Posted on

Coach Rocks pre-race analysis with Sean Tugel

We are finally on the eve of the Royal Delta and Coach Rocks’ inaugural start for the Stablemates Syndicate.  Coach Rocks is also making her first start for her new trainer Todd Pletcher and will be reunited with Luis Saez who rode her to victory in the Gulfstream Park Oaks Gr. 2.  The Royal Delta drew a contentious field of 6 older fillies including the Gr. 1 winner Restless Rider who is making her first start since the Kentucky Oaks.  Golden Award is the 9/5 favorite and is coming off a last out graded stakes win in the Turnback the Alarm Gr. 3 at Aqueduct.

Coach Rocks has been installed as the 9/2 fourth choice which is quite juicy.  Certainly Golden Award is the filly to beat in the race, being the most in form filly and owning the best speed figures.  There should be plenty of pace in the race with Cookie Dough a middle distance sprinter stretching out.  We could also see Restless Rider show speed but she is coming off a very lengthy layoff and will be vulnerable.  Coach Rocks who generally shows speed could be right there as well but would love to be able to see her break, let Cookie Dough clear her and sit a nice stalking trip.  We know that Coach Rocks likes the Gulfstream surface, having two wins over the course and 4 on the board out of 5 lifetime starts at Gulfstream.  Now if Cookie Dough decides to take back Coach Rocks could find herself on the lead all alone and be the controlling pace just as she did when she almost upset champion Midnight Bisou.  Todd Pletcher is also 29% when 1st time new trainer and her workmate Fearless devastated an allowance race two weeks ago.  The filly has been training well and we are looking for a competitive start to her 2020 campaign.