One could forgive any horseplayer for already looking forward to next week's stakes slate featuring a trio of Kentucky Derby 2023 preps each worth 100 points to the winner, but Mike Shutty has given us something to be excited about with this weekend's Super Screener.
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Featuring selections, analysis and wagering strategy every week, this week's Super Screener is zoomed in on eight stakes races from four racetracks, including a pair of Grade 3 events at Oaklawn Park. Shutty is particularly interested in the Whitmore, a dirt sprint for older males in which he thinks the favorite is vulnerable.
"The pace promises to be lively with the need-to-lead type, no. 8 Pirate Rick, leveraging that superior early foot to get to the front first being quickly joined by the equally swift no. 9 Cogburn to his outside," Shutty said. "No horse is coming into this race on a better form-cycle pattern than Cogburn. Note his steady progression resulting in a new top (speed rating) after a layoff of nearly nine months. Form-cycle analysis indicates another five-to-seven point move forward in this start. All signals are flashing green."
For those really looking to make a Whitmore score, Shutty also is keeping tabs on no. 3 Miles Ahead, who at 15-1 on the morning line could really spice things up.
"His last work was very sharp in preparation for this," Shutty said. "He'll save ground throughout, and his greatest asset is that elevated and balanced energy distribution Profile, which as the speed comes back to him in the final furlong he'll continue a sustained bid with a shot to win at a solid price."
Super Screener has been running hot in sprint races throughout the winter racing season, including a top tab of Spirit of Makena at 5-2 in the San Carlos (G2) last week at Santa Anita and 9-1 on Mylady in the winter The Very One two weeks ago at Gulfstream Park.
