The Mohawk
AQU Race #8 1 1/16m InTurf Stake
$200.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward Foaled In NY.
1 Ethereal Flame Bears Stable Jimenez A 126 —
The stable has shown in the past that they aren’t scared of a penalty and this eight-year-old veteran of 50 races, and 21 wins certainly looks capable of overcoming the burden. Acquired for the paltry sum of $3.200 in a claimer he has racked up the wins for the new owner since including four ungraded stakes races, one of those being a dead heat win in this race last year carrying the same penalty. He has probably been in the best form of his life this year, just nosed out in the Kelso and then a competitive fourth in the KD Preview Turf Cup, he showed his wellbeing with a game win over this trip last time and should once again be right in this at the finish.
2 Aways Game Spb Racing Castillo I 124 —
Another that was acquired cheaply he will be running for the first time over the longer trips today after 4 sprinting wins from 18 races. His works are pretty sharp and the super draw will give him a great chance of lighting up the tote board. His mile work on this track was 1.34 and 3 so there seems no reason, given a comfortable trip that he wont be competitive.
3 If This Is It Martyparty Husbands P 121 —
Well a three year old working similar times to the older horses would have been a shoe in in years past but recently the development has stopped them being as dominant as they were before. His good form in the Spring and Summer has been missing recently though so he will need to find his old form to be a chance.
4 Hero Sweep Night Rider Stables Dettori L 124 —
Claimed from Riggins Racing he went straight to the grade two DMR Handicap in his last and first start for the new owner and flew home for a close fourth. That form is very good for this race and he was certainly eye catching with his big finish but I just don’t trust that closing form when the pace is hot in those longer races. He could certainly win and this looks a great claim by Night Rider but lots will have to go his way if he is going to leave his run late again.
5 Reinvestment Invicta Group Llc Alvarado J 124 —
He has been highly tested this year but has some good efforts to his name, most notably a fourth in the grade one AP Million. With only 4 wins form thirty starts he doesn’t win too often which is probably the only this that put me off about him.
6 Deputy Dog D J C Racing Stables Elliott S 124 —
A solid sort at this level his last work on this track has some of that “super improvement” about it so be very wary of this one running a big race, He seems happiest when left alone in front and he has a few late closers in this race so may get an easy lead although the only other speed horse is outside him so it may turn out to be an unwanted speed battle, one to watch closely though.
7 Dime Fall Asgar Carmouche K 124 —
The wide gate speed push will certainly suit his running style, and he ran a good race when third in the grade three Station using those tactics a couple of races ago. The pace will have to be right to give him a win chance but with a small field he may slip away and could prove hard to catch.
SUMMARY
A competitive field with plenty of interest. It would be nice to see Ethereal Flame get home to double up in this race and it could certainly happen, but I won’t burden him with my selection. Instead, I will go for the pace being cutthroat up front and Hero Sweep staying close enough to launch a late winning run.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded