While this weekend will be hosting a few stake events for sophomore runners, here in the California sunshine eight entries will be trying to add the LA Derby to their trophy case. While some have been struggling against some higher level runners, there are some coming to this event with multiple victories against lower class, and are ready to step onto the BIG stage.

• LA Derby – Gr. III Purse $150.000
• Los Alamitos Race Course – For Three Year olds
• One Mile and One Eighth- Main Track
• July 13th, 2019

This is an interesting group of runners, and may create a challenge for even the most seasoned of handicappers. Some are making the step up after capturing a few victories, while others are struggling to even be finishing in the money. So lets see if we can pick out a few who may be in contention today.

1 Charlemagnes Command ( John Henry ) Rider – Velez J I – Trainer was feeling very generous New Years Eve and paid out $238.000 for this bay. Has been struggling to find the winners enclosure since, even with the gelding and addition of Lasix. Has been hitting some of the top events of late and may need to take a step back to get into the groove. Had the rail post back in the Gr. II Rebel, and that didn’t seem to agree with him. Hopefully third time Lasix will be the charm.

2 Texas Flood ( D J C Racing Stables ) Rider Garcia Mar – Another runner in this event who after winning the Winkfield, made the move up to the Graded company events and has been struggling to earn a victory. While his win came at seven eights of a mile, he is 0-3 when going longer. One of the top two money earners amongst this group of runners, the distance is still the question? Could adds be the answer or will he continue to be a seven eights runner.

3 Sport Guide ( Estero Farms ) Rider Franco G – High hopes were put on the back of this grey sophomore, and the results have not been to his trainers liking. Failed at the Gr. I AR Derby over a good footing placing third, then totally washed out in the Kentucky Derby finishing sixteenth. Gallardo has been in the irons for his past three, so the switch to Franco may bring home results. Even though the last two were on off tracks, he won the Gr. II Remsen in the mud. Has been absent for 60+ and maybe a slight drop to a non graded race to get the feel once again could turn him around.

4 Rotten Apple ( Nakamura Stables) Rider – Gryder A T – Is making a return after 45 days away from racing, but posted a sharp five furlong work over this surface on the 24th of June. Has back to back victories against OpClm company in his past two starts, and that can sometimes turn the corner against tougher competition. Has finished five of seven in the money when racing longer, and seems to like winning. Will be tough but may dig deep and surprise.

5 Bittersweet Symphony ( High Voltage ) Rider – Blanc B – Was claimed out of a mile and an eighth turf race over at Gulfstream in March. New interest put him right to work breaking his maiden at Golden Gate, then following that up with a Clm25 N2L up at WO going a mile and a sixteenth. Definitely has taken a shine to running long, and while this may be a major step up and forward, this is definitely another building block to his future. In for a share.

6 Bad Bad Boy ( Fractious) Rider – Pereira T J – Won a Clm25 N2L for his previous owner who has announced he was closing up shop, then was purchased for half a C Note. Came right back for his new trainer and won against a higher Clm40 group by a nose in the photo. Bringing him here protects him from being claimed off his last effort, but does he have the biscuits to make a case. Bullet work here on the third going a mile could point in that direction.

7 Top Hat ( Mb Stables ) Rider – Fuentes Ru.– Has finished in the top two placings in his past five starts, winning the CA Derby here on the west coast back in April. Returned to do battle in the Gr. III All American last time out, placing second by a length. The show finisher for that event has come back to capture the PRM Cornhusker Hdcp. race, so he should be primed for this event. Has concentrated his last two works here, so trainer was aware of this event. Factor.

8 Courageous Tantra ( Paradise Stables ) Rider – Delgadillo A– Won an OpClm40 affair at Santa Anita in early March, then came back to finish fourth behind Top Hat in the CA Derby. Made a bold step in his most recent Gr. III Affirmed event, finishing one length ahead of today’s inside runner. Five days ago he posted a 46 and one work over this surface, but can that translate towards this longer race. Jockey is 0-14, so would definitely like to see a better rider, but the horse may show up on his own.

Side Note– Every once in awhile I get to cover a trainer who is not a regular on the stakes circuit as we see from time to time, and this event has brought out High Voltage. June 9th was his one year anniversary here at HRP and just back in March of this season he earned his first ever Graded company title capturing the Gr. III Palm Beach with his top active horse Laffin Jamie. He has come a long way since La Pink won his first ever race by some four lengths breaking his maiden at Finger Lakes. Most recently as well when I was attending some races at Belmont in the third week of June, I saw another of his thoroughbreds by the name of Crush Space capture the $100.000 Wild Applause after he bought the sophomore filly for just $15.000. Though his stables have yet to dabble in the breeding game, I have noticed he has been making some keen purchases that have proven fruitful. He may be a name that could quite become familiar at HRP as his stable grows. Welcome to the fold my friend.

Duffer

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES