The Inaugural Running of the G3 Dueling Grounds Derby
Sunday, September 4, 2022
KD Race #1 $750.000
3YOs 122 Lbs 15/16 Turf
Stakes/Course Record-N/A
#1 Paco (D J C Racing Stables/Mar. Garcia): 16th career start will be his first on the lawn. Rail draw helps, but this one will be a bit of a mystery until they pop the gates. Dirt form has fallen off a bit recently, but have to believe the trainer has seen some positives to pony-up the entry fee for this.
#2 Boardwalk Empire (Smokey Stover/D.E. Centeno): Four weeks after taking G1 SAR Derby, colt comes back in this spot. Last three runs have seen him get his picture taken twice while settling for a DH 2nd in the third. Should sit a comfortable trip from this draw and the distance should not be an issue of any kind. Guess the conditioner figured the competition would be softer here instead of what will be waiting in two weeks for the bigger purse at BEL.
#3 To The Mattresses (Threshold/E. Maldonado): Changed hands after breaking his maiden in April and has earned one win for these connections in three races since. Looks like he’ll be one of the back markers early, but shouldn’t have to worry about getting caught wide in a six-horse field and should have plenty of room to make his run when asked. Definitely gets tested for class in this spot; however, it’s not like there weren’t easier spots the trainer could have chosen. Intriguing at a square price.
#4 Certified Yank (Mb Stables/J.S. Rocco Jr): Won three consecutive starts for the new outfit after bringing $5.440 in the March auction. The win three back was a G2 and he hasn’t exactly run poorly in his latest two tries while facing some of his generation’s best on the lawn. Gelding may have grabbed the lead too soon last time and, given the conditioner’s propensity to not make the same mistake twice, he should be sitting all systems go for this.
#5 Burnsuwhenitshot (TwinTowersRacing/M.J. Sanchez): First run on turf was last month in a G1 and, while he came up a bit short, he didn’t really embarrass himself. Has to turn the table on the 1st and 3rd place runners from that event, but it’s definitely not out of the wuestion that he improves in this second attempt on the lawn.
#6 West Hockey Party (Maxmillion Farm/D. Moran): Finished the worst of the four coming out of the G1 at SAR last time after he contested the pace that day. Both wins have come over courses less than firm as he caught soft turf in each. Hasn’t drawn the best his last three races, but at least he’s only on the outside of five others here. Too much respect for the trainer to dismiss this one, but he needs to show he can beat these types before he gets an endorsement.
Final Analysis: We’ll go upset special here and play a straight 3-2-4 tri in the inaugural G3 Dueling Grounds Derby with a small saver on a box of the same three runners. Good luck to everyone!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
