8/22/2020

 9   DMR     DMR Handicap (GII) [BC]

        $200.000    3yo&Up       1 3/8m  Turf      HCP Weights

The gate will be full where the surf meets the turf, and we look at the field for the 2020 running of the DMR Hcp (GII).  In the often used phrase of “wide open” this one sure seems to fit the bill.  A few of these are looking for thier first win of the season, other have changed hands… some fit both of those scenarios.  I’ll give Sneaky Little Stover a slight edge today, even though the bulk of his recent races were sprints.  Since changing hands, he ran third at a mile and a half and won at a flat mile where he closed hard to get the DH, last out.  If he can stay clear of traffic from the eleven hole, look out…. and he may be a price.  Range Of The Sun will be my second pick, and he fits the hasn’t won this season group.  He has been third in four starts, third in the other and seems to be a perfect fit for this distance.  This looks like a great race to place a wager and should be a hoot to watch.

Here’s The Field –

Sold prior to his last start where he was the runner-up in a NJ-bred stakes at MTH.  Prior he was running for a tag or OptAlw for the most part and was solid at that level.  Now it’s a big step up and he caught a tough field.  He will need his best to be part of this one. 

Was third in the California (GII) at SA back in Apr, but his other recent graded races have been less than thrilling.  Now don’t be fooled, he won last year’s Travers and PA Derby, both grade one races… he has class and can run, and that four length win at LS vs. Alw horses shows he still has some get-up-and-go. 

Won an Alw race at SA three back, and was fourth in the Highlander (GI) last out, but he’s struggled for the most part facing graded foes.  He tired in both of his last two races going six furlongs and a flat mile… so it’s a mile and three-eighths today. 

Another that has struggled in his last pair, both vs. graded horses.  He tired last out in the Baruch (GII) at SAR going a mile and a sixteen and lost position in the prior race going a mile and a sixteenth in the Wise Dan (GII).  He’s going to need his best to get involved. 

Gave a poor effort in the United Nations (GI) going today’s distance, but most of his other recent races have been very competitive and he’s right in the mix.  Fourth last out in the Forbidden Apple going a flat mile, and was flying home late in that one.  Can he put it together here?

Another that has struggled against graded foes, running tenth in the SJC (GIII) at SA and was fourth in the McKnight (GIII) but he does love the distance and has been tough in a number of other non-black-type races.  He won last out going a mile and a half so I think you have to give him a shot here as well.

Last year, it was five wins from ten starts… this year, he can’t buy a win.  Still, he’s been second four times and third in the other two races, so he certainly can fetch a check.  All Alw races this year, so it’s a step up in class here, but maybe he dosen’t notice… and runs second. 

Took the SJC (GIII) at SA back in June, but followed that with a seventh in the Bowling Green (GII) at SAR at today’s distance.  He pulls a big win every once in a while, so don’t count him out… as a matter of fact, I like him a lot here today.

Another that is looking for his first win of the season but has been on the board i every starts… three seconds and a third from his four starts and he’s banked some nice cash.  A pair of seconds for the new connections, and they would love to get the win with him here today.

The close-but-no-cigar continues with this one, showing a pair of placings from his four starts, including a second in the SJR (GIII).  He loves the route but that eighth last out makes me a bit weary of him in this one. 

Claimed for just $25.000 two races back and that’s proven to be a smart takeover.  Third in the Louisville (GIII) and then won the King Edward BC (GII) last out in a dead-heat.  He seems to love the longer distances and you have to give him a big look in this one as well.

Recent change of barns moving from Mb to JH for $50.000, and he is looking for his first win of the ’20 season.  He was third in a pair of OptAlw races, but will obviously need a bit more than that to get the job done here, especially from this post position. 

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES