Hanshin Cup (Grade 3)- $100.000 Purse
AP- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile on the Dirt
May 11, 2019

A small field of five has assembled for the 13th running of the Hanshin Cup, a smaller Grade 3 held at AP. The race was won last year by Fat Lady, who was not a filly, but not surprisingly, is a gelding. That win broke a two year win streak for Mb Stables in the race, winning in 2016 and 2017 with the late Phelps. Let’s take a quick look.

#1- Deliberation (Angelos Stable, ridden by M Murrill)- Makes the 22nd start of his career, and it be his first time in a graded race. He has a good track record of getting it done with seven wins and eighteen in the money finishes thus far. In ungraded stake competition, he has fared well, including a win, so it’s a little surprising that this is the first time he has gotten a graded chance.

#2- Prophecy (Mb Stables, ridden by J V Brigmohan)- The trainer is after his third win in four starts in the Hanshin. Back in February, Prophecy won the always tougher then it seems, $50.000 TUP Derby, then attempted to KYD prep, the Grade 3 SUN Derby, and ran in the middle of the field. This looks like a good follow up after that race. As one of the two three year olds in the field, he enjoys a five pound weight allowance over most.

#3- Evil Position (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by C H Marquez Jr)- Past performances paint an interesting story with this horse. Last year and into this year, he was a regular in graded company, even attempting the Grade 1 Clark Handicap. But subpar performances saw him dropped down all the way to a $35.000 claimer in his last race. No one picked him up, and he would win, so now the trainer hopes that can serve as a confidence boost.

#4- Eatin My Dust (Hambletonian Stable, ridden by J Valdivia Jr)- The trainer looks to go from his Fat Lady to Eatin My Dust in as far as Hanshin Cup winners. This is a five year old gelding, making his 25th career start, and has seen success, winning ten times. Graded stake attempts have been made here and there, with even the Grade 1 Woodward on the list. That came after his signature win thus far, the $200.000 ALB Handicap at ALB. Did win a smaller Grade 3 earlier in his career.

#5- Traveling Band (D J C Racing Stable, ridden by E T Baird)- The other three year old in the field, and was last seen trying the Wood Memorial at AQU. That was a bit of a jump for him, but chances need to be taken at that time of year. He has mainly been a sprinter, so cutting back to this distance from the Wood Memorial should be beneficial. The weight allowance will also help.

Prediction: 1-3-2-4

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES