GI – The Fourstardave Handicap
$500.000 Graded Stake 1 Mile on InTurf For Three & Up
2016 Champ: Swamp Fox
The GI Fourstardave will feature eight all looking to tune up for the BC Mile coming up in November. The race features last years BC Mile third place runner Compress who shares high weight in the race at 121 lbs with Tin Lizzie. The race features over $10,000.000 in earnings between the eight horses and should be a good show down of veteran talent.
1- Valiant Charge (Trained by Threshold, Ridden by Ortiz J L)
Winless on the year isn’t typically a good thing for a horse going into the middle of August but his last couple races have been an improvement over his last few starts. He will likely look to be just off the pace early on as last race he went out quickly but could not sustain it down the stretch.
2- Compress (Trained by Cherrytree Hill Farms, Ridden by Bravo J)
2017 has been a bit of a struggle so far for Compress who only has one win, an allowance at CD in May in six starts. But despite the slow start may be ready for a big one. His July 27th work at PRX was the fastest mile turf work for older horses in 2017. Based on that work he may be ready for a big race and possibly even bigger fall. If he can regain his 2016 form where he was one of the top turf three year olds he would be the one to beat in this race.
3- Champion Farley (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden by Gallardo A A)
If the rest of the field are the old vets Champion Farley could be considered the up and coming youngster. Since switching stables and moving to the turf early in 2016 he has finishing in the top three in every races but one. He has been very consistent but yet to break through in the big race and it looks like it is only a matter of time. He comes into the race well rested as he has only run three times all year so will be fresh for this BC stretch run. Looking for him to use this house as his coming out party and throw himself into the BC Mile talk.
4- Hold The Mach (Trained by Night Rider Stables, Ridden by Boulanger G)
Earlier in the year Hold The Mach was able to find the winners circle in back to back one mile turf races then struggled a bit in his most recent two starts. Works still suggest this seven year old has the ability to put in a good effort which he will need as he needs the points to get back in the race for the BC.
5- Comes The Dream (Trained by M.b.o. Racing Stable, Ridden by Lezcano J)
Comes The Dream has steadily improved in recent starts warranting the entry in this GI. His work tab isn’t too exciting and the recent competition he has run against doesn’t jump off the page at you but he battles to get it done in the afternoon. He has five career wins in ten career starts at a mile on the turf so he loves the distance. He wont be the favorite in the race but if things fall apart for a few others he could be a viable option as a long shot.
6- Tundra Kenny (Trained by Pan Farms, Ridden by Talamo J)
Two straight eighth place finishes to start with his new barn isn’t an ideal start with the new silks and is an uphill battle to get it turned around. He has not been able to find the winners circle and nothing indicates he will be able to do it in the Fourstardave. His last win was the 2015 BC Mile and hasn’t been able to find the winners circle again.
7- Tin Lizzie (Trained by Stald Gullis, Ridden by Espinoza V)
Over $2100.000 in career earnings is an impressive feat but this year has been a struggle so far for this BC Mile defending champion. Unfortunately he seems to be struggling in 2017 and could be nearing the end of his racing days. He only has one second place finish in five starts this year but what might be more concerning is his drop off in workout times. He has steadily declined in the morning and could be an indication he is starting to slow down.
8- Sir Tom (Trained by Brave, Ridden by Desormeaux K J)
Not many horses are good enough and consistent long enough to have a shot at running in the same BC race for four straight years but if Sir Tom can find his way back into the BC Mile he would accomplish that feat. Not only has he run in it in three straight years he was the champion in 2015. His most recent start was an impressive one earning him a 102 SRF speed figure and vaulting him into seventh on the BC list. If he can come away with a win here it will solidify that fourth straight start in the Mile.
My Selections: 3/8/5
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
