BG Stakes – Grade I [KYD]
1 1/8 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $1,000.000 Open 3 Year Olds.

1st Winned Team 7 Illusions Cohen D

Went to war with Rearranger in the first part of the race but had that one beaten by halfway and then it was just a matter of whether the quick turnaround would tire him down the stretch. In the end he had built just enough of a lead to hold on by a neck and gain a deserved entry into the KYD. I know the trainer is concerned about three tough races in a month heading into the run for the roses, but he gets a decent break now to freshen up and I am sure his running style will suit the big race. It is interesting that the trainer is still testing adds through these qualifiers and I wonder whether we will see some Lasix back in his system for next time as that can sometimes help them when the lung busting final furlong approaches. Whatever the trainer does is sure to be the right thing because Team 7 Illusions is among the best here at HRP and it is great to see them in the Derby field with this winner of five from seven.

2nd Crickets Martyparty Lopez P

I thought this one may run big and he ran big enough to very nearly run down the winner. The field rather turned a blind eye to the two leaders thinking they would come back to them, but the winner is classy, and I feel the AI got it wrong today. He was never too far back and stormed home, and this was a great step up from ungraded stakes to a grade one. 20th in the KYD points race is a precarious place to be and time could have run out for him but if he doesn’t get a start in the KYD then I think the BEL will be perfect for him.

3rd Master And Commander Fractious Franco M

I was surprised that the three Fractious runners weren’t on different tactics, but they all ran a similar style and like the runner up suffered from an AI mistake. He flew home as usual and in three KYD qualifiers in a row has been beaten less than a length. That is a bit of a shame when you look at it as it is almost certain he won’t be in the KYD but like the runner up will make his presence felt in one of the other two.

4th Rearranger Mb Stables Velazquez J R

Ran his usual solid race but once again his running style made him vulnerable at the end. He was beaten off by the winner pretty early but kept on really well for fourth. He has now dropped out of the running for the KYD and whilst tactically that may harm the trainers KYD, I do think that he will come back after a rest and be tough over a mile.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES