2016 Sycamore Stakes Preview, Entries & Odds

OffTrackBetting.com - The G3 Sycamore Stakes comes our way from Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky on Thursday, October 20. Horses three years old and upward will take to Keeneland's turf track and race 1 1/2 miles for the winner's share of the $100,000 purse.

A full field of 14 plus one Alternate Entry will give it a go in the Sycamore Stakes - race 8 on Keeneland's Sunday schedule. Post time is 4:57 PM. Here is a look into the past performances of all 15 possible combatants for this mid-week G3 stakes.

2016 Sycamore Stakes Race Preview at Keeneland Race Course

Greengrassofyoming 7-2 - had a great start to the summer for trainer Michael Maker - wins in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Churchill Downs in June and in the G3 Stars and Stripes Stakes at Arlington July 9. He enters on the heels of consecutive fourths however - last time out in the G3 Kentucky Turf Cup September 10 and in the G1 Arlington Millions July 13. Greengrassofyoming has placed in two of six starts in 2016 (both wins) - a tad tough to figure out. He has eight wins, eight seconds and five third place finishes in 38 career starts and enters in so-so form. Florent Geroux has been tabbed to ride the tepid morning line favorite from post 3.

Up With the Birds 4-1 - Canada's 2013 Horse of the Year and Champion 3 Year Old Colt, Malcolm Pierce trained multiple graded stakes winner has been decent lately - a third last time out in the G3 Durham Cup at Woodbine September 24 followed another third in the G3 Sky Classic Stakes here August 21 and a good win in the G2 Nijinsky Stakes at Woodbine July 24 - a race that he also won in 2014. Also this year he had a sixth in the Belmont Gold Cup Invitational June 10, a fourth in the G1 Man o' War Stakes May 14, a fifth in the G2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland April 23 and a ninth in the G2 Hollywood Turf Cup back in November. He did post a good second in the G1 Pattison Canadian International October 18 but struggled to get it going in 2016. Up With the Birds has been the best he's been in over a year and will try for his second graded stakes score in four starts Thursday when he lines up post 5 with Robby Albarado aboard the morning line second choice.

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Bigger Picture 9-2 - made his stakes debut three starts back for trainer Michael Maker and finished eighth in the G1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park July 3. Before that were six wins, three seconds and a third place finish including a two race win streak - both Allowance Optional Claiming races with the last coming at Belmont Park May 12. Last time out was a fourth in the minor Old Friends Stakes at Kentucky Downs September 8 which followed another Allowance Optional Claiming score at Saratoga August 12. Bigger Picture has won three of his last five starts overall but has failed to place in both his stakes starts over that span. Jockey Jose Ortiz will try to change all of that from the rail as the third betting choice.

Byllards Alley 6-1 - won a couple of races in May - an Allowance Optional Claiming and the G3 Louisville Handicap May 21 - both at Churchill Downs. He has been up and down since - a seventh last time out in the minor Lukes Alley Stakes at Churchill Downs October 1 followed an OK second in the G3 Kentucky Turf Cup September 10, a sixth in the minor West Virginia House of Delegate Speaker's Cup at Mountaineer August 6 and a fifth in the G3 Stars and Stripes Stakes at Arlington July 9. Bullards Alley has five wins, two seconds and four third place finishes in 23 career starts and will have Marcelino Pedroza aboard from gate 8.

Street Fashion 6-1 - Graham Motion trained gelding has placed in 10 of 14 career starts - three wins, four seconds and three third place finishes. He has placed in his last four starts overall - a win last time out in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Saratoga September 4 after a second in the minor Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park in July and a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming in June. He steps into graded stakes company for the first time having improved every time out lately. Edgar Prado is scheduled to ride from post 13.

Renown 8-1 - British bred Elizabeth Voss trained gelding has five wins and a third place finish in 10 career starts. He has been decent lately - a win last time out in the minor Laurel Turf Cup September 10 followed an OK third in the minor John's Call Stakes at Saratoga August 24 and another win in the minor Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park in July. Renown makes his graded stakes debut Thursday looking for his third stakes win in four starts and will have Angel Cruz in the saddle from gate 4.

Generous Kitten 12-1 - Michael Maker trained gelding started his year with a pair of Allowance Optional Claiming scores - the last coming at Churchill Downs in May. He enters off a second in the minor Laurel Turf Cup September 10 which followed a seventh in the G3 American St. Leger Stake at Arlington August 13 and a fourth in the G3 Singspiel Stakes at Woodbine in July. Generous Kitten looks for his first stakes score from gate 10 Thursday with Julien Leparoux guiding him.

Behesht 15-1 - French bred George Arnold trainee had three wins and two seconds in eight starts in Europe but has not been good in three starts in North America. Last time out was a seventh in the G3 Kentucky Turf Cup September 10 after another seventh in the G2 Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs June 18 and a ninth in the minor Opening Verse Stakes on that track in May. Behesht looks to turn thing around from gate 12 Thursday. Joe Bravo has the mount.

Camp Creek 15-1 - lightly raced Rachel Halden trained gelding has two wins and a third place finish in six career starts. He made his graded stakes debut last time out and finished sixth in the G1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine September 17 which followed a nice two race win streak - the minor Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine August 21 and a maiden score on that track July 15. Camp Creek looks to bounce back Thursday and for his second stakes score. Rafael Manuel Hernandez is scheduled to ride from the outside gate 14.

Postulation 30-1 - started his career in Europe where he placed in his last four starts there including a win in the minor Tri Equestrian Silver Stakes in June, 2015. He made his North American debut in July, 2015 and finished sixth in the G1 Belmont Derby Invitational but was sent to the sideline for 13 months. He returned August 28 and finished second in an Allowance at Presque Isle Downs and followed that with a fifth last time out in the minor Presque Isle Downs Mile September 18. Postulation has been up and down in his career and will be looking for a major breakthrough from gate 2 Thursday. Trevor McCarthy rides.

Fixador 30-1 - won five straight races in Brazil including three Group 1 races before debuting in North America with an ugly ninth in an Allowance Optional Claiming in November, 2014. He followed that with a good second in the G3 W.L. McKnight Handicap in December of that year and went on to a pair of fifths in 2015 including the G1 Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga last August. He was off for nearly a full year before returning to the track July 16 and finishing eighth in the minor Warrior Veterans Stakes at Indiana Grand. Last time out was a seventh in the G2 Sky Classic at Woodbine August 21. Fixador has looked underwhelming to say the least in his last four starts overall and will be out to channel his 2013 form from post 7. James Graham gets the call.

One Go All Go 30-1 - won the G2 Commonwealth Derby at Laurel Park in September, 2015 for trainer Pavel Matejka but has placed in just two of five last since. Last time out was an Allowance Optional Claiming score at Kentucky Downs September 10 after an ugly ninth in the G3 Hanshin Cup at Arlington in May, a third in an Allowance in April and another ninth in the G3 Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs in November. One Go All Go has been up and down and hopes to channel his Commonwealth Derby form from post 9. Declan Cannon will be in the irons.

Wild About You 50-1 - has eight wins, five seconds and two third place finishes in 28 career starts for trainer Scott Mullins. He makes his stakes debut Thursday on the heels of a nice four race win streak - all at Indiana Grand. Last time out was a Starter Optional Claiming September 9 after three straight Allowance scored in the summer. Wild About You tries to make some noise in top company from post 11 with Fernando De La Cruz in the saddle.

Nessy 50-1 - Jimmy Corrigan trained filly has a win, a second and two third place finishes in seven career starts. He makes his graded stakes debut Thursday in less-than-spectacular form - a fifth last time out in an Allowance here October 9 followed another fifth in the minor Exacta Systems Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs September 11. Before that was a third in an Allowance July 22 and a maiden score July 2. Nessy chases a huge breakthrough performance from gate 6 Thursday with Jack Gilligan guiding him.

Cartoon - Alternate Entry Pavel Vashchenko trained colt has three wins and three seconds in eight career starts. He may enter off consecutive runner-up finishes - both Allowance Optional Claiming at Arlington. Before that were consecutive sevenths in similar races at Fair Grounds and an Allowance score on that track in December.

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2016 Sycamore Stakes Entries & Odds

Race 8 on Keeneland's Thursday card with a Post Time of 4:57 PM.