The 14th Running of the Staten Island
Sunday, December 4, 2022
AQU Race #2 $125.000
NY-Bred F&M 3+ 121/124 Lbs (plus penalties) 7-Furlongs
Course Record-1:20.34 (A Right Charlie-2012)
Stakes Record-1:21.62 (Copper Mama-2020)
#1 Bad Senorita (Luz International/M.J. Luzzi 126): 6yo mare finally got off of a seven-race seasonal skid when she took the Iroquois last out. That win had to feel good after being a five-time runner-up this season. Unfortunately, her good work costs her two more pounds on the scale so she will be spotting her rivals two-to-five pounds.
#2 Killeen (First Flight Stable/J.J. Castellano 121): Sophomore filly is winless in seven starts this season and she only has two ITM finishes thus far. Been running longer, for the most part, and hasn’t seen the main track since May. Her only win came going 5.5-furlongs over a bogged-down turf course in her career bow at SAR.
#3 Sweetest Chant (D J C Racing Stables/K. Carmouche 121): Lass has two wins in seven starts this season and seems to be in a two good races/two bad races pattern. Just missed at this same level/trip back in the spring at BEL in what may have been the best performance of her career.
#4 Sorority Girls Rbest (Wood Duck Stables/J. Lezcano 121): Sophomore is two-for-three since transferring barns and comes here off of a sharp winning effort over this course. The lone set-back since changing hands came in a G1 and this barn is having a very, very good year. Been in the money more often than not this season.
#5 Cherokee Latte (Chili King Stables/L.E. Perez 124): Lass is only one for eight this season, but she does have three other ITM finishes to her credit. All of her best work has come over the lawn as she’s only hit the board once in three starts on the main track. Been running much longer so trip should not be one of her concerns.
#6 Chatta Code (Ace Racing Stables/A.S. Worrie 123): With six exacta finishes in her 12 starts this season, this sophomore has been earning her keep. Both wins came in similar spots and those cost her some weight in here. Just missed in a strong runner-up effort in a SAR G2 back in the summer and certainly hasn’t shown any weariness from the heavy workload.
#7 Miss Bounty (Mb Stables/D. Davis 121): Lass was running for $300.000 in a KYO prep before breaking her maiden, so the barn has always thought highly of her. Both career wins came at SAR and she followed those efforts with a good 3rd at CD. Although she has won at both 6/7 panels, the longer sprint seems to suit her best.
Final Analysis: The weight definitely influences the handicapping here. 7-4-6 is how we’ll play an interesting renewal of the Staten Island.
The 14th Running of the Thunder Rumble
Sunday, December 4, 2022
AQU Race #3 $125.000
NY-Bred 3+ 121/124 Lbs (plus penalties) 7-Furlongs
Course Record-1:20.34 (A Right Charlie-2012)
Stakes Record-1:21.33 (Dang-2016)
#1 Big A (Mo Mentum Farm/J. Lezcano 121): Gelding is two-for-five along with a runner-up this season on the lawn. On the main track his career record is 3-0-0-0 against maidens.
#2 Grayte Lion (Gdp Inc/L.E. Perez 121): Colt has gone 2-9 this season, but is winless in five starts since a May allowance tally. That remains his lone dirt win, though he ran exceptionally well in G3 runner-up effort at SA.
#3 Well Done Charley (Night Rider Stables/I. Ortiz Jr 121): 5yo gelding was claimed for $4.000 back in February and has tried stakes-level foes three times for the new outfit and has brought home a check each time. A runner-up and a 4th at this same level, but does have to give weight to the sophs.
#4 Paco (D J C Racing Stables/K. Carmouche 121): One win and three runner-up finishes from ten starts this season, but he’s faced good company all year. Been competitive at the graded-level on dirt/turf and enters with four consecutive exacta finishes in tow.
#5 Jigokudani (Invicta Group Llc/J. Alvarado 124): 6yo was winless in three tries for this outfit until going to TUP to get off the schneid. Tried this trip three-back where he used a strong rally to finish 6th, while only beaten a length.
#6 The Sins Of Life (First Flight Stable/D. Davis 124): 4yo gelding should be right in his element with two show finishes in similar spots where he was only beaten a combined length. The 1-mile Commentator was his worst effort, but may find the 7-panels more to his liking.
#7 Have Phun (Gdp Inc/J.J. Castellano 124): ITM in seven of ten starts this year, 5yo has done well sprinting/routing. Just missed here in a similar spot going 6.5 at the end of October and he is one of the more consistent-types in the field.
#8 Jah Soldier (Night Rider Stables/A.S. Worrie 124): Claimed for $16.000 back in September, he made a winning debut for the new barn October 30. 5yo put up a solid time that day and takes a step up for which this barn is well-known.
Final Analysis: Less accomplished group here than in the filly counterpart so the weights aren’t as big of a factor. 6-7-8 is how we lean in the Thunder Rumble, but the sophomores aren’t without their chances.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
