Already a three straight winner coming into this affair, Oquinn Farm is hoping that their four year old bay gelding can continue his winning ways here at Keenland on Saturday and earn his first ever Graded stakes title.
- Ali ( Gr.III) Purse- $200.000
- Keenland Park- Four Four Years Old and up
- One Mile and one eighth in Distance- Main track
- Saturday April 11th, 2020
Being the only entry coming into this event off a stakes win in the $100 Bernardini Stakes up at AQU on the last day of February, Bad Days is hoping to go four straight with a victory here. She will be getting some tough challenge to her outside from Nakamura Stables Hindenburg Tour who took home two Graded company events to close out last season, and that one seems primed to get back in the saddle here. Another six runners will also be looking to make their mark as well, so lets take a quick rundown of this season’s entries;
1.Niner So Dreamy ( Serenity Stables)…Trainer won his first stakes this season in the Island Stakes over at SUN, and now he is hoping this four year old colt can add number two. Rail post position is a plus and while he hasn’t finished well being the post time favorite in his past two starts this season, third time is a charm they say. Did breed Anoush Command who looks like a tough Derby contender as well.
2. Padlock ( Threshold )…Was able to take home the Elgin Stakes in a restricted affair last season north of the border, and most recently captured a minor Alw2.8N4L. That race he was able to win by a three length advantage. Put in a bullet work back on the 26th of March over at PRX, and hopefully that will help turn this race into a profitable one. Not sure if it will be a victory, but should be able to get in the mix.
3. Plucky Thinking ( Gdp Inc )…Raced impressively last season in the Gr. III OK Derby over at Remington Park in late September. Was stalking the pace from the onset in that affair and almost stole the show at the wire, just missing by a quarter of a length. Has earned a starter Alw26 event in his second start of this season as the 4-5 favorite, and with the added distance here, he will just have to maintain a little in the tank if he goes out on top early to stay close at the wire.
4. Bad Days ( Oquinn Farm)…As previously mentioned, this bay has won his last three starts with his most recent being a stakes victory. Has been away for forty days from his last victory and has probably been getting some morning works at the farm. His most recent win was at a longer distance then this event, so he may very well appreciate the cutback. Has some stronger runners to his outside, so will need to positioned well off the turn for home, and Hernandez is known for bringing them home.
5. Belt High ( D J C Racing Stables)…Has been racing at seven eighths and a mile events in his most recent three starts, and now adds a couple of furlongs for this event. While the Gr. III Hooper didn’t go as planned down in Florida, jockey Johnny V returned once again in his most recent Alw47 race and closed late to miss by only a neck. Franco feels he has a better chance with this entry over one of the Nakamura entries, so we will have to wait and see if he chose correctly.
6. Magne Account ( RNP Stables)…After winning five of eleven starts in his career, he has been unable to visit the winners circle in his past six starts. Definitely needs to get his racing game back on track, and his most recent runner-up effort in the longer Stud Muffin at the end of last month may be pointing to that happening very soon. Only reservation I have for this affair is that when going a longer route event, I usually look for a 21 day rest time between races, and this 14 day turn around works well for sprints, but might hinder his efforts here.
7. Hindenburg Tour ( Nakamura Stables)…First of two runner for this trainer and both have been placed in the two outside post positions. This four year old won two Graded company affairs to close out 2019, and has been unable to place in the top three in his two starts of 2020. Both of those races were against higher Graded I and Grade II company runners, and this lower affair and lighter racing company should play well for him at finding a top three finish on the day, if not a victory.
8. Brazen Deception ( Nakamura Stables)…Based on his last race at HOU in the mud against Alw38, we may very well find this one go to the front from this outside post and dominate the pace for this affair. Placed ahead of Belt High in the Gr. III Hooper last season and with sub 120 weights in his past two starts, seems to have turned the corner. The added four pounds should not play a factor on Saturday, and the other seven runners may need to try and catch this chestnut down the lane. Factor.
Duffer
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
