Kindergarden Kid Will Move to the Head of the Class
- Who: Thoroughbreds – Kindergarden Kid
- What: Horse Racing Betting Tips – The Colonial Turf Cup (Grade 2)
- Where: Colonial Downs
- When: Saturday, June 19th
Don’t worry…you didn’t miss the boat when Kindergarden Kid beat entry-level allowance foes last out at a juicy price of 7.20-1. He’s the morning-line fourth choice at 5-1 in Saturday’s Colonial Turf Cup (Grade 2) at Colonial Downs, and figures to turn the trick again at overlaid odds. Let’s take a look at the field for this $500,000 event.
1-Paddy O’Prado: He’s hit the board in all four turf starts, including a win in The Palm Beach (Grade 3) at the expense of Cup rival Dean’s Kitten. He pressed the pace that day, which may not be the preferred running style in an event loaded with speed. I’m discounting his 3rd-place finish in The Kentucky Derby over a sloppy main track that he obviously relished. Co-highweight has ‘underlay’ written all over him.
2-Workin for Hops: Toss the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs, in which he lost his footing at the start, and this horse is perfect on the lawn. However, he has appeared to be a bit green in his races, and he’ll have plenty of company on the front end. The 1 3/16th-mile distance is a question mark as well, and he gets a new pilot in E. T. Baird. Pass.
3-Kindergarden Kid: He won at 1 3/8-miles in his second career start, so the distance will suit him just fine. This well-bred youngster fetched $500,000 as a yearling, so you know he’s got the conformation to match his pedigree. He gets in as co-lightweight at 117 lbs., and regular rider Cornelio Velasquez retains the mount. He’ll have plenty of pace up front to set up his late charge, and note that he came home in a swift :34 2/5 last out. His morning tab since that race is highly encouraging. Trainer Barclay Tagg has a good one on his hands. The pick.
4-Vamos a Ver: Has the advantage of a race/win over this course, but that’s about the only edge he has going for him. Pace casualty? Adios amigo.
5-Doubles Partner: The combination of Pletcher/Gomez/Top Grass Beyer (99) assures that this guy will be well-backed at the windows. Also note that he’s a perfect 3-for-3 on the lawn. He’ll be tough to beat, but I have a feeling that Kindergarden Kid will get the jump on him, and ‘Kid’s 4-lb. weight break will make it hard for ‘Partner to catch up.
6-Dean’s Kitten: If I’m passing on ‘Paddy, it would be tough to make a case for a horse that ‘Paddy’s beaten in their last three encounters.
7-Two Notch Road: Monmouth shipper lands in a tough spot, as there’s plenty of speed to his inside. $2.5K yearling purchase was a steal for his connections, but they’re reaching too high here.
Those are my horse racing betting tips for Saturday. Best of luck and happy gambling!
