Lafayette Stakes

KEE            Race #6             7f                          Dirt                      Stake

Purse $400.000  For Three Year Olds.

1 Bells N Whistles             TwinTowersRacing                Bridgmohan S X          120

The usual mix of horses stepping out of the TC chase and sprinters looking to see out seven furlongs, this one falls firmly into the first camp.  He won the Nashua over a mile last year and has run third in the Holy Bull this year so it is interesting to see him stepping back in trip here although this is a nice prize with a light field, so it looks a sensible decision. His works are strong and some of his form is very good but there has been some inconsistency in his record which makes him a difficult pick with any confidence. The good draw today should help him sit a bit closer than he has done recently but he will still need to find a way late to take the win.

2 Petit A Petit               Jerry Garcia Racing                   Bejarano R                     120

Looked like a sprinter in his maiden win and then looked like one again when weakening in the San Felipe so it is no surprise to see him back to sprinting today. Only three races into his career it is tough to really weigh him up, but his works have been right in the mark over sprint trips, and I like his position in this race.

3 Resurgent                 D J C Racing Stables                Velazquez J R                120

Won his maiden in November last year and has taken a little time to win again but has been tested at stakes level since and got a game win in the Gander last time. I think he is competitive here but I am not sure how he maps in this race from this mid pack draw so I am in two minds about his winning chance. The form and works certainly gives him a winning chance if things go his way.

4 Storm Sequence             Team 7 Illusions                   Corrales G                     120

Makes a quick reappearance after a very good third in the Animal Kingdom last week and that is probably the main consideration when looking at his chances here.  If he has recovered enough then his third in the Swale and that last run give him a big chance but there aren’t many examples of success on quick turn rounds at HRP, so it is hard to be confident.

5 Cosmic Energy                         Mb Stables                  Franco M                        120               

With just two starts he is another example of the extraordinary depth to Mb’s Stable. Unraced at two he won a little maiden at TUP and then ran third in the Hutcheson and is now working times right up there with the best in this field. I think the seven furlongs will suit but with only two starts it is hard to really nail down his winning chance in this race. He will be a popular choice with the punters but there are a good few in this race with chances and he is just one of six.

6 Illusionary Artist          Nakamura Stables                    Castillo I                         120

This one had to go to the lowest level to win his maiden on his second start but his win in the Swale showed that to be a gross under estimation of his ability. He made all to win on an off track that day so this wide draw may not affect his intention to do the same here and his winning chance could well be decided in the first quarter. If he gets away and establishes a lead, he is certainly good enough to win but that part is more down to the race engine and others, so it is hard to be confident.

SUMMARY

This is an interesting race with unexposed and established stakes horses sharing similar works and potential. It is hard to settle on one clear chance but for me at least, the draw and race shape may be key and with that in mind I like Petit A Petit from a great gate.       

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded