Kentucky Cup Turf – Grade III
KD Race #3 1 1/2m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $600.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Possibilities, trained by Mb Stables
A win in a cheap maiden and then beaten in a cheap allowance wouldn’t normally lead to a $600.000 stakes race, but as we all know the class system is a bit askew here at HRP, and you have to look a bit further than racecourse performance to find your winners. The key point with this one is a 1:34 3/5 work a couple of weeks ago signalling some improvement, and when you consider he easily outworked Darth Andredudu, which finished third in the BEL Derby, you have to look at his chances seriously. I don’t want to give him a chance just because a win here would make the whole game look a bit farcical, but there are 2 good reasons he could win, and they start with his trainer Mb Stables and end in that quick work.
2 Full Speed Ahead, trained by Night Rider Stables
This six year old is certainly better than his recent form suggests, and his great third in the DMR Handicap last time was certainly his best of the season so far. His works are pretty sharp, and at six the weight allowance isn’t such a burden for him, so with a great draw, he may be the one at longer odds.
3 Meant To Be Alone, trained by Crocker Cgs
Another three year old beaten at a much lower level, he is tough to weigh up. His sub 58 second dirt work made his trainer try that surface for the first time in his last start, and although he showed speed from a wide draw, he inevitably weakened close to home and was just beaten. He has some good overnight form on the turf, but I would’ve given him another chance on the dirt, as he was smashed by the outside speed push in that last run. That said, he isn’t without a chance on the grass, albeit a rather small one.
4 Love In Charge, trained by Team 7 Illusions
Gave Full Speed Ahead weight and still beat him in the DMR Handicap, so with a big swing in this WFA, he should easily confirm that finish if there is any tangible form to read at HRP. That win gave him four in a row, and he handled a terrible draw to fly late and pick up the win that day. Clearly this trip is right up his street, and with a much better draw today, he should be almost unbeatable.
5 Pink Devil, trained by Our Athletes
This very consistent five year old continues to put in very solid efforts at this level, and even though his win ratio isnt too flash, you must give him a good chance of picking up a pay cheque in this race. A nice win in the Stars and Stripes was followed by a fair fourth in the AP St Legar last time, although he ran just a little flat that day. He loves the trip and always does his best, so he is another to throw in the mix.
6 Dogs Dragon, trained by Maxmillion Farm
11 wins, nearly $1,500.000 in prize money, already a Grade One winner this year, he should be a logical choice, and at age five, is at the height of his powers. He won the San Luis Rey over this trip before taking the Man O War and then flew late to be a close fifth in the Manhattan last time. Those three efforts are very good form for this race, and he thrives over this sort of trip, making him a good choice for those who don’t think the weight allowance will make a difference.
7 Darth Andredudu, trained by Diablo Diablo
Ran a cracker to be third in the BEL Derby, but was then handed a second wide draw in the Arlington Million, which made it too hard for him to run up to that form, In the end he ran on late again to be beaten just three lengths into seventh, and that was a better effort than first glance. I think this trip will suit, and whilst he gets yet another widish draw today, if he can stay closer, he must have a solid chance.
8 Justin Credible, trained by Maxmillion Farm
This trainer has a glut of sub 1:35 turf workers, and this is another one. Though that work at SA was good, just a glance at his form suggests there may be a missing hidden heart gene, and whilst he has run some credible races, a win may be too tough for him from a wide draw and at this level.
9 Romantic Pirate, trained by Drabfantasy
With just 5 runs and 1 maiden win, it would be easy to write this three year old off, but there was plenty to like about his last two efforts even if they do contrast in a way that only HRP form can. A close sixth in the PARX Sprint, he then went two and a half times that distance to be fifth in the Arlington Million. That was a great effort, considering the step up in trip, and he goes even further today in trying a mile and a half. Whilst I like his chance, the outside draw may put him too handy early on, and he may get found out late.
SUMMARY
A very interesting race, which looks to me to be between Love In Charge, Dogs Dragon and Darth Andredudu. I will lean towards the three year olds but if the weight allowance advantage has been counterbalanced, then Dogs Dragon should win.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
