Handicapping the Whirlaway

Handicapping the Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct over 1 1/16 miles on the inner track February 5^th, 2011 with a group of horses trying to earn their way into the Kentucky Derby on May 7^th.

Here is a look at the post positions, the horses, their jockeys and the trainers going into the Whirlaway Stakes :

Whirlaway Stakes – The Pretenders: Horses not worth laying a dollar or two of your hard earned money on.

Arthur’s Tale – Finished 4^th last time out in the Count Fleet S. Career has 5 starts with 1 win and 1 show, neither of which have come in 2011. Can handle the distance but can’t press the pace and doesn’t have the closing speed to come off the pace. He unfortunately is just plain slow!

Sky Music – Last time out finished third in the Champagneforashley S. at on this inner track at Aqueduct, losing ultimately to Preachintothedevil who is also running in the Whirlaway Stakes . Came from the back of the pack to finish third but ran out of gas at the end over 1 mile seventy yards. I don’t see him making the distance.

Whirlaway Stakes – On the Bubble: Horses that could finish in the money but not win.

Toby’s Corner – Won at Laurel Park back on January 12^th 2010 stalking the pace and taking care of business without ever really being threatened. I really wanted to see him run at Parx Racing in the allowance that Norman Asbjornson won but Toby’s Corner was scratched by the stewards.

Norman Asbjornson – Won an allowance at Parx Racing over 1 1/16 miles on dirt with long odds going wire to wire and pulling away at the end. Will likely be out front in this race but the question is for how long? He will need help to get in the money.

Whirlaway Stakes – The Real Deal: Horses that are in it to win it.

Preachintothedevil – Winner last time out in the Champagneforashley S at Aqueduct over one mile seventy yards. In what was a textbook outing Junior Alvarado took Preachingtothedevil to a good forward position, patiently waited to close the gap before securing good striking distance then closed well and edged away from the competition. Has been running faster each time out, expect more of the same.

J J’s Lucky Train – Finished second in the Count Fleet S. at Aqueduct on the inner track over one mile and seventy yards after taking the lead and surrendering it to Monzon late but still running hard after being overtaken to fend off Pants on Fire through the wire. His determination will get him through this distance.

Recind the Trade – Beat out Pants on Fire for the win at Aqueduct in an allowance after breaking well to race up front, was then held back, saved ground and finally broke three wide on the turn to battle it out for the finish. Recind the Trade shows he just wants to flat out run and is a tough horse.

Here is how I see this playing out:

1 Win: Recind the Trade

2 Place: Preachintothedevil

3 Show: J J’s Lucky Train

4 Wild Card: Toby’s Corner – Would possibly be higher up but cautious after the last scratch.

This is going to be a sprint to the finish and one every fan will want to watch!

Cheers,

Jack