Spiral Stakes – Grade III [KYD]
TP   Race #7   1 1/8m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $200.000  For Three Year Olds.

1 Liverpool Rocket, trained by Estero Farms
Estero Farms must’ve been wondering what this horse had done to upset HRP as he first drew wide in the Grey Stakes and then again in the BC Juvenile. He ran pretty well both of those times but despite another horror draw in the Grade One LA Futurity he managed to win this time with a game three quarter length win after making a lot of the running. A seasonal debut sixth in the Risen Star wasnt too bad and i suspect with the stables change of fortune that he will start favourite today.

2 Tune Me Up, trained by John Henry
After winning his maiden this home bred was given his chance in top company when running in the grade one Champagne, He ran pretty poorly that day finishing 12th some eight lengths off the winner. Despite that failure he was given another go in the DED Jackpot and did much better this time to finish second. Put away for a try at the TC he reappeared in the Risen Star but again ran poorly yo be 12th beaten 8 lengths again. If his form has any sort of pattern to it he should finish second today but it is hard to be confident about that.

3 Not Til Monday, trained by Mb Stables
With only five runs and nothing better than a win in an optional claimer it would be easy to overlook this gelded son of Proven Commodity. However when you look at his 1:36 3/5 work and couple it with the fact that he is trained by Mb Stables you have to take him seriously despite his lack of proven class.

4 Creepy Time, trained by D J C Racing Stable
This colt has won all his 3 races on the turf but whilst he may end up being at his best on the grass he proved he is more than capable on the dirt with a close third on seasonal debut in the Battaglia Memorial. The stable is in good form and i rather feel that he may be the biggest danger to Liverpool Rocket.

6 The Drifter, trained by D J C Racing Stables
The trainer has the ideal duo here to ‘do an Mb’ and try to get an advantage for one or the other of his runners. I dont think this one is as good as his stable companion however and his works certainly seem to confirm that.

7 Thrilling Mist, trained by Crocker Cgs
He was a bit of a surprise to me when running a nice race in the Davis Stakes last time out after somewhat ordinary form leading up to the race. Closing hard he ended up fifth just a length off the winner in what was an eye-catching run. He still has plenty to prove but that run certainly puts him in with a  chance.

8 Sneaky Little Heist, trained by South Beach Racing
Took his maiden in September and was then thrown in the deep end in the Nashua where he ran a cracker to be third beaten two lengths. That was enough fr the season but he kicked off again in The Jerome on New Years Day and ran on well to be fourth. Taken to TUP for the TUP Derby he scraped home by a neck, a win that clearly didnt impress the champion trainer because he was sold for just $85 afterwards to his current owner. He has to be considered but i think a place is his best hope.

9 Newsnight, trained by Sir Daniel Martin
Won three in a row at the end of last season taking the RP Springboard Mile on the third occasion and looked like one of the best Derby prospects for the trainer heading into 2018. Drawn wide on his seasonal debut he faded from the stalk to be eighth and whilst that wasnt bad he was probably a little disappointing. His works have been improving since that start and i expect a much better effort this time.

10 Tyreese, trained by Threshold
Behind a good few of these in his last few efforts he has been hovering just off a win in this kind of race but has a habit of getting a fair way back and that may hinder him again from this wide draw.

11 Die Nasty, trained by Team 7 Illsuions
Just three lifetime starts but with two wins and the last in an ungraded stakes he clearly has some ability. The wide draw and inexperience will make it tough but he is an untapped potential and must be considered.

12 Valiant Warrior, trained by Paradise Stable
A bit of a hit and hope from one of HRP’s most popular stables, it seems his slender hope has been dashed by a nightmare draw.

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