6 Furlongs. Vsbrghlv-GI Vosburgh Invitational S.

[Whirlaway]

Strapping Groom looks tough. Runs the Forego first quarter in 22.4, second quarter in 22.7 and the third < 24 - two pops of the whip and a hand ride. Ran faster in his previous. If need be he can run sub 1:08, they'll be hard pressed to beat this former 35k claimer; drop in distance, gets his track and jock; positive post. Interesting works. 39.4 / 39.2 / 52.2 wins; 38.4 / 52.4 wins and his last two works, 38.2 / 52.1; unusually interesting pattern the 39 / 52, not particularly taxing and a fine discovery by the trainer Jacobson here. Morning line shows some doubt in his class and ability at 5/1. Forty Tales shows two fine G2 wins but low speed figures; Justin Phillip is lookin' for some justice after failing as favorite in the Forego slop; serious threat, legit contender with JohnnyV up; nice bullet; no excuses. Bahamian Squall ran second to Justin Phillip in the Vanderbilt; blistering five works, nice; appears a bit short on class; Lumber Guy won this one last year; three blistering works, nice 59.2 / 46.3; likes the track; poor recent speed figures. Candyman short on class; Private Zone ships in and shows a nice series or second place finishes, comes back from Dubai and wins; askin' a lot to ship in and win.

Strapping Groom
Bahamian Squall
Justin Philip

[Whirlaway]

Nice piece of work by O'Neill and The Good Friends Stable to ship this one in and come away with a victory - gotta give it to em'. After returning from Dubai they gave him three months off, thereafter he hit the ground running, showing a 35.4 and 59.1 . . . that was the sign; showed fine works there on in.

Gotta shake my head and wonder how I missed those works . . .