Smile Sprint Handicap Grade II [BC]
For 3 Years Old and Upward
Going 6 Furlongs on the Dirt Course
Purse $250.000
1 Optimist Owned by Mb Stables Garcia Alan
Was purchased in March for $75.000 from D J C Racing Stables. His first race was an Optional Claimer Non Winners of 4 Races where he won by a length. His next race would be a Grade III event in the Precisionist where he won at a mile and a sixteenth. He had the lead in the Grade II Eclipse, but lost it in the stretch. Shortening up to six furlongs could help him out a lot.
2 Angelic General Owned by Gdp Inc Leparoux J R
His last two races at 6 furlongs he has finished third. Three back he ran at TAM in an Optional Claimer $62.500 Non winners of 4 Races. Then his last race True North he started out third at the opening quarter. He rallied to second, but would go on to finish third in this race.
3 Foresight Owned by Sanny Village Ortiz J L
Has been struggling at route distances, and today will look for a breather in distance to maybe get his next win. Recently acquired for $200.000, and ran in the Grade III PIM Special where he finished fifth. He has one win going a sprint distance. In March he did finish second by a neck going 1 3/16 mile in the Grade III Skip Away. Hoping with a shorter distance he can improve.
4 Five Star Five Owned by Harrell Racing Smith M E
Recently acquired for $125.00, and will make his debut for his new owner. Recently ran in the 7 Furlong in the Grade III Virgil Stakes at WO where he finished third. Prior to that he ran in the Grade II OP Handicap going a 1 1/8 mile where he finished fifth. Prior to that race he ran in the Grade II GP Handicap going a mile where he finished third. All his wins come from sprint distances. He is going back to his roots to find his next win.
5 The Fog Owned by Harrell Racing Smith M E
Won his last race going 5 furlongs at ALB against Optional Claimers $15.000 Non Winners of 3 races. Prior to that when he raced against tougher company was only able to finish third. I think he struggles against this group today.
6 Look Into My Eyes Owned by Mb Stables Ortiz I Jr
Ran 5th in his last three races. Three back he ran in the Risen Start Grade II at FG. Then he went to SUN in the SUN Derby Grade III. Most recently ran in The Stephens Grade II where he also finished fifth. He is going to shorten up in hopes to place better here. I think he has an uphill battle. He has one win over a sprint distance.
7 KT Owned by Downwind Stables Espinoza V
In June he ran in the Met Handicap Grade I on Belmont Day where he finished fifth. He was in the race up to the last two furlongs. The shorter distance should help him. Prior to that race he was running on the sod. He has two wins over sprint distances. Tough call here.
8 Dont Tell Master Owned by Wynnewood Prado E S
Ran fourth in the LA Stakes Grade III. Prior to that he ran third in the Fleet Sprint Handicap Grade III. He is going to have to step up his game in a big way if he wants a win out of this race. A lot of tough competition here. He steps up to Grade II and struggles in Grade III.
9 Holden The Young Owned by Night Rider Stables Bridgmohan S X
Recently ran in the MD Sprint Handicap Grade III at PIM going six furlong. In that race he finished third. Prior to that he ran his previous two races at CT against WV breds in an Allowance Non Winners of 4 races Lifetime. He scored wins in both, but now has have another race like he did at PIM to be competitive here.
Iwin picks: 4-1-7
The Tout picks: 1-7-8
Until next time this is Iwin signing off!
Categories: Grade II
