With the obvious caveat that anything can happen with 2-year-olds this early in their development–look no further than Sittin On Go (Brody’s Cause)’s 24-1 upset in Saturday GII Iroquois S.–Monday’s GI Runhappy Hopeful S. looks solidly like a three-horse affair, as arguably the three most impressive dirt juveniles of the meet will clash in the seven-furlong test.
Made the fractional favorite on the morning line at 7-5, J. Kirk and Judy Robison’s Jackie’s Warrior (Maclean’s Music) looks formidable in his attempt for back-to-back Spa graded stakes scores. A first-out winner going five panels over next-out ‘TDN Rising Star’ Therideofalifetime Candy Ride (Arg) June 19 at Churchill, he went to the lead and fought off all comers to triumph by three lengths in a high-quality renewal of the GII Saratoga Special S. Aug. 7. Drawn outside of what little speed there is, the $95,000 Keeneland September grad figures to work out a dream trip as he stretches out an additional furlong.
Klaravich Stables’ Reinvestment Risk (Upstart) is a tick behind at 8-5 and may well go off favored at final odds. Unveiled going a local three-quarters in a loaded looking field of firsters Aug. 1, the $280,000 OBS March buy made short work of his rivals, rocketing away to a 7 3/4-length romp and ‘TDN Rising Star’ honors. Clicking off his final quarter in :23.81 while geared down late, Reinvestment Risk was flattered when third finisher Olympiad (Speightstown) returned to a sharp maiden victory Saturday at the Spa.
Rounding out the big three is another ‘Rising Star’ in Shadwell Stable’s Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief). Backed down to 85 cents on the dollar debuting at 5 1/2 furlongs here Aug. 8, the $425,000 Keeneland November weanling buy pressed the pace widest out and drew clear in the stretch to a 4 1/2-length success.
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