Discreet Cat
EOG Dedicated
Belmont - Race 2
#3 Wharton (4/1 ml)
Very interesting 2yo colt for Asmussen here. First off, he brought almost a half-million dollars at the Keeneland sale back in April after working a furlong in 10 seconds flat (one tick off the show's best). As for his recent activity, he worked heads-up from the gate back on Aug 24 with an older barnmate named Precious Metal, who came out of that drill to finish a late-running second in a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint, after getting knocked sideways at the start. Much more importantly however, he also happened to work heads-up on Sep 12 with older barnmate Justin Phillip, who was last seen running third (2 lengths behind Uncle Mo) in the Grade 1 King's Bishop. Looks like this guy can probably run a little. Asmussen reaches for rider David Cohen here, and he's done quite well with Cohen, hitting 28%. Also worth noting that Cohen had a whole lot of success last year when riding 2yo firsters from the Todd Pletcher barn, so he's definitely good with young horses. Just a whole lot to like here. The one thing i don't like is that the track is listed as sloppy (as of this morning's Belmont worktab), and of course that's a pretty large unknown factor to deal with. Worth noting however that Wharton is a son of War Front (sire of BC Sprint favorite The Factor, btw), who is a son of Danzig, and Danzig progeny are known to relish the mud more often than not. Potentially some big value here as the third choice on the morning line.
#3 Wharton (4/1 ml)
Very interesting 2yo colt for Asmussen here. First off, he brought almost a half-million dollars at the Keeneland sale back in April after working a furlong in 10 seconds flat (one tick off the show's best). As for his recent activity, he worked heads-up from the gate back on Aug 24 with an older barnmate named Precious Metal, who came out of that drill to finish a late-running second in a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint, after getting knocked sideways at the start. Much more importantly however, he also happened to work heads-up on Sep 12 with older barnmate Justin Phillip, who was last seen running third (2 lengths behind Uncle Mo) in the Grade 1 King's Bishop. Looks like this guy can probably run a little. Asmussen reaches for rider David Cohen here, and he's done quite well with Cohen, hitting 28%. Also worth noting that Cohen had a whole lot of success last year when riding 2yo firsters from the Todd Pletcher barn, so he's definitely good with young horses. Just a whole lot to like here. The one thing i don't like is that the track is listed as sloppy (as of this morning's Belmont worktab), and of course that's a pretty large unknown factor to deal with. Worth noting however that Wharton is a son of War Front (sire of BC Sprint favorite The Factor, btw), who is a son of Danzig, and Danzig progeny are known to relish the mud more often than not. Potentially some big value here as the third choice on the morning line.
