The Grade 2 $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup

Colonial Downs hosts the Grade 2 $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup on Saturday. A field of seven will head to the post in Virginia and that field includes two horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby in 9-5 favorite Paddy O' Prado and 8-1 longshot Dean's Kitten. There is also a horse in the field under the same stewardship as Derby winner, Super Saver. Doubles Partner is owned by WinStar Farms and trained by Todd Pletcher. The ride on Saturday goes to Garrett Gomez as opposed to Calvin Borel, though. Here are the selections for the Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup:

I will side with #2 Workin For Hops for trainer Michael Stidham and and jockey E.T. Baird. He scored a win in the Arlington Classic on May 22. His last workout on June 13 at Arlington Park was a scintillating half-mile in 47.3 seconds. The only negative regarding him was his lone non-top three finish came in his only graded start, a fifth in the Grade 2 American Turf. However, as Rich Fields says on CBS, "The Price Is Right" at 9-2. I will put the horse that vanquished him in that American Turf at Churchill Downs in second, #5 Doubles Partner. The connections are enough to damage his price, but his ability also serves to keep him in the 5-2 area for this race. His only three lifetime wins came in his only three lifetime turf races. This will be the seventh different racetrack he has been to in eight career appearances. For third, I will go with the unlikely Derby hero, #1 Paddy O'Prado. While he might welcome a return to the turf, the question remains how much did the third in the Derby and the sixth in the Preakness take out of him. His two June works were outstanding, but a full 1 3/16 distance again could be a bit much to take. I will put 10-1 shot, #7 Two Notch Road, in the fourth spot off of back-to-back turf triumphs at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. He is another that did not respond well when the company was graded in his only try with the tougher stuff, but he could steal a price here. Here is the play for the Grade 2 $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup:

$5 WP #2
$5 EX BOX #2+ #5
TOTAL- $20

Remember, They Are Off takes no responsibility for any wagers made in connections with these selections. They are merely suggestions. Tune in next week for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!