The 7th Running of The Schiller
November 13, 2021 12:20
AQU Race #1 $150.000 1-Mile Inner Turf
3YO+ 121/124 Lbs (plus penalties)
Track/Stakes Record-1:32.52 (Charleys Glance-2019)
The Schiller will fly solo as the sole race on the AQU card. The $150.000 race will be contested at one-mile over the inner turf with 3yos carrying 121 lbs and elders 124 lbs. Still in its infancy, The Schiller has been won by six different trainers, six different jockeys, and six different horses. We have eight combatants for this year’s edition, so let’s meet them. Here is your field for The Schiller at AQU:
#1 Rhythm Of Thought (Oval Express Farm/J.A. Vargas Jr 124): 4yo colt draws the rail and will be stretching-out off of two off-the-board efforts going down the hill at SA. Only a single win to go along with one place effort from fourteen starts, so he hasn’t shown much fight yet. Hard to back in this spot.
#2 Laffin Funky (Nakamura Stables/N. Juarez 124): Two second place stakes efforts sandwich an allowance win in this gelding’s last three starts. Has been on the front going longer, but he may fall into a 2nd flight trip going this trip. Current form says he is a major player.
#3 Ideal Gift (Threshold/M. Franco 124): 7yo threw a clunker in his latest, but has two very near misses at the G2 level since being claimed for just $6.250. All three of those efforts were going considerably longer, and have to be willing to forgive one bad effort if you back him, but expect him to be running late.
#4 Butterball (Angelos Stable/E. Cancel 124): 6yo will be running for the 11th time this season and he’s kept really good company. The worst loss of his season is only by two lengths in a G1, so expect him to relish the relief he gets here. Going to need some pace to run at, but like him for the win.
#5 Happy Outburst (Onlineracingclub.com/D. Davis 121): The first of a trio of 3yos, this guy was having an exceptional sophomore season before the latest effort in KEE G1. Has been competitive at this level this season and is a legitimate threat to take them the whole way.
#6 Key To The Sunset (High Voltage/J. Lezcano 121): Was third the whole way around in July try at this level/trip. Has been really good in his last three allowance tries. Looks to be forwardly-placed and looks poised to handle the step back up in class. Contender.
#7 Financial Peace (First Class Stable/P. Morales 124): Intact 4yo is either going to be right there at the wire….or he’s going to be well up the track. A tad inconsistent, but his best effort looks to be, at the very least, competitive against this group. Still, doesn’t finish like he enjoys getting his picture taken and those types tend to burn money.
#8 Beach Xaar (Diablo Diablo/T. McCarthy 121): Throw out the PIM try back in May and this guy looks really good. Yes, he enters off of a 7th, but was only beaten a length in that G1. With the outside draw it will be interesting to see if he goes back to setting/pressing the pace or continues to try to make one run. Obviously talented, but needs to put it all together.
Final Analysis: Wouldn’t be surprised if any of about six of these won, but going 4-8-2 in the 7th edition of The Schiller at AQU. Good luck to all of the contestants.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
