The True North – Grade 2 – $250.000
BEL – 6 ½ Furlongs – Dirt
For Four Year Olds and Upward
June 10, 2023
Yes, I’ve been wrong before – maybe more often than not. But on paper, Dancing Rattler looks like the one to beat in this contest. He’s put together a string of first and second-place graded performances this year that have earned him a serious look. His chief competition could come from Championship Rounds, Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap winner or Runhappy winner, Rudy Is With Me.
Here’s the field:
1 On Schedule (Mb Stables
Won back-to-back graded stakes late last year before trying to step up to Grade 1 in January. Hasn’t been worse than fourth since and scored back-to-back triple digit SRFs along the way. All routing. This five-year-old hasn’t sprinted on dirt since last March when he finished second by a head in optional claiming company. Works say he’s good for it.
2 Iron Mine (Fractious)
Second by a head in the Grade 3 Westchester at a mile last out. Second by ½ length two back at 6 ½ furlongs in allowance company. Still looking for his first win this year, but he’s been close twice and has earned $52.000 so far in 2023. Working very well.
3 Street Edge (Spankys Barn)
Another one looking for his first win this year. Second in the state-bred Sensational Star Stakes on turf three starts back. Switched back to dirt after that but hasn’t been able to hit the board in two graded starts. Works look solid.
4 Championship Rounds (Mb Stables)
Hit the board three of four starts this year, including a win in the Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap in March. On track to have the best year of his career so far. Look for him to stalk or be on the pace. Very competitive in this field.
5 Lennon (Arindel)
Won the St. Matthews at CD last out. In the money three of four starts so far this year, all sprinting. Like others in this field, his works are very strong. Speed figures aren’t as high as some others. Look for him up close but not on the lead. Could be there at the wire.
6 Ideal Info (Arindel)
Back-to-back triple digit SRFs in his last two starts, including a win in the Commonwealth (Grade 3) at KEE. Performances are strong, but he doesn’t seem to quite get there most of the time. He’ll need to bring his A game to win here.
7 Hot Dog (South Short Stables)
Looking for a win in 2023. Has a second in allowance company to his credit this year but couldn’t get the job done in stakes competition his last two starts. Another one that will need a big performance to get a piece of the purse.
8 Expert Eye (TwinTowersRacing)
Won the BC Sprint back in November but hasn’t been able to get back to the winner’s circle since. Best performance came in the Grade 1 CD last out. Earned a 101 SRF in the process. Looking for a win this year. Will need a big effort to get it here.
9 Rudy Is With Me (Mb Stables)
Dead heat win in the Runhappy (Grade 3) last out. Before that he earned a 100 SRF in a third-place finish in the Fleet Sprint Handicap (Grade 3). Could get a piece of the purse, and a win wouldn’t be a surprise.
10 Gnome Guitar (Nakamura Stables)
Claimed for $80.000 in a winning effort last start. Multiple stakes winner, including a two-length victory in the $175.000 Thanksgiving Classic in November. Finished out of the money in his last graded try in the Mr. Prospector (Grade 3). Does his best running from off the pace, so he’ll need a good trip and some racing luck.
11 Buy Low Sell High (Asgar)
Won the Cartier Stakes (Grade 3) last start and scored a 101 SRF in the effort. Other than that, he hasn’t had much luck in graded company lately. Will have to see if he brings his A game here.
12 Dancing Rattler (Martyparty)
Hasn’t finished worse than second this year, including a win in the San Carlos (Grade 3) in March. Add to that three second place finishes in graded company and this four-year-old looks like the one to beat.
Picks: 12-4-9
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
