Henry Championship – Grade II
1 1/4 Mile Turf Stake Purse $200.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Nevada Silver Nakamura Stables Maldonado E

Well times have changed and with them these great older horses finally have a chance against the three year olds, which is great to see. The BC Mile champion took a step back to the BC today with the perfect race and a gutsy win, prevailing by a quarter length. There is no doubting this ones class and although he had been suffering a little from bridesmaid syndrome since his win in the MM Mile he was back to the winners circle today and looks on course to another strong Breeders Cup Challenge.

2nd Keeper Of Time Smokey Stover Gutierrez Mario

This wasn’t the three year old i thought would be the main danger but surprise surprise we see another huge swing in form as he avenged his terrible effort in the SAR Derby and came back to the form that saw him narrowly beaten in the BEL Derby. Getting on the speed which definitely suits him best he dug deep and rallied but in the end the winners class was too much.

3rd Simply Magic Winning Link Stables Gaffalione T

In true HRP Style this one took forever to win his maiden but when he did he zoomed up his improvement curve and it looked for a moment that he would go from maiden to stakes winner in consecutive starts. In the end though he ran on really well he couldn’t get to the first two but lets face it he got to within a length of a BC champion in his first race out of maidens so he is clearly `better than a one race winner.

4th Lantern Yard Avenue Z Espinoza V

This was a great effort to beat some useful horses but as usual a fourth place beaten a couple of lengths is very hard to read. He needs to find something extra as he has ability but just seems unable to take that big step to the winners circle. Maybe gelding will work its magic maybe he just needs time.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES