Royal Posse Looks Tough as Favorite in Saginaw

Saginaw was one of David Jacobson’s best runners until he broke down after taking a bad step. (Photo credit: Drawing Away Stable)

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez sends out a pair of runners in Friday’s $100,000 Saginaw at Belmont Park including Royal Posse, who looks tough as the 8-5 morning line favorite.

The gelding is coming off a runner up finish in the state bred Commentator in the mud at Belmont Park on May 30. The three-time stakes winner will have Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons and will break from the four post in a compact field of five.

The race is named after the hard knocking gelding Saginaw, who was euthanized in August of 2014 after fracturing both sesamoids in his left front leg during a seven-furlong starter optional claiming race at Saratoga.  He came into that race riding a five race winning streak.

He was trained last by David Jacobson, who claimed him on behalf of Drawing Away Stakes in March of 2012 and he made 18 starts for his new connections, winning 14 times.

In his career he won 21 of his 41 starts and earned $974,690. He was the leader in races won in 2012 with 10, matching the Finger Lakes based Clean Jean.

Saginaw Wins 10 Races in 2012

The Saginaw goes off as the third race on Friday with a post time of 4:09 ET.

Let’s head out to Belmont Park for Friday’s featured race of the day:

Belmont Park Race 3 The Saginaw Post time 4:09 ET

4 Royal Posse   8-5

3 Wake Up in Malibu   8-1

2 Sioux   7-2

5 Good Luck Gus   3-1

Royal Posse stalked the early pace in the mud and came with a good late run while wide to finish in the runner up spot last out in the state bred Commentator here going a mile.  He was unable to catch Weekend Hideaway, who opened up a clear lead heading for home. He won the Mr. Sinatra two back in the mud at Aqueduct going nine furlongs and should get a good tracking trip sitting just off the pace here. He has run into off tracks in four of his last five starts and might again today. He has landed in the exacta in six of his seven trips over the Belmont Park main track.

Wake Up in Malibu came off a seven-month layoff last out with a good effort against Alw-1 foes, setting thee early fractions and unable to hold off the winner late, settling for the runner up spot. He caught a racing strip that day that was playing to outside stalkers and closers. He beat state bred Alw-2 optional claimers two back in his second start off the claim by the Baker barn. He should be tighter second off the bench here and is going to be a decent price in this short field.

Sioux dueled for thee early lead and weakened to finish fifth last out in the Commentator. He has won three of his nine starts over the main track here and owns solid early and mid pace numbers. He may just set things up nicely for his stablemate, but if Junior can shake loose early he could prove tough to catch.

Wagering:

WIN: Royal Posse to win at 8-5 or better.

EXACTA: 3,4 / 2,3,4

TRIFECTA: no play