Horse has flashed some ability. Closed like a freight train against two quality fields in the juvy and that stakes-worthy allowance at GP. (Those who thought Wicked Strong had a better-than-it-looked race should look at the chart for Mexikoma).
Has been out with an injury, but on steady, if careful, training at Fair Hill. A nice work in his last. Team Valor doesn\'t strike me as the type unwilling to take a stab with this one in the Belmont. Would be a huge price. And that sire . . .
Entered Friday Pimlico 6th race. NW1X 1 1/16 miles
Possible Belmont Stakes prep?
Halo Fire Wrote:
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> Entered Friday Pimlico 6th race. NW1X 1 1/16
> miles
> Possible Belmont Stakes prep?
Seems like no. I think Travers is the target (according to Barry Irwin). Belmont probably would have been a great placement if he had more foundation.
Not quite sure what to make of the return. Looks like the winner (Qualify) is a pretty decent older horse - a six figure WinStar Medaglia D\'Oro out of an AP Indy mare - that broke his maiden last out by 8 at Pimlico. Really soft fractions and then flying home in 6 flat. Hard to pass a horse going that well, especially for a stayer like Mexikoma. 8 lengths ahead of everyone else.
With no pace and off a three month layoff, no reason for the connections to be discouraged.
I wish he had made the belmont, expecting his return anytime (actually surprised he is skipping the Dwyer), very excited to see him run. He is a forgotten name on the travers trail. If there was a future bet for the midsummer derby he would be worth a buck or ten. BTW, the horse he lost to quality won back at monmouth last weekend. Definitely flattering Mexikoma\'s comeback race at pimlico.