National Museum Of Racing (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
SAR- For Three Year Olds
One Mile on the Inner Turf
August 5, 2022

A field of six will be heading to the starting gate for the 19th edition of the National Museum Of Racing, which is a Grade 2 race held on the grass. Over time, the distance of the race has varied, starting at nine furlongs, then losing 1/16th of a mile in 2011, then another sixteenth in 2019, to its current level. The purse has been fairly consistent, however, bouncing between $150.000 and the present $200.000. It’s been a good race for Mb Stables, as he has won it four times since 2013, but the most recent winner was trained by Arindel. That was Manchild getting the victory, and as of now it is the last time that he won a stake. While still active for Invicta Group Llc, he’s been struggling of late. Here’s a look at those hoping to be the next one inducted to the winner’s board.

#1- Hardline Cobra (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by A Cedillo)- There isn’t much reason to be excited for this one. He’s been having a very hard time as of late, and since winning an allowance last September, he’s only hit the board once. In some instances, he’s been up against very good company but that’s not always the case. Was fifth, and beaten by three, in an optional claimer for his last start, though a good one at WO. The trainer has a knack for getting a horses form to change, and he must pull one out of his sleeve again for this one to have a chance.

#2- Commander Chai (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by J R Velazquez)- After winning on debut, prior trainer Serenity Stables challenged him with stakes placement, and he did decently, running in the middle of the pack, but that doesn’t earn a lot. Maxmillion picked him up in November, gelded him, and moved him to the grass. This is paying off, as he has hit the board in all five starts, winning his last two. That last win was the $100.000 Murphy, and I expect him to build on that here.

#3- Sharkamaulu (Arindel, ridden by Mario Gutierrez)- We’ve already seen this one in a race during the meet already, when he ran in the Grade 3 Quick Call. He was on the lead in the early going, but was passed by several in the turf sprint, fading to ninth although not badly beaten, in general. Had a similar result the prior race in the PEN Mile, running well early but fading slightly in the stretch. If the trainer can get that sorted out, perhaps with a new tactic, he is an intriguing horse to put on top, but should get a piece of the purse regardless.

#4- Inspector Gadget (Nakamura Stables, ridden by M Franco)- Since winning the $100.000 Awad on Halloween last year, Inspector Gadget has been entered in graded stakes but has not found a win in any of them. Attempts in KYD preps were a struggle, and he has done better since being moved back to the turf. Still, it is hard to get really excited over this horse, especially after a dismal effort last month in the BEL Derby. This isn’t that type of field, but still he must be better.

#5- Full Speed (Mb Stables, ridden by L Saez)- Broke his maiden on debut last year, but has not made a return trip to the winner’s circle. He’s been much better finishing second, placing there in six of eleven career starts, and in three races this year. The trainer has given him a healthy diet of ungraded stakes and despite his tendency to place second, with a little more luck at least half of those could have been wins. Got his favorite spot in his last race, the $100.000 Manila. Can he finally do one better here?

#6- Miami My Amy (John Henry, ridden by R M Hernandez)- The trainer paid $250.000 to pick up this gelding last year, and he’s beginning to make that investment worth it. When running a mile, he has been at his best, with an impressive performance in the SF Mile in April. Following that win, the trainer hoped for more and added a quarter mile in distance for the BEL Derby, and got a respectable effort, so we could see that type of race from him again. In the meantime, I like him running back at a mile here, and he’s one of the top choices in this field.

Prediction: 2-5-6-3

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES