The Stymie
AQU Race #2 1m Dirt Stake
Purse $125.000 (plus up to $18.75 for NY-breds) For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1      Sunderland Til I Die      TwinTowersRacing        Vargas J A Jr

This stable knows how to win these types of races but normally does it with horses that look to have less chance of winning. This one however is a grade one performer racing from the ace draw so will be among the favorites and could easily prove to be the winner. He ran respectably in both the Travers and the PA Derby and recently went a nice third in the LA Stakes from a tough draw. The works are strong, the trip OK and the stable is in form.

2     Charley Buzz         Nakamura Stables         Gomez J A

This one dead heated for the win in a decent optional claimer in his first effort for the trainer after they bought him for $150 from Patterson Stables. The winner of five races he has yet to prove he is a stakes horse but has done most things right and could be ready t break through from the perfect draw.

3     Darth Charley         Diablo Diablo      Davis D

A TC hope last year he led them for a mile in the KYD and then tried to do the same in the BEL but found the 12 furlongs far too far. He has taken a while to get over that campaign but looked a bit closer to his best on seasonal debut and could be ready to strike over this trip.

4       Retrospect       Mb Stables          Lezcano J

You can see why these big stables have jumped on this apparent glitch recently as here we have a one race winning filly who gets 5Lbs and is working the same time as the colts and geldings. That fact alone would make her very nearly the winner. On bare form i am a little underwhelmed so i hope she doesn’t win just because of this anomaly but to be honest it does look likely. However i am going for the fact that this was just a very minor hiccup in the new race engine and like last year the fillies and mares find it hard to jump themselves into these open races.

5     Mad Monster          The Sidley Stud         Worrie A S

A solid and consistent five year old who is working strongly and is sure to be part of this race for a long time. I am not sure he is quite as good as the best of them but it wouldn’t take much luck to see him winning.

6      Speter          Nakamura Stables          Carmouche K

The second stable runner he has been real consistent over his relatively short career and looks good enough to be a factor here. A good winner on debut he still may be a little light against this sort of opposition but he looks to have the pace to get on speed and this trainer will be looking for a one two.

7      Have Phun       Gdp Inc        Gomez Os

Doesn’t really have grade three winning form but is working like a grade three winner so you can’t write him off. He has only won one from eight over this sort of trip so i am not overly keen on him living up to those works. Having said that so often previous form can mean little if they get a little boost in their improvement curve but he will have to rely on that to be a factor.

8     Lion Lake        Night Rider Stables       Cancel E

He improved through the latter part of last year and ended looking like he would make this grade. His seasonal debut was an encouraging second in the Jazil when he was very much in the race at this distance. The wide draw wont help his chances but if he can ride the race engine he could be the dark horse.

SUMMARY

A tricky race to work out but if you were a mathematician you would have the lone filly as the clear winner here. Sadly i am no mathematician so i am going against her in favor of a more traditional pick in the shape of Sunderland Til I Die.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded