The Go For Wand Handicap – Grade III
AQU Race #2 1m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000  For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.

1  Golden Angel  Rock Creek  Castellano J J 119 —

Three year olds in handicaps have never been a favorite betting proposition but with only two pounds across the field this isn’t much of a handicap and the ace draw is certainly worth a pound or two. Lightly raced she won her maiden in April and quickly moved to the notebooks when she was second in the grade three Selene just two months later. Most people would’ve started looking for stakes races after that but the trainer kept to overnights to try and give her some experience but it hasn’t really worked as she has been beaten in her next three at the lower level. Having said that there really isn’t much between some allowances and a stakes race at HRP these days so i wouldn’t discount her on those efforts.

2  Sexy Angelina  Night Rider Stables  Bocachica A 118 —

I like the handicap mark this one comes in at and along with the favored two gate she must be a serious chance. Pretty good in sprints being placed at ungraded level she disappointed when upped in trip in the Zenyetta last time which calls into question her stamina reserves. At her best i wouldn’t be writing her off but she has something to prove to me today over this mile.

3  Dominance  Nakamura Stables  Franco M 120 —

A three year old with joint top weight, how times have changed at HRP as this would once have been a complete no go for owners but now is a perfectly reasonable ask. The winner of the MTH Oaks she then failed in the grade one Cotillion but was good again last time when third in the ONT Matron. As her handicap mark suggests she is possibly the best horse in the race but i still shy away a little of three year olds in handicaps and i can’t help but think one of the older ones will get her in the end.

4  [Rename1654]  TwinTowersRacing  Jaramillo E 118 —

Bottom weight and a 1.36 and 1 mile work for a filly certainly says this one may be a good choice at a decent price. Her form is OK without being outstanding but she is just the sort to win races like these.

5  Retrospect  Mb Stables  Hernandez R M 118 —

Again Mb plays the handicap game perfectly and gets this four year old in with joint bottom weight. A highly consistent filly she rarely if ever miss’s a pay check and she should be good for some more today. She too has recorded a 1.36 and 1 work as well as no less than 6 stakes placings to her name so must be very close to starting as the race favorite.

6  Techno Slayer  The Sidley Stud  Saez L 120 —

The winner of nine races and by far the most money in the field this five year old almost looks well handicapped here with top weight as she only has two pounds more than the bottom weight. The winner of the My Sister Pearl last time her best run of the year probably came in the Fleur De Lis Handicap at grade two when third but she is a mare that is cleverly placed in small fields and her form may flatter he a little bit. A winning chance and a good mare but by no means unbeatable.

7  Jedediah  D J C Racing Stables  Lopez P 118 —

On form i feel that she may be the best handicapped runner in the field but a wider draw will even that up a little so again we are left scratching our head as to who may win. I liked her effort in the Honorable Miss Handicap at grade two when only beaten a length into sixth and whilst that and other good efforts have been over sprint trips she has a very good record in routes. If i had to pick one this may be the one.

8  Test Code Party  Asgar  Velazquez J R 118 —

Drawn the car park she is another with some very strong works that has good form for a race like this and bottom weight so must be considered a winning chance too. All of her wins have come on turf which is why she gets in light but i rather liked her last two efforts on dirt and her works suggest like 90% of the rest of the HRP population the surface makes very little difference to her performance.

SUMMARY

I think this may be between the wide drawn horses and i particularly like Jedediah and Test Code Party. Take out some letters and Retrospect becomes respect and that is exactly what you have to do with an MB runner so i would put her in the mix too.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES