The Perryville Grade 3
Purse $350.00 For Three-Year Olds
7f on Dirt
Keenland Racecourse
Lexington, Kentucky

–The Hunter from Maxmillion Farm just earned a big number at the Spa going this trip and if able to repeat the effort certainly fits big here. He ran big as a two-year-old on this surface in finishing second while routing in a Breeder’s Cup prep race. Looking at the form and conformation, that doesn’t exactly appear to be his bag. Expect a solid run from a barn that isn’t in the habit of buying $375.00 paper weights. Petit A Petit from Jerry Garcia Racing has always struck me as a quality individual with more than a little talent. Asked to do far too much in the Preakness earlier this year, “Petit” can cause a major disturbance in this context with a clean break, something that shouldn’t be a problem looking at the form. He is 16 hands and tipping the scales at 1250lbs, so there is plenty of him. Expect a solid showing. London from Mo Mentum Farm clearly handles this trip and should be much more comfortable here than in his last couple where he still showed guts while not wining. Only 15.2 hands and still maturing, he is drawn well and should give a good account of himself. Painted Ice from Alydar Stables gets a tough draw but will appreciate the general context of this heat and has just enough natural gas to make it possible for him to work out a trip. He sprung back to life when sprinting last time and with this being his first trip at seven panels, he might just improve another notch. Don’t just dismiss without checking the tote board and seeing how he warms up. Expecting a decent amount of value and a possible shocking run.

Of The Rest:

Meekshallinherit from Big Jd Racing hasn’t sprinted since last December and also hasn’t seen a non-graded stakes since February. In other words, the Kentucky Derby runner-up might be in line to look improved in this spot, even though it is still graded. Check the tote for more clues.

American Mischief from Mb Stables has four wins since being gelded in March of this year, that being said, all of them were routing. Interestingly, he went seven panels in a stakes race while still a maiden back in January and ran solid over a course listed as “good”. Room for improvement here and with the country’s perennial top barn calling the shots, I possibly have him picked too low.

Weaponize from DJC Racing Stables won at first asking going six furlongs, then came right back to finish fourth going this trip in a first level allowance race. He hasn’t seen a sprint since over his last ten starts and with six straight grade one races in tow, he can obviously improve leaps and bounds here. Another that might be too low in my handicapping. Worth a look at the board and on the track.

Triangle from Mb Stables is lightly raced, but physically good sized at 16.1 hands. He was gelded before his maiden win and then came right back to win in a first level allowance at the Spa. Last time he ran down the track in a grade one at this trip. Not at the top of my list to win, but major improvement is not out of the question.

Lucky Tactics from Mb Stables is a four-time winner sprinting and is looking for the hat trick here but picks a tough spot for the attempt as this is a major step up in class. Not expecting a party here.

Fear Of Walking Dead from Big Guns Stables draws the rail, has plenty of gas and also is eyeballing four straight victory parties. Never been this trip and looking at the past performances, he should love it, but that’s where the good news stops as he is a class outsider against the top of the heap here. Should give a good sight part ways.

Sinissipi Swinger from TwinTowersRacing won a stakes sprinting in early January as part of a three-race win streak, but it’s been fairly tough sledding since and even though I can see some glimmer of hope, I just can’t recommend based on his recent dull efforts.

Lesnar from Royalty Racing has never won sprinting, draws the parking lot and comes out of an optional claimer at Del Mar where he lost position down the stretch. A win here would light up the tote board for sure, but not with my money.

*AE Smiling Sorcerer from Degan Stables is on the AE list and is most likely praying to stay there. Credit for a nice run after the claim, but this surface and race context are nowhere close to cozy for this winner of $66.16

-Trackman

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES