POST TIME 5:14PM EST--This year's edition of the G2 Hawthorne Gold Cup is shaping up to be a great betting race. If they all go to post, there will be a full field of 11 going the 1 1/4 mile distance. There are four speedy types that will draw away from the field early posting faster than par pace times along the way. #2 Stonehouse (20-1), #4 Jonesboro (5-2), #6 Nite Light (9-2) and #7 Shadowbdancing (8-1) make up the speed in the race. Only the latter, #7 Shadowbdancing, is a "need-to-lead" type. Hawthorne is kind to speed even at this longer distance. Of the speedsters, #6 Nite Light appears to be sitting on a big race. There is no question as there is with some of the other speed regarding his ability to get the distance. His win zone is anywhere between 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 miles. I am going to take a stand against Jonesboro for the win spot. His come back from an impressive Spring campaign did not inspire. It seems he likes to improve gradually after layoffs and will need much more here.
Sitting four to six lengths off these leaders will be an interesting trio including the venerable #3 Awesome Gem (7-2), Hawthorne track lover, #8 Alcomo (15-1) and my pick in this race, #9 You and I Forever (12-1). Awesome Gem is stilling going strong and figures to hit the board again today. This hard knocker loves 2nd place finishes and I don't see a better placing than that today. Alcomo is my long shot special to hit the board with an outside chance to upset for the win. You and I Forever ran a real good one at Monmouth in the slop last out. This 4 year old looks to have lots of room for fast improvement. Marty Wolfson put this one on the shelf back in October and came back with him in July with a couple of sprint conditioners. Looks like he was pointing for this race so let's put him on top.
Joe Talamo is in to ride long shot closer #5 Lowther Street (15-1). Found new life on the dirt after mediocrity on the "plastic". Another improving 4 year old with upside. Will be about 12 lengths back though around the far turn so will need to make up a lot of ground early. With a 120 BRIS late pace fig., he'll be the chestnut blur you see flying down the stretch.
THE WAGER:
$.50 Superfecta: 9 with 3,5,6,8 with 3,4,5,6,8,9 with 2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,11 ($70)
$1 Trifecta 3,5,6,8 with 9 with 2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,11 ($32)