The WV Derby – Grade III
MNR Race #13 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $500.000 For Three Year Olds.
1 City Sniper John Henry Lanerie C J
Won the Bashford Manor and the KY Jockey Club as a juvenile but it has to be said hasn’t set the world alight as a three year old. Fourth in both the Rebel and the BG Stakes he ran terribly in both the KYD and the BEL but was a little better in the LA Derby last time out when fourth beaten four lengths. A return to his two year old form puts him in this but i am not sure a return is on the cards.
2 All Day Rampage Stable Ortiz I Jr
Failed to make the TC but that is sometimes a blessing for these three year olds and he showed some nice determination to win a decent CD allowance last time suggesting that he has something to offer in the latter part of the year. He gets the perfect draw to do some damage here and with a good trip there is no reason he can’t get in on the fun.
3 Shadow Man Axeman Hernandez J J
This nine furlongs seems to be his pet trip and he was huge in the IND Derby last time making all from a wide gate to win by a length. That race had all the TC form in it and although his form was just moderate to that point he was mighty impressive and never looked like getting beat. A win like that should make him an odds on favorite here but there is nothing harder at HRP than winning two stakes in a row. A good draw gives him every chance so i wonder what tactic the trainer will use today.
4 Set In Space Nakamura Stables Bahen S R
Won his maiden on the sixth attempt so on that alone shouldn’t be able to trouble stakes winning three year olds. However, this is HRP and a 1.36 and 2 mile work suggests he is right in this. The Nak factor is certainly a plus.
5 Red Divos Alliance TwinTowersRacing Lopez P
Nothing in his form really suggest he is a winning chance but a 1.36 and 2 mile work and a trainer who often makes me eat my words makes me wary. He was tenth of twelve in the Risen Star the last time he tried this trip which sort of says all i have to say.
6 Sars Aer Stables Juarez N
I have seen too many horses that performed well in the TC get easily beaten to call this one a dead cert but you would have to say on recent form he looks the best in the race. Beaten just a quarter length in the Preakness he ran a brilliant third from a terrible draw in the BEL so this does look like an ideal race for him to get back to winning ways. A 1.36 and 2 mile work puts him on the map but i just cannot trust HRP form at the moment so wouldn’t being putting my house on him.
7 Wireless Headset Nakamura Stables Fuentes Ru
My statement about trusting form really applied to this one as he went from a small TAM allowance win to winning the grade three Affirmed in only his fourth career start last time. His works are uninspiring but that run was huge last time out and he has the magic mouse of Nakamura Stables on his side as well. He could easily win or run last but i guess that can be said for all of them, Trust the last run and he has a winning chance.
8 Twilight Flame Mb Stables Jaramillo E
Bought for $90 early in the year his works say his form should be better but sandwiched in between allowance runs he was a close third in the Salvator Mile so clearly has the ability if he can put his best foot forward. The draw wont help but he is not out of this especially when you not who his trainer is.
9 One Shot Kill Tiratzo Berrios Hector
Widest of all we get the worst form in the race with the fastest work…….only at HRP ay. Could he be another of those winners from left field? Well based on his works certainly yes and the fact that he hasn’t raced on dirt for a while may make his form look worse than it is.
SUMMARY
I have seen too much form get flushed down the toilet to get too excited about the big three of Sars, Wireless Headset and Shadow Man. In reality the race should be between them as they are head and shoulders above the rest but i am going to back the gutshot straight and go for One Shot Kill to provide us with another impossible winner.
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