Eclipse Stakes GII

1 1/16th Dirt Stakes Purse $175.000 Four Year Olds and Up

2016 Champ: Seeking The Wild

The Eclipse Stake GII at Woodbine has a storied history at HRP with many of the biggest names in the sport taking on this race at least once throughout their great careers. The race has seen legends such as Icicle, Trotto and Rancho Ruler. I don’t see any legends in this field but it is a solid field of nine, including one filly taking on the boys.

1- Remastered (Drabfantasy, ridden by Wilson E J)

Remastered was able to get a favorable post for his running style. He will likely want to get out of the gate quick and set the pace early on in this one. He was able to do that in his most recent race to take home the GIII Discovery Handicap at Aquaduct last time out.

2- Rajivs Roadblock (Night Rider Stables, ridden by Campbell J M)

Coming into this one after an impressive win in the GIII Ali at Keenland is Rajivs Roadblock. This Florida bred has been running well since last summer and will look to continue that this weekend. He will actually be cutting back in distance after a long stretch of running in 1 1/8th and 1 1/4 races. He has the talent that the shorter distance should not be an issue.

3- Resolute Jesse (Mb Stables, ridden by Garica Alan)

Another of the top contenders in this one is Resolute Jesse. He comes into the race off streak of six wins in the past 7 races. He is also another that typically runs longer but cut in his last race leading up to this weekend and was able to cruise home to a one length win in a top allowance race. He will likely be flying late from the back of the pack as he seems most successful using that style.

4- Final Tune (Mb Stables, ridden by Contreras L)

The second of two Mb Stables entries. He is another in the race that has not had a problem finding the winners circle in his career. He comes into the race with eight wins in only thirteen career starts. He has had his best showings in top end allowance races and state bred racing, with a fairly deep field here he likely wont be much a factor when it’s all said and done.

5- Cant Catch Time (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by Rainford M)

This four year old colt has had an okay season thus far with one win coming in a FG N1X back in January. Since then he has struggled a bit including a 7th place finish in the GIII Mineshaft Handicap. His recent form does not indicate this spot will be a successful one for him. He looks like an easy one to cross off your program when filling out your exotics.

6- King de Bois (Namor Farms, ridden by Bahen S R)

King de Bois comes into this race off a second place finish in a $45.000 claimer at Santa Anita last time out. Not the ideal path to a stake race but owners Namor Farms thought they would give it a shot despite the fact he hasn’t even been able to break his maiden yet. Will be a none factor in the race.

7- Love Appeal (Hay Makers Inc., ridden by Hernandez R M)

The lone filly in the race is Love Appeal, this isn’t her first time running against the boys and she has shown in the past she doesn’t care who she runs against she can still find ways to win. She won the San Pasqual GII against the boys in January. This race looks a bit tougher but still see her being able to hit the board.

8- The Rook (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by Husband P)

After a couple sprint races in a row The Rook will stretch it back out in hopes of finding the winners circle again. This is a tough horse to get a read on for handicappers and even looks like for the trainer. He seems to have a wealth of talent but typically finds a way to not win a race. I would not be surprised if this one finds a way to jump up and win one of these but based on past history he will likely come up a bit short.

9- Taylors Eagle (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by Da Silva E R)

Taylors Eagle has been a solid horse since being aquired by Maxmillion Farm back in November. He is another hoping cutting back in distance a bit is the trick to success. The 1 1/16th distance might work well for him and he could be a solid long shot pick in the race. This six year old journeymen has shown he can be competitive at a similar level in the past. He could add some value to your exotic bets.

Rajivs Roadblock will look to hold off Resolute Jesse down the stretch in the Eclipse and take home his third win in four attempts in 2017 so far.

My Selection: 2/3/7

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES