Vosburgh Invatational Stakes 2011

8.57 Belmont Park

Vosburgh Invatational Stakes (Grade 1) (Dirt) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner $223,581

Advice: 1 pt win Trappe Shot (10/3 Skybet)

Caixa Electroica: Had be en running (with success) at longer trips, having taken third in the Met Mile after Grade 3 win; Drop down in trip might not be for him and seems to be here just as coupled entry.

Calibrachoa: Just behind Trappe Shot having helped force the early pace in the Vanderbilt, having previously been blown away by the same horse in the True North; 16/1 is possibly generous but Trappe Shot preferred.

Force Freeze: Got the better of very useful sprinters Jersey Town and Ravalo when an unfancied longshot at Momouth, his first win since February 2009; The lack of consistency worrying enough to avoid.

Aprority: Runner up in pair of strong Graded races before missing intended assignment with a sore foot; Well held in Vanderbilt last time and others make more appeal.

Euroears: Found new lease of life since being moved to Bob Baffert, winning the Palo Verdes Handicap at Santa Anita, finishing second to the Singapore star Rocket Man in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, and romping home in the Bing Corsby Stakes, never seeing another horse; Did beat two top sprinters there although one can’t help but this this is a steeper test (also helped by Smiling Tiger missing break); Should go well though.

Giant Ryan: Won his fifth straight race when taking the Smile Sprint handicap at Calder last time out, and dangerous to underestimate here; Going to need career best to win this and it rests on whether he still have improvement left to offer .

Justin Phillip: Impressive winner of the Woody Stephens handicap earlier on in the season, taking his record here to wins from 2 starts; Efforts since have bettered that in defeat and real chance here if enough horses take each – other on at the front, which is very possible; Interesting.

Trappe Shot: 3 for 3 at Belmont and transformed as a sprinter, despite agonising defeat to longshot Sean Avery on surprisingly speed favouring Saratoga track; That still a top effort and rates a major player here, with running style favourable.

VERDICT: The presence of Giant Ryan and Justin Phillip will make sure that this isn’t a 2 horse race between Euroears and TRAPPE SHOT, with the latter getting the vote on account of his running style and 3-3 record here.