Churchill Downs, Race 1 – 05/19/2023
Churchill Downs, Race 3 – 05/19/2023
By 2YO EdgeMan
CD1:051923 – Another race, another winnah for The 2YO EdgeMan! Our pick – #1 George’s Honey ran a game race to score on the wire by two comfortable lengths. She stalked the early lead set by #4 Sapphire Nights before putting her head in front at the top of the stretch in between rivals. However, she was then caught and passed by Sapphire Nights and #3 Deboisblanc, but fought back like a beast to retake the lead at the 1/8 pole and then continued to run on for victory. She covered the five panels in 59.86 (which equated to a dismal EBSF of 61) and paid $6.10. Congrats to trainer Mark Casse and owner Bg Stables. Learnings – Like I said in our PP&Ps, the babies that are the highest seller in their class for a specific sire must get strong consideration.
CD3:051923 – This one set up well for a tremendous performance from the winner (and our pick last time she was entered and scratched) #4 V V’s Dream. Aptly named – #3 Cheetah Miss (by Mitole) – dashed out of the gate to an open-lengths lead and covered the first quarter in 21.90 and the half in 45.59 before giving way to V V’s Dream who appeared to grow wings over the last furlong, winning by 6+ lengths. This gave Spendthrift Farm’s sensation First-Crop Sire – Mitole – his first winner stateside (just wait, there are tons to come). Trainer Kenny McPeek’s winner covered the 5f in a snappy 57.71 and earned an impressive 92 EBSF. She went off the solid favorite and paid a tiny $4.76. Learnings – Mitole is gonna throw a bunch more winners – just wait. And please remember who predicted him to be the winningest Debut Sire in 2023.
