The General George Stakes – Grade III
 LRL Race #17 7f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $250.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Serengeti Sands TwinTowersRacing Lopez P

This one has been tested in good company but as yet has only managed 3 wins from 16 starts. He gets his chance today from a good draw and over a trip that may just be his best although he has tried plenty of different trips and most of his wins have been over further. I liked his effort in the Forego last year when only beaten a length from a bad draw and if he can lay up closer today and doesnt get buried on the rail he could run a big race.

2 Di Bug John Henry Lezcano J

Second in the BC Sprint last year he was only beaten a length in the Malibu after that over this trip and comes here a strong chance from the ideal draw. Five of his six wins have come at a sprint trip so he should have the pace to make this draw work for him. He has a bit to find on Con Artist but may have the fitness edge and was also dealing with a tough draw in the BC, a good chance from an in form stable.

3 Tallmadge Star Oquinn Farm McCarthy T

Has yet to really make his mark on the big stage but has shown consistent form at ungraded stakes level and gets his chance to step up today froma great draw. He won the Forego stakes on seasonal debut and that was off the back of a really strong six furlong work so he may be one of those that really improves from three to four, one to keep an eye on.

4 Con Artist Fractious Franco M

The BC Sprint champion he has the slight advantage over the four year olds in that he doesnt have to give them weight this year so i would have to put him in as favorite for this race despite the fact that he may need the run. His works have been very sharp and he draws well enough to get all favors.

5 Commanding Know Delta Farms Pimentel J

He was clocking up the wins very nicely through last season but that winning streak came to an end when he was upped in grade in his last two starts. He ran fairly well to be fifth in the Taboogan in his first run of the year but i just feel he may need to find some improvement to trouble the best of these.

6 Salili Nakamura Stables Gryder A T

This stable has started the year in great form and this has been one of the horses that has contributed to that start. Starting at 36/1 in the Palos Verdes Stakes he sprung a surprise from the wide gate by taking that race by a neck. Considering his 101 speed figure from his last win of last season that wasnt a total shock and he has obviously found plenty of improvement since last summer. A definate hope against a very tough field.

7 Admiration Mb Stables Espinoza V

It just gets better as the next one we come to is the BEL winner from the champion trainer. He was a great sixth in the BC Mile in his last start beaten just a length from a terrible draw and though he races at a sprint distance today the trip doesnt mean as much at HRP so you shouldnt write off his winning chance. The undoubted class in the race and he really adds some interest to this event.

8 Audioslave Alydar Stables Smith M E

Getting out into the cheap seats we get this five year old who has enough speed to get involved in this if he gets some luck from the race engine. I liked the way he won the CA Cup Sprint on seasonal debut but he will have to step up again on that effort from a good draw to beat the best of these.

9 Crown Me Mucho Nolespan Racing Russell S

Considering he was fourth in the grade one Vanderbilt Handicap and third in the Smile Sprint Handicap it was a surprise that he didnt get claimed on his seasonal debut when taking a cheap claimer at GG. If he has found his form of old he may be a chance here but has a horrible draw to try it from and its hard to be confident about his chances.

10 Di Farley Gdp Inc Davis D

A nine race winner he won the BC Dirt Mile back in 2018 but has been anything but consistent since. He won the San Carlos over this trip at the start of last year and has undoubted ability so you cant write him off and coming from the far outside may just be the type of thing that see’s him run one of his best starts. Again he will need some favors from the race engine but he certainly comes under the heading of upset material.

SUMMARY

Con Artist may just be ready for a big early win here but this is a very competitive affair and its hard to find one that is clearly the best. Admiration will have his admirers but i think Tallmadge Star may just be a value bet and is worth a few Disney Dollars.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES