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UK- Epsom 6/2
Jun 1, 2023 5:29:04 GMT -5
Post by tenfurlongs on Jun 1, 2023 5:29:04 GMT -5
GOING: Good-to-firm
EPS R1 (9:00am ET)- 6f (6f3y) Woodcote Stakes (Conditions Race) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (2yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/839633
Twelve 2yos going around a downhill, LH bend. A high draw seems to be favored, as the field closes over to the inside rail entering the turn. #3- Haatem (4-1) is yet another cracking young sprinter in the green, white, and gold colors of Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah, who already has 2yo Asadna and 3yo Al Dasim lined up for Royal Ascot, those two with George Boughey. This one runs for Richard Hannon, Jr. who has won this race twice since 2014. He is by freshman sire Phoenix of Spain. Third of thirteen on debut over soft ground at Goodwood, he followed up with a six-length victory at Bath on good ground. Drew PP8. #5- The Camden Colt (5-1) is the other Hannon runner in the field, with the notable jockey booking of Ryan Moore, who rode him on debut at Chester to a third-place finish over soft. He ran back eight days ago at Haydock, going wire-to-wire in a big-money EBF maiden race against eleven foes on good ground. Drew PP7.
EX- 3,5/1,3,5,6,7
EPS R2 (9:35am ET)- 1m½f (1m113y) Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+) (0-105)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/839630
Field of thirteen veteran miler-types headed by topweight #1- Revich (5-1) from Richard Spencer, with Ryan Moore named (raised-eyebrow.) Trainer probably did not want to win by three last time and pick up six pounds in the ratings, but he's going well now, was second in this event last year, and won here back in 2019 (beating Sir Busker when both were 3yos!) in his only other course appearance. Drew PP5. #9- Dutch Decoy (8-1) was busy last year picking up five wins in 24 starts (US trainers, recoil in horror), and he's gone okay in four tries this year over soft ground he doesn't want. But he's back down to a mark of 87, the level of his last win. Probably has to come from off the pace in PP3, but I think he'll step up over his favored firmer footing.
EX- 1,9/1,6,8,9
EPS R3 (10:10am ET)- 1m4f (1m4f6y) Coronation Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (4yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/835774
Short field of five, no obvious pacesetter, so Ryan Moore probably goes right to the front on Point Lonsdale and tries to walk the dog. Horse is an improved model this season, strengthened up from his 3yo form, but I'm still not convinced that he wants 12 furlongs. Hurricane Lane seems to be going the opposite way, best as a 3yo but nowhere near as good as he was in the Arc in 2021. I know little about Tunnes but will speculate that he doesn't want firm ground. #4- Westover (2-1) may have improved as a 4yo, he finished second to Japanese superstar-in-waiting Equinox in Dubai. He will like the top of the ground, and his Irish Derby form from last year would be tough to deny here. #5- Emily Upjohn (5-2) gets Frankie aboard, looked good winning at Ascot on Champions Day but that was soft ground. As everyone knows by now, I'm a sucker for any Sea The Stars offspring, but I have to wonder if she's race-fit without a start yet in 2023. Big ask, but John Gosden knows a thing or five.
WIN- 4
EPS R4 (10:45am ET)- 1m2f (1m2f17y) Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/839629
Evenly matched field, but some are pretenders while others seem contenders. #7- Marhaba the Champ (9-2) won seasonal debut at York over good ground under today's pilot William Buick, only picked up 2lbs for that victory. As lightly-raced as he is (6/2-1-0) he's probably still ahead of the handicapper and this son of Galileo may have further improvement to offer. Drew PP6. #8- Dual Identity (7-1) races in the slick Kennet Valley colors (think Sir Busker), wants good ground and gets it today. Finished a very close third to Majestic in the 2022 Cambridgeshire Handicap, shaped nicely at Newmarket two weeks ago over similar trip. Drew PP1.
EX- 7,8/1,4,5,7,8,9
EPS R5 (11:30am ET)- 1m4f (1m4f6y) Epsom Oaks (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/835773
#9- Savethelastdance (even) won by twentytwo lengths in the Cheshire Oaks, and although the clock and sectionals say it was a truly fast race, she beat no one of significance and I'm not convinced she can repeat that over firmer ground. O'Brien the Elder regularly makes me out the fool, however. #11- Soul Sister (2-1) was so impressive winning the Musidora Stakes (GII) two weeks ago, just gliding up the stands side past two decent fillies like they were cart horses. Look for the maroon colors of Lady Bamford to be powering down the straight nearing the wire. Have a day, Frankie!
EX- 11/1,4,7,8,9
EPS R6 (12:10pm ET)- 7f (7f3y) Surrey Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/839632
Seven furlong crapshoot, but a chance to make a small score. #6- Secret Angel (6-1) goes for the potent team of Karl Burke/Clifford Lee, and she may have to try to make all the running from her rail draw. Will also appreciate the class drop from two GIIIs this season. #9- Olivia Maralda (9-2) ran a pretty good race on seasonal debut in the 1000 Guineas, finishing seventh of twenty over ground she didn't like and a distance that was just a bridge too far. Turnback to 7F and good ground makes her my best bet of the day.
WIN- 9 EX- 6,9/2,3,5,6,7,9
EPS R7 (12:45pm ET)- 7f (7f3y) Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+) (0-100)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/839631
Many in this field got negative comments from me like 'ooof', 'No', 'drew wide', etc. One that elicited some praise was #10- Urban Sprawl (9-2) the likely favorite (TYVM Capt. Obvious), despite a 6lb. penalty for winning at Goodwood six days ago (American trainers now hyperventilating). Consistent, improving, loves the distance.
EX- 10/6,7,8,12
Good luck if you play, and you should!
TW
EPS R1 (9:00am ET)- 6f (6f3y) Woodcote Stakes (Conditions Race) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (2yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/839633
Twelve 2yos going around a downhill, LH bend. A high draw seems to be favored, as the field closes over to the inside rail entering the turn. #3- Haatem (4-1) is yet another cracking young sprinter in the green, white, and gold colors of Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah, who already has 2yo Asadna and 3yo Al Dasim lined up for Royal Ascot, those two with George Boughey. This one runs for Richard Hannon, Jr. who has won this race twice since 2014. He is by freshman sire Phoenix of Spain. Third of thirteen on debut over soft ground at Goodwood, he followed up with a six-length victory at Bath on good ground. Drew PP8. #5- The Camden Colt (5-1) is the other Hannon runner in the field, with the notable jockey booking of Ryan Moore, who rode him on debut at Chester to a third-place finish over soft. He ran back eight days ago at Haydock, going wire-to-wire in a big-money EBF maiden race against eleven foes on good ground. Drew PP7.
EX- 3,5/1,3,5,6,7
EPS R2 (9:35am ET)- 1m½f (1m113y) Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+) (0-105)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/839630
Field of thirteen veteran miler-types headed by topweight #1- Revich (5-1) from Richard Spencer, with Ryan Moore named (raised-eyebrow.) Trainer probably did not want to win by three last time and pick up six pounds in the ratings, but he's going well now, was second in this event last year, and won here back in 2019 (beating Sir Busker when both were 3yos!) in his only other course appearance. Drew PP5. #9- Dutch Decoy (8-1) was busy last year picking up five wins in 24 starts (US trainers, recoil in horror), and he's gone okay in four tries this year over soft ground he doesn't want. But he's back down to a mark of 87, the level of his last win. Probably has to come from off the pace in PP3, but I think he'll step up over his favored firmer footing.
EX- 1,9/1,6,8,9
EPS R3 (10:10am ET)- 1m4f (1m4f6y) Coronation Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (4yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/835774
Short field of five, no obvious pacesetter, so Ryan Moore probably goes right to the front on Point Lonsdale and tries to walk the dog. Horse is an improved model this season, strengthened up from his 3yo form, but I'm still not convinced that he wants 12 furlongs. Hurricane Lane seems to be going the opposite way, best as a 3yo but nowhere near as good as he was in the Arc in 2021. I know little about Tunnes but will speculate that he doesn't want firm ground. #4- Westover (2-1) may have improved as a 4yo, he finished second to Japanese superstar-in-waiting Equinox in Dubai. He will like the top of the ground, and his Irish Derby form from last year would be tough to deny here. #5- Emily Upjohn (5-2) gets Frankie aboard, looked good winning at Ascot on Champions Day but that was soft ground. As everyone knows by now, I'm a sucker for any Sea The Stars offspring, but I have to wonder if she's race-fit without a start yet in 2023. Big ask, but John Gosden knows a thing or five.
WIN- 4
EPS R4 (10:45am ET)- 1m2f (1m2f17y) Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/839629
Evenly matched field, but some are pretenders while others seem contenders. #7- Marhaba the Champ (9-2) won seasonal debut at York over good ground under today's pilot William Buick, only picked up 2lbs for that victory. As lightly-raced as he is (6/2-1-0) he's probably still ahead of the handicapper and this son of Galileo may have further improvement to offer. Drew PP6. #8- Dual Identity (7-1) races in the slick Kennet Valley colors (think Sir Busker), wants good ground and gets it today. Finished a very close third to Majestic in the 2022 Cambridgeshire Handicap, shaped nicely at Newmarket two weeks ago over similar trip. Drew PP1.
EX- 7,8/1,4,5,7,8,9
EPS R5 (11:30am ET)- 1m4f (1m4f6y) Epsom Oaks (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/835773
#9- Savethelastdance (even) won by twentytwo lengths in the Cheshire Oaks, and although the clock and sectionals say it was a truly fast race, she beat no one of significance and I'm not convinced she can repeat that over firmer ground. O'Brien the Elder regularly makes me out the fool, however. #11- Soul Sister (2-1) was so impressive winning the Musidora Stakes (GII) two weeks ago, just gliding up the stands side past two decent fillies like they were cart horses. Look for the maroon colors of Lady Bamford to be powering down the straight nearing the wire. Have a day, Frankie!
EX- 11/1,4,7,8,9
EPS R6 (12:10pm ET)- 7f (7f3y) Surrey Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/839632
Seven furlong crapshoot, but a chance to make a small score. #6- Secret Angel (6-1) goes for the potent team of Karl Burke/Clifford Lee, and she may have to try to make all the running from her rail draw. Will also appreciate the class drop from two GIIIs this season. #9- Olivia Maralda (9-2) ran a pretty good race on seasonal debut in the 1000 Guineas, finishing seventh of twenty over ground she didn't like and a distance that was just a bridge too far. Turnback to 7F and good ground makes her my best bet of the day.
WIN- 9 EX- 6,9/2,3,5,6,7,9
EPS R7 (12:45pm ET)- 7f (7f3y) Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+) (0-100)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/17/epsom/2023-06-02/839631
Many in this field got negative comments from me like 'ooof', 'No', 'drew wide', etc. One that elicited some praise was #10- Urban Sprawl (9-2) the likely favorite (TYVM Capt. Obvious), despite a 6lb. penalty for winning at Goodwood six days ago (American trainers now hyperventilating). Consistent, improving, loves the distance.
EX- 10/6,7,8,12
Good luck if you play, and you should!
TW
