RT's Sunday Ellis Park Stakes Picks: The Juvenile for 2yo colts and the Debutante for 2yo fillies

RT’s Spot Plays

08.14.22

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Ellis Park R5|Post Time: 3:42 pm ET

Dirt 7 Furlongs|2YO Juvenile Stakes|Purse: $125K

On July 9, 6-Top Recruit (5/2) was buzzed by one of the top 2yo’s in the country that nobody has hardly heard of – Tyler’s Tribe, a Sharp Azteca colt who has effortlessly won his three races by 16.75, 8.5, & 12.5 lengths, respectively. Top Recruit was sent off as the favorite in Iowa that day and did not fire a lick. Today, he is second on the morning line to Tom Amoss’ 2-Curly Jack (2/1), who ships in from Saratoga after a loss in the Sanford to Mor Strike and completed two :12er works at four furlongs. His form is spot on. With Equibase rating this race as an 89, 3-Roma Giant (4/1) has reached 86, 85, and 86 before being crushed by eight lengths against Mor Strike in the Sanford. Leading jockey Brian Hernandez returns to the irons after racing him on the CD turf in mid-May. 1-Zaici (10/1) is worth the price given Diodoro’s proclivity to have a blow out work before his final work pre-race.

My choice is Top Recruit in the bounce back from the abysmal performance last out.

Ellis Park R6|Post Time: 4:10 pm ET

Dirt 7 Furlongs|2YO Debuttante Stakes|Purse: $125K

16 entries with 12 slated to run, so we will see if any of the 4 also eligibles’ get in. There is a lot of speed in this race that should set up for a closer and I like Tom Amoss’ very game filly 10-Holiday Decision (9/2) who has been working with stablemate 11-Kiss Me Oconee (12/1). To round out the exotics, I will use front speedball 1-Shoplifter (12/1) and the Justify filly to make a late push 12-Justa Warrior (5/1). 3-Zapple (8/1) should figure into the Super.