The Curlin – $135.000 Ungraded
SAR – 1 1/8 Mile – Dirt
Three Years Old
July 29, 2022
There may be no clear favorite in this race, but there are a few that deserve mention. Angel Dust (Arindel) took three tries to break his maiden, but he has only finished off the board in one of four starts. Shamo (Mb Stables) and Fifty Lucky (D J C Racing Stables) are the only entrants with stakes experience and have both come very close to the winner’s circle in graded stakes. Argentinian (Nakamura Stables) is looking to extend his winning streak to four with a win here. He’s working well and could be in the mix.
Here’s the field:
#1 Angel Dust
Owner: Arindel
Only four career starts for this gelding, but he has made each one count. Has only finished off the board once. That came in his last start when he tried a distance beyond a mile for the first time. It was also his first start in allowance company. He made a good showing of himself, finishing fourth, just a length back. Has a real chance here.
#2 Argentinian
Owner: Nakamura Stables
Riding high on a three-race winning streak in low level allowance company. His performances have been solid and his works impressive, including a mile work at DMR in early July where he turned a time that was second best of 79. Still, he’s going to have to bring his A-game to compete here.
#3 Prince Ferro
Owner: Maximillion Farm
Broke his maiden at 1 1/8 mile two starts back at SA, so distance shouldn’t be a problem. Does his best running from off the pace. We’ll see if that trend continues. Like his chances to get part of the purse with a big effort.
#4 Fifty Lucky
Owner: D J C Racing Stables
Struggled early this year on the TC trail. Last out was a drop in class and a first start after gelding, and he responded with a win in allowance company at LS. Graded Stakes placed, he has a real shot at part of the purse, if not a win.
#5 Polymath
Owner: Gdp Inc
Broke his maiden at LS two starts back. Could do no better than fourth against state-bred optional claiming types. Works are solid but may be outclassed here.
#6 Shamo
Owner: Mb Stables
Graded stakes placed. Lost the Grey Stakes (G3) by a nose last November. Deserves a look based on these facts alone, even though his last two starts were less than stellar. Took a drop in class last start and still came up short, but the winner had to break the track record to beat him that day. Looks to be in the mix, and a win wouldn’t be a surprise.
Picks: 6-4-1
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
