The Sham CQ

Well the Left Coast treated us to another 5 horse field.  But at least 2 horses ran to expectations and delivered an ok race.  Colonel John got the jump with better position establishing his speed early to sit on the outside of lone speed.

El Gato Malo got boxed from the rail and came on gamely in the stretch.  Colonel John did show some heart and dug in, but neither horses was totally cranked for the race.

The fractions were slow, but they came home the last 3 furlongs in under 36 seconds, which is always nice to see.  

The CQ score is a 2.  With 2 horses putting in a good solid stretch run.  Colonel John has been high on my rankings all winter,  El Gato Malo ran a strong race and seems to be progressing, he is a smaller horse and that pedigree still says 9 furlongs, but he is rating. 

 I think the West Coast has 2 solid horses and Into Mischief is right there with them, if he can get back on the work tab and maybe into the Illinois Derby.  Mandella is conservative, but Into Mischief has the earnings, a couple of 7 furlong gallops can put him right back in the pictures, but another week of no activity could lead to the Preakness.

It will be interesting to see if both continue on to the Santa Anita Derby or if one leaves for the Blue Grass or Illinois Derby between Colonel John and El Gato Malo.  I don't think John will.  But El Gato Malo is still on the cusp with graded earnings.

Elysium fields did look really good in the Fountain of Youth and with El Prado and Silver Hawk in his pedigree he should be able to run all day long.  Since adding blinkers, getting closer to the pace and the recent crackdown in workouts he does seem to be improving.