The PRM Cornhusker Handicap – Grade III
PRM Race #1 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Pop Up Rampage Stable Rosario J 118 —
A Handicap ay, well this one race winner is carrying the same as a grade three winner, go figure. But what we see is if you take all the form out of it is a decent four-year-old working pretty close to everything else. So, with the magic that a couple of pounds can bring, the ace draw and a 20%-win record who knows this could be another one of those handicap winners.
2 Want Rum Mo Mentum Farm Beschizza A 118 —
Claimed from Team 7 Illusions for $50.000 last time he carries that magic bottom weight too and with some equally impressive works, a decent draw and a jockey that has won on him before, well guess what this could be another one of those handicap winners. Consistent at overnight level he has the race times to be a factor here and was a decent second last time, not a standout but a possibility.
3 Mr Toxic Spankys Barn Gaffalione T 119 —
Triple digit speed figures in his last three, close up at grade one, two and three and with strong works. Mix all that with just 119Lbs and you have, you guessed it another one of those possible handicap winners. I guess the biggest downside with him would be his win record which stands at just one from sixteen and that came on the turf but if he runs up to his last couple on dirt and runs up to his work times then I would give the six-year-old a big chance.
4 Pennine Way Jediminds Stable Bocachica Ar 120 —
A grade three winner and grade two runner up this one gets 120lbs and joint top weight for all that two pounds matters. He has been a bit off in his last two and as a six-year-old that can mean decline but equally we see many horses drop a bad race or two and then come back for no apparent reason, so I wouldn’t write him off.
5 Heart Of Genghis Night Rider Stables Bejarano R 120 —
A six-year-old that was claimed from Spinetingling after some strong free track runs, he has been a great recruit to the pay side since being switched to the main track proving once again that a horse’s development is not stifled by running at lower grade as said once by the game makers. Third in the grade three PIM Special last time he was a stakes winner before that but for some inexplicable reason is saddled with joint top weight. The Math behind the handicap program continues to astound and confuse me. Anyway, a nice sort and if the handicapper knows something we don’t then he could be a place chance.
6 Lennon Mb Stables Lopez P 118 —
The brilliance behind the success of this great trainer is not only breeding and developing the best horses but placing them too. Here we have a bottom weight that has won two graded stakes races and is working like a BC champion. He has won the most purse money and is ridden by P Lopez who has been in great form this season. All that adds up to a likely win but two poor races in his last two give the others just a glimmer of hope.
7 Propel Team 7 Illusions Cabrera D 120 —
This five-year-old is probably in career best form having won an ungraded stakes two back and then placed third in the KY Cup Classic and The Marathon. However, he too has been selected to carry joint top weight and gets an awkward draw so whilst he looks a big chance there are a few black marks there. The works are strong enough and his on-pace style will suit in a race which may be stolen off the front with no obvious pace apart from him.
8 One Last Punch Line Saratoga Stud Pennington F 119 —
A tough and consistent six-year-old he has been running well since being claimed from Alydar Stables but has yet to repay any of the purchase price. His closing style seems to be a problem, and it is a pattern we see so often in these types, where they fly home but always leave it too late. His works are on point and if the trainer can sort that trailing running style out then he could be a chance.
9 Jerry Threshold Valdez F S 119 —
Another deep closer, he will almost certainly go too far back from the wide draw in some pointless hunt for the rail and then arrive full of running when the race is all over. A horse with no stakes wins and just a single win and $70.000, he gets more weight than the dual graded stakes winner, so I think we can write him off unless a miracle happens.
SUMMARY
Well Mb Stables looks like they have pulled another out of the bag to win here with the fast-working bottom weight. I am not sure it is cut and dried though and would give Mr Toxic and Propel a bit of a chance. I feel the winner here may be the one that gets an early lead as there isn’t much speed, and it could end up being a two-furlong sprint for home by the leaders.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES