The 16th Running of the G2 City Of Hope Mile
Saturday, October 1, 2022
SA Race #6 $200.000
3+ 121/124 Lbs (plus penalties) 1-Mile (T)
Course/Stakes Record-1:31.64 (Trading Punches-2009)
#1 Wingman (Angelos Stable/P. Lopez 124): 5yo gelding’s two wins this season came when he was fairly close in the early goings. Draws well to ply those tactics again, but he doesn’t always show his early foot. He’s never beaten a graded field, but he doesn’t catch the toughest group and he can’t complain about his starting position.
#2 Crazy Ivan (Mb Stables/Ru. Silvera 121): Sophomore just missed doubling-up at DMR as he took a G3 before running a strong 3rd in a G2. He’s a stakes winner on both surfaces, so the talent is obvious, and he’s in really good form coming in. Look out.
#3 Bannister (Night Rider Stables/C. Franco 124): Claimed for $15.000 four back, but didn’t catch a dry track until latest effort for the new barn. Had the lead late in that $75.000 stake before settling for 2nd best. Should be close up and may really appreciate getting back to the flat mile.
#4 Rebel Storm (Nakamura Stables/U. Rispoli 124): 5yo horse has produced better results in latest two efforts, but he hasn’t really been going the right way in the latter stages of any of his four runs for this barn. Cuts back a half-mile in trip from the latest and he may relish the eight furlongs. Still, needs to take a big step up.
#5 Union Mills (Sccj Stables/E. Maldonado 121): Intriguing sophomore colt has been runner-up three times from four tries on the grass. This looks like his best trip and he is fleet enough to get himself in the race early on. He’s been knocking on the door long enough, just needs to bow his neck in the lane.
#6 Vital Gambit (Bomberracing/V. Espinoza 124): Last-out winner at this trip has faced two graded fields this year and hasn’t troubled either. The MTH effort was definitely a positive step but it was also his first win going a route of ground. This is a much tougher spot (competition/impost); however, have to like the way he finished after sitting up close. Tough call.
#7 Buffalo G (Nakamura Stables/D.E. Centeno 124): His last three starts of the spring were really good as he sandwiched a 3rd in a G3 with wins in a G3 and a listed stake. While he didn’t trouble in either of the last two efforts, he has legit excuses for both. A return to his spring form makes him a player in a major way here.
#8 Droopy (Aer Stables/Mario Gutierrez 121): Speaking of good springs, this sophomore gelding culminated a three-race winning streak with a solid score at this level in May. Came back with a bang-up 2nd in July before despising the soft going at BEL. If the conditions were a legit excuse, then he will have a strong say in the outcome here.
#9 Dreams Of Men (Maxmillion Farm/T. Gaffalione 124): Gelding has proven to be an astute $41.000 auction purchase with two allowance scores and a G1 runner-up from four starts. Doesn’t get the best draw here, but his early foot should prove sufficient to keep him out of too much trouble. Still, he may have to be a couple paths off of the rail and you hate giving ground to these types.
Final Analysis: 2-5-8-9, or some combination of the four, is how we think they’ll finish in the G2 City Of Hope Mile. Good luck to all involved!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
