Goodwood Stakes – Grade I [BC]
SA Race #12 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Good Memories Mb Stables Velazquez J R 124 —

A BEL winner and third in the BC Classic as a three-year-old, he has been having one of ‘those’ four-year-old seasons which can happen here at HRP. He looked better when taking an overnight last time and his works are still pretty good so if the timing for four-year-olds on the development curve is now in his case, he could well be back.

2 Extreme Super Hero Threshold Bejarano R 124 —

Back on dirt after being claimed in the auction, he has certainly shown ability in the past so the question will be, can this switch in surfaces rekindle his enthusiasm.

3 Royal Devil Team 7 Illusions Cabrera D 121 —

One of a few very nice three-year-olds trying to get to the BC here, he switches between surfaces pretty effectively but was good enough to compete in the KYD on this surface. A game second in the Nashville Derby last time on the turf he had been a close third in the Dandy on the dirt the race before so isn’t far off the top three-year-olds and will give a good account of himself here.

4 No More Rattle Bigchief Stables Smith M E 124 —

He was right in the finish for the Pacific Classic last time ending up a length back in fifth but had been struggling a little since his last gasp win in the grade one SA Handicap although the off tracks may go a long way to answering why. At his best on a dry track, he is very much in this race with a big chance.

5 Charlie Jace Mb Stables Franco M 124 —

He comes in a little under the radar for the champion trainer as he has the sort of form that would win this but hasn’t had the notoriety of some of his stable mates. He won the HOL Derby last year on the turf and that was where he stayed right up until the Suburban in July when he surprised a few with a strong second after going on speed. He employed similar tactics in the JC Gold Cup last time and very nearly won just getting run out of it at the end and getting second. He may look to go on speed again today and over this slightly shorter trip may last home.

6 Burger King Team 7 Illusions Corrales G 121 —

Another three-year-old from the stable and another good chance. Tried to make all in the Travers last time but weakened into fourth, he is another that may appreciate a slightly shorter trip today. His works with a weight allowance put him in the ballpark.

7 Bad Debt D J C Racing Stables Lopez P 124 —

Last year’s KYD winner has shown snippets of that form but has certainly struggled a bit in his last two and one has to think his best chance may come with rain.

8 Everythings Fine TwinTowersRacing Beschizza A 124 —

The Pacific Classic form is key this weekend as this one who finished third but right alongside No More Rattle looks put himself in the BC. His form prior to that was just OK but that was a super effort from a wide draw, and he may look for a repeat performance today.

9 Big Bang Boom Rock Creek Husbands P 124 —

This four-year-old may get a bit overlooked out here in the cheap seats but he is very consistent, and I have said many a time that can be a huge help in these packed fields. Second in the Grade One Whitney last time he has proven time and time again that he is just a snippet off a grade one horse. The regular rider who won the OP Handicap on him takes the reins again and I would be putting right near the top of winning chances.

10 Caveat Emptor High Voltage Centeno D E 124 —

Though his works are right up there, his form is less inspiring, and he will have his work cut out to get into the action here. You can never say never at HRP though and he has a punchers chance.

11 Sweet Caviar Asgar Curtis B 121 —

The trainer won’t be happy with the draw that the Kings Plate winner has got here but as a deep closer it may play into his hands. He flew late to capture that big prize last time and his works and weight allowance say that can happen again here. His fate is in the race engine’s hands.

12 Buck My Life Luz International Juarez N 124 —

Tried to make all in the SA Handicap but the last furlong just found him out so back in trip and from a front runner’s draw today we may see a repeat performance. When he was last drawn widest in a stakes race, he was a deep closer in taking the Hooper showing once again how there seems to be no running styles written into programming but instead a sort of “pace” running style which relies totally on the race engine and what other horses do. He could be the dark horse here at odds that would win the pick’em should he prevail.

SUMMARY

I rather like Buck My Life in this for reasons I am not entirely sure but, in my mind, I can see there being some advantage to the outside draw in a race like this. Of the others well, there isn’t much between many of them, so it may be safest to go with some of the inside horses getting in the top three.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES