The Galloping Hat Rack

The first Marathon I’ve handicapped in its short lifetime, the race features basically any horse who is just not good enough for other races, which is a bummer because I like my distance-getters. I guess that’s why it’ll never move beyond G2 status, and the retirement of early favorite Redeemed is not helping this race gain any star power. Because of its high upset factor (last year’s winner Afleet Again won at 41-1 odds!) and lack of any intense handicapping interest, a nice price can be had upon close inspection.

• Eldaafer - 7-year-old gelding makes 4th appearance in Marathon having won the 2010 running. By A.P. Indy, he has won just once this year in 7 tries in the 1 3/16-mile ungraded Carl Hanford Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park. Fires occasionally and hugs a sluggish pace.
  
• Atigun - The Istan three-year-old colt showed he loves more ground with 2 wins this year but no stakes victories. He was a stable 4th last out in the 10-furlong Jockey Club Gold Cup (I) and should close in well.
• Worth Repeating - The Giant’s Causeway son has long-range Santa Anita experience with a win in last year’s Tokyo City Cup (III) and won his last start in the 9-furlong Ralph M Hinds Handicap at Fairplex and he appears to like being near the lead.
• Juniper Pass - Winless this year, the Lemon Drop Kid gelding has 2 long distance graded wins to his credit from last year and was beaten just a half-length last out in the 9-furlong Bulldog Handicap. He likes to be near the lead.
  
• Commander - A viable favorite, the 4-year-old Broken Vow gelding hopes to add to his 6-race winning streak, most of which he won by multiple lengths impressively setting the pace. He has improved much recently as well, figures-wise, but will be tested here.
• Not Abroad - The son of Not For Love raced 2nd behind Eldaafer in the Carl Hanford and was 2nd to early Marathon favorite Redeemed in the Greenwood Cup (III), but has been off-the-board just once this year in 6 starts, winning twice. He swatted out Win Willy in the 1 1/16-mile Joseph French Memorial at Delaware in May and then won his last prep in the 9-furlong Maryland Million Classic by 4.
• Balladry - A 4-year-old Unbridled’s Song colt owned by Darley, Balladry has just 1 win this year in 6 starts in a Hollywood allowance, but he flew in like a jet fighter from last to first. He caved in to finish last in the Awesome Again Stakes (I) last out, but trainer Eoin Harty seems to be working on gassing him up for the long haul in his works.
• Calidoscopio [ARG]* - Lightly-raced this year with 2 wins out of 3 tries, the 9-year-old Luhuk stallion has shown if he can get more than 10 furlongs, he’ll win for you or at least hit the board, even with heavy imposts. A multiple graded stakes winner in Argentina, is it too much to hope he can carry his form overseas against these young'uns?
• Almudena [PER] - Winless this year, the Argentinean-bred mare has finished off the board just 5 times in 18 starts but has been at Hollywood Park breezing for the race.
• Fame and Glory [GB] - The 6-year-old Montjeu [IRE] son eats up the distance challenge, winning graded stakes at 1 ¾ - 2 ½ miles! However, those were all on the grass overseas, and with just 1 win in 4 starts this year and largely not enthused in the other 3, he becomes a longer shot of Aidan O'Brien’s untested on dirt.
• Grassy - Another personal favorite, the 6-year-old El Prado [IRE] son hasn’t won since last year’s Bowling Green (II) at 1 3/8 miles on grass with just 2 starts this year after switching to Marty Jones’ barn. He’ll be getting his first dirt exam here.
• Jaycito - Finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd once each in 5 starts this year, Jaycito has some class as well as a bit of consistency as he attempts to stretch his fitness as well as his ability far and wide. He improved last out in the mile-long Big Bear Handicap, but being beaten 8 ½ lengths, he has much to improve upon.
• Sense of Purpose [IRE] - The Galileo [IRE] filly is winless in 3 starts this year going the distance against lower-end Euro fields on grass.
• Romp [ARG] - Winning just 4 times in 53 starts, the 8-year-old Incurable Optimist gelding has tried much this year only to come up short. He strengthens on the turn, but his drive does not last.

Next week I’ll announce my top 3 picks and value pick for the Marathon.

Calidoscopio [ARG] - I like him despite the layoff. He’s an iron horse in a mish-mashed field.

Not Abroad - Very consistent underdog with some really nice speed figures.

Juniper Pass - Sitting on a breakthrough race, full of class.

Balladry - I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt going long on a fast track. Harty’s a great conditioner, as well, so he’s a good longshot choice.

Atigun - Had he not gone so wide in the JCGC, he may have done better. He’ll get the distance no problem and seeks a graded breakthrough with underdog specialist McPeek training.