Regal Ransom has not yet crossed the wire in front this year, but seems to be on the cusp of a big win. After a nearly six-month layoff, Regal Ransom returned in the 6 1/2 furlong Sir Shackleton Handicap in April, where he lost by a neck to Capt. CandymanCan. In his second start off the layoff, he lost by a nose to First Dude in the 1 1/16 mile Grade 3 Alysheba. He appears to be training well and improving with every performance. The five-year-old horse is full of class, having previously raced against Zenyatta, Tizway, and Blame, to name a few.
It's difficult to determine if Mission Impazible doesn't like a wet track or doesn't like Churchill's track. In his last race, the Grade 3 Alysheba in May, Mission Impazible finished seventh. The last time he finished worse than second was the 2010 Kentucky Derby when he was beaten nearly 11 lengths by Super Saver in the slop. From 10 career starts, he has finished one, two, or three in seven of those races. Two of those were run at Churchill Downs under sloppy or wet conditions. His best finish at Churchill Downs was when he finished third in the Kentucky Juvenile two years ago. He may be a fine choice any other day at any other track, but his poor performances at Churchill are too much of a coincidence to ignore.
The remaining field includes 30-1 Flat Out, 5-1 Apart, 30-1 Worldly, 15-1 El Caballo, 12-1 Equestrio, and 20-1 Pool Play.
The race is the last of 12 on the Churchill Downs Saturday card with a scheduled post of 6:25 PM. If you can't make it to Churchill for the race, you can watch it live on HRTV.
I'll be blogging live from Churchill Downs Saturday and offering handicapping analysis of the day's other stakes races as well as providing recaps of all the big races. Follow me on Louisville.com, Facebook, or Twitter @JBOswald68.
Photo: Courtesy Churchill Downs