Turf Monster Handicap – Grade III

PRX                Race #14            5f           Turf                      Graded Stake

Purse $250.00  For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 – Last Way To The Beac (Trainer: Maxmillion Farm)

A seasoned turf sprinter in strong current form. His PEN win on 14 Aug was sharp, stopping the clock in 56.1 and earning a 98 figure, showing he still retains top-end speed. His recent works — notably 5f in 57.2 at PEN — confirm he’s holding fitness and sharpness. Maxmillion Farm places him well, and the stable’s turf sprinters typically peak off similar prep patterns. Reliable, consistent, and coming in off a win.

Verdict:

This eight year old has been an institution in the game for a long time now and keeps surprising every year. As a three year old he won the JC Gold Cup over 12 furlongs but nowadays in true HRP fashion he is better known as a sprinter. It is part of the game which we accept that a good horse is a good horse over any trip but it does seems rather opposite to real life that horses lose stamina as they get older rather than strengthen and gain it, Still it is what it is and thankfully this great old horse has entertained us for many years by reinventing himself as a sprinter. This will be his fiftieth career race and with a  great draw it could well be a winning one.

2 – Ineedu2party (Trainer: Maxmillion Farm)

Classy but winless this season. His form is honest — Jaipur G1 second, Highland G2 second — but he’s repeatedly finding one or two too good. His DMR 5f work in 57.1 shows he’s still firing, but he hasn’t converted that into wins in 2026. Trainer has him fit and competitive, but he’s been finishing rather than winning.

Verdict:

I crowned this stable the turf king and more recently the sprint king and here they get a chance to put both crowns together with two very strong entries. This one seems to be suffering another of HRP’s little anomalies, the four year old flat season as he has failed to really live up to his brilliance at three. This is the time of year however when fours can start back up their improvement curve and as the stable has drawn the best two draws here it is likely that they could dominate this race.

3 – Woodcock (Trainer: Spankys Barn)

Form leans toward longer turf trips, though he did run a solid second at SAR over 5½f last out. His works at DMR — 6f in 1:10.4 and 1 mile in 1:34.2 — suggest stamina rather than sprint sharpness. Trainer has him conditioned, but the cutback to 5f is a question.

Verdict:

This one’s works say one thing and their race course performance says another so it is hard to place this one. He certainly has the ability to get top four at home and if he can put it together in a race could well do exactly that.

4 – Niagra Thunder (Trainer: Threshold)

One of the strongest form horses in the field. His DMR G2 second (102 figure) is elite sprint form, and he previously won at PRX in April. His works are excellent: PRX 5f in 58.0, DMR 4f in 46.0, showing both speed and readiness. Threshold’s sprinters are typically well‑drilled, and this horse is peaking at the right time.

Verdict:

Fast and strong but yet to really break through at this level like most of the stables runners. Should be thereabouts in an open race.

5 – Law Of The Land (Trainer: Maxmillion Farm)

Consistent but not explosive. His form this year includes a FG win and solid efforts at WO and SA, though he hasn’t shown the same punch as the top-tier sprinters. His PRX 5f turf work in 57.1 is sharp, and the trainer has him fit, but he tends to run evenly rather than deliver a decisive turn of foot.

Verdict:

Well Maxmillion must have sent flowers to the draw monster because their third runner gives them a 100% record for good draws in this race. I guess you aren’t the sprint king for nothing and solid six year old whilst maybe the stables third string is certainly good enough to give the stable a clean sweep.

6 – Pressurized (Trainer: Stald Gullis)

Talented filly with mixed form. She owns a CD win (95) but her DMR G2 run was flat. Her works — DMR 5f in 58.0 and 58.2 — show she’s fit, but she hasn’t been finishing strongly in recent starts. Trainer has her conditioned, but she needs a perfect trip to feature.

Verdict:

A decent enough sprinter but one that lacks early pace and on this race engine that can make for an inconsistent looking record. He will be closing late but will need race engine favors to arrive in time.

7 – Because I Want To (Trainer: Night Rider Stables)

Ultra-consistent performer. His 2026 form line is exceptional: five seconds, including 100 and 101 figures at SAR and WO. His works — KD 5f in 57.4 and KD 6f in 1:09.3 — are excellent, showing he’s razor sharp. Trainer has him in peak condition, and he rarely runs a bad race.

Verdict:

A lightly raced and consistent sprinting six year old. With five seconds and a third this year you would have to ask yourself what could change to get him the win but with this being HRP, there doesn’t seem to be just the one thing. At the end of the day he puts himself there and whether that results in a win or another second probably has very little to do with his ability or the ability of others.

8 – Earthshine (Trainer: Black N Gold Stable)

Strong mid-season form with wins at MTH (97) and LRL (99). His CD 4f turf work in 45.2 is extremely sharp, indicating he’s ready to fire again. Trainer’s turf sprinters often improve late in the season, and this horse is trending upward.

Verdict:

He has been around a while and has been a solid sort but gets another rotten draw here and may be up against improving on his last effort. Maybe a clicking of the gaming buttons could improve his chances.

9 – Showable Set (Trainer: Angelos Stable)

A veteran with deep turf sprint experience. His form includes a PRX third (97) and a G3 win at SA earlier in the year. His works at PRX — 5f in 57.4 and 3f in 33.3 — show he’s still very sharp. Trainer has him well-prepared, and he’s reliable at this trip.

Verdict:

Draws the car park but has pace so may use the wide gate speed push to try and clear the field. If he does, well it is not a question of ability, it is a question of how fast he has to go to do that. He will be in the fight, but for how long remains to be seen.

SUMMARY:

As you would expect this race is far better than a grade three handicap and that is mainly due to the BC points on offer and the lack of stakes races for turf sprinter. It will be a cavalry charge and any one of them could win but it seems the draw monster is trying to tell us something here so it may be the best choice to box up the three Maxmillion runners.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES