The Swale Stakes – Grade III
7 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $100.000 Open 3 Year Olds.

1st       Valvano        Royalty Stables          Talamo J

I had a feeling this one was going to run big despite the draw and he certainly did that. The race engine put him much closer to the pace from his wide draw than it did in the Smarty Jones last time and that coupled with him looking like this seven furlongs is his ideal trip combined to give him a hard fought neck win. I think a mile plus may still be on the cards and he goes into the reckoning of outside KYD hopefuls.

2nd        Blamethespeedparty        Martyparty         Gaffalione T

Coming off of three runs on the turf this was a very good run back on dirt. Fast out of the gate he looked like he may make all but that last furlong found him out and he just got caught. This gelding is improving all the time and with that early pace which seems to suit this new race engine he looks to have a bright future.

3rd      Elemental       Mo Mentum Farm          Lopez P

Another that threatened a big effort with a scorching recent work he finished probably the best of the first three home but just didn’t get there. His last three runs had also been on turf showing once again that there is very little difference in the surfaces here at HRP with some horses. Good horses tend to adapt better to surface and trip so i feel this one has a bright future.

4th        America First        TwinTowersRacing      Gutierrez Mario

Got handed the car park and rather than take option A the race engine went with option B which put him way out the back early on. I love the way he finished though and if this was a mile he could well have won. Watch out for him in the upcoming TC qualifiers especially if he gets a better draw.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES