1 Rogue Warrior, trained by Maxmillion Farm

This son of Ghost Walker was bought by his current owner for $150.000 after showing some ability at overnight grade. He was immediately thrown into the deep end in the ILDerby and raced up on the speed for a long time before weakening into seventh. He was still in front at the mile pole after leading from the off so that was a better effort than his finishing position might suggest. His next start came on turf in the ungraded Pennine Ridge and once again he had his nose in front at the mile point but was run down this time keeping on for second. Looking like a mile might be his trip he was given one last chance over a trip last time out in the Grade one BEL Derby, again on the turf, and was once again right in the race at the mile pole only to weaken into fifth. Looking at his balance of form he looks like turf would be his favoured surface and this slightly shorter trip will certainly help him so if he can use the one box to get up on the pace he may turn out tough to beat.

2 Sandor Clegane, trained by Smithtown Stables

Bought for under nine dollars at auction just six months ago he showed some decent form leading up to a game second in a state bred stakes race in his penultimate start but then blew all his form away last time out in the American Derby finishing second and beaten under a length. His speed figures took a crazy jump from somewhere in the eighties to 102 in that race so it could be that this is one of those three year olds that turn into superstars from little or nothing, it could also mean that run was a flash in the pan, we will only really know after this run. His works suggest that his run in The American Derby was no fluke but I find it difficult to be overconfident he can reproduce that form.

3 Ponder, trained by Chili King Stables

A good sort in overnights he has been a confirmed turfer from very early in his career. A nice win in the ungraded Woodhaven stakes led his trainer to take on better in the Pennine Ridge and BEL derby but whilst he ran ok he didn’t light any fires for me and I am struggling to see him doing better here. Having said that he has been working well and is certainly entitled to be in the race at the end.

4 Wealth Manager, trained by Mb Stables

Took on some of the best as a two year old but never really impressed he had a go at making the KYD field like most of Mb’s three year olds but never really impressed on the dirt and was sent back to turf for his most recent runs. Two impressive wins against older horses in overnight company made him short odds for The Elkwood Stakes but though he kept on nicely he could only manage second in that race. This trip should suit and his works have been strong but he has come up a little short in black type company so he still has a bit to prove in this grade.

5 O Bay O, trained by Oval Express Farms

Ran well enough as a maiden in a small stakes race to be a nailed on certainty last time out in maiden company and he duly obliged with a game nose win. This would be the shock of the season should he win.

6 Lompoc Bay, trained by Nakamura Stables

Iikes this trip and surface and has some good black type form to his name but I cannot see that he is up to the best of these. His easy win in The English Channel Stakes was good to watch but the quality of that field was questionable so I would have to say his best chance of a cheque today may be for third or fourth.

7 Pink N Prudent, trained by Drabfantasy

He has followed an interesting path in his five starts to date running second over a dirt mile as a maiden in stakes company and then competing for the PARX Sprint over five furlongs on the grass. He was finally given the chance in a maiden to get his first win last time out and there was a lot to like with the way he demolished the field over this trip and surface. His trainer is pretty experienced with good horses so the career path this horse has been following suggests he is a difficult read but with that nice win last time out it looks as if this may be what he has been crying out for. His works have been super and I have a sneaking suspicion that this could be the dark horse in the field.

8 Performing Arts, trained by Blushing Meadows

A consistent enough sort he is untested in this grade but has shown enough ability to deserve a place in an average looking field. The wide gate will be a tough ask for him but his works are strong and he will love this trip so a place could be on the cards for him.

SUMMARY

This is not the strongest grade three ever run and I have a sneaking suspicion that Pink N Prudent may turn out to be a lot better than a maiden winner. I am going for him to beat Wealth Manager and Sandor Clegane

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES