The 6 YO gelding will likely be leaving the gate today with my bet on him. Of course, I'll have to see that he is fit and ready to take on this challenge today, before running to the window. But, I can easily do that by taking in the post parade and warm-up. If he looks as good as he usually does, I'm down. Mambo has the ability to win.
Sure, there are other horses in the race that you know better, and a couple of them could win too. But, Mambo Meister is the Ability-X Ratings "Simple" pick for the race. That alone is huge, it hasn't been long since an Ability-X Ratings "Simple" pick has won a Stakes race at Saratoga either. Seems like just yesterday:
9/2/2011 SAR - Riskaverse S. , Stakes - #7 Elusive Pearl Velazquez John R. 117 19.80 10.20 7.10
Elusive Pearl also was 10-1 on the Morning Line.
I may be a bit biased, since the "Simple" pick does so well in high grade races. But, there is more at work here. Mambo Meister comes into the Woodward Stakes sporting a Commentator/Big Brown type of number. The managing general partner of Mambo Meister has said that Ability-X is the best rating that he has ever used, and since Mambo's career has been followed with Ability-X Ratings since he was 3.
I like to think that has played a role in his arrival today, to compete as a solid contender in the G1 Woodward Stakes.
It reminds me of when Mambo showed up for the Four Star Dave in 2009. Andy Serling demonstrated his genius with "I don't know why this horse is here", 15 minutes before Mambo Meister finished 2nd at 35-1.
If there are such questions today, I believe the answer is, because Mambo Meister can win it.
