The Street Sense Stakes is the expert pick of the week
Oct 25, 2019
A well-matched field of 11 will vie in Sunday’s $120,000 Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs. The Churchill opening day co-feature has attracted some intriguing juveniles that could evolve into fine three-year-old prospects heading into the 2020 season. The race lacks a clear standout with numerous viable win contenders, and I will take a shot with a recent maiden winner that caught my eye.
Sprawl debuted at Saratoga Race Course on August 10 and rallied from last to be a decent third behind the impressive Gozilla on that day. Trained by Bill Mott, the two-year-old son of City Zip hit his best stride late to hint that he will prosper as the distances increase.
In his second career showing, the Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider homebred was sent off as the 7-5 choice in a salty maiden race at Churchill Downs. Sprawl was placed fifth after his even run in his first try going long, but he was flattered when the winning Maxfield returned to annihilate his foes in the subsequent Breeders’ Futurity (G1).
The Kentucky-bred looked the part in his third lifetime start, however, when defeating what appeared to be a strong field in a maiden special weight contest at Keeneland on October 5. Tracking from off the pace, Sprawl made a bid five-wide turning for home and got the best of two talented foes to graduate and earn a respectable 89 BRIS Speed figure in the process. The late runner shows a pair of good morning moves since that tally, including a bullet three-eighths drill at Churchill Downs on October 15.
Sprawl is a well-bred colt as his dam is a half-sister to current sires Flatter and Congrats. His female line traces back to Broodmare of the Year Glowing Tribute, and he figures to show consistent improvement as he gets more seasoning.
The Street Sense field is heavy with horses that have shown a considerable amount of early speed in the past. Seven of his 10 foes will stretch out coming off of sprint races, and the top selection should find many tired legs to run at in the stretch on Sunday. He gets an advantageous rail post to save ground early before unleashing his late kick in the lane.
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