Kelso Handicap – Grade 2 – $300.000
AQU – Mile – Dirt
For Three Year Olds And Upwards
1 Owens (Nakamura Stables) Claimed last start for $45.000 in race he won by two lengths. As impressive as that might have been, the four-year-old hasn’t won in graded company since the Kent State (Grade 3) in July 2021. Will need a top effort against these.
2 Dime Defense (Asgar) Won the $100.000 Saginaw in July and followed that up with a 4th in the Seagram Cup Stakes (Grade 3) and 3rd in the Ack Ack (Grade 3). Looks like a real threat coming into this race, and a win wouldn’t be a surprise.
3 Starship Candlestick (TwinTowersRacing) Strong allowance horse but has yet to win in stakes company. May be a little outclassed here.
4 Ricki Tikki Tavi (La Canada Racehorses) Won the $200.000 PID Mile last start. Has been bouncing back and forth between stakes and allowance level this year and scored a win in high level allowance company in June. A strong performance could get him part of the purse.
5 Twilight Flame (Mb Stables) Hasn’t finished worse than third in his last six starts, including a win in optional claiming company at DMR and a close third in the $200.000 PID Mile, just ¼ length behind Ricki Tikki Tavi. Could be there at the wire with a little racing luck.
6 Beach Xaar (Fractious) Won the PRX Dirt Mile last start. Hasn’t fared well in graded company, but this could be his days. Looks like a horse on the improve. Still, might be asking too much.
7 Higher Drift (Asgar) Last five starts were in graded company, including thirds in the San Diego Handicap (Grade 2) and the GP Sprint Championship (Grade 3). Has not won beyond 6 ½ furlongs, so distance could be an issue.
8 Strong Kommand (Maxmillion Farm) Claimed three starts back for $25.000. His only win came in that race. Seems a little outclassed in this group.
Picks: 6-4-5
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
