capable first-out barn shows up with one that has a nice little sprint pedigree.

Little Dale: He flashed a high degree of early speed in his career debut, a race that saw him get the better of a couple of today's rivals, and it's very interesting to see the rider switch to Dominguez; he has to be regarded as a gate-to-finish threat.

Image of Disco: Sire wins with approximately 14% of his turf starters and dam won once from 16 starts for 33k, including 1 of 10 turf starts for 32k; he wasn't completely ignored in the wagering against 12 rivals in his career debut and his turf workouts look sharp.

Hope Still Springs: Sire has won with 1 of 27 (4%) of his first time starters and he's 0-for-6 with his turf starters, and multiple graded stakes winning dam won 7 of 16 starts for 286k, and she didn't make a start over turf; this colt is a 1/2 to G3 winner Sabellina (7-33, 521k over turf).

Manero: Sire wins with approximately 11% of his first time starters and with approximately 14% of his turf starters, and dam was winless from six starts, including five starts over turf; this barn isn't best known for first-out success but they have been putting live horses on the track at this meeting.

Freudian Therapist: He's had a couple of chances to show us what he can do and it looks like he's going to have to show up with a noticeably improved performance in order to factor into the mix; he has the look of an outsider.

Adriatic Spirit: Nothing wrong with what this gelding displayed in his career debut when finishing right behind today's rival Little Dale and it doesn't hurt him to have John V. back aboard; it wouldn't be any shock to see him improve over his debut and that would make him tough to deal with.

Sleepy Freud: Sire wins with approximately 12% of his first time starters and with approximately 13% of his turf starters, and dam won once from eight starts for 38k, including 0-for-3 over turf; one of two first-time starters signed on in here for the Rice barn.

Tug of War: Smarty Jones has been a fine influence as a win-early sire, and if this race comes off the turf, and this gelding can perform the way he did at first asking, he can prove to be a serious threat to walk away with top prize.