Tormorrow at GG Fields: 2014 El Camino Real

Race #2 for the TwinSpires "Road to KY Derby SHOWdown" is the ECR over 9f around 2 turns on the Tapeta AWT at GGF (which is in San Fran by the way. Been raining out west but seems to be fine and in the 60's now) and it's a lottery. It's a field of 8 that's pretty weak. I see the winner coming from #3,4,5 or 8 and I will bet on #4 Tamarando to Show. For the old firm of Baze & Hollendorfer, he's the class of the race and loves the synthetic surface. But my concerns include the lack of speed here, as he's been a closer to date. He hasn't had a let up since last summer. I'm not overly wrapped in his breeding either - on paper appears to be more suited to sprints, but looks a bit more like a stayer. despite those concerns and the expected slow early pace (first 4f in only 49.4), Baze dropped him out last, kept out of trouble, came widest around the far turn and he came home fast, outstaying #8 and stretching out nicely on the line. Nice to see the red and green in the winner's circle. The trifecta was 4-8-5. I'm still alive in the SHOWdown going into Round 3

Monday is President's Day here in the USA and is SW Stakes Day at OP is the race #3 in the SHOWdown. Stay tuned!