Eddie Read Stakes 2014; Short Set Of Six For Eddie Read

Eddie Read Stakes 2014; Short Set Of Six For Eddie Read: The 40th running of the GI Eddie Read Stakes takes place this Sunday, July 20, 2014 at Del Mar Racetrack in sunny Del Mar, California and is open to 3 years-old and up to be run at 1 1/8 miles on the lawn for a purse of $300,000.

Run for the first time in 1974, the Eddie Read Stakes has been a G1 since 1988 and can be an important prep for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The 2011 and 2012 Eddie Read Stakes were both won by Acclamation and jockey Corey Nakatani has the most wins with five.

The speed record is held by Aragorn set in 2006 in 1:44.79. Last years winner was Jeranimo who owns the second fastest time since 1974 of 1:45.80. The most wins are 2 each for: Wikerr, Fastness, Special Ring and Acclamation, who won back-to-back in 2011 & 2012 in the exact same time of 1:46.99. I thought that was a little creepy and weird, but it is what it is. The most wins by a jockey are for Corey Nakatani with 5 and the most wins by a trainer are by Robert Frankel with 7.

The Eddie Read will be televised on The Jockey Club Tour on FOX Sunday from 2:30-4:30 pm, PDT on Fox Sports 1 and is the 5th race of the day slotted for a start time of 4:00 pm.

Kari’s Picks and Plays:

Race #5: 2,5
I’m looking for Christophe Clement’s War Front son Summer Front to step-it-up here and score his first (GI) win. Last out he battled with Obviously for obvious reasons in the (GI) Shoemaker Mile on June 14th where he couldn’t keep up with the fast pace set by Obviously but came up the rail for second. His last win was the Ft. Lauderdale (GII) in January at Gulfstream Park on the turf for his 7th lifetime stakes victory but has lost 3 in a row since. Prior to the Shoemaker he had seconditis again in the (GIII) Fort Marcy Stakes at Belmont May 3rd after a 7th place finish February 9th in the Gulfstream Park Turf. Joe Bravo is up to ride again from post #2 as the heavyweight and morning line favorite.

Unbridled Command, who now runs for the Peter Miller barn, was one I watched (and wagered as well) in his last race which was his first off a long layoff. The 5 year-old son of Master Command with 8th in a one-mile allowance/optional claiming race on the sod at Santa Anita June 21st. Prior he was on a five-race win streak that culminated in a 3rd place finish at Gulfstream Park in the Turf Handicap (GI) before resting last year. He is the only prior (GI) winner in this field and after the 16 month layoff and the hot barn of Peter Miller, I think he could be rounding back into his winning form. He exits post #5 with Elvis in the irons ready to take command.

I’ll take a shot with Summer Front getting his first (G1) for Clement Stables. This is a small enough field and with the class break from running after Obviously last out, hope he gets it done. His odds won’t be great so I’ll also use Unbridled Command and hope he gets a win second time off the layoff and second time for his new barn.

I’ll be playing a $2 daily double starting with the babies in Race #4 1,6,8/2,5.

Sigi’s Picks and Plays:

Race #5: 2,5
Definitely Summer Front is the horse to beat. He’s in top form and has been running against top company lately. Another plus is his trainer, Christophe Clement is a master of the turf races. On the other hand, I think Unbridled Command deserves a shot. In my opinion he needed his last race and now a big improvement is expected.

This time I’m playing a daily double starting Race #4: 4,7/2,5. Have a great day and Let’s try to pay the car today!

Love that one Sigi! Thanks for picking some Pingos and let’s hit it. Good luck everyone and safe ride to all running.

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2014 Eddie Read Stakes Post Positions & Odds
1. Spring Up 10-1 C. Nakatani/J.Sadler
2. Summer Front 8-5 J.Bravo/C.Clement
3. Cogito M.Gutierrez 15-1 /E.Freeman
4. Horizontalyspeakin 3-1 J.Talamo/W.Sadler
5. Unbridled Command 6-1 E.Trujillo/P.Miller
6. Tom’s Tribute 2-1 M.Smith/J.Cassidy