Whew, time flies. Sorry, about posting late, we wound up in the Orb at Pimlico. Here are the ST Handicappers picks for Radnor. Hard to believe, it’s time for Radnor already. Spring is almost gone, summer’s looming.
Last week, Joe picked two winners (Rainiero, Demonstrative) at Nashville and was blanked at Willowdale. Tom selected two winners (Rainiero, Demonstrative) at Nashville and unearthed one (Schoolhouse Woods) at Willowdale. Sean finally made up some ground, tabbing four winners (Rainiero, Demonstrative, Mr. Hot Stuff, Sharp Numbers) at Nashville and one (Dilizan) at Willowdale. For the season, Joe leads with 24 winners, followed by Tom with 21 and Sean with 20.
The Radnor Races. Malvern, Pa. First race, 1:30.
First Race. Maiden Hurdle. Full field of 10 square off in the opener. Leading trainer Jack Fisher sends out Rugged Rascal and Love Man while Operation Tracer makes his third start of the spring after runner-up efforts at Tryon and the Virginia Gold Cup. Eddie Graham prepped Dr. Skip with a point-to-point win.
- Joe: Operation Tracer, Love Man, Manacor.
- Sean: Operation Tracer, Love Man, Dr. Skip.
- Tom: Operation Tracer, Manacor, Network News.
Second Race. Allowance Hurdle. Another full field lines up for a $30,000 purse. Certain Swagger searches for his third win of the spring, Moving On won over the course last year and promising maiden breakers Arrow’s Conquest and Martini Brother go for their second career wins. Tough race.
- Joe: Bodie Island, Martini Brother, Certain Swagger.
- Sean: Martini Brother, Top Man Michael, Certain Swagger.
- Tom: Staying On, Martini Brother, Imperial Gin.
Third Race. Radnor Hunt Cup. $40,000 timber stakes. Wow, here’s a clash of timber titans. Gold Cup hero Grinding Speed, runner-up Straight To It and Manor winner Moonsox square off in the final spring timbers stakes.
- Joe: Grinding Speed, Straight To It, Foyle.
- Sean: Grinding Speed, Straight To It, Moonsox.
- Tom: Grinding Speed, Garryowen Star, Straight To It.
Fourth Race. National Hunt Cup. Grade III Hurdle Stakes. Rematch time. The first three home, Decoy Daddy, Country Cousin and Gustavian meet again. Smithwick winner Spy In The Sky makes first hurdle appearance this year.
- Joe: Decoy Daddy, Ballet Boy, Spy In The Sky.
- Sean: Decoy Daddy, Country Cousin, Gustavian.
- Tom: Decoy Daddy, Spy in the Sky, Charminster
Fifth Race. Claiming Hurdle. Name your own claiming price attracts a variety of contenders amongst the short field. Stakes-placed Organisateur drops from the Iroquois, Dugan makes his fifth start of the spring and All Together drops.
- Joe: Saint Nicholas, Complete Zen, Dugan.
- Sean: Organisateur, All Together, Saint Nicholas.
- Tom: Dugan, Organisateur, Flying Friskie.
Sixth Race. Maiden Claimer. Short field in the finale. Get the darts.
- Joe: Flagrant Honor, Dubai Echo, Black Pond.
- Sean: Flagrant Honor, Imaspeedyguy, Dubai Echo.
- Tom: Flagrant Honor, Imaspeedyguy, Black Pond.
