Handicapping the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes

B Rick Francis —-

The Road to the Kentucky Derby leads to South Florida and Gulfstream Park where a field of nine 3-year-olds look to add valuable Derby points and the winners share of the $200k purse in the running of the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes. It’s a mile and sixteenth main track contest so let’s take a look at the starters.

Race 11) 1&1/16th Mile. Holy Bull S. Grade III. Purse $200,000 THREE YEAR OLDS
Post Time: ( 4:50)/ 3:50/ 2:50/ 1:50

1) Jirafales (Delgado/Velazquez); beat mid-level maidens at GPW back in November; major class-test; interesting jock upgrade.

2) Willy Boi (Engler/Alvarado); 2-for-2; tries open company and routing for the first time; will be part of the early speed.

3) Papetu (Sano/Reyes); bumped hard in the Mucho Macho Man still hung on for second. There’s a lot to like with this Dialed In colt.

4) Amount (Pletcher/Saez); out of Curlin; win at first asking was dominant.

5) Tarantino (Brisset/Zayas); a nose away from being a perfect 3-for-3, just all on the turf. Bloodline screams dirt, wondering what took them so long.

6) Prime Factor (Pletcher/Ortiz, I); another from tough barn that’s on a roll here, won at first asking sprinting; going long for the first time for Pletcher starters is a 27 percent training angle.

7) Greatest Honour (McGaughey/Ortiz, J); shipping south was the ticket as this Tapit colt broke his maiden after three board finishes in New York.

8) Sittin On Go (Romans/Lanerie); Grade 3 Iroquois winner has struggled in each of his last two; form in question with a tough spot to rebound.

9) Awesome Gerry (Joseph/Gaffalione); was his own worst enemy in the Mucho, as he had the lead only to break outward causing bumping throughout; jock switch and post help today.

Selections: 9, 3, 4, 7 Hi-5 add 6