Muniz Memorial Handicap – Grade II
FG Race #12 1 1/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.
1 The Laffin Sniper Diablo Diablo Baze T C 117
A five year old now he was a good three year old winning the grade one HOL Derby but like a lot of four year olds he struggled last year. His first start as a five year wasnt too encouraging when beaten a fair way in an allowance, so there has to be question marks about his enthusiasm these days. He is still working OK and has a nice low weight and an inside draw today so if ever there was a time to revisit his best form this could be it.
2 Cannon Maxmillion Farm Beschizza A 118
You can never write off a horse from this stable on the turf but he will have to run a career best race to get involved today. An honest sort he was a nice second in the Knickerbocker Handicap last year but struggled to get a win being beaten in overnight grade and not recording a victory in 2018. His first effort this year was fair but not awe inspiring so it is hard to make a strong case on his form but there are a few other things in his favor. I have already mentioned his trainers ability with turf runners and there is also the fact that he has a nice weight and the ideal draw, two factors which carry a lot of influence at HRP.
3 Siberian Prince Sir Daniel Martin Ortiz I Jr 119
The BC Juvenile Turf winner at two he took two graded stakes at three but was a little disappointing none the less and seemed to continue the inconsistency he had shown as a juvenile. At his best he would be possibly be the best in the race and he has the draw and the weight to win this but you really have to gamble that the best Siberian Prince will turn up
4 Balsamic Moon John Henry Bejarano R 118
The winner of the American Derby last year he was an improving sort over the season. His two efforts this year havent been too bad and i liked the way he coped with a bad draw to get within a length of the winner in the FG Handicap last time. He is in the golden triangle of draws and has a jockey in form on his back so there are plenty of plus’s for him but he will have to step up again to win.
5 The Joker D J C Racing Stables Pennington F 120
Bought for $800.000 after winning the grade one Manhattan last year he has struggled for his new stable who seems determined to get hm back to his best. He ran well in the San Gabriel on seasonal debut and nearly made all in a fast run open claimer last time so there is still something there but he has a tough weight to carry if he is to record a first win for the new owner. Pennington takes the reins which is a big plus but its hard to make a case for him on the last 6 months form.
6 Butter Ball Aml Racing Hernandez B J Jr 118
A six race winner he is no no hoper but is another that will have to step up on previous efforts to take this race. A good winner over the mile on seasonal debut he was only a length off the winner in the FG handicap although in true HRP style he was only ninth. He wold have a punchers chance in what is not an overly strong field.
7 Mean Street Nakamura Stables Talamo J 121
A nine year old carrying top weight says a lot about the lack of quality in this field and whilst it wold be easy to write him off because of that this old warrior has proved this year he is not washed up just yet. He was really game after 3 months off the track in taking the Thunder Road by a neck and his works are pretty sharp for for old legs but my only reservation for him in this race is that this trip may just test his stamina a bit too far with top weight.
8 Moms Guy Mb Stables Colon L H 119
After the nine year old comes the eight year old. The winner of a couple of grade twos among his 12 wins he has been cuddled up recently striking up five wins in a row last year in lesser company, A solid second after trying to make all in the FG Handicap first up this year he is working some career best times so may just be ready to get back to stakes winning ways. He has Colon in the saddle who seems to be on a retainer with the trainer but has enough weight to make him only a chance rather than a definite winner.
9 Sezarchai Ekli Stable Ortiz J L 120
Won the HOL Derby in one of his three wins last year and definitely progressed through the season to become a decent turfer. He has encountered soft ground in both his runs this year so that may be a reason for the two defeats but he draws out with a big weight today and that may prove to be tough for him.
10 Crafty Shenanigans Mb Stables – Scratch –
11 Seminole On The Map Racing Rosario J 118
I have had this one on my watch list for a while now and despite the wide draw think he may just be the smokey in the race. His two races on turf were back when he was a maiden but the fact that his best form has all been on dirt means he gets the lower weight. A good third in the grade one Clark Handicap at the end of last year he was drawn out with a penalty weight in his seasonal debut and ran well enough to be third to suggest he hasnt lost his form. Of course the question mark is the surface but i still think he may run a big race.
12 Call Me Spanish Maxmillion Farm Gutierrez Mario 120
Deserves his big weight here but it may be the draw that is his biggest enemy. The winner of the Hill Prince last year he was in the ruck in the FG Handicap when fifth first up this year and is working pretty sharply suggesting he has lost nothing in the transition from three to four. The turf king will have him primed here and he has a winning chance in a competitive rather than stellar field.
13 Pushed Aside Hambletonian Stable Lanerie C J 118
Finds the car park thanks to the defection of Crafty Shenanigans he isnt a bad sort but may find it too much to try and run a race from here. A seven race winner and pretty consistent in lesser grade he gets a low enough handicap mark to give him a chance but it is only a slim one.
SUMMARY
This isnt an overly strong field with the best two horses in the race being veterans. It could easily be a combined 17 year old that takes the Exacta here but i am going for Seminole to give On The Map Racing a big win.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
