Woodbine Colin Stakes picks

A field of eight thoroughbreds will enter the starting gate today for the 54th running of the six-furlong $150,000 Colin Stakes at Woodbine.

Trained by Fairlie Scott, Who’s Big Daddy (#8) is the morning line 5-2 favorite. Fearless Cowboy (#7), trained by Sandra Dominquez, is the 7-2 second choice and Always Wildcatin’ (#3), trained by Steve Asmussen, is the 4-1 third choice.

Who’s Big Daddy is coming into the race with a win in the $150,000 Clarendon Stakes on July 4th at Woodbine and Fearless Cowboy won the $150,000 Victoria Stakes in his last outing on June 14th – also at Woodbine.

It appears that the Colin Stakes is shaping up into what could be a speed duel and I believe there are several in the field who could win. None of the horses have gone six furlongs and seven of the eight like to go for the early lead. So, it could be a big battle on the front end and it will be interesting to see who holds on for the finish.

In my opinion, this was a tough race to handicap but I finally settled on Grittani (#2), Always Wildcatin’ (#3) and Solve The Code (#4). All three of those horses have good speed and in their last race they won by open lengths – pulling away.

At 10-1 morning line, Solve The Code is an intriguing long shot and could be worth a small win/place bet. He’s been working good and he shares a top Brisnet Class Rating of 115.2 with Always Wildcatin’. Although his sire Omega Code has not produced any outstanding winners yet, in two crops of runners, I like the influence that his grandsire, Elusive Quality, and great-grandsire, Gone West, bring to the pedigree. I also like the damsire line with Dixie Brass, Dixieland Band and Northern Dancer. His dam, Raise A Goddess, has four two-year-old winners in five starters.

Although the Colin is not a major prep race on the American Triple Crown trail, Sunny’s Halo won in 1982 and he would go on to win the 1983 Kentucky Derby.

Selections:

Win/Place = #4

Exactor box = 2-3-4
Triactor box = 2-3-4

Note: I see that the #2 Grittani was scratched so I will replace him with the #7 Fearless Cowboy.