How about a prop bet on who would go a faster opening quarter-mile, the 3-year-old fillies going a flat mile in the Purple Violet, or the older-male sprinters going six furlongs in the White Oak? If you took Purple Violet, the huge longshot, you won. Kel's Dreamer and Sweet Lemon Chello battled in the PV through first quarter in 22.82, while -- somehow -- super-speedy Shrewd Operator had a four-length lead through a quarter in 23.07 in the White Oak. Kinda crazy. Needless to say, Shrewd Operator won easily, bet to 7-5, and home in a solid 1:10.42. Surprisingly, Sweet Lemon Chello stuck around till the very end in the Purple V., outfinished only by 11-1 Heavenly Lass, who sat almost last behind the hot backstretch pace.
No Poly-bias today, and form on the taxing, wet turf course has held up. Good enough day's racing. We're four minutes to the finale, the Springfield, where Big Looie is taking significant play at 2-1. I don't think he sees out the mile trip - but we shall see soon enough.
