KD Juvenile
KD Race #1 1m Turf Stake
Purse $1,000.000 For Two Year Olds.
You only have to look at the four runnings of this race to see it is not turning out champions but rather those early types that tend to fade away as they age. It may be the timing of the race as it certainly gives those with experience and some precocious ability the edge over more promising types that emerge later on but in its own way it does give a great opportunity to pick up a BC type purse at a time of the year when those early types are still on song. On the face of it this field doesn’t long any stronger than those last 4 runnings but you never know, there could be a star among them even if history tells us that is unlikely.
Here is how they line up:
1 I Am Comanche Maxmillion Farm Torres J A 122
Bought for $100.000 as a 4-race maiden, maybe with this race in mind, he has the required experience and the ability to stay the trip so must be given a serious look even though he has yet to win a race. His work times tell a very different story to his form lines and that may be the “max” factor when it comes to turf races and as he jumps from a nice rails draw, he may well turn out to be the betting value in this race.
2 Daddy Dime Asgar Curtis B 122
Another 4-race maiden, which sums up this field perfectly, he looks as if this mile will improve him, but he has a lot to prove today. His works are only OK and probably wouldn’t see him favorite for a decent maiden, so it is hard to enthuse about anything other than his great draw and gifted trainer.
3 Van Royalty Stables Gaffalione T 122
Won on debut in an AQU maiden but was then very ordinary in an allowance last time although this is his first start on the turf and his works tell us he may be much improved for the surface. The trainer is due some luck and this good draw and some impressive works suggests to me he could be a good win chance.
4 Phantom Thunder Red Fox Farms Ortiz J L 122
Just got home by a nose on his third maiden attempt at FE last time, not form you would normally look at twice for a $1,000.000 race but he put in a serious mile work recently and seems to be guaranteed to run this trip out. He may be a lot better than he has looked so far.
5 Belgian Connection Nakamura Stables Bejarano R 122
The Tyro Stakes has been a good early form race, and he was staying on nicely into fifth there beaten just a length. His two runs on dirt didn’t overly impress but he looked improved last time so may turn out to be a lively outsider.
6 Fight Clubber Barcelona Farms Rodriguez Jam 122
A LAD maiden winner on his third attempt, again not stellar form but he did it well over a longer trip, so he certainly has that on his side. I always like juveniles from this yard on the turf although they are often hard to weigh up. I would have to take him seriously just because the trainer wouldn’t be wasting an entry with a no hoper.
7 Yellowbrick Road La Canada Racehorses Jaramillo E 122
Possibly the best stakes form in the race, he was a game second in the Skidmore after running near the pace and that came off the back of a very impressive maiden win. Interestingly the four with the best stakes form are in the outside four draws making this look like a handicap rather than a stakes race because the draw seems to have just as much effect as weight at HRP. A top three chance for sure and very possibly a win chance.
8 Sinissipi Swinger TwinTowersRacing Geroux F 122
You can never write off anything from this wily veteran of the game and as this one takes on his first turf race I wonder whether we will see an improvement on his last two starts. The trip is my main worry as he didn’t stick on in his last start over six and a half furlongs but he was wide and on pace in the SAR Special so the race engine may be kinder to him today. Always a chance especially if things go his way.
9 Fear Lugo Mb Stables Lopez P 122
The stable gets the two outside draws as once again the draw monster sees stable mates drawn next to each other. I think this one is the more accomplished of the two but may not be the better one. Two from two going into the Skidmore, he went right up on speed over five and a half furlongs but couldn’t quicken at the end and finished third right alongside Yellowbrick Road. It isn’t clear he will stay the mile but with two SRF rating in the 90’s he is a main contender.
10 Suspended Mb Stables Prat F 122
Still a maiden but working like a winner and was a strong second in the Tyro last time suggesting he may be one of the best maidens around. His work times are electric, but he is handicapped by a wide draw so whilst I would be bullish about his chances there are always reservations with a wide draw.
SUMMARY
I think this may be between Suspended and Yellowbrick Road but it is the sort of race that you could throw anything in and not be surprised if it won.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded