Secret Crush looms large as he looks to earn his diploma third out in his first two-turn test this afternoon at Keeneland. Our son of Candy Ride drew the outside post #7 and has been slated as the morning-line favorite at 6-5 in today's sixth race. Post time is 3:40 p.m. ET.
The next two choices on the morning line are #4 Reynolds Channel, who finished directly behind Secret Crush last out, and Secret Crush’s stablemate #1 Unlimited Potential, who is still seeking a breakout first tally at the age of five.
See below for a closer look at each runner in the field. Good luck! We'll be live in the paddock, click here to set a reminder.
#1 Unlimited Potential - $750K 2yo in 2021 was second in both tries at three, including over track and trip behind a future MGSP runner. Missed all of 2023, and has run decently while showing speed in two sprint tries this term, but hasn’t gotten back to the speed figures he earned as a sophomore. Blinkers go on. Should be showing the way from the rail.
#2 Crossing - 0-for-14 4-year-old gelding’s most likely impact will be on the early pace. Hard to see him hanging around late.
#3 Axed Avenger - Son of Gun Runner (oddly enough also out of a mare by a Candy Ride stallion*) ran on mildly to be fourth sprinting at Mahoning Valley in January. Wades into much deeper waters here. Would be a surprise. [*Our note: Candy Ride inbred]
#4 Reynolds Channel - Didn’t do a ton in his Saratoga unveiling last summer, but was well-backed off the bench last time against Secret Crush and showed the way before finishing third, one length back. Mott barn is having a solid meet, though doesn’t have the strongest numbers second off similar lay-offs. Probably the main danger, though could find himself too close to strong early splits.
#5 Tapit’s Tale - Well-bred 4-year-old son of Tapit did very little running in his synthetic sprint unveiling at Turfway. Should appreciate the surface switch and stretch out, and sports some upbeat local works. Needs to improve significantly, but that doesn’t seem like an impossible task. Attracts Jose Ortiz.
#6 Sardis - Second and third in one-mile contests at Aqueduct this winter while a member of the Chad Brown barn, and recently changed hands in a digital sale for $65K. Winner of his last aired in the Bay Shore S. earlier this month. Needs to get faster to land in the top spot here, but new connections—Mike Maker and Three Diamonds Farm—are very savvy with acquisitions like this.
#7 Secret Crush - the winner from his last start came back to finish a well-beaten third in the local GIII Lexington S., but regressed slightly on Beyer Speed Figures from 87 to 79. Secret Crush seemed to just be putting it all together at the end of his one-mile journey last time, and an additional turn and sixteenth of a mile should only help his chances. Is drawn perfectly to work out a stalking trip behind the likely three speeds.
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