CC Emerald

CD         Race #9                          1 1/16m                           Turf                      Stake

Purse $175.00  For Three Year Olds And Upward. Additional Requirements: Have started for a claiming price of $25.00 or less since 1/1/2025.

1            Matthews                        Alydar Stables          Corrales G                     122               

This three year old has built a solid record for a race like this and gets the ace draw which will certainly help his chances. Highly consistent and working strongly his running style is well suited to the race engine and he will certainly be visible for a long way. This race can look more like a top level graded stakes race sometimes and this renewal is no different so he will need to step up but he has been given every chance by the random part of the race.

2            Dirtiest Sin      The Sidley Stud                           Velazquez J R                126               

Certainly one of the class entries and well worth his fairly hefty penalty. Second in the Henry Championship last time and third in the Singspeil the race before that we did of course see him picking off a cheap race as is the stables way of doing thing before thatbut his form overall is certainly among the best. He gets the jockey everyone wants and the perfect draw to help with his impost which may not be enough to stop him.                      

3            Athabasca            Czech Out Farms           Geroux F                         126               

Another carrying a penalty but his form has a very different look to the one inside him. He hates an off track so ignore his poor run at FE and if you do that he has been pretty consistent. He could be a little forgotten in this line up and the nice gate will certainly help him carry the extra couple of pounds.      

4            Twin Disco           The Sidley Stud            Curtis B                           124               

Yet to be really tested but we have seen horses from this stable run consistently below their ability level and then pop up in stakes races so I wouldn’t lok at his form too hard. Instead of form lets look at his works which have been very good so I suspect he will be outrunning his form figures today.

5            Stylish Dime        Maxmillion Farm         Bermudez S E                       124               

Beatne a nose in a grade one and comes here with no penalty making him a very big chance in this race for claimers. The trainer has clearly been clicking the gaming buttons recently with two deep closing efforts following some on pace efforts so if he selects the right button today I would give this one a huge chance.              

6            Melancholy         Bears Stable          Bridgmohan S X                         124

Deserves his shot here but comes up against some pretty good horses with proven stakes ability. I wouldn’t write him off because of that and certainly his last three efforts have been good enough so as a seven year old this may be his one big chance to go to the paddocks with a stakes win.               

7            Swamp Thing                Lanfranco Stable       Sanchez M J                  124               

He has shown some nice improvement in his last two races so must be given a decent chance here. Put thise two good sub 1.33 wins next to his recent works and you have one that could win off a $4 claim last year.

8            All Star              Ashwood Farms              Saez L                              124               

A solid sort with some fair stakes efforts he certainly fits in this field but I am not sure he has the X Factor to win it. His efforts in the Wicker and Buckeye Native were solid enough and at six he is at the peak of his abilities.      

9            Smokin Sevens            Big Jd Racing           Alvarado J                          124               

Another five year old that has found some consistency late in life he is another tough battler who has every chance of being in the finish. He has come back ti turf recently looking a touch improved.                      

10          False Reality     D J C Racing Stables             Santana R Jr                  124               

A consistent sort but he has disappointed just a little in two efforts since being claimed. Gets a run here from a tough gate and it is hard to line his form up with the best of these.                      

11          Blackdown                     Spankys Barn              Gaffalione T                  124               

A lightly raced four year old he was secured at auction and hasn’t raced since August. That may leave him a little race rusty but he is working very well and has the form if not the draw. I expect a decent run.      

12          Commandment           The Sidley Stud               Moncada I                      124               

He will have to do a lot of running from this gate to get into this and whilst he has some fair ability it is tough to see him in the first three in a field like this.                            

13          Zionist Moon    Night Rider Stables                   Bejarano R                     124               

A solid five year old who isn’t out of place in this field he will have to find  a way from this draw to run a lifetime best and that is a big ask. I liked his effort in the MTH Stakes last time though.                          

14          Apparate                          Angelos Stable      Felix J E                            124               

The car park beckons for this six race winner and whilst he looked a nice claim for this race before the f=draw monster got his claws in he looks a tougher proposition now. A good record he may get some sort of run if the wide gate speed push works for him so it wont be a complete shock to see him winning.

Race Summary:

These races don’t get any easier but we do have a couple here who are stand outs on form and are drawn kindly. Stylish Dime may be the best of them if he can get his running style sorted and you have to like the form of Dirtiest Sin despite his two pound penalty.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded