The Albany      

SAR                Race #5                       1 1/8m                         Dirt                  Stake

Purse $200.00  For Three Year Olds Foaled In NY.

The Albany has brought together a compact but high‑quality group of New York‑bred three‑year‑olds, several of whom arrived with strong recent works and proven route form. The race has ultimately rewarded the horses who combined consistent work patterns with established 1⅛‑mile performance, while exposing those still searching for identity at the distance.

American Mischief — The Benchmark Worker, The Benchmark Performer

No runner entered with a more complete profile of recent work sharpness and race‑day reliability than American Mischief. His August works — 1:10.2 at PRX and 1:10.1 at MTH — were not just fast, they were controlled, signalling a gelding holding peak fitness deep into a long campaign.

His race performances backed that up:

• 96 fig in the NY Derby, finishing with authority.
• 93 in the Ohio Derby despite a wide, grinding trip.
• Multiple mid‑90s route efforts showing he sustains speed.

VERDICT: The stable this one is from says it all and with works in the realm of older horses it would seem the stars are aligning for him to get a statebred double. Of course the fact that he took out the NY Derby last time gives him 2Lbs extra to carry and that wont be easy but he is running from a gate that will negate that weight and he will surely start favorite.

Endless Stir — Good Worker, Mixed Dirt Profile

Endless Stir’s work tab was solid without being explosive:

• 1:10.3 PRX, 1:10.2 MTH, both professional and steady.
• A turf work at PRX (1:10) hinted at his versatility.

Race‑day performance, however, continues to show a split identity. His best figures (90–95) have come on turf, and while his 92 in the Curlin on muddy dirt was encouraging, he still lacks the punch of the top dirt routers.

VERDICT: Same stable similar works and 2Lb less to carry puts him right in this as the GOAT Stable gets the inside two gates and could well go one two. It has to be said he hasn’t been as progressive as his stable mate stumbling a little when upped in grade and that class gene could be the difference.

De Grasse — Improving Worker, Improving Performer

De Grasse arrived with one of the most interesting work patterns in the field:

• 1:10.3 and 1:10.4 at Del Mar, both strong West Coast drills.
• A 1:36.4 mile at Santa Anita earlier in the season showing stamina.

His race performances have followed the same upward curve:

• Three straight 88–91 figs at 1 1/16.
• Tactical speed and a reliable finishing effort.

VERDICT: A consistent sort at overnight level with some strong works and strong race performances. If the top two run a bit below their best this one could pick them off.

Mystic Caller — Brilliant Works, Inconsistent Races

Mystic Caller’s works were among the sharpest in the field:

• 1:03 at Saratoga, 2/16 — elite.
• 58.1 at SAR, 2/6 — blistering.

But his race performances continue to swing:

• 97 in the Rebel (top‑class).
• 94 in the Peter Pan (strong).
• 92–93 in statebred company (solid but not dominant).

VERDICT: Made no real impression in the NY Derby and 2Lbs shouldn’t be enough to see a turnaround in form but its not beyond the realms of reality at HRP to see form turned upside down and he certainly is going to be competitive. The race distance may be his biggest challenge.

Liams Map — Honest Worker, Honest Racer

Liams Map’s work pattern was steady rather than flashy:

• 1:10.4 at MTH, a good maintenance drill.
• 1:38.4 mile at SAR, showing stamina rather than speed.

His race performances mirror that profile:

• Consistent 91–94 figs at 1⅛.
• Rarely runs poorly, rarely produces a knockout blow.

VERDICT: Beaten a length in that NY Derby so the two pounds could be significant enough to see him turn the tables. He faded a little at the end of that race and this nine furlongs proved too much for his stamina in the race before so he may need a stamina saving ride to last the trip.

Neon Lemon — Sharp Sprint Works, Weak Route Record

Neon Lemon’s works were fast — but sprint‑fast:

• 1:36.4 at MTH, decent but not route‑strong.
• Multiple 1:10–1:10.3 works at PRX, showing speed rather than stamina.

His race performances at routes have been consistently below his sprint form:

• 89 and 91 at 1 1/16, both fading late.
• Best efforts have come at 6f.

VERDICT: If you look at the form you shake your head but if you read the works and take a look at this stables ability to pull out the best in a race where they look beaten then this could be the dark horse.

RACE SUMMARY:

On paper this looks like American Mischiefs race to lose. He gets the penalty but seems to be the only runner here really happy over this nine furlongs and that may turn out to be more important than a weight penalty.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded