The MTH Stakes – Grade III
MTH Race #10 1 1/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $150.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Wayward Prince Angelos Stable Hernandez C J 124 —

The availability of a decent Jockey AI may be the difference in this race as we see some new faces to the graded stakes scene among them. This consistent five-year-old draws the ace and certainly has some ticks in boxes for a race like this and would be a definite inclusion in any trifectas you may have. A solid third in the Dangers Point on an unfavorable track last time he had run well enough in the Pan American and Diarmida before that to suggest he is carrying the form from last year pretty well. The draw will help him keep up over this trip and his dirt work recently says he is in good heart.

2 Violent Crime Diablo Diablo Gonzalez J L 124 —

He has scored some very nice speed figures recently and despite not being able to win a HOU allowance managed a good fourth in the Whittingham last time. With so very little between the class of top-level overnights and stakes races these days you can’t really fault his form and he is working well enough to call a win chance from this draw. The possible leader they won’t want to let him get too far in front.

3 Kegger Threshold Vargas J A Jr 124 —

After some good work times and a win in a mile claimer in a fast time the stable bought this one for $41.000 and probably expected better from his run last time. He certainly has to prove he has the class gene today and if he can run up to his works would have every chance. A dark horse from a decent draw.

4 Good Samaritan Riggins Racing Camacho Sa 124 —

Another that has walked the walk but hasn’t talked the talk yet, his works says he is better than he is, but he has had many chances to date and never really shown consistency at this level. Similar to Kegger he could win on work times and promise but has to prove he has the class gene today.

5 Little Doubt Blazin D Castillo I 124 —

Turned round some pretty average form to win a big-ticket allowance last time and seems to be working like an improving horse. He will have to take another step up today but if it’s not today he looks like he will take it one day.

6 Grayte Agent Mo Mentum Farm Bravo J 124 —

Another consistent sort, his chances would improve with some rain, but he is good enough in the dry to make him a contender on any going. Another likely to try and lead he has got close to winning his last two with that tactic, so I would’ve thought his Jockey AI will try and make that happen again today.

7 Dangerous Fugitive Night Rider Stables Jara F 124 —

Looks to have got some five-year-old fairy dust this year with three good efforts that helped him secure a $125.000 sale price after his good win at SA. Since then for his new owner, he has run second in the Shackleton and then a fine third in the Fort Macy, so he has looked worth the purchase and gets another chance today to pay some more of his purchase price back. He will either map as leader or stalker in this but may be better suited by not going into a speed battle over this trip and tracking the leaders, time will tell as to what his jockey AI chooses to do.

8 Cp Sad Pain Barcelona Farms Vazquez R A 124 —

A fine seven-year-old who has won fifty percent of his 24 races, so must be liked for a race like this. He has scored one of the better AIs, so there is hope that he will get a good trip from this wide draw and come rain or shine he looks a very safe each way bet. He won the Precious Passion Stakes by five lengths carrying a penalty and backed that up with a good third in the Sycamore and a solid fifth in the HOL Turf Cup. The one drawback is that he hasn’t been seen for 6 months so may be a little rusty, but his works say he is fit and ready to go and it’s not like this is real life!

9 Infinite Sensation Apache Warrior Juarez N 124 —

An inform jockey for a horse that was claimed from a $7.500 claimer last time is an interesting proposition in an open looking race. He has won three of his last five and run some good speed figures, so whilst his form may be a mile off some of these, we all know that form means very little at HRP. He may also push for the lead and will get some help from the race engine on that score as he has the wide draw, if he clears the field quickly, he may just be a bit of a dark horse for this.

SUMMARY

There are four speed horses here and only one can lead and probably run its race, so it should be competitive from the gate. Whoever leads will have an advantage over the other three at least and that could come with the outside speed push and if the others don’t try and hold him out Infinite Sensation could be in front for a long way. I think class will be the factor here though, and I like Wayward Prince and Grayte Agent to be the ones to challenge for the win.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES