Crosby Stakes- Grade 1 (BC)- $300.000 Purse
DMR- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on The Dirt
July 27, 2019

Every once in a while, a race will have an entry in it that surprises you. For the Grade 1 Crosby, that horse is Pretty Ferro, the former KYD winner and once seen as a major TC threat. He has not won as a four year old, although has been second twice in four starts, all of which were going distances that are to be expected out of him. So, for him to show up in the six furlong Crosby, that is something that we didn’t see coming. Interestingly, his sire, Ferro, won the 2016 version. This steals the spotlight from Z One Chance a little bit, as that one looks to win the race for the second year in a row. In total, there are eleven going to the gate, and looking for that automatic spot into the BC Sprint. Let’s meet the participants!

#1- Black Flags (La Canada Racehorses, ridden by J J Castellano)- Ran second two weeks ago in the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes at WO with a thrilling come from behind effort. That was a much needed improvement from his effort in the Grade 2 Stephens. Given the quick turnaround, it is probable that we will see him look to run this like he ran the Vigil, and with a much better starting post, it could work out for him. There are some in here who are much more fresh, and that could be a concern.

#2- Peculiar Sensation (Mb Stables, ridden by P Lopez)- This one looks to return to the BC Sprint after running seventh in last year’s edition. So far, in his four starts this year, he’s definitely on the right track with two wins and a second, highlighted by the Grade 2 True North. While we know the trainer doesn’t put much stock in to SRF numbers, he has run two consecutive 100’s, and it’s the first time he had done that.

#3- Shanghai Days (Night Rider Stables, ridden by Ro Maragh)- It’s been almost a year since he was claimed for just $9.000, and the trainer has certainly done an outstanding job with him. His last race would be the first time he won graded stake, doing so in the Grade 3 Smile Sprint Handicap at GP. That was in a dead heat with Bring The Pain, and they’ll have a rematch here. Ro Maragh rode for his favorite trainer that day as well. So far, since the claim, the horse has earned $250.000, and a win here would further add to the story.

#4- Black Scorpion (Blushing Meadows, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- The Good Authority colt has won half of the ten races that he has run in, and likes to do so while running out on the lead early. That’s no guarantee that we’ll continue to see that, but it’s probable. One of his wins is of the graded variety, as he took the Grade 3 Hutcheson Stakes at GP in March. Only has raced twiced since then, and each were in optional claimers, and one ended in a win.

#5- Z One Chance (John Henry, ridden by K J Desormeaux)- Last year, Z One Chance made his debut for John Henry in the Crosby, and defeated a field of nine. He would not end up running in the BC Sprint, though, as he instead opted for the BC Turf (he won the WO Mile between the races), but failed to beat any of his rivals. If he can defend his title, he might opt for the Sprint this time. Though, who knows, as his last two races saw him go second in the Shoemaker Mile, but only finish tenth in a strong Nerud earlier this month.

#6- Bring The Pain (Mb Stables, ridden by C Lanerie)- There are a few in this field who have been regular routers that are scaling back. For Bring The Pain, that happened in his last race, the Grade 3 Smile Sprint at GP where he finished in the dead heat for the win with Shanghai Days. (There was also a dead heat for third in that race). After that win, which earned a 100 SRF, Bring The Pain looks formidable in this field, and he might not see the grass for a while again if he keeps it up.

#7- Gold Sunset (Maze Stables, ridden by D E Centeno)- Ran in the BC Sprint last year, but failed to beat anyone in the field. Hey, that happens, what has he done since, you ask? Well, nothing. Gold Sunset is appearing in his first race since that fateful day in the BC Sprint, and this is a real tough way to return after an almost nine month layoff. That’s essentially his story here. We shall see.

#8- Pretty Ferro (Estero Farms, ridden by E J Wilson)- If you are reading this preview, then you already know all about Pretty Ferro and what made him a well known name in his game. His four year old season has not seen a win, but it has seen two second place finishes, with one of them in the Grade 2 CT Classic. He was last seen over Memorial Day weekend, and he was a dud in the Gold Cup (Grade 1). The last time he sprinted, it was in February 2018, but if he wants motivation, all he has to do is that his sire, Ferro, won the Crosby in 2016.

#9- Lots Of Pride (Spankys Barn, ridden by F Prat)- Making his debut with Spankys Barn after being acquired in private sales for $40.000, and boy, is the new trainer going for it. Lots Of Pride, up to this point has not run in anything other then one N1X allowances after needing a few races to break his maiden. The works are great, and in fact, all I see are bullets when looking at his recent efforts. As long as he is not star struck by starting next to Pretty Ferro, and can live up to those works, the trainer may be rewarded for the chance.

#10- Serengeti Sands (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by A A Gallardo)- For the last year, Serengeti Sands has only gone long before his last race. His last sprint prior to that came last July at the Spa. That time was spent in TC prep races, but it led to a quite three year old season. Then came that last race, where he went seven furlongs in winning the $90.000 Kellys Landing. There is a graded win in his history, coming last year, so he has proven he can step it up.

#11- Made To Sin (John Henry, ridden by J Lezcano)- The five year old gets set to make his 34th career start, and it will be just the eighth time that he has run in a sprint. We’ll see if the change of pace helps for him, but throughout his career, Made To Sin has been very inconsistent. Just one of his last 23 starts have ended up with him in the winners circle. He can be in the picture often, and can’t be ruled out to get a piece of the purse, but he’s disappointed me enough in other previews to look past him here.

Prediction: 2-3-8-9

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES