Every major horse had to get started somewhere. This year's Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah, was running races as a two-year old. Perhaps he wasn't on the track this early in his two-year old season, but the ones who are out there already tend to have a leg up when it comes to preparing for the Run for the Roses throughout the spring.
The Sanford Stakes is really the first time we’re going to see legitimate 2016 Triple Crown contenders on the track, making this Saturday's race at Saratoga incredibly important.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Considering the fact that most of these horses either haven't run a competitive race or haven't run all that often, it's tough to try to figure out what the odds are going to be when these ponies go to post.
However, we do have a few clues that can tell us some things about each horse.
Awesome Slew was bet on a ton in his maiden race, and his inside post is going to help draw some bets on him here at the Sanford Stakes. The same could be said for John Q. Public and Magna Light, both of which won as favorites in their maiden offerings.
Prime Power loves both Paynes Prairie and He's Comin in Hot, while Cocked and Loaded will surely be amongst the favorites as well even though he hasn't raced in over seven weeks.
FAVORITE TO FOLLOW
The fact that Joel Rosario is already riding one of these two-year olds is a telling sign of what he thinks of the horse. He's Comin in Hot is trained by relative unknown Bret W. Calhoun, but that hasn't bothered bettors at all yet. Yes, he was a big underdog in his first maiden race, but overcome that issue with two straight wins.
Calhoun has got He's Comin in Hot running from off the pace, and has often times set the pace as well, which is a good sign for such a short race. This is a pony that’s already run four times in his career, a shockingly high number for a colt who is just in the middle of his two-year old year.
UNDERDOG TO WATCH
We're not sure that Cocked and Loaded is going to end up fitting the mold of a true underdog in this one, but regardless as to what the price is on his head, we love having him on our side.
Cocked and Loaded is 2-for-2 in his career, winning the Tremont Stakes over Paynes Prairie, who will also run in this one.
Cocked and Loaded is going to try to come in from off of the pace, which worked for him at 5 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park and could do so again.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
About all we have to work with when looking at these two-year old colts is their workouts, and that's part of the reason why we love Cocked and Loaded as well. He blazed four furlongs in 47 and 2, a fantastic turn for any two-year old. That 89 Beyer Speed Rating at the Tremont is a good sign for us as well.
We’ll see Twirling Cinnamon and others try to get out to the head of this field, but Cocked and Loaded is not going to get into the mix right away. Considering the fact that he’s the only colt proven to be a successful closer, we're going to go with what we deem to be the most refined and big race ready horse in this field.
Play Cocked and Loaded in the Sanford Stakes
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