The Winkfield
AQU Race #2 6f Dirt Stake
Purse $125.000 (plus up to $18.75 for NY-breds) For Three Year Olds.

1 Freeborn Man First Flight Stable Martinez J R 122 —

Won his first two at much lower grade but then came unstuck when upped to a GP optional claimer last time. Whether it was the surface, the trip, or the class, it will be revealed today as all three are different. A recent work says he has speed on this surface, but the question is does he have the class?

2 Burke D J C Racing Stables Buick W T 122 —

Has the right sort of form for a race like this being placed in this class three back and running a black-book type race last time. A long way last in the Swale, he finished like a train, passing 7 horses in the final furlong to end up fifth just a length off the winner. The draw will help him keep a bit handier today and he looks a good chance.

3 Sanity Maletto Vives S 122 —

One for one, you really cannot do better than that and the fact that this one came through the Smokey Stover fire sale is as good a pointer to his chances as anything. He comes back in trip after his debut win, which is a concern, but he showed plenty of speed in a recent work, suggesting this 6 furlongs is within his scope. A chance to remain unbeaten and send a message to the other sprinters in this division.

4 Out Of Touch TwinTowersRacing Davis K 122 —

Beaten a neck in the Best Pal as a two-year-old he went on to compete in some top races over a variety of trips. In truth through his tries in routes, he has looked more of a sprinter, and his best races have come in this role. Certainly, good enough to be a win chance although it is tough to work out exactly where he fits into this race.

5 Comanche Smoke Panionios Racing Lezcano J 122 —

Bought for $50.000 from Mb Stables after failing to put a dent in the TC qualifiers, he may well be the form choice here after some excellent efforts as a two-year-old. Second in consecutive grade ones as a juvenile and working the lights out, he would be a good choice for the win.

6 Mooresy Big Guns Stables Carmouche K 124 —

Carries a penalty for his good win in the Funnycide, he is another who has been aimed at the TC after solid runs in the grade one Champagne and the BC Juvenile as a two-year-old. I am not sure the longer trip in his last two really suited and back to his stakes winning trip today he certainly rates a big chance, penalty and all.

7 Tank Commander Diablo Diablo Kocakaya G 122 —

Three wins from five and collecting a check in the other two you cannot fault his form, and he deserves a shot at this grade. An out and out sprinter, he is an on-pace type from a wide draw, so there are plenty of positives about a big effort today. This is his first go at black type, so you have to take the class gene on trust, but he has shown enough to suggest he can step up.

8 Hubble Mb Stables Cancel E 122 —

Just the one win, but he has run pretty well in some big races, so it is worth looking carefully at this one, not least as he is from Mb Stables. A deep closer, it looks set in stone that he will trail from this draw if left to his normal running style, and if the pace is hot, he could well find a pathway home late. He has shown enough to be a chance but on form is maybe third best.

SUMMARY

A nice-looking race with some promising sprinters. I think I will go with the proven form in this race in the shape of Comanche Smoke. Of the rest, you would have to give a big chance to Burke, Out Of Touch and Mooresy, but there is plenty to like about the promising looking Sanity and Tank Commander, so finding the winner here won’t be easy.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded