GG 5 Berkeley Hcp (GIII)
$100.000 3yo&Up 1 1/16m Dirt Hcp Weights
A field of six will be headed to the gate for the Berkeley Hcp (GIII) at GG, and many of these will be looking to get their games back on track as this is a field of strugglers. I took Tongariro as my top choice, and this one is coming off a bit of a break since that eighth place finish in the Super Derby (GIII). Prior to that, he was hitting the board while flashing speed and that could be a helpful attribute in this one. I went one gate over and took Sniper in the second spot. He just didn’t show much last out but had been knocking on the door prior, so maybe this is a spot for him to finally get his first ’19 win.
Here’s the Field –
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Maniaco del Controll |
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Threshold |
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Antongrgi III W |
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118 |
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20/1 |
It’s been a struggle for this one since he was a runner-up in the Louisville Hcp (GIII) at CD back in May. He has been facing graded horses but the results have been less than thrilling. You just have to wonder how much this one has left in the tank and perhaps it’s time for softer competition.
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Relentless |
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TwinTowersRacing |
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Alvarado F T |
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121 |
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15/1 |
Another that has shown a trio of poor races. He won back to back including a nice victory in the Tokyo Cup (GIII) at SA back in April, but the last three have been forgettable, at best. He will need to revert back to that spring time form or it’s going to be another long afternoon at the track.
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Tongariro |
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John Henry |
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Orozco I |
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119 |
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4/1 |
He’s been close in all four starts for the new barn since the private sale. He’s still looking for his first win since swapping hands but just missed in the Dandy (GII) at SAR, then threw a poor race in the Super Derby (GIII) at LAD. If he can run his best, he should be a big factor in this one.
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Sniper |
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Perez Al |
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119 |
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6/1 |
A bit of a dull outing in his most recent when sixth in the Comma To The Top at SA. He had three consecutive runner-up finishes after the private buy, and was actually the lukewarm post time favorite last out. He’s going to need to find that old form if he wants to be in the throes of this one.
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Blurred Return |
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Spankys Barn |
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Frey K |
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118 |
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8/1 |
He’s still looking for his first seasonal win although he has been on the board in three of his seven ’19 starts. Just missed in the Carter (GI) back in the spring, which was probably his best effort this year. The barn stretches him out a bit, trying to find the right spot.
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Greek Consul |
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Nakamura Stables |
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Amador S R |
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119 |
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9/1 |
His last two have been up-the-track starts where he just didn’t seem to have his best stuff. He won the Alydar at SAR back in the summer, prior to those busts, so can he reach down and find a better effort today? He’s going to need it to be part of this one.
COZMAN Picks 3 / 4 Willie’s Green Card 5 / 6 Scotty 4 / 5
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
