The Cutler Bay-Stake
GP Race 4 1M Turf
Purse $125.000 For
Three Year Olds
In what is a big day of stakes races at GP including preps for both the Derby and the Oaks we have this minor turf stake for 3-year olds. Since it is an ungraded affair these entrants do not have the most accomplished resume and are looking to use this to establish themselves as turf stars moving forward.
1 St Leo Bolt, trained by Winning Link Stables
Broke his maiden in his first turf start and from there went into some of the best 2 yo stakes races. It started out very promising with a strong second in the With Anticipation but since then he has fallen on tough times failing to hit the board in three starts. He does have the most stakes experience and draws the rail, but I am not high on his chances.
2 Con Artist, trained by Mb Stables
This colt from the sites leading trainer has 2 wins and a second from four turf starts. In his last outing, which was a nwx1 at Golden Gate, he dropped back to the rear and rallied strongly to win by two. Draws the top turf jock and his works are as good as any in the field so looks to be a major contender.
3 Owl Cat, trained by Our Athletes
Made his stakes debut in his last outing and ran a poor 8th right here at GP at today’s distance. That race was run over a soft course however and was also almost four months ago so not sure how much we can take away from that effort. Works have been a tad slower as of late so may need this race to knock the rust off.
4 Artist Moon, trained by Joshua Stables
Lightly raced gelding will be making just his 5th lifetime start here. His last race was the Grade 3 Dania Beach which was conducted right here at GP at todays distance. In that race he dropped way back and was not able to make up enough ground winding up 5th beaten 2 lengths. Seems to do his best running from off the pace and not sure there will be enough speed in here for him but certainly can’t count him out.
5 Grayte King, trained by GDP Inc.
Has won 2 of 4 lifetime turf efforts including a nice score in a nwx1 at SA which was also run at a mile. His last outing was a bit disappointing as he ran 4th from a good post in a nw2x but the winner of that event came back and won a stales race so it may not be as bad an effort as it appears. His works are strong, but he also appears to need a pace to run at and I am not sure he will have it.
6 Que Niagra, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Our last entrant in the field is also the high earner although that is only $78. He also ran on a soft turf last out but the difference for him is that he was able to win over it. Likes to be close to the pace which could work to his advantage today since there does not seem to be a lot of pace. Makes his stakes debut but seems to fit well with these and will be very dangerous.
Summary
As I have mentioned throughout the preview there does not seem to be a lot of speed in here. I think Owl Cat will go to the front with Que Niagra not far behind. With Owl Cat coming off the layoff I think Que Niagra will be able to put him away and then hold off Grayte King and Con Artist for the win.
6-5-2-4
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
