The Pilgrim – Grade II
BEL Race #4 1 1/16m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Two Year Olds.
1 Lifeline Maxmillion Farm Carrasco V R
Won his maiden at SAR from the stalk but was sent to the front in the KD Juvenile and could not keep up the gallop ending up fifth. He has the perfect draw if he starts well to find a stalk again today and i expect a much better run from him.
2 Dolomites Smokey Stover Bridgmohan S X
Still a maiden after being beaten at GG on debut but this is no ordinary maiden having worked a 1.35 and 2 turf mile quicker than just about all of these previous winners. The stable is one of the big boys and with a perfect draw this one may pick a graded stakes to break his maiden today.
3 Search Engine Hippyheart Albarado R J
Looked Ok winning his maiden but stepped up in grade to run a fine second in the Kittens Joy on an off track. He was well beaten by High Time but may have been unsuited by the off track, of course we wont know that until we see how these two go if today’s track is better. The 1.36 and 1 work says he is good enough and he gets a very nice draw to try and get his spot in the BC.
4 High Time Oquinn Farm Velazquez J R
A winner of three from four so it is hard to say his impressive win in the Kittens Joy was down to him being an off track specialist but he certainly didn’t mind the wet that day. He won his maiden and allowance well and sandwiched between them was a fair effort in the Tremont where his finishing position didn’t really reflect his effort. Looks very suited to today’s trip and surface and may be hard to beat.
5 Juggernutt Hee Haw Farms Cancel E
A solid and consistent type he will have to find some extra to win this but certainly deserves his one shot at the BC today.
6 Oh Brother Rampage Stable Rosario J
Very impressive when stepped up in trip to win his maiden in a canter he could be anything. He has worked 1.36 flat for the mile which seems to be the benchmark at the moment so no reason he cannot run a big race.
7 Hand Cannon Jive Inc. Moran D
Disappointed in the Hopeful but was good before that and has worked a 1.37 and 1 for the dirt mile so the big question is can he do the job in his first race on the turf. I guess we will only find out when the first horse crosses the line.
8 Confirmation TwinTowersRacing Bravo J
Won a good maiden on debut but has run down the field in good races since. Goes on the turf for the first time today so who knows if he takes to it maybe he could spring a big surprise.
9 Elite Fire Fractious Davis D
A very good winner over a mile in a DMR Maiden last time he is certainly on the watch list for this race and is working very nicely. The wide draw makes it tough but if he gets it done from out here he may be pretty special.
10 Ubiquitous Mb Stables Jaramillo E
Four races on the dirt for the champion trainer, two on off tracks and pretty disappointing. The magic however came when worked on the turf where he went a sub 1.36 so whilst he must step up on his last effort it really wouldn’t surprise me to see him in the finish.
11 Malibu Andrew Joshua Stables Saez L
Won nicely at SAR when tried at turf routing so deserves a shot here but the draw is very tough. He will need things to go his way but is not the worst here.
12 Napa Mo Mentum Farm Cedillo A
Gets the car park for his first attempt on the grass which wont make things easy. His turf work was very encouraging but his form isn’t so we will just have to wait and see with him.
SUMMARY
Two year old turf races at this time of year are always tough to line up as many are just having a go on the surface in an effort to get into a BC race. I like Smokeys maiden runner but i worry he hasn’t run since April so i think a safer bet may be High Time who was very impressive in the wet last time.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
