The Vosburgh Stakes lost its star power when Volatile suffered a career-ending injury earlier this week, but without him the six-furlong stakes added a few horses and became a much more competitive race.
Even with just six starters, it should be an interesting betting race as some sharp sprinters battle for a free spot in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In program.
1. True Timber (9-2 morning-line odds): He might need more distance, but he does own a record of three wins from six starts at six furlongs. He’s consistent enough to be a major factor at this level (26-4-4-9 in his career), but he hasn’t won in more than two years and seems better suited for a minor role in the exacta or trifecta.
JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Jack Sisterson
2. Funny Guy (5-2): He’s emerged as the top dog among New York-bred sprinters and was highly competitive against Grade 1 rivals in the Forego Stakes Presented by America’s Racing, finishing fourth. He’s never competed in a race shorter than 6 ½ furlongs and might need a little more ground to catch the leaders in this spot.
JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: John P. Terranova II
3. Stan the Man (8-1): He’s thrived at the distance with a win and three seconds in four career and is coming off a nice win in the Tale of the Cat Stakes. He fits in nicely against these, but his late-running style might work against him in a field where there might be a moderate pace.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: John P. Terranova II
4. Share the Ride (6-1): He exits a nice, front-running victory in the Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth Park, and if he duplicates that effort he’ll be the one to catch. He’s never faced a field as tough as this, but given the conditions, especially the lack of speedsters in the field, he’s a threat here.
JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Antonio Arriaga
5. Firenze Fire (7-2): He’s the one to beat off an enviable record at Belmont Park with four wins in seven tries. Included in that mark is a win in the Grade 1 Champagne and a loss by a nose in last year’s Vosburgh. He was dismal last time out, finishing last in the Forego, but a soaked racetrack may have accounted for that. A sharp bullet workout for this race indicates he should be primed for a bounce-back effort.
JOCKEY: Jose Lezcano; TRAINER: Kelly Breen
6. Engage (2-1): A year ago, he would have definitely been a major player here. That might happen, but the big question is whether he will be ready for a top effort in his first start in nearly 11 months. That long-ago effort was a fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, so there’s plenty of talent here. A win in the Grade 2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes last year illustrates how good he can be, but whether he’ll be ready for a top effort off the long layoff is the big question mark. According to Daily Racing Form stats, trainer Steve Asmussen wins at a 17% clip with horses returning from a layoff of 180 days or more.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
THE PICK: Firenze Fire
LIVE LONGSHOT: Share the Ride
SUPERFECTA: 5-6-1-4
Pick 3
(X-COUNTRY 2-5-1-5-5)
(X-COUNTRY 2-5-1-5-5)
$54,460
Superfecta
5-2-4-1
5-2-4-1
$5
Grand Slam
2/5/6-2/6/10-1/2/4/8-5
2/5/6-2/6/10-1/2/4/8-5
$31
Pick 3
(X-COUNTRY 2-5-1-5-5)
(X-COUNTRY 2-5-1-5-5)
$54,460
Superfecta
5-2-4-1
5-2-4-1
$5
Grand Slam
2/5/6-2/6/10-1/2/4/8-5
2/5/6-2/6/10-1/2/4/8-5
$31
