The Nearctic – GII 
10/12/19
WO Race 2 6F – Turf
Purse $250.000
Three Year Olds and Up

A full field of twelve has been entered up for this years running of the grade two Nearctic here over the Woodbine E.P. Taylor turf course. Last years winner Great Bounty is back to defend his title in the race also. Lets take a look at the field.

1. Jolly Be Native (25-6-9-4 $1,310.900), trained by John Henry

First runner we take a look at in this field is coming into this race off of a last place finish in the grade Turf Monster at Parx. That was bad effort but he had been in good form before that. He will have to run huge to have any shot. 

2. Baie Baie (27-8-7-4 $280.890), trained by Spankys Barn

This next runner has three runner up finishes in graded stakes races this year and only one ungraded stakes win but he has been knocking on the door. I think he has a chance if he can finally punch it into the winners circle.

3. Phar Lap (21-7-4-4 $130.250), trained by Threshold

This next horse is coming into this race off of some starter allowances where he has been getting beat and they have also been route races. I just do not see him having much of a chance in here unless he runs the race of his life.

4. Great Bounty (17-5-1-2 $1,196.070), trained by Drabfantasy

Last years winner of this race and also the Breeders Cup Sprint Turf Sprint right here. He has been a shadow of himself this year though with no wins on the year. This is his last chance to make the Breeders Cup so he has to win.

5. One Command (22-2-7-7 $179.390), trained by Chili King Stables

The next runner we look at in this field is coming into this race off of a runner up effort in an optional claimer at Del Mar going two turns. He has not faced competition as tough as this and I also think he is better over a route of a ground. Not much of a chance in my opinion.
6. Flooded (18-8-2-2 $448.840), trained by Estero Farms
A graded stakes winner on the year right here and this horse has been running well all year except in his last start. Two back he won the grade three Parx Dash and a performance like that will put him right up there in here. I think he has a good chance to win.
7. Angels Chance (11-4-3-2 $306.000), trained by Midnight Racing
Another coming out of the grade three Turf Monster right here and this horse was the winner of that race that day. He is good on both the dirt and turf but he is very good on the turf. If he can show up like he did last time he will have a good chance to upset this field I think.
8. Gemischt Von Strauss (7-1-1-2 $56.340), trained by Drabfantasy
Another entry for Drabfantasy in this race and this is a filly going against the boys and she also only has a maiden victory. The main reason she is in here to me is to set a quick pace for her stablemate so he can be rolling late. I think she is in here for pace only.
9. Siberian Princw (30-5-5-5 $1,312.680), trained by Sir Daniel Martin
An old time Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf back when he was a two year old and he is still hitting it strong. He has been running pretty well this year but has yet to find the winners circle. He is a good hard knocking horse but he is a little bit camera shy so he needs to overcome that and get to the line first.
10. Venture Bay (9-3-4-0 $95.680), trained by Gdp Inc
A pretty lightly raced horse here as Gdp Inc has been taking his time with this one. He tried graded stakes company last out and ran third in the grade three Simpson at Kentucky Downs. He will have to step it up quite a bit to win here but maybe he is improving at the right time.
11. Vegas Host (24-8-6-0 $543.720), trained by Nakamura Stables
A graded stakes winner in his last start right here as this horse won the grade three Red Bank at Monmouth going a mile. That was a nice win in that race but I’m not sure if he will appreciate the cutback in distance in here.
12. In The Moonlight (9-2-5-0 $170.080), trained by Mb Stables
And the last runner in this field here is coming into this race off of a second in the grade two Play The King over this same track. He closed well and was barely beat that day but he has a lot tougher task in here with this post. He has a chance if the post doesn’t hurt him too much.
Summary
This race has a lot more weight to it than it seems as for some of these this is their last chance to get enough BC Points to get into a Breeders Cup race. My top pick is the defending winner Great Bounty. Good luck to all in the field.
4-7-6-9

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES