The 16th Running of the G3 Commonwealth Turf Cup
Saturday, November 26, 2022
CD Race #5 $300.000
3YOs 122 Lbs 11/16 (Turf)
Course Record-1:38.67 (Clear The Way-2012)
Stakes Record-1:39.42 (Oxford Manor-2021)
#1 Quiet Hero (Mb Stables/L. Saez): Rail horse draws much better for this than he did last out at WO. Broke from gate 11 and set the pace in G1 WO Mile before having to settle for 4th. Biggest of his four wins is a $150.000 NY-bred event but he’s been very competitive at the stake level in previous tries. Keeps one of the barn’s preferred pilots in the saddle and may be ready to take the next step.
#2 On The Seventh Day (Calia Stables/T. Gaffalione): Colt has won one-third of his nine starts including a DH last out in an AQU N2X. Came home 4th in a SAR G3 after taking a MSW and N1X in the early summer. Jock was aboard for both of his first two wins and should know that his charge has enough early foot to put himself in the race. He’s won at eight and nine furlongs and should be right there when the real running starts.
#3 Boardwalk Empire (Smokey Stover/Mario Gutierrez): G1 winner didn’t fire at KEE in the BC, but his overall turf form looks strong. The only other time he was OTB on the lawn came right here back on KYD day. The cut back from the 12-furlong last out trip is a concern, but that doesn’t disqualify him here. If the BC is a toss-out, his two-, three-, and four-back efforts are good enough to be right in the mix.
#4 Cascade King (Nakamura Stables/D.E. Centeno): Last-out win in the G2 Hill Prince was his 2nd stake tally and first graded score for this colt. Runner should be able to get to the rail fairly early as the three inside of him appear quicker on paper. If he can draft right in behind, he could sit an excellent trip. He fired big here back in August in a similar spot and have to think he’s ready to roll in this one.
#5 Upon Impact (Broken Spoke Stables/S. Elliott): Colt has been expertly-managed with five wins from eight starts as he’s climbed the class ladder. Took the $400.000 Station at KEE for his first stake’s tally with a pace-pressing trip. Brings a three-race winning streak into the toughest assignment of his young career, but have to appreciate a horse that has come up through the ranks with sucj efficiency. The nine-furlongs are a question, but there’s a lot to like about him.
#6 Union Mills (Sccj Stables/F. Geroux): Colt only has one win and it came on the main track; however, he has three place finishes from five turf starts. Didn’t fire at all in G2 City Of Hope, but it’s nice to see the blinkers come back off for this engagement. Has put forth good efforts with differing tactics, but he needs to show that he wants to get to the wire first.
#7 Proud Bo (TwinTowersRacing/A. Cedillo): Gelding has tried seven different distances and two different surfaces this season and is still searching for his first win. He has several near-misses to his credit, and his best race was probably when he was beaten three-quarters of a length in an allowance here back in June. Faces the same trip this time, but the competition is stiffer.
#8 Cadillac Jack (Mb Stables/J.R. Velazquez): $220.000 buy back in September has raced twice for this outfit with a 4th-placed finish being the better of the two. Broke his maiden in March while making all, but he hasn’t found the right group in seven tries versus winners. Have to think the barn knows him a little better now, but another loss may necessitate a drop to the allowance ranks.
#9 Oh Brother (Rampage Stable/I. Ortiz Jr): Gelding couldn’t duplicate the G3-winning effort last out at AQU. If his current pattern holds, we should be able to expect him to put his best foot forward for this. Has the tactical speed to get himself into the race and the 8.5-furlongs should pose no problems as he was victorious here in the summer at this same trip. He caught a soft course that day and he could catch another one on Sunday.
#10 Elite Fire (High Voltage/U. Rispoli): Gelding just missed in the G2 Twilight last month and cuts back to his preferred 8.5-furlong trip for this. The last three wins have all been at today’s trip and one of those was here back in July. Took the G3 Saranac from off of the pace and figures to try to get that same trip here. May be reading too much into it, but have to think he can be a serious player here at a distance, and on a course, that he relishes.
#11 Show Me How To Live (Mo Mentum Farm/M. Franco): Stretched-out nicely at AQU last month to claim the first stake of his career and first route victory in three tries. Gets deposited in St. Matthews with this draw, but he figures to take a hard left at the start so it may not be too awful for him. His only start against graded-runners was at 6.5-furlongs, so maybe the barn learned something that will aid him here. It should be noted that he was quick enough to beat a SAR N1X field going 5.5 on the front end.
Final Analysis: 4-9-10 is how we’ll play the G3 Commonwealth Turf Cup at CD. Good luck to all!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
