Red Mile Stakes Analysis

There are no less than 11 divisions of the Bluegrass stakes on Sunday at The Red Mile featuring the best 3year-olds on both the trot and pace. Below are my best plays and top horses to watch:

Race 2 – Colt Pace

(2) BOOGIE SHUFFLE came into the Little Brown Jug in career form but was dealt a couple of bad posts which killed his chances. With no monsters signed on here, he has big upside as the likely second choice. Trainer Ron Burke has a pair in here. (4) MISO FAST is clearly going to merit attention at the windows, but (6) MAROMA BEACH seems like an interesting horse as a first-time Burke horse picking up Yannick Gingras in the bike.

Race 3 – Colt Trot

(2) GUARDIAN ANGEL AS has been super on the NY Sire Stakes scene and held his own in the Hambletonian. Trainer Anette Lorentzon has said in the past that he is better on bigger ovals and I think this track can really move him up. There are plenty of intriguing options here but (3) BILLʼS MAN stands out as the most likely winner and he should love The Red Mile. He set his lifetime mark here as a 2-year-old.

Race 5 – Filly Pace

(3) AWASH adds Lasix and posted a solid qualifier with the medication on 9/14. Donʼt be surprised if she steps up for the Tony Alagna barn, which always excels during this two-week meet. Facing off against Jugette winner (1) CAVIART ALLY ensures the price will be right.

Race 6 – Filly Trot

(2) ARIANA G has won 18 of 22 races lifetime and will be 1-9 when the gate swings open, but she has the potential to do something special if the weather cooperates; must-watch race. If you like cold exactas that pay $4.00, use (3) DREAM TOGETHER underneath.

Race 12 – Colt Trot

Many of the Hambletonian players gather for this race including the disqualified winner (6) WHAT THE HILL. He took home the Canadian Trotting Classic on 9/16 and seems to be a better horse than I remember earlier in the year. Despite facing a very capable field, I canʼt look past him in this spot. Those who follow my selections know Iʼve been chasing (8) SORTIE for quite some time. He has some unknown breaking issue. If there is any track that will help him behave, this is it. (5) DEVIOUS MAN is not one of my favorite horses but is as consistent as they come. He hasnʼt finished off the board in 11 starts this year and seems likely to keep that streak intact.