Grade II-- W.L. McKnight Handicap—1 ½ Turf—3 Year Olds and Up
Projected Turf Condition—Good to Firm
Great stakes turf race with a full field of 11 making this a potentially lucrative wagering opportunity. #10 Presious Passion (5-2) returns from his narrow defeat in the Grade 1 Breeder’s Cup Turf. In this race he is projected to go out to a 9-length lead early and then hold a 3-length lead going into the stretch at which time the cavalry charge begins. Can he hold on? So far, he is 2 for 3 at Calder. Let’s look at the contenders more closely.
#4 Spice Route (6-1) has been beaten by Presious Passion twice before but had big trouble in both efforts. Runs well off the lay off and will be sitting with Cloudy’s Knight in mid pack. Relishes the 1 ½ distance. Possesses a devastating turn of foot and Roger Attfield has this one primed for a career effort. John Velasquez gets the mount. Great value play and even more so with odds of 7-1 or higher.
#9 Cloudy’s Knight (5-1) will be 10 years-old in a week and he is still going strong. He has won three of four stakes races this year in what has been a very well managed campaign. Versatile in every way winning from far back or up close and on all kinds of surfaces. His pace figures are superior and look for another great effort before calling it a year. He’ll race reserved in mid-pack before grinding it out in the stretch for a winning effort.
#3 Warning Zone (7-1) may be dismissed at the windows due to his 18-month layoff but has been training well and Wolfson can bring them back ready off long vacations. Really came into his own during the summer of 2008 at Hollywood Park. Any effort close to those races puts him squarely in the mix. He’ll get the first jump at the top of the stretch and then try to hold on with everything he has. While he may come up short, don’t leave him off the bottom of your exotic tickets.
#10 Presious Passion (5-2) loves this surface and distance. His unbelievable ability to cut big fractions and still have gas in the tank for the stretch run makes for an exciting finish every time he runs. His kryptonite, however, is anything less than a firm turf. He’ll be a big fader if the turf comes up off. Plus, he is much better second off the lay off. But if firm, count on him being right there. #7 Silver Mountain (12-1) is a good looking 4 year-old that is likely to get dismissed. Great play under your top contenders. His best efforts have come at this distance and that last work says watch out! #6 Mr.universo will go off at 20-1 or higher but don’t let his record fool you. Cruz will have him well-positioned for a possible 3rd or 4th place finish. #5 New Fandan (30-1) is aonther that will be ignored but appears to have the closing ability to get up at a big price for a 3rd or 4th place finish. Leave him off your ticket at your own risk.
Win-- #4 Spice Route (6-1)
Place-- #9 Cloudy’s Knight (5-1)
Show-- #3 Warning Zone (7-1)
Recommended Wagers:
$.50 Superfecta 4,9 with 3,7,10 with 3,4,5,6,7,9,10 with 1,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,11 ($45)
$1 Trifecta 3,7,10 with 4,9 with 1,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,11 ($42)
