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Jan 8, 2018

HEAVILY FAVORED MCKINZIE REMAINS UNBEATEN AS HE TAKES GRADE III, $100,000 SHAM STAKES BY 3 ½ LENGTHS UNDER SMITH; BAFFERT TAKES BLINKERS OFF & STREET SENSE COLT RELAXES WELL EARLY

WITH THE WIN, MCKINZIE PICKS UP 10 KENTUCKY DERBY QUALIFYING POINTS

Bob Baffert’s McKinzie took another significant step toward the Kentucky Derby by winning Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Sham Stakes in stylish fashion under Mike Smith, as he dominated by 3 ½ lengths while getting a flat mile in 1:36.58.

With Baffert removing blinkers, McKinzie seemed more settled early than he had been in his first trip around two turns, a win, via disqualification in the Grade I Cash Call Los Alamitos Futurity at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 9.

“He was a bit too aggressive last time,” said Smith. “Today, he seemed to relax early, then he jumped when I asked, so taking the blinkers off today, I thought we might as well try it and I think it was a great move.”

The heavy 1-5 favorite in a field of six sophomores, McKinzie paid $2.40, $2.40 and $2.10.

Owned by Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman, McKinzie, a Kentucky-bred colt by Street Sense, is now perfect in three starts and with the winner’s check of $60,000, he now has earnings of $270,000.

In a gallant effort, All Out Blitz, who tried two turns for the first time and was ridden by Tyler Baze, went to the front as expected and although he was no match for the winner when confronted a quarter mile out, stayed gamely for the place, finishing four lengths clear of My Boy Jack.

Off at 14-1, All Out Blitz paid $7.20 and $3.80.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux and trying dirt for the first since his debut six starts back, My Boy Jack held off second choice Shivermetimbers by a neck and paid $2.80 to show.

With the win, McKinzie picked up 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, with four, two and one point each going to the second, third...

Some insights into this morning’s first racing program of the season

(…and a ‘Welcome Back & Happy New Year’ to the regular readers

of this missive. We begin 2018 with the faith that we can unearth some winners, though how long that lasts is anyone’s guess)

1^ST RACE – (1) TOWNSLIGHT HANOVER was a seasonal 1-fer in 2016 and 2017, though solid second in final ’17 try. Pole earns him first new-slate nod.

2^ND RACE – (4) CONSOLIDATOR lasted against high-conditioned crowd when last here. Lass broke to end ’17, but we’re taking shot in first adult-table trot.

4^TH RACE – (6) PATTON was actually four-eyeballed versus much better after hitting town. Couldn’t hang with those, but gets substantial class relief here.

6^TH RACE – (1) PINGALING won at first local asking, then jumped it off in subsequent pair of tries. Did stay flat in latest purse try, so tepidly gazed upon here.

9^TH RACE – (5) DARK POOL was going nowhere fast from outer venue in against tougher. Surmising fair value from better getaway in hard-to-figure event.

10^TH RACE – (8) PANAMANIAN HANOVER paid his way over three-turn PA ovals season ago. Draw obviously did him no favors, price if he gets involved.

——

$2 +/- (final 2017 [thru 12/17]) – 327 wins [inc. 2 dead-heats] ($2,432)

from 1,493 ($2,986) selex (-$554, you sort of can’t unsee this)

BY FRANK DRUCKER,

Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

Thank you for choosing IdaBet.com and good luck at Yonkers Raceway!