10/27 Fayette – Grade II
KEE Race #1 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Royal Eclipse Chili King Stables Leparoux J R
A pretty consistent type this will be the furthest he has ever run but he has shown signs that he will see the trip out OK. A winner of 4 overnights his only venture into graded stakes came last time out when staying on in the Kelso Handicap and ending up third just a couple of lengths back. That run was better than it looked as he was way worse off in the handicap than he would’ve been at weight for age and his two runs since being bought for $70.000 suggest Chili King Stables is onto something with him.
He could end up running a cheeky race.
2 Kiss The Snake Nakamura Stables Gaffalione T
Last season was a big year for him winning two graded stakes but at that time he was seen as a sprinter by his then owner but that all changed when he was bought for $200.000 by his current owner. Switching to routes he took the grade three Ali over this trip and has since run pretty well placing three times in graded stakes. He didnt run too badly from a wide draw in the JC Gold Cup last time and this is a good race for him to get back to winning ways. Having said that he will have his work cut out to beat the three’s.
3 Sacred Brave Blushing Meadows Albarado R J
A very good type, its pretty amazing that he is pushing the 1K earnings barrier and he has only won twice but one of those wins was in the Queens Plate so that certainly helps. Although a bulk of his earnings have come from one race he is no one trick pony as he proved when third in the PA Derby after leading at the furlong pole last time out. The question with this one is not whether he has the ability, its not the draw or the trip, its all down to him getting things to go his way and if he does and from this good draw there is no reason why not he could easily win this race.
4 One For Charlie TwinTowersRacing Court J K
Another one that hasnt got a great win record he was pretty good at overnight level but hasnt broken through into black type yet. His moment nearly came in the WV Derby when he made the running and only got run down late when third beaten under a length. He tried to get on the pace again last time out in the PA Derby but weakened out of it and was a long way behind Sacred Brave at the end. I can’t see him turning it around in this race but he has an outsiders chance of a place.
5 Rain Mane Gdp Inc Bridgmohan S X
It took him eight races this year including a foray into claimers before he found his form but in the last few months he has found some of that magic pixie dust and is in the process of turning into a competitive horse at this level. A gritty win in the PA Derby Champion Stakes last time out came just three months after winning a $7.500 claimer that really gives you an indication as to how quick he is improving and some very fast works are backing that up. A very interesting entry who, if he keeps improving, could win this.
6 Zombies Among Us Joshua Stables Ortiz J L
He was unbeaten with five wins in a row when he was bought from Mb Stables at Auction and he thrilled his new owner with his first start and first defeat when fourth in the PA Derby. He finished upsides Sacred Brave in that race and there wont be much between them again. He will be among the favourites.
7 L A Raw D J C Racing Stables Lanerie C J
A decent enough four year old his best career performance came last time out along with a very strong work so he may be hitting form at the right time for this race. That win was in the Temperence Hill and whilst it wasnt the strongest race he was strong off the front. I can’t see him beating the three year olds here but he would have each way hopes.
8 Sweep The Fire Nj Vets Geroux F
Well behind Rain Maine in the PA Derby Championship which was a very poor effort after a pretty good season and does bring into question his age and that word decline. However if you look a bit deeper into that performance you see that he was giving no less than 10 Lbs to the winner and ony finished four lengths behind which at HRP is quite a feat. If he doesnt get too far behind from this wide draw i reckon he has the potential to be a shock winner.
9 Face Your Fear Luz International Hernandez B J Jr
He was a really solid three year old and though he hasnt won yet as a four year old has shown he retains his ability. A really good third in the Foster Handicap and a close fourth in the MTH Cup last time out are tip top runs but there are a few negatives here we have to take seriously. Firstly the wide draw can be polarizing in a close race and secondly he hasnt run since July and may just need a race to get him tight.
SUMMARY
This is a real interesting race with the two three year olds out of the PA Derby going at it again and they must be favourite to finish one, two. This, however, can be a funny time of year as horses improve out of nowhere and i rather like Rain Maine to run big and Sweep The Fire to run some sort of race.
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