Bashford Manor
CD Race #7 6f Dirt Stake
Purse $175.000 For Two Year Olds.

The traditional start to the BC chase for the two year olds The Bashford Manor doesn’t produce the next TC winner but it has produced a few good ones in among the duds of early speed. Pinnacle West is probably the best winner of recent years and Hilarity, last years winner, had a good run so it is certainly a race to watch and get a feel for where the juvenile races will go.

Here is how they line up:

1   Stormy Jones   Arindel   Garcia Mar

The most experienced in the field and drawn one make this one a decent chance but you have to keep in mind he has been beaten a lot more than he has won so it is not foregone conclusion. Only beaten a length in 3 maidens before going in in a statebred at WO on a muddy track. That wet form will certainly be a factor if it rains and even if it doesn’t he looks a contender.

2   Snakemadness Laga   Angelos Stable   Rocco J S Jr

Bred by Laga Stable, the Laga name pops up in some good horses and i feel that stable doesn’t always get the credit they deserve. Two good place efforts saw this one break his maiden at the third attempt in one of those stakes level $100 plus maidens at CD and he showed plenty of fight to hold on by a nose. I think this six furlongs may be a challenge as he likes to go up on the speed and the draw will certainly assist that but his works are strong and he comes from a stable that handles plenty of good horses.

3   Lambeau   Bigchief Stables   Gutierrez R

Won his maiden well on debut and then got well back in the KY Juvenile before running through the line very strongly for third. We don’t know just how strong that stakes race was yet but i liked the way he finished that day and this trip will be right up his alley. If he can keep up early he has a chance of out finishing them at the end.

4   Kentucky Pharoah   Arindel   Hernandez C J

A beaten favorite on debut he bounced back in one of those big ticket CD maiden for a gutsy head win and brings a big reputation here. Certainly a fast early season type he is drawn well enough today to be a factor although this trip will certainly test him. The sire is good for early maturity and i would have thought this one would be an early contender for the lead.

5   Dynamic Blend   Nakamura Stables   Corrales G

Came late and hard to just grab an LS maiden last time he certainly looks like this trip will suit but one wonders whether this race will come a bit too soon. The sire has produced but seems to bring plenty of stamina so this one will have to work hard not to get left behind early by the speedtsers.

6   War Regime   TwinTowersRacing   Saez G

I liked the way this one destroyed a statebred maiden field last time at BEL but he will need to come on a little bit from that to win this race. A slightly easier pace allowed to him to sit closer in that race and he will need to do some work early here as i am sure the pace will be hot. A definite chance if he is within a length at the turn for home.

7   Semi Auto    Fractious    Murrill M

Gets an advantage here as he retains his winning combination of rider and he was good in his maiden win last time looking like the trip holds no fears. His works are sharp and as long as he can negotiate this awkward draw which may see him squeezed out the back i would expect a big effort.

8   Red Rouge   Rampage Stable    Geroux F

The least experienced in the field he has been given plenty of time since his debut win back in April which he won in the mud at PRX. His works have been strong and he showed plenty of pace that day so i would expect him to be a big part of the early exchanges although hi slack of experience may show at the business end.

9   Justice Of The Peace   Maletto   Landeros C

Scrambled home on debut but then was a big disappointment in the Tremont from a decent draw. It is hard to see how that run can give him a chance from this draw but it is c;ear the trainer likes him and it wouldn’t surprise to see him do better today.

10   Criminal    Allinthegate    Beschizza A

Another that won on debut but then failed pretty miserably in stakes company next time. That effort was in the KY Juvenile and to be honest it was pretty bad, starting last and staying last. The one thing we know at HRP at the moment is that if you miss the start you are severely punished so i don’t think we saw the real Criminal in that race and if he can get out of the gate today i would expect a much better effort.

11    Spoiled    Mb Stables    Rispoli U

He was very impressive in a big ticket WO maiden last time albeit on an off track. It is tough to read wet track form at HRP as it is the one condition which tends to lead to big margins between runners but this son of Apples to oranges was very strong at the end and i feel he is no one trick pony. Mb has had plenty of practice with these wide draws this year and if he can get him into the second or third group this one must be a chance.

12   Terran Destiny    Barcelona Farms    Gaffalione T

I really liked the way this one won at CD and i really like the fact that the trainer has picked this race, the bit i don’t like is the draw. I have a feeling that he will go back and that may make things very tough for him but if he can cop a bit of the outside speed push and lay up in midfield he will be a big threat at the end.

SUMMARY

I really liked Terrain Destiny for this race but the draw really makes it a bit of a lottery as to how he will run. Of the better drawn horses i think Lambeau will run race but this really is a race to watch and make notes than put all your Disney Dollars on.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded