LA Legacy
DED   Race #2   1m   Dirt   Stake
statebred Purse $150.000  For Colts And Geldings Two Years Old Foaled In LA.

1 Royal Defense, trained by Treux Farms
A maiden debut winner at LAD he then went for an allowance on this track and closed hard over five furlongs to run third. This mile should suit on that effort but his work times arent as impressive as some in the field.

2 Sam A Rye, trained by Mb Stables
Just lasted home in the mud to take his maiden at the second attempt he then went onto contest the Young Memorial Futurity where he stayed on well to be third beaten less than a length. His recent mile work at SA suggests he will improve further for this trip and a forward showing would be expected.

3 Functional, trained by Estero Farms
A great buy for just eight dollars he has won two in lesser company but with little class system that shouldnt be a worry. Untested over this trip he ran a smart work time over the mile at CD recently and that plus his race experience put him right in this.

4 Chain Up, trained by Alydar Stables
Took a decent maiden at SAR before contesting the grade one Hopeful where he ran creditably to be sixth. Beaten just three lengths he kept on pretty well so this extra furlong shouldnt be a problem. He was a bit outpaced over six furlongs last time out but there is a touch of class about him and he has been working well enough to make him a winning chance.

5 Inseert The Flirt, trained by Mb Stables
Won two in a row at LAD before taking on grade three company in the Bourbon. He had a horrible draw that day and was taken way back into the trail where he stayed before passing a few and ending up seventh. He is difficult to assess but his work times are pretty good and he didnt do too bad from the draw last time so as one of the few guaranteed to get the trip he must rate a chance.

6 Newsnight, trained by Sir Daniel Martin
The stables two year olds are on fire and as this one has some decent form to his name it would be hard to write him off. He struggled a little after his maiden win but ran some decent races including finishing just behind Sam A Rye in the Young Futurity. He won an allowance over the mile last time proving this trip will be OK and has some strong work times to back that effort up. A consistent sort who is sure to be thereabouts at the finish.

7 Faith In The Surge, trained by Team 7 Illusions
Another that race in the Young Memorial he was a further length behind in fifth and probably has a little less upside that the two that beat him. A winner of a turf claimer last time i am not sure his dirt form is good enough to threaten the win.

8 Road To The Crown, trained by Oquinn Farm
A nasty draw wont help and as he is still a maiden from three it is hard to see him winning. Having said that the two dirt efforts were pretty good and his work times are solid so he wont be without an each way chance.

SUMMARY
These races are always difficult to read but i will go for the proven form with Chain Up and Inseert The Flirt. I would give Functional a big chance despite coming out of a claiming win but its hard to write off many of the others in what looks a tight contest.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded