Baby Talk
The sophomore set were showcased this winter and spring through the Triple Crown Trail but it’s time to turn our attention to the babies, the coming 2-year-olds that are emerging on the scene.
When looking for prime bets with juveniles the keys are connections, fast and steady works, trainers that point for the money with youngsters and breeding.
This is where first-crop sires come into play as it’s wise to get ahead of the curve with these sires and the following tidbits should be able to point you to some winners this summer.
Through the middle of June, Bluegrass Cat is leading the league among first-crop sires popping with almost half of his 12 starters so far.
A son of Storm Cat, Bluegrass Cat was troubled in his only start at 2, was freshened, then freaked in his second juvenile start winning by over 6 lengths with a 91 Beyer Speed Figure.
Bred for stamina on the bottom side with the A. P. Indy blood, Bluegrass Cat thrived as the distances increased and he was very unfortunate to have been in the same crop as the great Barbaro, who beat him by over 6 lengths going away in the Kentucky Derby.
Bluegrass Cat has been well represented this year by Speed Demon, who was troubled from the rail in his first start, won going away in his next at Churchill last April 28, then was troubled in his stakes debut and had to settle for second.
Expect Cat's offspring not to have brilliant speed, but solid stalk and pounce potential.
For those gambling in Texas or Louisiana, the new sire to watch is Primal Storm, who sired potential star Lady Primal. That filly came running at first asking winning her debut increasing her margin in the final furlong, proved she could handle mud next out winning by nearly 6 lengths, then had the mishap of running into monster Lady Giacamo.
Primal Storm himself was precocious enough to win his debut by 6 lengths before taking a Grade 3 in his next start by 7. Strictly a sprinter, look for all of his offspring to have high volume speed.
The third new sire to watch is Giacomo, the unlikely Kentucky Derby winner that stands for only $5,000 and the one responsible for the aforementioned Lady Giacamo.
Giacomo was unlucky in his racing debut, won his second start at 2, then posted his second career victory at 50-1 in the Derby.
Pinballed in her green debut, Lady Giacamo straightened herself to draw away late, repeated with a career high 76 Beyer next out, then proved neither race was a fluke when a professional victory over 8 in her stakes debut.
What makes Giacomo exciting, as a sire is that if he can sire runners that win early, those players only figure to get better with more ground.
Other secret first-crop sires that bettors should pay attention to are With Distinction, Congrats, Mass Media, Bellamy Road and Pomeroy.
Betting on 2-year-olds can be a treacherous thing but since they are babies, they often just run as fast as they can and true talent thrives.
Players that want an edge should tee it up on the new sires that have been mentioned and look for the runners that fly under the radar.
